Jackson County Democrats

JC 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.

Become a Skilled, Effective Fundraiser: Join this JDC Fundraiser Workshop
Monday, February 6, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
JCD HQ, 40 S. Central, Medford
We are looking for 15-20 Democrats who would like to learn a new skill and help the party. The Fundraising Committee is presenting this workshop to increase donations to support candidates and keep the HQ humming. Learn to do it right. It's easy!

* No charge
*To Sign up: Call Christine @ 541.773.1680; or email christineh1@charter.net.

 

Cathy Allen, Professional Campaign Adviser Presents Stimulating Workshop
Last week, potential candidates and campaign volunteers learned how to run a campaign and received tips for being an effective candidate. Note everyone is taking notes like mad. Credit for this event goes to Marilyn Hawkins, Lynn Howe and the Campaign Committee for sponsoring this rare opportunity for the Jackson County Democrats.

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!

Learn about the Oregon State Education Investment Board and proposed changes in the Educational System
Wednesday, January 25, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
North Medford High School
Sponsored by the League Of Women Voters. Check out the background information here.

OCCUPY THE COURTS
Citizens Gather in Vogel Plaza
Over 100 people, representing the Occupy Groups and others,  gathered at Vogel Plaza and marched to the Courthouse to call for an amendment to the Constitution to end corporate personhood. The movement is gaining steam. City by city, across the nation, resolutions are being passed to overturn the Supreme Court decision,  Citizens United vs The Federal Election Commission. Speakers included Robert Dole (Medford), Elbert Collins (Grants Pass), Evan, Keith and Andrew Seles (Ashland) and Rich Rhode of Oregon Action. The rain didn't dampen the spirits and kept up lively chants," Hay Hay, Ho Ho, Corporate Greed has got to go!" To see more images of this event, click here.

Governor Kitzhaber Gives State of the State Address
In Governor Kitzhaber's State of the State address he touted progress on policy initiatives and job creation, including momentum on public education and health care reforms necessary for long-term economic prosperity in Oregon. Read the press release with a link to his prepared remarks. Click here.

Canvassing for Suzanne Bonamici
Suzanne's election is critical. We cannot make the progress we need to make in America, on issues from economic justice to global warming, unless we restore a rational majority in the House of Representatives. Canvass for Suzanne next Saturday (Jan. 28) and Sunday (Jan. 29), meet at 10:00 a.m. at Suzanne's Portland campaign office, 917 SW Oak St. Suite 300. For questions e-mail Ann Branson at ann@forwardoregon.org. The virtual phone bank for Southern Oregon will not be available.

League Of Women Voters Action Alert
Oppose LC 230 and Defend Open Access to the Land Use Process
LC 230 limits appeals to LUBA in a number of ways. The League of Women Voters says "No." Contact your legislators by February 15. The link is here.

A Day at the Legislature Workshop
Tuesday, 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.

Jackson County Regional Problem Solving Update
Comments can be made until a March meeting
After more than 10 years in development and two years of public hearings, on November 23, 2011 the Jackson County Board of Commissioners adopted the Regional Problem Solving Plan (RPS).

But the plan is not final yet. It must still be approved by all of the cities, and then by the state. This process will take many more months, and will involve additional opportunities for public input and possible further changes to the plan. Read the whole article and comment here.

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

Bernie Sanders' Introduces Amendment to Congress
Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision and redefine so-called "corporate personhood."
Sign the petition to overturn Citizens United vs the FEC. Click here.

Two Bills to Fight Against Voter Suppression
This year, 34 Republican state legislatures introduced bills designed to turn voters away from the polls who cannot produce specific types of state issued ID
If all of these bills pass, roughly 21 million voters will lose their right to vote. And, it's no coincidence that most of those voters are minorities, students, and elderly voters who vote Democrat. To stop this attack on voting rights, Rep. Ellison introduced two bills to curb voter suppression. The Same Day Registration Act would require states to provide for same day voter registration for a federal election. The Voter Access Protection Act would make sure election officials cannot require photo identification in order to cast a vote or register to vote.

Help stop this assault on our fundamental rights. Become a citizen co-sponsor. Sign here.

Harry Reid asks support for Elizabeth Warren's "Money Bomb"
"The next six years will look very different – and more hopeful for the middle class – if Elizabeth becomes a U.S. Senator. And you can help her do so by clicking here to contribute to her campaign's moneybomb right now."

Occupy Medford General Assembly
Every Saturday, Noon - 3 p.m.
Medford Library

Occupy Ashland General Assembly
Meets 2 p.m. Sundays
Peace House
543 Mountain Ave, Ashland

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

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.

FAMJAM Benefit for Good Grief America
January 27, 8:30 p.m. at Rosso's

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

"Immense Possibilities" SOPTV
Tuesday's 7:30 p.m.
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

The Camelot Theatre in Talent is once again holding a fundraiser for Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS)
Wednesday, March 21, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $25/each (+$4 processing fee/order) – of which the majority goes directly to FOTAS!
Refreshments include local high-quality local wine, and Eliza's killer brownies will make a return guest appearance! Proceeds also benefit FOTAS.
You may purchase them online at https://ctctalent.org/index.html or by calling 541-535-5250.

Please invite your friends!

This year it's GYPSY, suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee. This Tony Award winner is a gripping story of one of the most frightening aspects of show business: the stage mother! Join Rose, June, Louise and Herbie in their trip across the United States during the 1920's, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. Songs include "Let Me Entertain You", "You'll Never Get Away From Me", "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Together Wherever We Go".