News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for March 22, 2021

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Change in Vice Chair for the Skagit County Democrats
Marco Morales has resigned for personal reasons and Nathaniel Block has been appointed in the interim. Welcome Nathaniel!

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

3. Join the Skagit Democrats for an Evening with Party Chair Tina Podlodowski!, Thursday, Mar 25, 7:00pm via Zoom
Skagit Democrats are pleased to invite you to an engaging discussion with our amazing Washington State Democratic Party Chair, Tina Podlodowski! Chair Podlodowski will be sharing her thoughts about the insurrection and what it means for us. We also look forward to hearing about the party’s vision and specific plans for the future. This is a free event. However, this is a Skagit County Democrats fundraiser and we encourage donations of any size so please consider making a donation. This event has been advertised to our membership, including the Zoom connection link. If you would like to attend and have not received the connection link, please Click Here to register.

4. The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Sunday, Mar 28, 10:30am via Zoom
Click Here to register to attend the meeting.

5. NEW –  39th Legislative District Democrats Monthly FUNdraiser, Saturday, Mar 27, 7:00pm
The 39th District Democrats will hang out virtually each month on the last Saturday at 7:00pm as a fundraising event. The purpose is to have FUN. All 39th District members are invited to attend and bring guests. The event is free but donations encouraged. Click Here to register.

6. NEW – Join Senator Patty Murray for a Bellingham virtual fundraiser with Senator Liz Lovelett, Representative Debra Lekanoff, Representative Alex Ramel and more on Tuesday, Mar 30, 5:00pm
Click Here to register and/or donate.

7. NEW – Fidalgo Democrats are sharing the video recording to their meeting Mar 9, “Evergreen Islands: The Legacy of Environmental Protection Continues”

8. Consider becoming a Skagit County Democrats Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) or Precinct Captain
We currently have several Skagit County Precincts without a PCO. You can find the uncovered precincts Here. Normally PCOs are elected every two years but precincts without an elected PCO may have one appointed until the next election. You can find the PCO application Here. Precincts without an elected PCO may also have a Precinct Captain, which is someone who covers the responsibilities of a PCO but does not reside in the respective precinct, if a PCO is not available.

The PCOs and Captains are the backbone of our organization. They comprise the Central Committee which is our governing body. They also make important contributions in our Get Out the Vote efforts each election cycle.

9. 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”

10. Skagit Democrats Fundraisers

• 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.
• The Our America signs are still available at $10 each. We also have a couple of Biden yard signs – $5 or inquire. Call (360-336-1555) or email staff@skagitdemocrats.org for pick up times and payment information.

11. 2nd Congressional District Representative Rick Larsen Invites Second District Students to Participate in 2021 Congressional Art Competition
Representative Larsen is inviting high school-aged students who live or attend school in Washington state’s Second Congressional District to showcase their artistic talents in the 2021 Congressional Art Competition. Art submissions and forms are due to Larsen’s office by Friday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. PDT. The U.S. House of Representatives holds the annual high school visual art competition to encourage and recognize artistic talent in each congressional district. All art entries must be original in concept, design and execution. The winning entry will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Last year, Oliver Rinne from Sedro-Woolley High School won the districtwide competition with his piece, “Breathe”. Click Here for more information.

12. NEW – Links 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.

• 2021’s Most & Least Federally Dependent States
• Reproductive Problems in Both Men and Women Are Rising at an Alarming Rate
• How to File Your State and Federal Taxes for Free in 2021
• Trump was a Russian asset, new Intelligence Community report shows

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Women Rising: A networking event for female entrepreneurs and small business owners, Thursday, Mar 25, 5:30pm – 7:30pm via Zoom
“Join us for a virtual networking event and connect with women across Skagit, Island, Clallam and Jefferson Counties. Entrepreneurship is more than just business as usual for women, as they frequently are balancing multiple work life demands as well as challenging ideas about what it means to be a female entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is a source of economic empowerment and equality. In this space, we showcase female entrepreneurs’ success and hear their stories. Come to inspire and be inspired by other women in our communities!” Click Here for more information. Click Here to register.

2. Sedro-Woolley City Council Ward 3 Position open
Ward 3 includes residential and downtown areas southeast of Highway 20 from Rhodes Road to Haines Avenue and an area north of Highway 20 between North Sapp Road and North Reed Street. Click Here for the application form and instructions. Applicants have until 4:30pm Mar 26 to return the application to the deputy city clerk at Sedro-Woolley City Hall, 325 Metcalf Street. Click Here for the Skagit Valley Herald article.

3. The annual La Conner Daffodil Festival 2021 is celebrated the entire month of March
Click Here for more information.

4. NEW – The 2021 Tulip Festival begins Apr 1
The official site states: “In 2021 we will have a lot of unknowns and possible changes as we move through the issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Check back with us often to get the most current information.”

5. UPDATED – Skagit County moves to COVID-19 Phase 3 Recovery effective Mar 22
Governor Inslee has announced that Washington State will enter Phase 3 effective Monday, Mar 22. Click Here for more information. This article includes the following information on Phase 3:

“Sports guidance will change in Phase 3 to allow in-person spectators at events for the first time in a year. Spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor venues with permanent seating with capacity capped at 25%. The change affects both professional and high school sports, as well as motorsports, rodeos, and other outdoor spectator events. Social distancing and facial covering are still required.

The new phase also allows for up to 400 people maximum to attend outdoor activities, as well as events in indoor facilities — so long as 400 people does not exceed 50% capacity for the location, and physical distancing and masking protocols are enforced. Larger venue events are capped at 25% occupancy, or up to 9,000 people, whichever is less, and must follow spectator guidelines.

Additionally, Phase 3 will allow up to 50% occupancy or 400 people maximum, whichever is lower, for all indoor spaces. This applies to all industries and indoor activities currently allowed; restaurants, gyms and fitness centers and movie theaters, among others, may all increase their capacity.”

For Phase 2, Click Here to see activity limits and permissions. Our region also includes Whatcom, San Juan, and Island Counties.

6. UPDATED – 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.

Phase 1A, Phase 1B, Tier 1 and Phase 1B, Tier 2 (beginning March 17) are currently eligible for vaccination. This includes the following groups:

• High risk workers in health care settings
• High risk first responders
• Residents and staff of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based, congregate living settings where most individuals over 65 years of age are receiving care, supervision, or assistance.
• All other workers in health care settings, including care providers.
• Educator or staff member- including administrator, bus driver, food service, environmental services- at a PreK-12 school
• Childcare workers
• All people 65 years and older
• People 50 years and older who live in multi-generational households, including:
  • Those who cannot live independently or are receiving long-term care from a paid or unpaid caregiver  
  • Those living with and caring for kinship such as a grandchild, niece, nephew or elderly parent (this does not include someone 50 years of age or older and caring for their own child)
• Pregnant People, 16 years of age or older
• People with disabilities that make them higher risk for poor health outcomes from COVID-19, ages 16 and older.
• People who work in critical industries in congregate settings. Qualifying workplaces include, but are not limited to:
  • Agricultural
  • Food processing
  • Correctional facilities
  • Grocery store workers
  • Public Transit
  • Firefighters and law enforcement

7. UPDATED – Drive-through COVID-19 testing has now closed
Other testing providers are available in Skagit County. 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 – 24 March – Woman Power, the role of women in society
Dave McConnell talks with Sarai Stevens about her sculpture: Woman Power. They also discuss the  role of women in society and about the need to organize locally in light of the continuing ecological crisis, which is headed toward ecocide, drastically changing our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren.