[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party's Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, March 16 - Friday, March 23, 2007

[Travis County Democratic Party Weekly Newsletter]

Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter 

Friday, March 16 - Friday, March 23, 2007

 

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

IN THIS ISSUE 

 

- A Message from TCDP Chair, Chris Elliott

- TCDP Biennial Spring Fundraiser- Save the Date - April 10, 2007!!!

- Black Austin Democrats Retreat

- Texas Freedom Network Lobby Day

- Democracy for America Training Academy Coming to Austin

- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member

- You Can Make 2008 Successful Right Now 

- 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

*********************************************************************** 
A MESSAGE FROM TCDP CHAIR, CHRIS ELLIOTT

Dear Fellow Democrats:

 

Greetings on The Ides of March, 2007.  

 

There is much political excitement afoot these days, what with the 2008
presidential campaign seemingly already in full swing, the Bush
Administration finally being held accountable for some of its excesses
(thank you Democrats!), and the Texas Legislature in session.  As for the
Legislature, it has been especially frightening over the past couple of
sessions to see what this Republican-controlled body will do, how low it
will go to pander to the special interests that pad the campaign coffers of
the Republican leadership, especially Tom Craddick, easily the worst Speaker
this State has seen in many, many years.  However, the gains we Democrats
made in the 2006 election may be making a difference, resulting in some
trepidation on the part of Craddick to simply run roughshod over the
collective will of the House of Representatives.  If this is so, it is a
wonderful turn of events for true democracy in Texas. 

 

It is no secret that Travis County, with three newly elected House Democrats
over the past two election cycles to seats previously held by Republicans,
has contributed mightily to the change in political climate at the Capitol.
We did this by having the hardworking candidates of Mark Strama, Donna
Howard, and Valinda Bolton, and by having a hardworking, dedicated County
Party that is open and staffed year ‘round.  We must be able to continue the
work of TCDP during non-election years to remain strong and to protect the
gains we have made.  Unfortunately, this requires money, and a good deal of
it.  And, as most all of you know, TCDP does not receive financial help from
the national or state parties.  To that end, we are having a fundraiser on
April 10 to try and raise the necessary funds to remain viable.  Details of
the event are below.  

 

I have personally spent a good part of the past two weeks making phone calls
and sending out letters and emails to Democrats and would-be- Democrats
asking for their help.  Many of you have received either a phone call or a
written communication from me in the past few days and many of you have
responded and made pledges and contributions.  For that, I thank you from
the bottom of my bleeding heart.  But we have more work to do and I hope
that those of you receiving and reading this epistle will find it in your
hearts to help keep TCDP alive and kicking.  I hate asking for money, but I
have to and it is part of my job.  

 

I hope to see you all on April 10 as we honor our wonderful, hardworking
Democratic legislators.  Thanks for all you do!  

 

Democratically yours, 

 

Chris Elliott

TCDP Chair             

*********************************************************************** 
TCDP BIENNIAL SPRING FUNDRAISER- SAVE THE DATE!!!

Tuesday, April 10th
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
At the home of Dennis Karbach & Robert Brown, 811 Congress Avenue

Please join the Travis County Democratic Party for our Biennial Spring
Fundraiser as we honor our Travis County State Legislative Delegation.

Senator Kirk Watson * Representative Valinda Bolton * Representative Dawnna
Dukes * Representative Donna Howard * Representative Elliott Naishtat *
Representative Eddie Rodriguez * Representative Mark Strama

Voters in 2006 saw fit to restore Travis County's House legislative
delegation to an all-Democratic one for the first time since 1992. This
success was due to many factors, not the least of which was our wonderful
slate of Democratic candidates and a hard working County Democratic Party
with tremendous countywide grassroots support. Please join us as we
celebrate recent victories and show our appreciation to our Democratic
legislators. 

Sponsor Levels:
$2,500*    $1,500*   $500  $250

(*$2,500 and $1,500 sponsors also receive a one-year Finance Council
Membership to the TCDP)

Please RSVP to Susan Harry at 542-9744 or HYPERLINK
"mailto:susan at susanharry.com"susan at susanharry.com by Tuesday, March 20th at
5:00pm to be listed on the invitation.

Credit card contributions may be made from the 'donate' page at HYPERLINK
"http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/"www.traviscountydemocrats.org. 

Checks should be made payable to 'Travis County Democratic Party' and mailed
to:

Travis County Democratic Party
P.O. Box 684263
Austin, TX 78768
HYPERLINK
"http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/"www.traviscountydemocrats.org  

*********************************************************************** 
BLACK AUSTIN DEMOCRATS RETREAT – MARCH 24 

Saturday, March 24, 2007
8:30am-3:00pm
Firefighters Union Hall, 7537 Cameron Rd.

CONTACT: Richard Franklin, HYPERLINK
"mailto:richardf3rd at yahoo.com"richardf3rd at yahoo.com 

All are invited to participate in a retreat hosted by the Black Austin
Democrats. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

*********************************************************************** 
TEXAS FREEDOM NETWORK LOBBY DAY – MARCH 26

Learn about important issues before the Texas Legislature like vouchers,
stem cell research, sex education and threats to gay & lesbian foster
care/adoption. Then join TFN members from around the state as TFN brings
mainstream values back to the Capitol! Register now at this link:  HYPERLINK
"http://www.tfn.org/takeaction/lobbyday"http://www.tfn.org/takeaction/lobbyd
ay!   

Schedule 
8:30 a.m. ...... Registration & Breakfast
9:15 a.m........ Lobby 101 Training
11:30 a.m...... March to Capitol for Press Conference 
1:00 p.m........ Legislative Visits 

*********************************************************************** 
DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA TRAINING ACADEMY COMING TO AUSTIN

Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, 2007
9:00am-6:00pm
Sanchez Building, Room 104, on the UT Campus

The 2008 presidential race is already beginning to heat up and the
grassroots will play a major role. Are you prepared to build on last year’s
Democratic victories and be an asset to your candidate?

Democracy for Texas and the University Democrats are pleased to announce
that the Democracy for America Training Academy is coming to Austin!

At the DFA Training Academy, experienced campaign professionals will cover
practical strategies and tactics including communications, fundraising,
targeting voters, online organizing, and recruiting and managing volunteers.
The Training Academy will be appropriate both for people who have little or
no campaign experience, and for those who have worked on campaigns but want
to take their skills to the next level.

Click the following link to register now:  HYPERLINK
"http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=17118"http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?
id=17118   

Cost: $60 in advance, $30 for students and low-income attendees. Two lunches
are included. 

*********************************************************************** 
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. 

 

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 general
admission to TCDP sponsored events. 

 

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


To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to: HYPERLINK
"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 HYPERLINK
"mailto:info at traviscountydemocrats.org"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 CAN MAKE 2008 SUCCESSFUL RIGHT NOW!!!

 

The Presidential campaign has started earlier than ever before.  The Texas
Primary may move up to February 5, 2008.  There are only 3 Republicans left
in Travis County.  Get involved now and make sure that 2008 is the most
Democratic ever!

 

Become a Precinct Chair!  All Democratic Precinct Chairs in Travis County
automatically become members of the County Executive Committee, which is the
decision-making body for Travis County Democratic Party.  As a precinct
chair, you will have some influence on how the Party is run.  In addition,
you’ll receive all the support you need to turn out the Democrats to vote in
your neighborhood.  With everything seemingly happening so early, your
leadership is needed now.  

 

Interested?  Want to learn more?  Contact Garry Brown at TCDP at HYPERLINK
"mailto:garry at traviscountydemocrats.org"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: 113  122  129  132  139  141  150  164

 

If your State House Representative is Valinda Bolton, District 47 

Precincts: 301  304  316  351  356  359  412  451

 

If your State House Representative is Donna Howard, District 48

Precincts: 163  214  253  279  370  371  373  375  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  203  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  423  427  452

 

To find out what precinct that you live in:

1.	Go to HYPERLINK
"http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/"www.traviscountydemocrats.org.     
2.	On the menu on the rights 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!

 

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

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: HYPERLINK
"http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php"http://www.traviscountyde
mocrats.org/calendar.php      

 

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

Friday, March 16, 2007

 

Senator Hillary Clinton Fundraiser 

TIME:  Friday, March 16, 2007 at 7:00pm-9:00pm
PLACE:  Home of Roy & Mary Spence, 403 Lake Cliff Trail

CONTACT:  Yael Ouzillou at 512-440-8791 or HYPERLINK
"mailto:YOuzillou at HillaryClinton.com"YOuzillou at HillaryClinton.com 

You are invited to an Evening with Senator Hillary Clinton in support of her
Presidential Exploratory Committee.

Host: $4,600
Sponsor: $2,300
Friend $1,000
Guest: $500

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

Saturday, March 17, 2007

 

Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages Meeting 

TIME:  Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 11:00am-1:00pm
PLACE:  Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy (AKA 360)
CONTACT:  Bill McAfee at HYPERLINK
"mailto:bmcafee at austin.rr.com"bmcafee at austin.rr.com               

 

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

 

 

 

Million Musician March Against the War 

TIME:  Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 12:00pm
PLACE:  State Capitol, 11th and Congress

Join your fellow Austinites and musicians participating in a national day of
unity in support of peace in Iraq and throughout the world.

Participants should gather at the Capitol. The march will head to City Hall
at Cesar Chavez and Lavaca for a rally featuring music and speakers. One of
the speakers will be Congressman Lloyd Doggett.

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

Monday, March 19, 2007

 

North by Northwest Democrats Meeting 

TIME:  Monday, March 19, 2007 at 6:00pm
PLACE:  Texpresso, 2700 W. Anderson Ln. (in the Village Shopping Center)

CONTACT:  Jan Soifer 657-0556 or HYPERLINK
"mailto:jan at lssfirm.com"jan at lssfirm.com  

You are invited to join NxNW at their monthly meeting. Please visit our
website at HYPERLINK
"http://www.nxnwdemocrats.wordpress.com/"www.nxnwdemocrats.wordpress.com.  

 

 

Iraq War Anniversary Vigil 

TIME:  Monday, March 19, 2007 at 6:00pm
PLACE:  Congress Avenue Bridge, meet at the northwest corner of the bridge

CONTACT:  Stephanie and Bill Hamm at 301-5029

Operation Democracy invites all citizens of Austin, activists, and peace
groups to join them for an Iraq War Anniversary Vigil. Operation Democracy
has declared leaving Iraq as their most important goal for 2007. Some
Democratic leaders in Congress are now pushing plans with real teeth and
concrete deadlines for bringing our troops home—a huge shift from the debate
we were having just last year. But Bush and his allies are still fighting
hard. Keep the pressure on!

The details:
Meet at the northwest corner of the Congress Avenue bridge at Congress
Avenue and Cesar Chavez. Then everyone will file onto the bridge itself for
the vigil and keep watch on the bridge until 8:00pm.

Go to HYPERLINK
"http://political.moveon.org/event/iraq4/34535"http://political.moveon.org/e
vent/iraq4/34535 to sign up.

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

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

 

5:00 p.m. DEADLINE TO BE INCLUDED AS A SPONSOR ON THE INVITATION TO THE TCDP
APRIL 10 FUNDRAISER – PLEASE SEE THE TOP OF THIS NEWSLETTER FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION

 

 

 

League of Women Voters State of the City Event 

TIME:  Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 6:00pm
PLACE:  University of Texas Club, Memorial Stadium on the UT Campus, 2108 E.
Robert Dedman Drive

CONTACT:  Karen Haschke at 345-8159, HYPERLINK
"mailto:karenhaschke at sbcglobal.net"karenhaschke at sbcglobal.net or Carolyn
Baker at 249-7012 or HYPERLINK
"mailto:cbaker1 at earthlink.net"cbaker1 at earthlink.net 

Do you wonder “What Will Austin Look Like 20 Years From Now?” Now you can
find out by attending the 15th annual State of the City dinner sponsored by
the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area.

The speaker who will deliver the State of the City address is Michael
Aulick, Executive Director of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning
Organization (CAMPO), who will present an analysis of the interwoven
relationship of Austin’s growth patterns and transportation modes, and what
this means for the future.

The State of the City event begins with a reception, dinner and a raffle to
benefit the League’s Education Fund. Special recognition will be given to
board members of Envision Central Texas and to the mayors of surrounding
communities that also are affected by the explosive growth of the Austin
area.

Admission, which includes parking in the UT garage across the street, is
$40. The public is invited to attend.

Reservations for the dinner should be made by calling the League office at
451-6710 and by sending a check to: League of Women Voters of the Austin
Area, 1011 W. 31st St., Austin, TX 78705.

 

Latinos for Texas Meeting 

TIME:  Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 7:00pm-8:30pm
PLACE:  Kerbey Lane Cafe, 2606 Guadalupe St.

CONTACT:  Sabas Avila at HYPERLINK
"mailto:sabas at latinosfortexas.com"sabas at latinosfortexas.com 

Please join Latinos for Texas for their monthly meeting. Speakers include:
Chris Elliott, TCDP chair, and Garry Brown, TCDP Assistant Director, will be
presenting his analysis of the 2006 November election.

 

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

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

 

Sarah Eckhardt's Coffee Jolt Wednesday 

TIME:  Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 8:00am-9:00am
PLACE:  Location TBD

CONTACT:  Loretta at HYPERLINK
"mailto:loretta at saraheckhardt.com"loretta at saraheckhardt.com 

You are invited to share your ideas with County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt.

 

 

Central Austin Democrats Meeting- New Meeting Place!! 

TIME:  Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 6:15pm
PLACE:  New Meeting Place!!!-- New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe St # 100 

CONTACT:  Glen Coleman at 327-1066 or HYPERLINK
"mailto:glenofaustin at yahoo.com"glenofaustin at yahoo.com 

Please join CAD at their monthly meeting. Garry Brown, TCDP Assistant
Director, will give an analysis of the 2006 November Election.

 

 

Keep Austin Blue Meeting 

TIME:  Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 6:30 socialize, 7:15 speakers begin
PLACE:  Mother Egan's Irish Pub, 715 W. 6th St 

CONTACT:  Sharron Hargis at  HYPERLINK
"mailto:sharron at keepaustinblue.org"sharron at keepaustinblue.org 

Please join Keep Austin Blue as they recognize groups and elected officials
with pro-immigration beliefs guided by social justice principals and
progressive ideals. The forum includes speakers on the front-line of this
complex issue. A short documentary, called Dying to Live, will be shown.
6:30 is our social time, so please join them for dinner and drinks before
the forum.

Scheduled speakers:
Rebecca Bernhardt, Director of ACLU-Texas, Immigration, Border, and National
Security Policy
Josefina Castillo, Program Coordinator, American Friends Service Committee
Carla Cheatham, Religion and Labor Network of Austin
Eddie Rodriguez, Austin State Representative District 51 

 

 

Sen. Eliot Shapleigh- The State of Healthcare in Texas 

TIME:  Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 6:30pm-7:30pm
PLACE:  Central Presbyterian Church, 8th St. and Brazos

CONTACT:  Kathi Thomas at HYPERLINK
"mailto:Kathi at hastings.com"Kathi at hastings.com 

You are invited to see Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso) speak about the
state of healthcare in Texas. You can come just for the program or come
earlier and have supper (5:35-6:30, $7 adults, $3 children, reservations
required for supper- askcpc at cpcaustin.org 472-2445). 

 

 

Southwest Austin Democrats Meeting-- VENUE CHANGE!! 

TIME:  Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 6:30pm Social, 6:45pm Program
PLACE:  Travis County West Rural Community Center, Building A, 8656 Hwy 71
West (1.7 miles past the Y at Oak Hill and on the right)-- THIS IS A VENUE
CHANGE FOR THIS MONTH ONLY!!! 

CONTACT:  Albert Gonzales at 280-4900 or HYPERLINK
"mailto:email4agg at yahoo.com"email4agg at yahoo.com 

You are invited to join SWAD for their monthly meeting. 

 

University Democrats Meeting 

TIME:  Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 8:00pm
PLACE:  UTC 2.102A on the UT Campus

CONTACT:  Nick Chu at HYPERLINK
"mailto:president at udems.org"president at udems.org  

Please join the University Democrats for their weekly meeting.

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

For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at
HYPERLINK
"http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/"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:  HYPERLINK
"http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/"www.traviscountydemocrats.org


E-mail:  HYPERLINK
"mailto:info at traviscountydemocrats.org"info at traviscountydemocrats.org



Chris Elliott - Chair 

HYPERLINK
"mailto:chair at traviscountydemocrats.org"chair at traviscountydemocrats.org



Elizabeth Yevich - Executive Director 

HYPERLINK
"mailto:elizabeth at traviscountydemocrats.org"elizabeth at traviscountydemocrats.
org                


Garry Brown - Assistant Director 

HYPERLINK
"mailto:garry at traviscountydemocrats.org"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 

 

*********************************************************************** 
NEWSLETTER: HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE YOUR E-MAIL 

If you ever want to subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, please
send an e-mail to: 

HYPERLINK
"mailto:tcdp_newsletter-unsubscribe at lists.traviscountydemocrats.org"tcdp_new
sletter-unsubscribe at lists.traviscountydemocrats.org             

 

You will receive an auto-generated e-mail confirming your request. 

 

*******************************************************
TO SUBSCRIBERS WHO USE AOL 

AOL has become increasingly difficult for independent Internet services and
presence providers like ours to work with.  The AOL mail user interface has
a "Report Spam" button immediately adjacent to the "Delete" button, and not
only does this make it hard for many inexperienced (and elderly) users to
avoid hitting the "Report Spam" button, but AOL apparently makes little or
no attempt to educate its user base on distinguishing between spam and
legitimate list posts to which they have subscribed but may not wish to
read. 

AOL tracks each "Report Spam" it receives from subscribers.  If they receive
too many complaints from our service, email will be subject to substantial
acceptance delays or rejection by AOL's mail servers. 

Each time an AOL user hits the "Report Spam" button on a post from a list
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You are free to re-subscribe your address to our lists; however, if you
chose to do so, please take the time to use caution or obtain an email
address, such as a gmail address, from a different provider.  Please be
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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