News from the Skagit County Democrats

Posted on February 21st, 2021

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for February 22, 2021

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DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. The 40th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Thursday, Feb 25, 5:00pm – 7:00pm via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

2. The 39th Legislative District Democrats meets Sunday, Feb 28, 10:00 – 10:30am for the Executive Board and 10:30am – 11:30am for the General Meeting
Click Here to register for the meeting. If you are not on the list to receive the Call to Meeting, please contact Chair, Jordan Sears at jordansears.democrat@gmail.com.

3. NEWFidalgo Democrats meets Tuesday, Mar 9, 7:00pm via Zoom – “Evergreen Islands: The Legacy of Environmental Protection Continues.”
“Don’t miss our Zoom meeting on Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00 p.m. when Evergreen Islands Board President, Marlene Finley shares the status of the Gravel Mine permit proposal for South Fidalgo Island – the latest subdivision proposals threatening wetlands and streams and Evergreen Islands plans for the future. Barbara Cooper, Chair, 360 293-4123.”

Also, a recording of last month’s meeting on “Redistricting Washington” is available on YouTube (Click Here). Past meetings can be found on our YouTube channel, “Fidalgo Democrats” (Click Here).

4. Washington State Democrats Constituency Caucuses are open to members
Washington State Democratic Members may ask to join specific caucuses and participate in their meetings. Each caucus has their own enrollment process. Please email partyaffairs@wa-democrats.org for more information on how to join a specific caucus. Click Here for the Rules for Constituency Caucuses. Below is a list of current caucuses.

  • African American Caucus
  • Agricultural and Rural Caucus
  • Asian Pacific American Caucus
  • Disabilities Caucus
  • Economic Justice Caucus
  • Environment and Climate Caucus
  • Latino Caucus
  • LGBTQ+/Stonewall Caucus
  • Jewish Caucus
  • Labor Caucus
  • Native American Caucus
  • Progressive Caucus
  • Small Business Caucus
  • Separation of Church and State Caucus
  • Veteran and Military Families Caucus
  • Women’s Caucus

5. Skagit County Democrats Volunteer Opportunities
“The Skagit County Democratic Party is excited to report that our membership is growing. We are very aware that there are many talented and resourceful individuals like yourself within our party. We wanted to reach out today with some opportunities for you to increase your involvement with us. We have various Committees, including the Candidate Recruitment, Social Media, Finance, Outreach, and Fundraising Committees, just to name a few. We love to have our members be involved and offer lots of ways to volunteer with us and help with campaigns. Due to Covid-19, all events and meetings are online, and everyone is working from home. We appreciate your membership with the Skagit County Democratic Party. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering and being on our Committees, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinators, and they will help you find the right fit for your skills. We can also connect you to the Committee Chairs or our Party Chair. We hope to hear from you soon. Please reach out to Larry at Larry.Hilliard@gmail.com for more information about Committees or Ashley at ash.gregorius@gmail.com for Outreach and Candidate Recruitment Committees. Thank you, Skagit Volunteer Coordinator”

6. AnyTechQuestions Webpage
In addition to the AnyTechQuestions weekly Zoom support session (every Wednesday at 5:00pm – the Zoom link is available by emailing Tech@SkagitDemocrats.org), the webpage has information on Zoom tips and basics as well as tutorials on how to work with our Skagit Democrats Google Drive.

7. Skagit Democrats Fundraisers

  • Political Collectibles for Purchase: These are the first of the political collectibles being offered for purchase. If you are interested in a listed item (or what else is available), please email staff (staff@skagitdemocrats.org); note the item of interest and include a phone number. Staff will contact you with information needed to proceed with the purchase (pay online or pay by cash or check at Headquarters at time of pick up by arrangement at the door). This is a fun project for staff. Provenance connected with some of the items has been very educational. Click Here for sample pictures.
  • Coronavirus Face Mask Fundraiser: For a donation of $20 you will receive a hand-made face mask especially designed by an engineer/industrial designer at the request of the Medical Director of Pediatrics at Mission Hospital in California. The masks provide full coverage and are comfortable. Click Here or Here to see examples of the masks. If you would like to donate, Click Here. Under purpose on the donation indicate ‘Mask’. After you have donated, call Ronda Weston at 360-873-8445 to select your fabric.
  • Greeting Card Fundraiser: Social distancing and staying safe makes it difficult for us to get out and look for cards to mark special occasions or just say hello. For a donation of $15.00 you will receive a box of 6 – 8 beautiful hand-made greeting cards. These are one-of-a-kind cards so no two boxes are the same and aren’t made to order. Let us choose your lovely card set. Pictured on the web site (Click Here or Here) are samples of the kinds of cards you will receive. If you would like to donate, Click Here. Under purpose on the donation, please indicate “Cards” and the number of boxes you want.

8. NEWLinks of the Week
The Link of the Week provides in-depth pieces the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEWStuff the Bus Food Drive, Saturday, Feb 27, 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 201 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington
Helping Hands and Skagit Transit will accept all Non-Perishable Donations Saturday, February 27th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Cascade Mall in Burlington. Please stay in your car as you drive through with your donation, the volunteers and staff will assist you. Cinderella and Spider-Man will also be on site to help accept donations (thank you to our friends at Enchanting Events!) And we challenge our community to see who will be crowned Community Champion! The organization, business or service group that brings in the most pounds in donations will be crowned Community Champion! Monetary donations also count towards the goal: $1 = 25 pounds of food! The Community Champion will be featured in a ¼ page colored ad in the Skagit Valley Herald, bragging rights, and a delicious catered lunch from our friends at Rockfish Grill! For more information about this event, please visit: https://helpinghandsfoodbank.org/hhevents/. You can also call us at: 360-856-2211 or email: development@helpinghandsfoodbank.org.” Click Here to make a donation.

2. NEWThe annual La Conner Daffodil Festival 2021 begins Monday, Mar 1
Click Here for more information.

3. Skagit County is now in COVID-19 Phase 2 Recovery
Click Here to see activity limits and permissions. Our region also includes Whatcom, San Juan, and Island Counties.

4. UPDATEDThe League of Women Voters of Skagit County is offering presentations on the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Skagit Chapter
“Links to Skagit LWV A&A via Zoom sessions below can be reached with meeting ID 728 6695 7807 or on skagitlwv.org website:
Feb. 22: Betty Carteret, Chair of Skagit CCL (Citizen Climate Lobby) will speak to us about carbon pricing (Cap & Trade, Tax, Free and Tax options) basics, and what is happening to build political will to pass state and federal legislation.”

Also, “Cultivating Civic Conversations (CCC): Learning to Talk about Race” is the title of the next seminar series jointly sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kittitas and Skagit counties. The 13-week virtual discussion group is open to all beginning March 1. The one-hour group conversations use Ijeoma Oluo’s bestselling book, “So You Want to Talk About Race” paired with podcasts. Oluo responds generously and answers questions she has often been asked about race and racism, such as “Why are our students so angry?” “Is police brutality really about race?” and “What if I talk about race wrong?” CCC co-creator Katherine Murphy says, “Our goal is to provide a safe space to practice reflecting and talking about race in order to spur participants to increase their civic engagement around racial equity and social justice.” “Learning to Talk About Race” meets on Zoom Mondays, 10 a.m. or 5 p.m., March 1-May 24. Participants attend either session as they can and have the option of following the discussion 24/7 through Sutra, an online conversation platform. For information, contact Katherine Murphy at kbmurhpy@lwvwa.org.

5. Skagit County Marine Resources Committee Salish Sea Stewards Volunteer Training 2021, weekly Feb 23 – Jun 1, Tuesdays 1:00pm – 3:30pm
“Sign up by Feb 16 to receive 40 hours of free citizen science training from 1:00pm – 5:00pm Tuesdays from Feb 23 – June 1 with the Salish Sea Stewards. Via Zoom lectures and small-group, hands-on field exploration, participants will learn about the Salish Sea from local experts and find out about volunteer opportunities that will help them make a difference in their community. Attendees will need to pledge to return 40 hours of volunteer service during the course of the year.” Click Here for the 2021 program flyer.

6. Public comment being taken on regional transportation plan until Friday, Feb 25
Click Here for the Skagit Valley Herald article. Click Here to see the draft plan.

7. COVID-19 Vaccines
“Skagit County Public Health vaccine clinics held at the Skagit County Fairgrounds are now open to those eligible under Phases 1a and 1b-Tier 1 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Vaccine is available based on current supply. Scheduling for appointments can now be done online via the PrepMod scheduling tool. Please check your eligibility using Phase Finder before attempting to schedule: https://form.findyourphasewa.org/210118771253954. To schedule an appointment, visit: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/.” Click Here for the Skagit County Public Health Department vaccine webpage and the most current information about availability.

8. Drive-through COVID-19 testing is Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10:00am – 4:00pm, Skagit County Fairgrounds, South Gate Entrance, 501 Taylor Street, Mount Vernon
Use of the Drive-Thru testing site will be limited to those who live in or work in Skagit County. Those who do not live in or work in Skagit County should seek testing in their own communities or through their medical provider. If you have had a known or probable exposure to COVID-19, you cannot get tested right away. You must wait 8 days before being tested. COVID-19 has a relatively long incubation period, so being tested before 8 days has passed could result in a false negative. If you have questions about this, or any other questions related to COVID-19, please call Public Health at 360-416-1500. Skagit County Public Health is encouraging anyone who fits into the following guidelines to get tested:

  • Those who are essential workers
  • Anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms
  • Anyone whose physician recommended they be tested
  • Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting
  • Pregnant women
  • Anyone who is a close contact or has a known exposure to COVID-19

Click Here for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! Radio
Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! – a half hour weekly radio show committed to community, peace, justice, and non-violence issues. The show airs on Community Radio stations (times subject to change) – KSVR 91.7 FM (Skagit Valley College), Wednesdays 5:00pm, rebroadcast Sundays 8:00pm; KSVU 90.1 FM, Hamilton, Sundays 8:00pm and Thursdays 8:00am; KMRE 102.3 FM, Bellingham, Sundays 11:00am and Wednesdays 7:30am. Our shows are available online. Stream or download a show at http://speakupspeakoutradio.org/ anytime.

NEW – SUSO 02-24 – Nuclear Weapon activist & Author Betsy Bell talks about her book “Open Borders”
Betsy Bell, longtime anti nuclear weapon activist, and author of “Open Borders”, talks to the Skagit ‘No More Bombs’ Committee about the beginning of the anti-nuclear weapon movement in Seattle and the 1983 visit of Seattleites to Sister City Tashkent in Uzbekistan, a part of the USSR at that time. Betsy Bell is a longtime justice activist living in Seattle. Her anti-war memoir, “Open Borders: A personal story of love, loss and anti-war activism” recounts her efforts, along with many others, to end the Cold War nuclear weapon build up.

PS: The SUSO show on March 10th will honor local women as we celebrate International Women’s History Day (as we have done since we started in 2008). We are accepting audio recordings honoring local women in Skagit & Whatcom. Please send that audio to drdksvr@gmail.com before March 1st – preferably via Dropbox or Google Drive.

PPS : Speak Up! Speak Out! will continue through our 15th anniversary, the first Wednesday in March. If others choose to join our (now small) team of hosts, we will consider continuing beyond that date.

2. Coffee ‘n Cards – on hiatus

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