News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 1, 2024

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Join the Fidalgo Democrats, Tuesday, Jul 9, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"Judge Heather Shand, a candidate for the Skagit County Superior Court and Judge Cecily Hazelrigg, seeking re-election to the WA Court of Appeals will be talking about how the court system works and what judges do. Learn about our legal system and why it is so important for democracy. There will be time for questions. For more information call Barbara Cooper 360 770-3506."

The Fidalgo Democrats' latest presentation, "Don't be a scam victim" from the Jun 11 Meeting can be viewed here.

2. NEW – The Skagit Democrats' Executive Board meets Thursday, Jul 11, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

3. NEW – House party to support Janet St. Clair in Anacortes, Thursday, Jul 11, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Address provided upon RSVP. Click Here to RSVP or email info@janetforsenate.org.

4. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Jul 16, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

5. PCO Recruitment
We need more PCOs for the 2022-2024 biennial to help us Get Out the Vote in this critical election year and to help us build a strong Skagit County and 10th, 39th, and 40th Legislative District Party Organizations. You can get involved in a big way by becoming a PCO.

• Step 1: Find Your Precinct. You can use the Skagit County iMap to find your precinct.
• Step 2: Check the list of vacant precincts.
• Step 3: Application: complete this form for Skagit County and email chair@skagitdemocrats.org.

6. NEW – Vote "No" on all Initiatives
Just as a reminder, the Skagit County Democrats have recommended AGAINST all 3 statewide initiatives. They are:

• Initiative 2109 would repeal the state’s new tax on capital gains on certain investment profits of more than $250,000 annually. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
• Initiative 2117 would repeal the state’s 2021 Climate Commitment Act, which requires oil refineries and other major greenhouse gas emitters to pay for pollution permits and reduce emissions over time. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
• Initiative 2124 would allow people to opt out of a .58% payroll tax that funds a long-term care insurance benefit of up to $36,500 per person. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.

7. Biden Yard Signs
We have Biden/Harris yard signs available in the Headquarters Office for a suggested donation of $20 per sign. We are located at 2021 East College Way, Mount Vernon. Office hours are Monday – Thursday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, depending on volunteer availability.

8. Rocio Lopez is requesting assistance to attend the National Democratic Convention in Chicago
Rocio has been elected to be an At Large Delegate to the Convention, Aug 19 – 22. Click Here to see Rocio's GoFundMe page.

9. NEW – Beware of spoofing/phishing emails that appear to be from other Democrats
Once again, we are aware that people are receiving emails that appear to be from other Democrats, including Chair, Lynn Campbell. These are "phishing" attempts – trying to gain peoples' online information or download a malicious payload. These emails often look legitimate at first glance. They will often request a reply and/or ask you to click a hyperlink. Doing either satisfies their nefarious intent. Here are a few tips to keep from being a victim.

• Double-check the email address, not just the display name. Spoofing scams use a sender name that will look familiar to try to trick you into opening the email and following the instructions. Whenever you get an email, look at the actual email address, not just the name appearing as the sending party.
• Look for the header. The header information for each email address is located in a different place for each email provider. Pull up the header so you can review the information. The email addresses in the header should match the email address it's supposed to be coming from.
• Check the "Received" field. Every time the sender sends an email or a reply, a new "Received" field is added to the email's header. In this field, you should see an email address that matches the sender name. If the email is spoofed, the received field information won't match the email address. For example, in the received filed from a legitimate Gmail address, it will look something like "Received from 'google.com: domain of'" and then the actual email address.
• Check the return path. In the header, you'll see a section called "Return path." This is the email address that any reply will be sent to. This email address should match the sender name in the original email. So for example, if the email name is "US Bank of America," the return path email address should be something like "customerservice@USBankofAmerica.com." If it's not, chances are the email is spoofed.
• Review the subject line. Many spoofing emails contain alarming or aggressive subject lines to try to convince you to follow the links inside. If the subject line seems designed to scare or worry you, chances are it's a spoofing email.
• Beware requests for personal information. Never give out this information through an email.
• Last, but not least, if your suspicions are aroused, take them seriously. Most things in life are not urgent. Take the time to contact whomever you think may be the actual person via another means – telephone, separate email, text, etc., and ask them if they are the actual sender.

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.

• A tight governor's race and Gaza: 4 takeaways from WA Democrats’ convention
• Conservative US lawmakers are pushing for an end to no-fault divorce
• Inside the $100 million plan to restore abortion rights in America
• How one county is reimagining libraries, from teaching kitchens to woodworking shops
• A better anti-corruption machine: Breakthroughs needed to fight illicit finance and protect democracy

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – 4th of July Parades

• Anacortes, July 4, 10:00am, Downtown
• Concrete, July 4, 3:00pm, Town Center (near Bear Square), and travel west on Main Street to Silo Park
• La Conner, July 4, Noon, State Street in front of the marina's south basin parking area through Downtown
• Sedro-Woolley, July 4, 11:00am, Route: "3rd St. and Bennett St., Left on State St., Right on Metcalf St., Right on Ferry St., Right on Township St., End at Township and State St."

2. NEW – 4th of July Fireworks

• Loggerodeo, July 4, 10:00pm, Riverside Park, Sedro-Woolley
  • "An ideal location, Riverfront Park accommodates plenty of room for parking where spectators can enjoy the park setting for a great open view of the fireworks display. With its convenient location right next to the carnival, there is still time to visit the carnival after the fireworks show ends as it is open until midnight. Come for night to celebrate great patriotic tradition, an event you don’t want to miss."
• Big Lake Fireworks, WEDNESDAY, July 3, around 10:15pm, Big Lake
  • "Weather permitting. The free event can be viewed from your private home or the Big Lake Golf Course and the Big Lake Church. Parking is $20. Visit the Big Lake Fire Department website for more information."
• Fabulous 4th of July, July 4, 10:00pm, Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens-Millet Road, Mount Vernon
  • "Park opens at 8 p.m. To get ready for the event, please note that the restrooms, tennis and pickleball courts will close at 5 p.m. and the boat launch will close at 6 p.m. No food or music will be offered at the 2024 event, so bring your own snacks, blankets, chairs and a flashlight!"
• July 4th Hometown Celebration, July 4, 10:00pm, La Conner Marina, 613 North 2nd Street, La Conner
  • "Fireworks will start at 10 p.m. Local food vendors and a beer garden will be available."
• Rock the Dock, July 4, Seafarers Memorial Park, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes
  • "Dusk (approximately 10:00 PM): Fireworks over Fidalgo Bay"

3. NEW – 4th of July Free Concert in La Conner, Thursday, Jul 4, 5:00pm – 10:00pm, La Conner Marina, North Second Street, La Conner

4. NEW – Rock the Dock Concert, Thursday, Jul 4, 5:00pm, Seafarers’ Memorial Park, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes

5. NEW – Skagit County to Remove Courthouse Fourth Floor (Old Jail from 1920s)
"Skagit County will begin demolition work on July 8th to remove the fourth floor of the Courthouse building on W. Kincaid Street in Mount Vernon. The courthouse will reach 100 years of service this year, and the fourth floor houses a jail that was used for the first 59 years . . . The parking lot on 3rd street immediately north of the Courthouse contains a crane and the contractor staging area, limiting vehicular traffic to all except ADA parking spots and deliveries." Click Here for more information.
 

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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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