[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, June 8 - Friday, June 15, 2007

Travis County Democratic Party Weekly Newsletter tcdp_newsletter at lists.traviscountydemocrats.org
Thu Jun 7 17:25:00 CDT 2007


Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter 

Friday, June 8- Friday, June 15, 2007

 

************************************************************************ 

IN THIS ISSUE 

 

- John Edwards is Back in Austin!  Tuesday, June 12, 2007

- Travis County Democratic Party Lends It's Support to Save Town Lake

- Election Judges Needed Now

- TCDP Finance Council and Sustaining Members

- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member

- You Have the Power!

- Bid on a School Room Playhouse

- Save the Date!  National Night Out, August 7, 2007

- Calendar of Upcoming Events 

- In the News 
- Contact Info for TCDP Administrative Office
- Newsletter: How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe Your E-Mail 

- To Subscribers Who Use AOL

 

*********************************************************************** 
John Edwards is back in Austin! 

Tuesday, June 12, 2007
12:00pm-1:15pm
Scholtz Beer Garten, 1607 San Jacinto

Small Change for Big Change! You are invited to meet John Edwards for lunch.
Marcia Ball will be the entertainment!

It's very expensive to reach out to voters in early primary states and
across the nation. But the trouble with the usual fundraisers is that they
are only open to those ready to write huge checks--and this campaign is
built on reaching out to everyone.

So John asked his campaign to organize a series of grassroots fundraisers
for supporters who share our passion but may only be able to spare $100,
$50, or $25 dollars. In fact, for this Tuesday's event, tickets are just $15
each.

RSVP online to reserve your spot at:
<http://johnedwards.com/r/16246/804598/>
http://johnedwards.com/r/16246/804598/ 

***********************************************************************

TRAVIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY LENDS IT'S SUPPORT TO SAVE TOWN LAKE

 

At the May 30 meeting of the TCDP County Executive Committee, a motion was
made to pass the following Resolution in support of SaveTownLake
(www.savetownlake.org <http://www.savetownlake.org/> ):

 

Proposed Resolution:

"The Travis County Democratic Party Executive Committee strongly objects to
any variances being granted to the Waterfront Overlay Ordinance.  We urge
decision-makers to uphold the stated purpose of the ordinance to the highest
degree:  to promote harmonious interaction and transition between urban
development and the parkland and shoreline of Town Lake and the Colorado
River."

 

It passed unanimously 44-0.  Tom Cooke and Jeff Jack from Save Town Lake
were in attendance.  Tom is an officer and founding member of the
organization and thanked the membership for their support stressing that he
felt that the majority of the community held the same feelings toward
preserving the waterfront of Town Lake.

 

*********************************************************************** 
ELECTION JUDGES NEEDED NOW

 

Elections are the backbone of democracy, and making sure that polling
locations run correctly and smoothly is often a difficult job to undertake.
You have the opportunity to run your polling location by becoming a
presiding judge!  

 

Currently, the TCDP is looking for Democratic term-appointed presiding
judges.  The term has recently been changed by Travis County Elections and
will be a one year rather than two year term running from August 1, 2007 -
July 31, 2008.  

 

Please review the following requirements for a term appointment:

 

1.	You must live in the precinct in which you work and you will be
asked to work EVERY election that is determined for your precinct.  This
includes the party primary, elections for city council, independent school
district boards, Austin Community College board, bond and state
constitutional elections, etc.  In short, you will represent the Travis
County Democratic Party at party primaries, but you are expected to work, if
possible, each and every election.
2.	Even though some of these elections are partisan, such as the party
primary, it is imperative that you work cordially with your Republican
counterpart.
3.	As a presiding judge, it will be one of your duties to be able to
physically set up the voting machines.  They are bulky and may be somewhat
heavy for some folks to handle.  However, your alternate judge and clerk(s)
can and should help you to set these up.
4.	The integrity of the election process is of the utmost importance,
so you must be reliable and dependable in making sure you have everything
for your polling location; that everything is ready to go and is operational
by 7:00am when the polls open; and when your polling location closes, that
you return all materials to your designated receiving station in a timely
manner before you go home or attend any Party function or event (e.g.
precinct conventions).
5.	Travis County Elections requires attendance for training, regardless
if you have been trained in the past.
6.	Pay for the primary is set by the Texas Secretary of State.
Currently the hourly rate for the 2008 Primary is $7.00/hour.  All other
election pay is $10/hour for presiding/alternate judges.

 

We are in need of Election Judges in the following precincts:

106  107  110  111  112  113  123  132  136  137  139  140  141  145  150
151  152  153  154  156  161  163  164

 

200  201  202  203  204  205  206  208  209  210  211  215  216  217  218
219  220  223  225  226  227  228  229  231  232  235  237  239  240  241
242  243  246  247  251  253  254  256  260  262  263  267  268  274  275
277  279

 

301  302  303  304  306  307  309  312  315  316  317  318  319  320  321
323  327  328  329  330  331  332  333  334  335  336  337  338  339  342
343  345  346  347  349  350  351  355  356  359  360  365  366  367  370
371  373  375  376  377  378  379

 

402  403  404  405  407  411  412  413  414  420  422  423  426  427  429
430  431  442  443  444  445  447  449  450  451  452  455  458  460  461
462  463  465  466

 

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE STILL NEED MANY MORE FOLKS 

TO RUN POLLING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT TRAVIS COUNTY.

 

To find out what precinct that you live in:

1.	Go to www.traviscountydemocrats.org
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> .      
2.	On the menu on the right side of the home page, click on "Precinct
Info." 
3.	Click on the second choice, "what precinct you live in." 
4.	In the "precinct search" box, you can put in your zip code, street
name, or anything else that is suggested under that. 
5.	Click "Go."  Find your street and street number. 

 

Please contact Garry Brown, TCDP's Assistant Director, at 477-7500 or
garry at traviscountydemocrats.org to inquire about being appointed as an
election judge for one year.  

 

THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED SO FAR!!!

 

*********************************************************************** 
TCDP FINANCE COUNCIL AND SUSTAINING MEMBERS


Member Updates for the period June 1 - June 7

 

 

New Sustaining Members:

 

Carlos H. Barrera

 

Leslie & Bryan Weston

 

For a complete list of member names, please visit the home page of our
website and choose from the blue menu on the left hand side of the page.

 

If you feel your name should be on the web list yet do not see it, give us a
ring!  477-7500

 

*********************************************************************** 
BECOME A TCDP SUSTAINING MEMBER!

Our Coordinated Campaigns have helped to accomplish the following:

 

2004 - Travis County took back three elected seats from the Republicans.
State Representative District 50, a district judgeship, and County Constable
Precinct 3 all went from Republican held seats to Democratic.  

 

2006 - The Travis County legislative delegation became completely Democratic
for the first time since 1992, and we took back the office of Justice of the
Peace Precinct 3 from the Republicans. 

 

There are now only three Republicans elected to Travis County offices!

 

The TCDP has stepped up to make Travis County even more Democratic!

 

If you believe our work is valuable and you want us to continue, we ask you
to stand with us and support TCDP by becoming a Member.  We have two levels
of membership:

 

Sustaining:  minimum of $10.00 per month or $120.00 annually. 

Finance Council:  minimum of $84.00 per month or $1000.00 annually.  Members
at this level receive prominent listing in our publications and web site as
well as at Travis County Democratic Party functions along with free
admission to TCDP sponsored events. 

 

The Travis County Democratic Party is dependent on your generosity for
everything we do year-round!

 

As Blair Dancy, president of Texas Environmental Democrats of Austin, says,
"All politics are grassroots, but they all need organization.  Austin and
Travis County lead the state by example, and our success all comes back to
the great people at TCDP.  For the price of my family's monthly pizza
binges, I'm part of the Finance Council and able to help keep the Democratic
party strong here in Austin.  Every financially-able Democrat should
consider contributing to keep it this way."


To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>
and click on "Donate" in the red box at the bottom left of the page.  Or
contact us at info at traviscountydemocrats.org or 512-477-7500.       


Mailed donations for the Party should be made out to "Travis County
Democratic Party" and sent to: 

 

TCDP

P.O. Box 684263 
Austin, TX 78768-4263

 

*********************************************************************** 
YOU HAVE THE POWER!!

 

As Howard Dean said, you, YES YOU, have the power.  You have the power to
have an impact at the state capitol and on national politics!  Take a look
at this information:

-          In 2006, Travis County provided for one-third of the Democratic
increase in the State House of Representatives this session by electing a
100% Democratic legislative delegation for the first time since 1992.

-          It's no secret that Travis County is depended upon by statewide
candidates to put them in a position to win because Travis County is so
heavily Democratic.

-          One-term Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn continues to be
unpopular.  He consistently polls way under 50% in Texas.  He has been
called the "least popular U.S. Senator" in the group of Republican Senators
who are up for re-election in 2008. 

-          Two parts of Travis County are still represented by Republican
Congressmen.

 

Get involved now and you can help make the following happen: 

 

-          Keep all of our Democratic state reps in office while other parts
of the state elect more Democrats

-          Put our candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives in a position to win to continue changing the politics in
Washington DC!

-          There are only three Republican county office holders left!  Two
of them are up for re-election in 2008.

 

The strongest impact you can make is by becoming a Precinct Chair!  We only
have 45 vacancies left out of 210 precinct chair positions!  The Travis
County GOP has 32 vacancies!  Are Democrats in Travis County going to let
the Republicans have more precinct chairs than us?  But then again, they
don't have to do much do they?  

 

Make your voice heard in how your county party is run!  All Democratic
Precinct Chairs in Travis County automatically become members of the County
Executive Committee, which is the governing body for Travis County
Democratic Party.  In addition, you'll receive all the support you need to
turn out the Democrats to vote in your neighborhood.  There is so much to do
to get ready for 2008.  The excitement is building.  Come be a part of it!  

 

Interested?  Want to learn more?  Contact Garry Brown at TCDP at
garry at traviscountydemocrats.org.         

 

Below is a list of precincts where we have vacancies.  The precinct numbers
are divided by legislative district.

 

If your State House Representative is Dawnna Dukes, District 46 

Precincts: 122  129  132  139  141  150  164

 

If your State House Representative is Valinda Bolton, District 47 

Precincts: 301  304  316  351  356  412  451

 

If your State House Representative is Donna Howard, District 48

Precincts: 279  370  371  373  376  378

 

If your State House Representative is Elliott Naishtat, District 49 

Precincts: 137  149  444  454

 

If your State House Representative is Mark Strama, District 50 

Precincts: 107  205  211  215  216  254  328  333  334  336

 

If your State House Representative is Eddie Rodriguez, District 51 

Precincts: 123  401  402  404  405  407  427  441  443  452

 

To find out what precinct that you live in:

1.	Go to www.traviscountydemocrats.org
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> .  
2.	On the menu on the right side of the home page, click on "Precinct 

 Info." 

3.	Click on the second choice, "what precinct you live in." 
4.	In the "precinct search" box, you can put in your zip code, street
name, or anything else that is suggested under that. 
5.	Click "Go."  Find your street and street number. 

 

AFTER FINDING OUT WHAT PRECINCT YOU LIVE IN, CHECK THE LIST ABOVE TO SEE IF
A PRECINCT CHAIR IS NEEDED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

 

************************************************************************

BID ON A SCHOOL ROOM PLAYHOUSE

 

A great gift for a child care center or the kids' backyard.  School house
playhouse includes bell tower. Construction exceeds commercial playhouses,
using wood framing, insulation, and a shingle roof.  Playhouse is 8 feet by
4 feet and has finished interior and windows.

 

It was built by the Lake Travis Democrats as a float with the central theme
for the 2006 Lakeway 4th of July parade.  Proceeds from the sale of the
playhouse will be used for upcoming Democratic events.

 

Bidding starts at $600 dollars.

 

For information contact Ed Benjamin at 512-731-5162 or eben731 at juno.com.
The Lake Travis Democrats will deliver it and set-up locally. 

 

************************************************************************

SAVE THE DATE!  NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, AUGUST 7, 2007

 

Neighborhoods throughout Austin are invited to join with thousands of
communities nationwide on Aug. 7, to participate in the 24th Annual
'National Night Out'. APD officers, EMS and fire fighters will join City
Council Members and other city officials in attending neighborhood parties
throughout Austin. Events are planned to promote crime prevention and drug
prevention awareness and to strengthen the police - community partnership.
On Aug. 7 - a Tuesday -- from 6pm to 9pm, residents are asked to turn on
their porch lights, lock their doors and spend the evening outside with
their neighbors, police officers, EMS, and fire fighters. 

 

To officially participate in National Night Out events you must complete the
National Night Out Application and mail it to: Austin Police Department,
Community Liaison Office, P.O. Box 689001, Austin, Texas 78768-9001. You may
also fax the application to 974-6222. 

 

For more information, contact Rosie Salinas at the Community Liaison Office
at 974-4900 or by e-mail at nno at ci.austin.tx.us.  

 

Applications are available at
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/downloads/07app.pdf  


************************************************************************

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

 

The TCDP Calendar changes almost daily as we receive new information, so we
encourage you to check the calendar often.  Go to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php       

 

************************************

Saturday, June 9, 2007

 

Texans for Obama Breakfast & Block-Walk 

TIME:  Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 10:00am
PLACE:  Hoover's Restaurant, 2002 Manor Rd.

CONTACT:  Ian at iandavis06 at gmail.com 

Help Texans for Obama kick off the summer with an old-fashioned neighborhood
block-walk. This event is hosted by Rep. Mark Strama.

 RSVP here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/walkforchangefeatured/4jghl  

 

 

Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages Meeting 

TIME:  Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 11:00am-1:00pm
PLACE:  Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy (AKA 360)
CONTACT:  Bill McAfee at bmcafee at austin.rr.com                 

 

Please join the Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages for their weekly meeting.

 

 

 

Pride Texas Festival 

TIME:  Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 12:00pm-8:00pm
PLACE:  Waterloo Park, 403 E. 15th St.

CONTACT:  Equality Texas at 474-5475 or Info at EqualityTexas.org 

Equality Texas is setting the stage for Texas' best and brightest artists,
musicians, restaurants, businesses and community organizations to come
together to show their GLBT Pride! It is headlined by AMA "Musician of the
Year" PATRICE PIKE.

Tickets are $10 and children under 12 years old are $5.00. You may buy
tickets in advance at this link:
https://secure.ga4.org/01/eqtx/events/2007_festival_tickets/purchase.tcl 

 

 

John Edwards' Austin One Corps at the Pride Festival

TIME:  Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 12:00pm-8:00pm
PLACE:  Waterloo Park, 403 E. 15th St.

CONTACT:  Steve Garcia at 924-0501 or austinonecorps at yahoo.com 

Austin One Corps will be hosting a booth at Austin's Gay Pride Festival.
This is a great opportunity to share Sen. Edwards' support for gay rights
and his stance on MANY other issues! Please join us.

************************************

Sunday, June 10, 2007

 

John Edwards Birthday Bash 

TIME:  Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 5:00pm-7:00pm
PLACE:  Antonio's Restaurant, 7522 N IH 35

CONTACT:  Steve Garcia at 924-0501 or austinonecorps at yahoo.com 

Please join John Edwards' Austin One Corps Sunday for a celebration in honor
of John Edwards' 54th birthday!

If you'd like to get him a gift, bring $6.10 (since his birthday is 6/10),
$19.53 (the year he was born), or $54 (since...well, you get it!) and
they'll send it in a big birthday card signed by all the members of Austin
One Corps!

They will also take some time to discuss the upcoming Day of Action and
other AOC events so this will replace their monthly meeting originally
scheduled for June 12.

Hope to see you there for the fun!

 

Mayor Will Wynn's Global Warming Presentation 

TIME:  Sunday, June 10, 2007; 2 presentations: 4:00pm and 7:00pm
PLACE:  Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, 409 Colorado St.

The debate is over. Climate change is happening now. We're causing it. And
if we don't fix it, the results will be catastrophic. "It's a global
problem, but it's a local problem too. And our responses have to be both
global and local," Mayor Will Wynn said back in February, when he announced
the Austin Climate Protection Plan. "Austin has long been a national leader
on energy efficiency, renewable power and innovative technologies. Now we
need to push those efforts to the next level." This June, while your A/C is
cranked high, don't turn on your oven (or microwave, if you cook like our
bachelor Mayor does). Let the Alamo do the cooking (and the beer-pouring)
and join in for this dramatic presentation.

In January Mayor Wynn trained with Al Gore to give the slideshow the former
Vice President made famous in his Academy Award winning movie "An
Inconvenient Truth." Mayor Wynn has adapted that presentation and will tell
how Austin is leading the way in confronting the climate crisis.

Mayor Wynn encourages you to familiarize yourselves with all sides of the
issues and when you come to the presentation please bring a skeptic - if you
know one.

The Mayor's presentation will be free. However, there is an expected huge
demand for this timely presentation so if you wish to reserve a seat you may
purchase a $5 food and beverage voucher to be used on the night of the show.
All other seats will be first come/first served.

************************************

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

 

John Edwards event at Sholtz' Beer Garten-Please refer to this item earlier
in this newsletter.

 

 

 

South Austin Democrats Meeting 

TIME:  Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 5:30pm Eat and socialize, 6:00pm Program
PLACE:  Opal Devine's Penn Field, 3601 S. Congress Ave.

CONTACT:  Alicia Del Rio at 947-6354 or ava1227 at prodigy.net 

Please join South Austin Democrats for their monthly meeting.  

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez is scheduled to speak.

 

Lake Travis Democrats Meeting 

TIME:  Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 6:30pm
PLACE:  Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek

CONTACT:  Ed Benjamin at president at laketravisdemocrats.org 

Please join Lake Travis Democrats for their monthly meeting. 

************************************

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

 

West Austin Democrats Meeting 

TIME:  Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 7:00pm
PLACE:  Howson Library, 2500 Exposition Blvd.

CONTACT:  Suzy Reid at 474-2696 or info at westaustindemocrats.org 

Please join West Austin Democrats for their monthly meeting. 

************************************

Thursday, June 14, 2007

 

Capital Area Democratic Women Meeting 

TIME:  Thursday, June 14, 2007, 11:30am networking, 12:00pm lunch
PLACE:  Nuevo Leon Restaurant, 1501 E. 6th St.

CONTACT:  Megan Woodburn at 538-1329 or cadw at cadw.org 

Please join Capital Area Democratic Women for their monthly meeting. 

************************************************************************ 
IN THE NEWS 

For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at
www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>  and
click on "Current News" 

************************************************************************ 
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TCDP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Travis County Democratic Party Administrative Office

1311-B East 6th Street, Austin, TX  78702

Web:  www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>


E-mail:  info at traviscountydemocrats.org                 


Chris Elliott - Chair 

chair at traviscountydemocrats.org                


Elizabeth Yevich - Executive Director 

elizabeth at traviscountydemocrats.org                 


Garry Brown - Assistant Director 

garry at traviscountydemocrats.org                 

 

Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Ph (512) 477-7500   Fax (512) 477-7769

 

MAILING ADDRESS: 
P.O. Box 684263 
Austin, TX 78768-4263 

 

*********************************************************************** 
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*******************************************************
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careful when deleting messages. 

 

****************************** 
This e-mail service is paid for by the Travis County Democratic Party, 
P.O. Box 684263, Austin, TX 78768-4263

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