News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for May 23, 2022

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats' Endorsements Meeting is Saturday, Jun 4, 1:30pm via Zoom
Click Here to register for the meeting.

2. CORRECTED – The Skagit County Democrats Annual 2022 Gala has been postponed until Oct 8
"The gala team has made the difficult decision to postpone our 2022 fundraising gala and auction from our original date of Saturday, June 4th to Saturday, October 8th.  

We continue to sell tickets! – $75.00 per person or $600.00 per 8-person table. If you have already purchased gala tickets, you can either keep them for the October date or you can request a refund by calling: 360-336-1555. The theme for this year is: "Ensuring our Democracy Together." To secure your tickets please make a donation using this link. Please indicate "Gala" and the number of tickets in the "Purpose" box.

We will continue to gratefully accept any auction item donations through spring and summer in preparation for our fall gala. Donations can either be dropped off at our Headquarters, 2201 East College Way, Mount Vernon, from 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Monday-Thursday or you can request an item be picked-up – email: staff@skagitdemocrats.org.

3. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board is scheduled to meet Sunday, May 29, 10:00am – 10:30am followed by a General Meeting, 10:30am – 11:30am
If you wish to attend, please contact Chair Jordan Sears at jordansears.democrat@gmail.com.

4. NEW – Bans Off Our Bodies – Phone Bank to Defend the Senate and House with Women's March & Call 4 Change, Sunday, May 29, 3:00 – 5:00pm, Virtual Event
Click Here for more information.

5. A recording of Fidalgo Democrats' recent meeting with Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is now available
Click Here for the recording.

6. Indivisible Skagit is recruiting volunteers to do phone banking or text banking in the swing states of Arizona and Pennsylvania
"The project organizers are from Indivisible Port Townsend, but they are working directly with Democratic Party organizers in each of those states. They’ve done all the work setting up the program, all we have to do is join in. Like us, I’m sure some of your members want to be involved in helping at the national level. We'd like to build a small team of 6-8 folks to join WITH (Washington Indivisible Teams Helping) as a Skagit-based team. I’ve offered to act as team lead if we can gather the group . . . Be sure to check the box that you’re from Indivisible Skagit . . . Christie Stewart Stein jsteinwa@earthlink.net, 360-424-1999." Click Here to volunteer.

7. Washington State Democratic Convention
"Join us for our party’s annual convention June 24-25 at the Tacoma Convention Center. More information will be released soon, including the names of our VIP guests!"
              
8. Skagit County Democrats will continue to mandate facemasks at our Headquarters Office
While the Statewide mask mandate has been lifted for many situations, we will continue to require facemasks at our Headquarters until further notice.

9. NEW – Skagit County Democrats Chair, Lynn Campbell, is going on vacation Monday, May 23 through Tuesday, May 31
Please contact Vice Chair Nathaniel Block for any issues in her absence. He can be reached at 805-451-5543 or nathaniel.r.block@gmail.com.

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

• How to Avoid (Unintentional) Online Racism – and Shut Down Overt Racism When You See It
• The Washington Post guide to writing an opinion article
• After decades defending abortion rights, Patty Murray readies for offense
• The Color of Water
• Why members of Congress choose not to run for re-election

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Memorial Day Celebrations

• Sunday, May 27
  • Mount Vernon
    • Trinity Anglican Church will hold a Memorial Weekend Worship Service and “Tribute to Our Troops” family event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1200 S. Cleveland St., Mount Vernon. Features a flag-folding ceremony, color guard, patriotic music, a speaker and a free light lunch. 360-420-7380.
• Monday, May 28
  • Anacortes
    • The Anacortes Masons will honor those who died while serving in the armed forces at 11 a.m. at Causland Memorial Park, 710 N. Ave., Anacortes.
  • • Conway – Mason-McConkey American Legion Post 147 of Conway will conduct a Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. at Fir-Conway Lutheran Cemetery, 19084 Milltown Road, south of Conway.
  • • La Conner – Pleasant Ridge Cemetery will host a Memorial Day celebration at 9 a.m. at 17616 Valentine Road, La Conner. The service will honor long-time resident Joyce Johnson, who will read her poem “Last Chance Survivor” written about the historic Pleasant Ridge School. Limited seating available for those unable to stand. Rain or shine. 360-466-3141 or pleasantridgecemetery.com.
  • Mount Vernon
  • • Hawthorne Memorial Park will hold a Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. at 1825 E. College Way. The program will include special music, dual taps and a complimentary hot dog lunch. 360-424-1154 or hawthornefh.com.
  • • Kern Funeral Home and Mount Vernon Cemetery, 1200 E. Fir St., will host a Memorial Day service at 1 p.m. The Rev. Ron Deegan will lead the service, which will include music by the Rev. Mich Michl and Judith Pearson, a presentation by Susan Gregg of VFW Post 5056 Ladies Auxiliary, and a narrated flag-folding ceremony by Master Sgt. Shane Inman. Military honors will be performed by Marine Corps League, Skagit Valley, Detachment No. 1045, Commandant, Master Sgt. Shane Inman and buglers Bill Gurney and Stan Reylea. Light refreshments will be served. 360-336-6845.

2. NEW – The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday,  Jun 4, 11:00am – 12:00pm, on the sidewalk in front of the Mount Vernon Health Center, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
Bring your signs, your friends, your family, and your masks.

3. NEW – Mountain Film Festival, Thursday, Jun 2 – Sunday, Jun 5, Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main Street, Concrete
Click Here for more information.

4. NEW – Anacortes Waterfront Festival, Saturday, Jun 4, 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday, Jun 5, 10:00am to 5:00pm, Cap Sante Marina, 1019 Q Ave, Anacortes
Click Here for more information.

5. NEW – Women2Women Circles virtual training event, Wednesdays, Jun 15 and Jul 12, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
"Women2Women Circles mobilize women to form local organizing groups that break isolation, practice feminist values in action, and grow our collective strength. Circles nurture, activate and train thousands of everyday women to take meaningful action around life and death feminist issues and organizing at the intersection of economic, racial, and gender justice. Join us to learn how you can become a Circle Coordinator and join hundreds of other local groups of women/feminists across race and place taking action, bringing new women into the fight and community with each other." Click Here for more information.  

6. NEW – Skagit County Strategic Plan Meeting Scheduled for May 26
Skagit County is currently developing its strategic plan to communicate the County’s vision and show its intended direction and emphasis over the next ten years. The most recent strategic plan was published in 2017. Click Here for more information.

7. NEW – Annual Call for Applications for the County Planning Commission
The Planning Commission works with the Planning and Development Services Department and advises the Department and the Board of County Commissioners on proposed land use plans and regulations in unincorporated Skagit County. Currently, there are no vacancies on the Planning Commission. This call for applications is for residents who would like to be added to the pool of candidates to be considered when there is a vacancy. Click Here for more information.  

8. UPDATED – Farmer's Markets Opening in Skagit Valley

• Anacortes – Open – Saturdays, 9:00am – 2:00pm, At the Depot, 7th Street & R Avenue
• Concrete – Opens May 28 – Saturdays, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad Avenue
• Mount Vernon – Open – Saturdays, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Riverwalk Park, 501 Main Street
• Sedro-Woolley – Open – Wednesdays, 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Hammer Heritage Square, Metcalf and Ferry Streets

Farmers Market Vouchers Available Beginning June 1 for Eligible Seniors – "Beginning Wednesday, June 1, the Skagit County Senior Nutrition Program will have a limited number of Farmers Market Vouchers available for Skagit County seniors, age 60 years or older (55+ if Native American/Alaska Native), who meet certain income requirements. A monthly income requirement of $2,096 or less for individuals, and $2,823 or less for couples, must be met to be eligible. Each eligible person will receive up to 80 dollars in vouchers to be used at any approved Skagit County Farmers Market or Farm Store. Vouchers will be given on a first-come/first-served basis, with one set available per person. Vouchers will be available while supplies last." Click Here for more information.

9. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of May 18



Click Here for the full report and resources.

Skagit County Public Health Publishes 2021 COVID-19 Summary Report
Skagit County Public Health has published its 2021 COVID-19 Summary Report, chronicling the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report focuses specifically on Skagit County Public Health’s role in the ongoing pandemic during 2021 and presents data in graphic format that can help provide insight into the impact the second year of the pandemic had on our county. Click Here for the press release. Click Here for the full report.
 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Coffee & Cards is BACK!
"Are you looking for a way to make a positive contribution to our democracy while enjoying the company of others?  Coffee and Cards is starting up again on Wednesdays from 10-11 am.  This is a group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan (who sadly moved away) and is a way for us to express ourselves about issues of importance to us all.  We will write messages of encouragement and support to people who are making positive contributions as well as messages of concern and opposition to people who are negatively impacting our world.  This includes legislators on the local, state, and federal level as well as CEOs of corporations and other people having a significant impact in our world.  We will share ideas for people to write to and issues to address.  Postcards and stamps will be provided, but we ask that people bring money to cover the cost of the postcard stamps which are currently .40 (and will be going up to .44 in the summer).  Coffee will be provided or bring your own.  As Carol always reminded us, “We are stronger together.” Our office is located at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, 360-336-1555."

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