News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on December 10th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for December 11, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. UPDATED – Washington Democrats Holiday Party, Tuesday, Dec 12, 4:30pm – Sponsor Reception & 5:30pm – Main Event, 1932 1st Ave, Seattle
$30 – General Admission (and up). "We have so much to be proud of this November, but 2023 is just the beginning and we need to remain vigilant and energetic, with our eyes locked firmly on the prizes we must win in 2024. And so, we hope you will join us in kicking off the next year with a bang at our Holiday Party on December 12th!" "Inspiring speeches from great Democratic leaders – we’ll be featuring AG Bob Ferguson, WA Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, and King County Councilmembers-Elect Teresa Mosqueda and Jorge Baron!" Click Here to RSVP and purchase tickets.
2. NEW – 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul requests our particpation in a survey to prioritize issues for the upcoming Legislative Session
Click Here for access to the survey.
3. NEW – A reception in support of Senator Maria Cantwell is being offered Saturday, Dec 16, 11:00am, at the Home of Jim & Michelle Oschmann (Address provided on RSVP), Anacortes
Click Here for the flyer. Click Here to RSVP.
4. UPDATED – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Holiday Party, Saturday, Dec 16, Noon – 3:00pm, Shawn O'Donnell's Irish Pub at The Farmhouse, 13724 La Conner-Whitney Road (off Highway 20), Mount Vernon
"We have one of the meeting rooms in the back and will have a buffet luncheon with an Antipasto Platter, various sliders, shrimp cocktail, and more. There will be a cash bar. We hope you will bring your +1. (Donations to cover the cost of the buffet will be appreciated, but not required. Suggested donation $25.00) Please RSVP to me (John Amell) to make sure we can accommodate everyone. If you have already RSVP'd, then there is no need to do so again."
5. The 39th Legislative District Democrats will have a Holiday Potluck & Membership Meeting Sunday, Dec 17, 1:00pm, Marysville Library, 6120 Grove Street, Marysville
Please Click Here to RSVP. Ugly Sweater Contest – the ugliest sweater wins a prize!
6. The Fidalgo Democrats will NOT be meeting in December
7. Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Holiday Schedule
We are closing on Friday, December 22nd and reopening on Tuesday, January 2nd.
8. The Skagit County Democrats now have a Threads account
Threads is the Meta (Facebook/Instagram) alternative to X (Twitter). Click Here to view our Threads feed.
9. NEW – Beware of PAC solicitations
We recently came across a solicitation that could have easily been mistaken for a legitimate Democratic Party request for support. It was, in fact, a solicitation from a PAC that did not advertise itself as such. It contained phrases like: 'BREAKING FROM PBS: “Over one million Democrats have left the Democratic party to register as Republicans since Biden took the presidency.”' and 'Will you vote for Democrats in 2024?' Admirable sentiments, to be sure, but obscuring the fact the soliciting organization had nothing to do with either the Democratic Party or specific Democratic candidate campaigns.
If you wish to support an issues-PAC, that is obviously perfectly fine. However, please be sure you know exactly who it is you are supporting. If you are unsure, one way to check is to look at the URL in the address bar of your browser. You can then open a Google page and in the search bar enter "whois" and the URL portion of the address (for example: whois skagitdemocrats.org) and the output should identify the organization.
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.
- Psychologists say they can't meet the growing demand for mental health care
- Targeting costly meds, Biden admin asserts authority to seize certain drug patents
- Toyota's 745-Mile Solid-State EV Battery: Everything Announced So Far
- It's one of the biggest experiments in fighting global poverty. Now the results are in
- Tinnitus may be linked to ‘hidden hearing loss’ missed on common tests, study suggests
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Anacortes Lighted Boat Parade, Saturday, Dec 16,00 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Launching from Cap Sante Marina
Sponsored by San Juan Marine Freight, Anacortes Waterfront Alliance, the Port of Anacortes, and the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. Viewpoints/Lookouts:
- Seafarer’s Memorial Park
- Rotary Park
- Ampitheater
- Secret Cove
- Curtis Warf
- Kiwanis Park
- Guemes Trail
- Ship Harbor Blvd & L on Edwards Way
- Ship Harbor Interpretive Reserve
- Guemes Island General Store
2. NEW – Employment Training Opportunity
Skagit Valley College has a Worker Retraining Grant Program. Grants can include funding tuition, books, and tools as well as offering 1 to 1 advising and support. Click Here for a flyer providing information on eligibility and contact information.
3. Please assist C2C (Community to Community) with their holiday toy drive for children of Farmworkers
They need toys for children ages 1 -10 years old. They have approximately 180 young children. Please take toys to C2C located at 224 Stewart Rd suite 230 before Friday, Dec 15.
4. Evergreen Goodwill, 242 E College Way, Mount Vernon, is offering employment preparation training
The training is for community members interested in Computer Basics, Microsoft Word, ESOL, Work-Readiness workshops, GED test preparation, and Citizenship test preparation classes at the Mount Vernon Goodwill's Job Training and Education Center. Walk-in registration for students starts on Monday, December 11th through Thursday, December 28th, Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm. The center will be closed on Monday, December 25th. Those interested are welcome to visit the center to learn more about registration. The center is located inside the Mount Vernon Goodwill, on the right-hand side. Click Here for the English language version of the Registration and Class schedules. Click Here for the Spanish language version of the Registration and Class schedules.
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."