Fellow Democrats,

The good news is that you have several options next Monday to celebrate both President Obama’s Inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The President is scheduled to be sworn in and deliver his speech starting at about 10:30 a.m. (Central Time). Usually the swearing in is at “high noon,” but since Sunday is actually the official oath-taking, the organizers appear to be shifting things earlier for the public gathering so the parade doesn’t run into the night.First, there are a very small number of tickets still available for the Inaugural Ball and other festivities in Washington, D.C., for donations of  $1,000 or more.  There are also some Inaugural Parade tickets available starting at $250. If you are interested please respond to this email with your name, address and phone number.

The Travis County Democratic Party is joining Texans for Obama and the Burnt Orange Report in hosting two watch parties on Inauguration Day. If you know of another , let us know, and we’ll put it on our calendar. Like four years ago, Scholz Garten will hold a party from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at 1607 San Jacinto Boulevard. Also, our good friends at the Victory Grill are having an Inauguration Watch Party, starting at 10 a.m. at 1104 East 11^th Street. After the President’s speech, we will walk to Huston-Tillotson University to join the MLK Day Community Festival.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a holiday that celebrates the life and legacy of the distinguished civil rights leader. In Austin, we start the day off at 9 a.m. with a short program of speeches and music at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus. Then we usually march to the Capitol for another program and wind up at Huston-Tillotson for the Festival. Here is a link with more information about the official 2013 celebrations.

If you are in a helicopter, on a bike, or have really fast legs, you might be able to do the UT-to-Capitol MLK march and still make it to Scholz or the Victory Grill before the President speaks. But it will be close, so plan ahead — maybe set your DVR at home for the speech for insurance if you plan to march to the Capitol.

One more thing: Today we conclude our two-part look at the legislative priorities of Travis County’s great Democratic delegation in “On the Record with Diane Holloway.” In Part 1 last week, we heard from Representatives Dawnna Dukes, Donna Howard, Elliott Naishtat and Eddie Rodriguez. In Part 2 today, we hear from Representative Mark Strama and Senators Kirk Watson and Judith Zaffirini. It’s good to be a Democrat in Central Texas, isn’t it?

Sincerely,

Andy Brown

Travis County Democratic Party Chair