News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for April 22, 2024

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DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. Gala Information
Mark your calendar – this year's Gala will be Saturday, June 1 at the Swinomish Lodge and Casino. This year's theme is "Preserving Democracy Together". Tickets are now on-sale! Click Here to purchase yours!

Festivities will include:

• A special "Meet and Greet" with many endorsed state-wide and local candidates
• Guest Speakers and Dignitaries
• Fantastic items and experiences at our Dual Action Auction
• Door Prizes
• Delicious, locally sourced food and drinks
• Dessert Dash!
• And most important of all, sharing the evening with great friends and allies

Please think about items to donate 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.

2. REMINDER – Submit your vote on Proposition 1, "Continuation of Emergency Medical Services Levy (Skagit County EMS System), before the Tuesday, April 23 deadline
All the usual Ballot Drop-Box locations are available.

3. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats will meet IN-PERSON, Saturday, Apr 27, 11:15am – 12:30pm, Marysville Library, 6120 Grove Street, Marysville
"We'll have food and socializing from 11:15-11:30, then the [meeting] from 11:30-12:30 . . . This meeting will be predominantly focused on candidate endorsements and an opportunity for candidates to speak. Please join us and help lend your vote to our endorsement decisions."

4. Endorsed Candidates
At the last Skagit Democrats Membership Meeting, (April 13) the following candidates were endorsed:

• Heather Shand, Skagit County Superior Court Judge
• Dave Paul, 10th Legislative District Representative
• Clyde Shavers, 10th Legislative District Representative
• Debra Lekanoff, 40th Legislative District Representative
• Alex Ramel, 40th Legislative District Representative
• Liz Lovelett, 40th Legislative District Senator
• Rick Larsen, 2nd Congressional District Representative
• Maria Cantwell, Washington State Senator
• Steve Hobbs, Washington Secretary of State
• Pat McCarthy, Washington State Auditor
• Mike Pellicciotti, Washington State Treasurer
• (Bob Ferguson – Governor, and Janet St. Clair – 10th LD Senator, were endorsed at a previous meeting)

We encourage all members to follow and support their efforts for election/re-election.

We will be holding our next Endorsement Meeting on Saturday, May 25th. More details about the Endorsement Meeting will be announced in the coming weeks. We encourage all members to save the date. There will be no general membership meeting on Saturday, May 11th.

5. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats' latest meeting video has been posted online
The April 9 meeting hosted the 10th and 40th Legislative District legislators who provided an update to the last legislative session. Click Here for the video.

6. 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.

• Americans Earning Above the Poverty Line but Still Struggling: ALICEs
• Survivors of Columbine shooting discuss struggles with PTSD, anxiety
• Google warns billions of Gmail users to look for ‘six-word alert’ that means you must send an email to avoid danger
• The munchies: Why does weed make you hungry?
• Mechanic Says 10,000-Mile Oil Change Rule Is ‘Rubbish'

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. Earth Day is Monday, Apr 22
Click Here for local activities in celebration of Earth Day.

2. Anacortes Community Meeting scheduled for Monday, Apr 22, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Anacortes Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd Street, Anacortes
"The meeting is free and open to the public. The Skagit County Commissioners and representatives from Planning & Development Services, Public Health, Public Works, the Department of Emergency Management, Facilities Management, and the Sheriff's Office will be in attendance to respond to community questions. For more information about this meeting, please contact the Skagit County Commissioners’ Office at (360) 416-1300 or email jrogers@co.skagit.wa.us".

3. NEW – Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood is partnering with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to provide a Bill Discount Application Workshop for Spanish-speakers, Thursday, May 9, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
"PSE employees will be available to assist with the application process in Spanish and MBPP staff will be available to help attendees get set up with appointments at our Mount Vernon Health Center, if they choose. Full page flyers are [available here] in both English and Spanish."

4. 2nd Annual "Rhythm of Giving" fundraiser for Meals on Wheels Apr 25, 6:00pm, Bertelsen Winery, 20598 Starbird Road, Mount Vernon
Click Here for ticket information.

5. NEW – Children of the Valley Annual Art Auction, Friday, Apr 26, Doors & Silent Auction Open at 5:00pm, Dinner at 6:00pm, St. Joseph Center, 215 North 15th Street, Mount Vernon
'Experience a fun-filled night featuring a live mariachi student performance and Mexican street-style dinner by COA Mexican Eatery, all while supporting Children of the Valley!" Click Here for ticket information.

6. NEW – National Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, Apr 27, 10:00am – 2:00pm, see below for locations
"Bring your leftover prescription medications to [selected locations] for Drug Take Back Day! The public can bring leftover or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs for disposal 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 27. Liquids up to four ounces in their original containers are accepted. Free Naloxone, also known as Narcan, will be available. Do not bring intravenous solutions, injectables, inhalers, syringes, chemotherapy medications, medical waste, vaping devices with batteries that cannot be removed or cannabis and illicit drugs."

• Anacortes – Anacortes Police Dept. – 1218 24th Street
• La Conner – Swinomish Police Dept. – 17353 Reservation Road
• Mount Vernon – Mount Vernon Police Station- 1805 Continental Place
• Sedro-Woolley – Sedro-Woolley City Hall – 325 Metcalf Street

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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.
 

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