News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on March 31st, 2024
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for April 1, 2024
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats are offering a Delegate Forum, Wednesday, Apr 3, 7:30pm, via Zoom
"Ask questions. Share your concerns. Get to know your Delegate Candidates." Click Here for the Zoom link.
2. NEW – The 40th Legislative District Democrats is hosting a Zoom Forum for State Convention Delegate Candidates, Friday, Apr 5, 6:30pm
"This is your chance to meet who is running for Delegate . . . " Click Here for the Zoom link. Meeting ID: 372 671 4899 – Passcode: 40th.
3. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats meet Tuesday, Apr 9, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
4. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board will meet Thursday, Apr 11, 6:30pm – 8:00pm via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link. While only Executive Board members may vote, all SCD members are welcome to attend.
5. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Membership will meet Saturday, Apr 13, 10:00am – 12:00pm, via Zoom OR in-person, C2C Community Center, 224 Stewart Road (turns into Hoag Road east of Riverside Drive), Mount Vernon
This Membership meeting will be a HYBRID meeting. PLEASE NOTE LOCATION OF IN-PERSON VENUE. This will be a busy meeting, and we must start promptly at 10:00 a.m. If you choose the Zoom alternative, we ask that you log on no later than 9:45 a.m. Click Here for the Zoom link (Meeting ID: 892 5123 8466 – Passcode: 362387).
Also, if you intend to join the Zoom meeting, we ask that you ensure your Zoom client is up to date. Click Here for easy-to-follow instructions on how to update the Zoom client.
6. NEW – The Janet St. Clair for State Senate campaign is recruiting volunteers
"Our campaign will be beginning a small field effort in the precincts of the 10th LD in Skagit and Snohomish County where Janet has never been on the ballot. We'll largely be gathering information about what voters already know and what issues they care about. We are looking for willing members of Skagit Dems to assist in that effort in the Skagit County 10th LD precincts starting as soon as possible next month. If they want to branch out to Snohomish as well, we'll certainly take the help." Click Here to register as a volunteer for Janet's campaign.
7. Gala News
Mark your calendar – this year's Gala will be Saturday, June 1 at the Swinomish Lodge and Casino. Begin thinking about items for the Live and Silent Auctions. Click Here for Auction Items DOs and DON'Ts. Click Here for some ideas for baskets and other auction items ideas. We will be accepting donations for the Gala until May 5.
8. Bob Ferguson for Governor signs
"Skagit County Democrats has over 300 Bob Ferguson signs in our office with another 200 on their way! Please get his sign up. We do have a sheet of paper requiring the address and contact information for the campaign to come pick up the signs after the election. Let's flood our County with his signs! He will be an exceptional Governor for our state!"
9. Scam Alert
Please be aware that there are some nefarious actors impersonating some of our Skagit County Democrats personnel. They are asking people if they are available to chat via email and when acknowledged, send a message asking for assistance purchasing gift cards for other "precinct chairs''. Scammers are clever and sometimes try to impersonate people we know. Be cautious of emails that seem urgent or unusual, even if they appear from a friend or colleague. Before clicking on links or attachments, double-check the sender's email address for typos and/or unusual construction (added letters or numbers, unusual server names, etc.). Verify the request directly with the person – through a separate communication channel, like a phone call. Let's stay vigilant!
10. NEW – Ken Winkes has once again authored a thoughtful and well-stated piece as a Guest Commentator for the Skagit Valley Herald
The piece is titled: "Cloudy vision? Leaders needed to continue vital work toward a better future". Click Here to read the article.
12. NEW – Sad News
Glenn Bordner recently passed away. Glenn was a past Chair and Vice Chair of the Skagit County Democrats. He was quite active, even after, that as a Chair and Volunteer of several of our Galas. Glenn did a lot of work at our Headquarters Office on 1st Street. He was one of those people who would see something that needed to be done and just got it done. He never sought approbation, just put his head down and worked for the organization. Glenn was also an active Union man and supported labor at all levels. And on top of that, Glenn was simply a genuinely nice man. We have been advised Glenn’s memorial will be Friday, Apr 26, 11:00am, Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 North Laventure Road, Mount Vernon. Cards may be sent to Glenn and Teddie Bordner, 2910 Iroquois Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
13. 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.
- Inflation and the gap between economic performance and economic perceptions
- Why abuse of the Insurrection Act worries legal experts and how they'd change it
- US changes how it categorizes people by race and ethnicity, first revision in 27 years
- Teens are getting high on delta-8, or 'weed lite,' an unregulated form of THC
- What The Strange Knob On Your Computer Cable Is For
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – NW Regional Job Fair, Wednesday, Apr 3, 6:00pm, 2205 West Campus Place, Mount Vernon
"Employers from 30+ businesses are hiring at the NW Regional Job Fair." Click Here for more information.
2. UPDATED – The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, Apr 6, 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, and your family. Click Here to RSVP.
3. NEW – The 37th Annual Kiwanis Club of La Conner Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade, Saturday, Apr 6, 2:00pm, First Street, La Conner
"Join in the fun as a spectator or participant. No entry is too small; wacky impromptu entries welcome. Line up for the parade in the Port of Skagit complex. Entry forms available HERE."
4. NEW – East Skagit County Community Resource Fair, Monday, Apr 8, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad Street, Concrete
Click Here for more information.
5. NEW – Tulip Town "Locals Night", Wednesday, Apr 10, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, 15160 Bradshaw Road, Mt Vernon
"Free entrance into Tulip Town for Skagit County & Island County residents (be prepared to show proof of address)." Click Here for more information.
6. NEW – Guemes Island Ferry to Transition to Electronic Ticketing System
"Starting June 6, 2024, residents will have the convenience of pre-purchasing ferry tickets on Skagit County’s website . . . " Click Here for more information.
7. NEW – Skagit Transit Long-Range Transit Plan
"Skagit Transit is starting a process to develop a Long-Range Transit Plan. The plan will identify ways to improve current bus service and opportunities over the next 10 – 15 years both within Skagit County and in serving regional destinations. This presents Skagit Transit with an opportunity to evaluate and update our services and network to respond to the needs in our community. We welcome your participation! Stop by an open house, take our survey, and/or include your vision for Skagit Transit in our interactive map tool." Click Here for the Skagit Transit webpage describing the program and dates/venues for participation.
8. Ramadan began at sundown on Sunday, Mar 10, and ends at sundown on Tuesday, Apr 9
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. 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 $.53. 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."
2. 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.