Washtenaw County Democratic Party Blog

WCDP Weekly Newsletter - Jan 31 2006

Washtenaw Democrats!

As you can see, this newsletter is going through some changes. We are in need of a volunteer who has the knowledge, experience and energy to put together a short, weekly e-mail newsletter for us. Until that person steps forward, please bear with us. Our intent is to bring you information about upcoming events along with a little news, and not flood your inbox with too much e-mail.

Upcoming Events:

DFA Candidate Forum - Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 7 pm

Several candidates for office in next fall's election were invited by DFA to come answer questions Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 7 pm at the Pittsfield Township Hall (address above). Lynn Rivers will moderate. For more info, contact Mary Shindell.

Organizational Meeting for Pittsfield Township and Southern Washtenaw County - Sunday, February 5, 2006 at 2 pm

Pittsfield Township and the Southern part of the County will play a pivotal role in the upcoming election cycle. Come learn how you can help out on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006 at 2 pm at the Pittsfield Township Hall. State Representative Kathy Angerer will attend. For more info, contact Stu Dowty.

WCDP Membership Meeting - Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at 7:30 pm

Jim Marcinkowski, Candidate for US Congress in the 8th Congressional District (running against Mike Rogers) will speak at our next membership meeting on February 8, 2006 at 7:30pm. As is often the case, our friends at Pittsfield Township have agreed to let us use their Hall, located at 6201 Michigan Avenue (near the corner of Michigan and Platt) Ann Arbor, MI
48108. You may have seen Jim interviewed recently on 60 Minutes about his classmate at the CIA Academy, Valerie Plame (go to his website to see the interview). Jim, who is now a Michigan attorney, will speak about National Security and the Attack on the Constitution. We are lucky to have a good candidate running against Mike Rogers, so come out and show your support.

Finally, keep Saturday, May 6, 2006 open on your calender as that is the tentative date for our 2006 Annual Dinner. Gov. Granholm will be the invited speaker!!

The Washtenaw County Young Democrats
along with the U of M College Democrats

Present:

THE ROAST OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS KOLB

February 24, 2006
7:00p.m.
The Michigan Union
Anderson Room
Ann Arbor, MI

Join us in saying farewell to Ann Arbor's own state rep, Chris Kolb, who will be term-limited out of the legislature this year. All are welcome to attend. $35 gets you in the door. Dinner and dessert included.

$20 for students and members of the Michigan Young Democrats.

To find out more information about presenting, sponsoring a table or purchasing an ad, please call or email Steve Pontoni (734) 276-4823.

Other Prices:
Table Sponsorships: $500 (8 dinners, and a half page ad)

Program Ads:
Full Page Ads: Starting at $175
Half Page: $100
Quarter Page: $50

Saturday - MI Young Dems Fundraising Dinner

The Michigan Young Democrats are holding their
First Annual Martin W. Slobin Dinner
Saturday, January 28th (THIS WEEKEND)
IBEW Local 58 (entrance on Porter St.)
1358 Abbott St
Detroit, MI 48226

Honoring Ethel Schwartz, Sister Brenda R. Moon, and Oakland County Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett

Washtenaw County's very own Fran Brennan, Steve Pontoni, Derrick Jackson and Brandon Jessup are also award winners.

Keynote Address by Frank LaMere, Chair of the DNC Native American Advisory Committee

Remarks by State Senator Jack Faxon

Performance by Lynn-Marie Smith aka "the Motown Diva"

Food prepared by members of UNITE HERE

Doors open at 4:00 PM
Dinner served at 5:00 PM
Program concludes: 7:00 PM

Tickets: $30
Young Dems (under 35) and Senior price: $15
Buy a table of 10: $250
Buy a 1/2 table: $150

RSVP to Isaac Robinson 313-671-4400 or Khari Wheeler.

Note: Preceding this event will be the state-wide Michigan Young Democrats convention. All Democrats under age 36 invited.

-and-

SUNDAY EVENT

A Worship Service for Peace, Social Justice and the End of Poverty
With Pastor David Alexander Bullock
11 AM - 1 PM
Greater St Matthew Baptist Church
396 Labelle
Highland Park, MI

Open to the Public

Guest Speakers:
DNC Member Frank LaMere, Noted social and political activist from South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Rev. Charles Williams, Mary Church Terrell Council

For more info, contact Rev. Charles Williams 313-344-9014.

33rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Speaker Panel
Monday, January 23rd
Vandenburg Room of the Michigan League, 911 N. University
7:00pm

This panel will honor 33 years of reproductive freedom by discussing women's experiences with choice before and since the Roe v. Wade decision. Speakers will include: Dr. Jana Nidiffer, Jean W. Campbell Scholar In Residence at the Center for the Education of Women at the University of Michigan; Dr. Timothy Johnson, Department Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan; Renee Chelian, Executive Director of Northland Family Planning Centers; and Rebekah Warren, Executive Director of MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan. A candlelight vigil outside will follow.

The event is sponsored by: Ann Arbor Unit of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Eastern Michigan University Students for Choice/VOX, MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan, University of Michigan American Medical Students Association, University of Michigan Medical Students for Choice and Students for Choice, Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance, Washtenaw County NOW, and the Women and Gender Studies Student Association at Eastern Michigan University.

For more information, please email Sarah or call at 734-995-8822.

WC Young Dems holding a tribute to State Rep Chris Kolb

On Friday, February 24th, 2006 the Washtenaw County Young Dems are holding a Tribute to State Representative Chris Kolb.

Sponsored by the Washtenaw County Young Dems, this event will be in The Anderson Ballroom in the Michigan Student Union, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Come join us in "Roasting" one of our favorite elected officials. More details to come.

Steve Pontoni
Washtenaw County Young Dems

Mark your calendar for 2 important events!

The Michigan Democratic Party Convention is coming up, Saturday, February 18th in Lansing. A recent party rule change allows any person who has been a member of the MDP for at least 30 days prior to the convention to get credentials for voting at the convention.

Join or renew your MDP membership. The Deadline is Now!

Although important votes will take place at the August convention, too, there will be discussions at this convention regarding nominations for Attorney General and Secretary of State.

May 6th, 2006 - WCDP Annual Fundraiser Dinner

This is the date for our Washtenaw County Democratic Party Annual Fundraiser Dinner. This year our event will be at the Marriott Inn in Ypsilanti, Michigan. More details to come...

WCDP Friendraiser on Sunday Jan 29th

On Sunday, January 29th, 2006, at the Brecon Grille, 101 West Michigan Ave. in Saline, Michigan, from 3:00 to 6:00pm the Washtenaw County Democratic Party will be sponsoring a Friend-Fundraiser.

Honored Guests will be State Representative Kathy Angerer, State Representative Pam Byrnes, and 17th Senate Candidate Bob Schockman. All Democratic candidates for office (and friends!) in Washtenaw County are invited.

Please come and join us for delicious appetizers, and delightful conversations. A $5 to $10 donation would be cheerfully accepted at the door.

Dingell to Hold Town Halls on Jobs and the Economy in Ann Arbor and Monroe

Dearborn, MI - Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15), the Dean of the US House of Representatives, will hold a series of "Dingell Dialogue" town halls with his constituents throughout the 15th district in the month of January.

At the forum, Congressman Dingell will discuss the latest national and local developments in Washington, DC with Michigan citizens and solicit their views on this and other matters of concern.

For more information please contact Congressman Dingell's Campaign Office at 313-791-2707.

What: Jobs and Economy Town Hall
Who: Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15)
When: Tuesday, January 10, 2006, 7 PM
Where: Malletts Creek Branch of the Ann Arbor Library
3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

What: Jobs and Economy Town Hall
Who: Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15)
When: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 , 7 PM
Where: Monroe City Hall