News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on September 10th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for September 11, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. The Fidalgo Democrats next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, Sep 12, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"The Fidalgo Democrats are having a candidate forum with the candidates running for Anacortes Port Commissioner. The candidates, Bonnie Bowers and Corey Joyce, will have an opportunity to introduce themselves, followed by a period of prepared questions. Time will be set aside for questions from the audience. For more information contact Barbara Cooper, 360 770-3506."
2. NEW – Bonnie Bowers, Anacortes Port Commission candidate will conduct a Meet and Greet, Thursday, Sep 14, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, Pelican Bay Books, 520 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
3. NEW – Fundraiser for Andrew Vander Stoep, Mount Vernon City Council candidate, Saturday, Sep 16, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Please RSVP to Kati Durkin at kdurkin101@gmail.com for further information.
4. NEW – Doorknock for Paul Cocke, Sedro-Woolley City Council candidate, Saturday, Sep 16, 11:00am, Bingham Park, 340 Bingham Park Loop, Sedro-Woolley
5. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats and the Island County Democrats will conduct a joint General Membership Meeting, Saturday, Sep 16, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Conference Room, 2021 East College Way, Mount Vernon
This will be conducted as a "hybrid" meeting with both an in-person and a Zoom option. "This will be our first in-person meeting since 2019 . . . We will be discussing the November 2023 election and introducing our preferred candidates. We will also have Nick Brown, 2024 democratic candidate for Attorney General and a representative from Fair Vote WA to present a resolution for ranked choice voting. We also hope that Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, and Kim Shrier can join us as well."
Those planning to attend in person, email John Amell at chair@10thLDdemocrats.org IN ADVANCE of the meeting.
For those who plan to attend via Zoom, Click Here to REGISTER IN ADVANCE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
For those who plan to attend in person, 2021 East College Way is an office building set significantly back from the street. Our entrance faces the street on the east side of the building (next to the Munro's Driving Instruction Office). Our office is in the space previously occupied by Farmers Insurance. Click Here for a picture. To reach our Conference Room, enter the building and proceed down a long hall to a crossing hall. Turn left and proceed nearly to the end of that hall. Our Conference Room is on the left across from the restrooms.
Our restrooms have a security keypad lock restricting access. The combination should be available from the meeting coordinators.
6. NEW – The Skagit County Young Democrats are having their first fall meeting, Sunday, Sep 17, 10:00am – 11:00am, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link. "YDSC welcomes all who are 35 years old and younger to participate as a member and those 35 and older to join as a guest. We will be talking about our upcoming election involvement and chatting about current events at our next meeting."
7. NEW – Hannah Oliver for Sedro-Woolley Schools Doorbelling events
"We will be doorbelling all around Sedro-Woolley School District every weekend until the election. Bring some friends or come on your own. Training will be provided, and individual volunteers who want to go in a pair will be partnered up. No experience necessary! Join once, every weekend, or do some doorbelling on your own. Just reach out for some handouts and a list. More info and events on Facebook. Next Event: Sunday September 17th 4pm – Hammer Heritage Square in Sedro-Woolley"
8. NEW – SKAGIT COUNTY DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERS, Saturday, Sep 23
- 12Noon to 1:00PM, luncheon and networking.
- 1:00PM to 2:00PM, Live Music Entertainment.
- 2:00PM to 3:00PM Networking.
Call in your reservation at the Headquarters Office, 360-336-1555, and let us know what you plan to contribute to the covered dish luncheon. Location: Woodside Lodge, 330 South 48th Street, Mount Vernon. Lots of planning has gone into this celebration of the work of our Democrat volunteers. We hope to see you on Saturday, September 23!"
9. 2nd Congressional District Representative Rick Larsen announces 2023 Congressional App Challenge
"Rep. Rick Larsen announced the launch of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) this week. The annual competition, which runs through Nov. 1, is open to high school and middle school students who live in or attend school in Washington's 2nd Congressional District. The Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity for students to create programs or apps for any platform, including desktop/PC, web and mobile, to collaborate, invent and learn coding and computer science skills. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four. Students can only enter the competition once." Click Here for more information. Click Here for the CAC website.
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.
- August 2023 Skagit County Food Security Data Report
- Why You See Fewer Bugs Splattering On Car Windshields Nowadays
- How phonics is making a comeback as millions of kids struggle to read
- America’s Surprising Partisan Divide on Life Expectancy
- ‘British Writer Pens The Best Description Of Trump I’ve Read’
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Shred-a-Thon – A Fundraiser Benefiting the Anacortes Family Center, Saturday, Sep 16, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Anacortes Walgreens Parking Lot, 909 17th Street, Anacortes
"Bring your old documents to be destroyed! $20/box, $10 minimum donation. All of the proceeds will support Anacortes’ own homeless shelter—serving women, children and families in crisis. Even if you don’t have documents to shred—donations are welcome and needed! Please stop by to support this important community organization."
2. NEW – McIntyre Hall Open House, Sunday, Sep 17, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, 2501 East College Way, Mount Vernon
Free event. "Join us as we celebrate our 20th season of building community through the arts at the Community Open House. Visit with community arts organizations, learn about how to get involved, get a behind the scenes look at the Hall touring the facility, find out more about the exciting season ahead, and enjoy entertainment, refreshments, and giveaways."
3. NEW – Call for Applications for the Skagit County Planning Commission
Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, September 22, 2023 at 4:30pm. "Currently, there is a vacancy in District 1 on the Planning Commission. This call for applications is for residents who live in District 1 of Skagit County and would like to be considered for a seat on the Planning Commission. The new planning commissioner would fill the existing vacancy until the end of the term on August 31, 2024."
"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. The Planning Commission consists of nine members (three from each Commissioner District) and usually meets twice monthly in Mount Vernon at the Commissioners Administrative Building. Meetings are broadcast live on Skagit 21 and archived online. More information about the Planning Commission is available at: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PlanningCommission." Click Here for more information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Progressive folks regularly demonstrate each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. While this is not an official Skagit County Democrats activity, turnout is encouraged.
2. Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
Coffee and Cards meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This is the group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan and is now led quite capably by Judy Farrar and Judith Chilcote. The group 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 $.51. 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, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555."