News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for April 12, 2021

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. Fidalgo Democrats next meet Tuesday, Apr 13, 7:00pm via Zoom
“The Filibuster: The Good, Bad and Ugly” – Cindy Black, the Executive Director of Fix Democracy First will discuss the filibuster. Learn about its history, how it works, the pros and cons and its impact on democracy. For more information contact Barbara Cooper, 360 293-4123.

2. UPDATED – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board is scheduled to meet Saturday, Apr 17, 10:30am – 12:30pm, via Zoom
Click Here to register for the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

3. NEW – 40th Legislative District Democrats General Meeting is Sunday, Apr 18, with sign-in starting at 1:30pm, and the meeting called to order at 2pm, via Zoom
You may pre-register for the meeting here. Please register and check-in early, if you can. Here is the proposed agenda for the meeting. Please note: only PCOs will be able to vote on the changes to our bylaws that will be considered at this meeting but every member is welcome to vote on other business to be considered and all are always welcome to attend.

Everyone planning to vote during the meeting must have access to an internet browser and reliable internet access on their phone, computer, or another device. If you need any kind of accommodation for the meeting, please email 40thdems@gmail.com to let us know. Earlier notice will allow us to make the meeting as accessible as possible despite our limitations in resources. As always, if you have any questions, please let us know by contacting us at 40thdems@gmail.com.

4. 40th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board is scheduled to meet Thursday, Apr 22, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, via Zoom

5. Union Summer Internships
“Union Summer is the paid ($17/hour) summer internship program of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions for people interested in getting involved in the labor movement. Union Summer participants will spend an exciting seven weeks — June 20 to August 7 — working full-time and hands-on with different campaigns, talking to our community, marching for justice, and gaining first-hand experience in the movement.” The application deadline is Friday, May 7. Click Here for more information. Click Here to apply.

6. NEW – Mark Your Calendar – Washington State Democrats will present “Build the Blue”, a virtual gala Tuesday, May 11, 4:30pm, online
” In order to build relationships and strengthen Democratic values across the state this next year, the Washington State Democrats will be hosting our first-ever “Build the Blue” Gala on May 11th! We hope you will join Democrats from all over Washington State to hear live speeches from key party leaders from the national scene, celebrate our 2020 victories and plot the course for an even more successful election cycle.
 
Stay tuned for a complete announcement of event details (including speakers!) next week, but for now, please save the date for our 2021 “Build the Blue” Virtual Gala on the evening of May 11th. We hope you will join us to celebrate this exciting moment and support our efforts!”

7. NEW – Have something you think we should post?
Our OMP (Online Media Posting) Committee has been working on getting our social media (website, Facebook, Twitter, Newsletter, etc.) better organized. You can now send submissions to be considered to:

• Calendar – Calendar Submission Form
• Newsletter – news@skagitdemocrats.org
• Website/Facebook/Twitter – omp@skagitdemocrats.org

8. Skagit County Democrats Volunteer Opportunities

• Are you active with social media? If you love to Tweet or post Facebook messages, we need you! Please contact Kat Lohman at kat@sidenoteconsult.com.
• Are you a policy wonk and are actively tracking bills? Please be part of a new committee – the Legislative Committee. Contact chair@skagitdemocrats.org.
• We have various Committees needing volunteers, including the Candidate Recruitment, Social Media, Finance, Outreach, and Fundraising Committees. Due to Covid-19, all events and meetings are online, and everyone is working from home. 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. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. NEW – Links of the Week
The Link of the Week provides in-depth pieces and resources the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.

• We sampled tap water across the US – and found arsenic, lead and toxic chemicals
• The Overmilitarization of American Foreign Policy
• The Unique Pleasures of Letter-Writing in a Era of Impulsive Interaction
• ACLU Washington State Legislative Updates – State v Blake and SB5476 (video) – Access Passcode: peoplepower!2021

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Farmer’s Markets
Common sense COVID-19 precautions remain important. Keep a 6’ distance between yourself and other people. Wear an appropriate face covering per state regulations. Practice good hygiene – wash your hands with soap and water before you visit, while you are here at one of our hand-wash stations, and when you get home. Stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.

• Anacortes – Saturday, 9:00am – 2:00pm, The Depot, 611 R Avenue – Opens May 1
• Concrete – Saturday, 10:00am – 1:00pm, 45821 Railroad Avenue – Opens May 29
• Mount Vernon – Saturday, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Riverwalk Park, 501 Main Street, Opens May 15
• Sedro-Woolley – Wednesday, 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Hammer Heritage Square, Corner of Metcalf & Ferry Streets, Opens May 19

2. UPDATED – The 2021 Tulip Festival began Apr 1
After taking a year off because of the pandemic, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival will return to local fields, art galleries, restaurants and more through April–with COVID-19 modifications in place. RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town will be open, but nonrefundable ticket purchases must be made in advance, and there will be restrictions on the number of people who can visit. If you wish, you can drive by some of the fields in your car. There is a charge for parking, and health and safety rules will be enforced. The tulips bloom according to Mother Nature, but historically April 5-19 is a time for peak petal power. 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.” Click Here for recent Skagit Valley Herald article.

To ensure social distancing can be practiced, Tulip Town and Roozengaarde are both ticketing entrance to their facilities this year. If you’re planning on visiting, get your tickets ahead of time at https://tuliptown.com/ and https://www.tulips.com/, respectively.

3. NEW – Skagit County Commissioners recognize April 18-24, 2021 as National Healthcare Volunteer Week
Click Here for more information.

4. NEW – Central Samish Valley Neighbors Seek Community Support to Fight Mine Development
“The Central Samish Valley Neighbors continue their grassroots effort to ensure reasonable conditions are placed on a mine development in their community. They face the prospect of a massive increase in heavy, industrial truck traffic on the area’s quiet rural roads. As proposed by Puyallup-based Miles Sand & Gravel, the permit for the Grip Road Gravel Mine north of Sedro-Woolley would allow up to 30 truck and trailer trips per hour each way on Grip Road and Prairie Road over the next 25 years, without any meaningful road safety improvements.

After five years of pushback from the community, it still looks like the permit will be approved without conditions that will protect public safety and the environment. Once the excavation starts on the 60-acre open pit mine, there is no going back — dump trucks will flood our narrow and substandard roads for the foreseeable future. The group has issued a fundraising appeal to pay for a traffic and road safety analysis. Learn more here.”

5. Skagit County announces funds, partners to help Skagitonians pay rent and utilities during COVID-19 pandemic
Click Here for more information. Click Here for explanatory flier.

6. Skagit County continues in COVID-19 Phase 3 Recovery
Activities – – – Phase 3 Guidance

• Social and at-home gathering size – indoor – – – Max of 10 people from outside your household
• Social and at-home gathering size – outdoor – – – Max 50 people
• Worship services – – – Indoor maximum 50% capacity
• Retail stores (includes farmers’ markets, grocery and convenience stores, pharmacies) – – – Maximum 50% capacity, encourage curbside pick-up
• Professional services – – – Remote work strongly encouraged, 50% capacity otherwise
• Eating and drinking establishments (establishments only serving individuals 21+ and no food remain closed) – – – Indoor dining available 50% capacity, end alcohol service/delivery at 12 AM. Outdoor or open-air dining available, max 10 per table
• Weddings and funerals – – – Ceremonies and indoor receptions, wakes, or similar gatherings in conjunction with such ceremonies are permitted and must follow the appropriate venue requirements. If food or drinks are served, eating and drinking requirements apply. Dancing is prohibited.
• Indoor sports and fitness establishments (includes gyms, fitness organizations, indoor recreational sports, indoor pools, indoor K-12 sports, indoor sports, indoor personal training, indoor dance, no-contact martial arts, gymnastics, climbing) – – – Sports competitions and tournaments allowed in all risk categories. Fitness and training and indoor sports maximum 50% capacity. Showers allowed.
• Outdoor sports and fitness establishments (Outdoor fitness organizations, outdoor recreational sports, outdoor pools, outdoor parks and hiking trails, outdoor campsites, outdoor K-12 sports, outdoor sports, outdoor personal training, outdoor dance, outdoor motorsports) – – – Sports competitions and tournaments allowed in all risk categories. Maximum spectators allowed 400 with capacity restriction depending on facility. Guided activities allowed without hard caps subject to restrictions.
• Indoor entertainment establishments (includes aquariums, indoor theaters, indoor arenas, indoor concert halls, indoor gardens, indoor museums, indoor bowling, indoor trampoline facilities, indoor cardrooms, indoor entertainment activities of any kind, indoor event spaces) – – – Maximum 50% capacity or 400 people, whichever is less. If food or drinks are served, eating and drinking requirements apply.
• Outdoor entertainment establishments (includes zoos, outdoor gardens, outdoor aquariums, outdoor theaters, outdoor stadiums, outdoor event spaces, outdoor arenas, outdoor concert venues, rodeos) – – – Walk-up tickets allowed with restrictions. Maximum spectators allowed 400 with capacity restriction depending on facility.

7. 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. Phase Finder, the state’s online vaccine eligibility tool, will no longer be required to verify COVID-19 vaccine eligibility beginning Wednesday, March 31st. All vaccine providers have been provided guidance around this change and should no longer be requiring proof of eligibility at vaccine appointments. 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 1-4 (Beginning March 31) are 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
• People 16 years or older with 2 or more co-morbidities or underlying conditions (beginning March 31)
• All people 60 years and older (beginning March 31)
• People, staff, and volunteers in certain congregate living settings. (beginning March 31) This includes:
  • correctional facilities;
  • groups homes for people with disabilities;
  • settings where people experiencing homelessness live or access services
• High-risk critical workers in certain congregate settings: restaurants, food services, construction, and manufacturing

On March 31, Governor Inslee announced that all adults, ages 16 and older, will be eligible for vaccination beginning on April 15. Read more here.

NOTE: Please, No Pets at the Fairgrounds – Skagit County Public Health asks that people do not bring pets to the Fairgrounds. Service animals are permitted. This is to ensure the safety of our nursing staff and patients.

8. 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 for Wednesday, Apr 14 – Gender, Social Justice and the Platinum Rule
Dave McConnell talks with Sam Killerman about his presentation, “It’s Pronounced Metrosexual” and his book, “The Social Justice Activist’s Handbook: A Guide to Gender“. Killerman addresses a variety of issues related to the LGBT community, and has an interesting take of Social Justice – talking about “Equity” and the “Platinum Rule” rather than “Equality” and the “Golden Rule”. Killerman’s definitions: Social justice: a status in society where all people, regardless of their individual identities and social group memberships, have an equitable shot at achieving success.

The Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they would have done unto them.