Jackson County Democratic Party Newsletter - August 3, 2009
Jackson County Democratic Party Newsletter - August 3, 2009
Index:
- Events
- This Week's Events:
- 24th Annual Ashland Hiroshima - Nagasaki Vigil
- Hors d'oeuvre & Wine Reception for Bill Bradbury (considering being a candidate for Governor!)
- Reception/Fundraiser for Emerge
- Emerge Leadership Workshop for Women
- Mark Your Calendar for Future Events
- 10th annual Farm Worker Day celebration
- This Week's Events:
- Take ACTION!
- Collect school supplies for our Jackson County children who cannot afford to purchase them
- Write your Representative to choose YOU, not millionaires, when it comes to Health Care Reform
- See Video: President Obama has formed United We Serve - List your service project, or join one!
- Articles
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The Medford Library meeting area was packed for the Health Care Reform Event on July 30th! Watch Video coverage clips of Alan Bates, Maribeth Healey, Steve Neuberger, Rich Rhode...and hear the answers to constituent questions.
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EVENTS
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Downtown Ashland Plaza Nuclear Alley Display is one day only - Thursday, August 6th, 2009 8 am to 7 pm Vigil starts Aug 6 at 8 AM on the Ashland Plaza, and ends Aug 9 at 3 PM in the Lithia Park Japanese Garden |
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Times for Remembrance and Reflection: August 6 Hiroshima 8 am (Ashland Plaza) August 9 Nagasaki 3 pm (Lithia Park, Japanese Garden) (Up Winburn Way, on right)
More information: Jill 488-9286 www.atomicvigil.net
The City of Ashland has been a Nuclear-Free Zone since 1981 and a member of Mayors for Peace since 1998.
Sponsors: Women's International League for Peace & Freedom--Ashland, Peace House, City of Ashland Rogue Valley Peace Choir, Citizens for Peace & Justice--Medford,Veterans for Peace--Rogue Valley, United Nations Association--Southern Oregon, One Sunny Day Initiatives International Organizations: Mayors for Peace, WILPF DISARM Committee, Global Network, Abolition 2000, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
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On the 64th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) invites the public to a ceremony commemorating the event. The ceremony will begin on Thursday, August 6 at 8 AM on the Plaza in downtown Ashland with the lighting of a memorial candle in remembrance of the victims of the bombings. There will be a moment of silence at 8:15 marking the exact time the bomb was detonated by the U.S. above the city of Hiroshima. A reading of the 1981 proclamation designating Ashland as a nuclear-free zone will follow. After the ceremony, the public will be invited to wander the 'Nuclear Alley' until 7 pm. Built by WILPF members, the alley is a large canvas and wood structure created to teach about the history of nuclear weapons and their impact on local and international communities. The walls will become teaching tools with photos and text addressing the issues of the nuclear era. On Sunday, August 9, the date of the bombing of Nagasaki, the vigil will close with a ceremony at the Japanese Garden in Lithia Park at 3 pm. Local activists will float sunflowers, the symbol of the nuclear-free movement, down Lithia Creek. Local WILPF member Nancy Spencer has a personal link to the vigil because her brother was a navigator on the aircraft that followed the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombers to photograph the devastation. Spencer says,” I think we need constant reminders like this vigil to remind ourselves of the horrors and inhumanity of war.” Lead organizer is WILPF, founded in 1915, the oldest peace organization in the United States with branches in 37 countries. WILPF acts to promote peace, social justice, racial equality, and women’s rights. Previous members include Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Jane Addams, Dr. Linus Pauling, and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Cosponsoring local organizations are Peace House, Rogue Valley Peace Choir, Citizens for Peace & Justice--Medford, Veterans for Peace--Rogue Valley, United Nations Assn--Southern Oregon, One Sunny Day Initiatives. |
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This Coming Saturday, Aug 8 - Everyone Is Invited!
RSVP please to lynnhowe@excite.com or 778 9600!!
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Training Women Leaders For A Democratic Future
Southern Oregon Emerge Workshop 8:30 AM - 4 PM Sat. August 8th at RCC/SOU Higher Education Center, Medford PRINT AND MAIL THIS APPLICATION FOR THE WORKSHOP (FULL INFO INCLUDED)
<<(Reception Afterward at 5PM) Full Information on JCDP Web Site
Questions? Call Lynn Howe at: 541 778-9600 |
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Mark Your Calendar for August 30th! Unete, Center for Farm Worker and Immigrant Advocacy is sponsoring its 10th annual Farm Worker Day celebration, August 30, 2009 at Hawthorne Park in Medford from 11:00am – 6:00pm.
SEE FULL DETAILS DIRECTLY BELOW |
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Hello everyone!!
Unete, Center for Farm Worker and Immigrant Advocacy is sponsoring its 10th annual Farm Worker Day celebration, August 30, 2009 at Hawthorne Park in Medford from 11:00am – 6:00pm. Each year Unete sponsors this important family oriented event to honor farm worker families and the contributions they make to our local economy and our community.
Farm Worker Day offers free food, entertainment, and access to state and federal agencies. It provides access to important services and contacts with a variety of community resources.
This is an outstanding opportunity to do outreach to the Latino community while helping to support an important part of our community.
If you are interested in having booth space at the event, please complete the attached form and return it to Unete by August 21, 2009. As always booth space is free for agencies and non profits, however we do request that you donate a raffle item. We strongly suggest having interactive activities to encourage community contact. Children's activities are also popular.
Commercial space is available for distribution of information only, not for direct sales. There is a $35 fee for commercial booths plus the donation of a raffle item.
At this time we do not permit food vendors. If you are interested in selling food you will need to contact us directly at 245-1625.
If you need additional information, please contact Kathy our program coordinator at 245-1625, 607 W Main Medford OR 97501 or by e mail at kkeesee24@msn.com. |
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TAKE ACTION!
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Action! - Please join with the Jackson County Democrats as we work together this summer to help disadvantaged children who will be going back to school in September!
As you know, President Obama has challenged all of us to engage in projects that help the less fortunate members of our community. That's why we, the Jackson County Democrats, are working together this summer to help disadvantaged children who will be going back to school in September. Arlene Aron, a long time Democrat and PCP (precinct committee person) from the Applegate, is heading up a project that I hope many of you from around our county will make extra successful in this year of special needs. Please read Arlene's letter below, then open your checkbook and send her whatever you can afford. She has set a deadline of August 15 to raise the money needed.
Allen Hallmark JCD Vice Chair
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My name is Arlene Aron and I have been raising money to buy school supplies for needy children in Jackson County for the last 4 years. My friends and I will distribute these school supplies in late August... There are other programs that collect school supplies for our Jackson County children who cannot afford to purchase them - but there are always more children than programs! We have a good connection for inexpensive but quality backpacks, and I have started collecting funds to buy them and fill them with school supplies. The backpacks cost us about $7 each at a special wholesale price and to fill them with goodies costs another $5. So, your gift of $12 buys a backpack and school supplies for one student. My deadline is August 15th. Please help by sending whatever you can to me at: Arlene Aron 1684 Humbug Creek Road Jacksonville Oregon 97530 P.S. I have been the PCP out here in the Applegate for the last few years and have worked at the Democratic office for several years in the past. |
What will YOUR REPRESENTATIVE DO about health care reform?
Passing health care reform will save you money. Not passing it will save millionaires money. Will your Representative choose the millionaires or you?
and ask him/her to CHOOSE YOU by supporting HR 3200.
The health care reform bill being voted on in the House this week will save you an average of $2,200 per year.1 This bill says those who make more than a quarter of a million dollars a year should help pay for reform by rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the rich.2
1. Fork in the Road: Alternative Paths to a High Performance U.S. Health System - The Commonwealth Fund
2. How the Health Care Surcharge Works - House Ways and Means Committee
3. Health Care Surcharge Would Not Affect 96% of Small Businesses - House Ways and Means Committee
One of the excuses some Members of Congress are using to avoid voting for this health reform bill is that this bill raises taxes on small business. They couldn't be more wrong. (JCDP note: read Why Small Business Owners Should Demand the Public Option Plan For Health Care Reform)
According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxes, 96% of small businesses would not be affected by rolling back Bush's tax cuts, and this bill would in fact lower these businesses' health care costs.3
That's why small business owners all across America are supporting this bill.
This bill guarantees us quality, affordable health care. It will cover the uninsured and lower the costs for those of us who have insurance. Let's pass this bill, so we can all have quality, affordable health care.
To your health,
Betsy Dillner, Oregon Health Care for America Now
P.S. HCAN and Organizing for America are hosting canvass days all across the state. If you would like to participate contact me at betsy@nwfco.org
United We Serve - List your service project, or join one! Frequently asked questions, answered. (More Q/A)
President Obama is asking us to come together to help lay a new foundation for growth.
Q: I’ve volunteered before but I didn’t feel like my time was very effective. How do I know I’m making a difference?
A: President Obama knows that volunteering is not simply a nice thing to do, but, rather, it is critical to rebuilding our communities. He is asking us to devote our time to impactful and measurable service. The projects promoted on Serve.gov and by partner organizations have tangible outcomes. If you spend three hours a week reading to a child, you should know that (s)he is then twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading. If you are working to secure food donations for a local soup kitchen you should know that you have directly provided three meals to hungry individuals. Set goals based on these outcomes and track your results. You will be amazed at the impact you can make this summer.
Q: What’s the best way to get connected with other people in my community?
A: When using the search function at Serve.gov, search by either keyword or location (or both). The listings that populate will include community service opportunities projects in and around your location. Most specific opportunities will include contact information for a local organizer. You can also contact your local chapters of our major service partners and ask how they are participating in United We Serve. Or, if you are organizing a "do-it-yourself" project, be sure to post it at Serve.gov so other people can find you.
"Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your community as it is about what we're doing here in Washington, and it's going to take all of us working together." President Obama
Q: What is United We Serve?
A: United We Serve is a nationwide service initiative that will help meet growing social needs resulting from the economic downturn. With the knowledge that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when given the proper tools, President Obama is asking us to come together to help lay a new foundation for growth. This initiative aims to both expand the impact of existing organizations by engaging new volunteers in their work and encourage volunteers to develop their own "do-it-yourself" projects with friends, family, and neighbors. United We Serve is an initial 81 days of service from June 22 to September 11 but will grow into a sustained, collaborative and focused effort to promote service as a way of life for all Americans.
See all questions on JCDP Web Site
ARTICLES
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The Medford Library meeting for the Health Care Reform Gathering (July 30th was packed! See and hear Videos of Senator Alan Bates, Maribeth Healey (Deputy Director for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley), Steve Neuberger (HCAN), Rich Rhode (Oregon Action), Jackson County Constituents, and others had to say on Health Care Reform that affects us all.
Photo: Alan Bates, Maribeth Healey, Steve Neuberger More Photos and message from Allen Hallmark, Acting JCDP Chair (Click here) |
And 10 More Short Video Clips, including hearing questions from your neighbors answered |
OF ON GOING IMPORTANCE
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Become a Precinct Committeeperson (PCP) - WE NEED YOU!!
The 2008 general election and the election of President Barack Obama energized more people and drew them to our Democratic Party than any election in memory. President Obama even won here in Jackson County where Republicans outnumber Democrats by several thousand voters.
The question now becomes: How do we build on that success and turn Jackson County "blue"? My answer is: By getting more Democrats to become PCPs and working together to make it happen.
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How do PCPs fit into the state and national parties?
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Health Care Action on Two Fronts - JOIN ONE OF THE ACTION RESPONSE TEAMS
to write letters to editor, call your Senator
"Let there be no doubt: Health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."
… President Barack Obama
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VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED & APPRECIATED FOR OUR STANDING COMMITTEES |
THE JCDP
The JCDP is an entirely Volunteer Organization. We have many interesting committees and activities that you can be a part of. Please contact us to be part of Unity and Real Change in Jackson County.JCDP HQ at 541-858-1050 or email mail@jcdemocrats.org 40 S. Central Ave, Medford, OR Google Map
About our JCDP Email Newsletter and Web Site
The JCDP web site is full of exciting information – Come see how we are involved with Jackson County and our greater community at http://www.jcdemocrats.org If you have questions, please contact our Webmaster Linda Sturgeon