OREGON FOCUS: Blogs, Obama, Jeff Merkley, Neighborhood Leaders, Groups and Events

You can help win both the Presidency and the Senate by donating through my Oregon Act Blue Site.

BLOGGING OREGON: BlueOregon is a place for progressive Oregonians to gather 'round the water cooler and share news, commentary, and gossip.


Here are some Obama Events in Oregon:

June 22-28 New Democrats Phone Project (Phone Bank)

Wouldn't You Like to Make a Welcome Phone Call? The Jackson County Democrats are calling all newly registered Democrats to welcome them to the Party. We need your help to make those phone calls. Please give just one and a half hours of your time on the "NEW DEMOCRATS PHONE PROJECT." The phone bank begins June 22 and ends June 28. The shifts are 5:30 -7:00 PM and 7 - 8:30 PM Sunday through Friday and four shifts on Saturday, 9:30 - 11:00; 11:00 - 12:30; 3;30 - 5:00; and 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Please call the Democratic Headquarters at 858-1050 to volunteer. If you get the answering machine leave a message with your phone number and a volunteer will call you back. Many thanks! We aren't finished with our welcome just yet. Volunteers from the Jackson County Clinton and Obama campaigns have united to plan an event to welcome the new Democrats too! Look for an announcement to attend a big picnic this summer. We are moving forward together to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States. Let's use the primary election bounce to elect our local candidates down ticket. LYNN HOWE is moving into the Jackson County Democrat Headquarters into the back offices formally used by the Obama campaign. Join her campaign to help her win the position of State Representative representing House District #6, Medford. Join Lynn and her husband Jim at the June 21st West Medford Coalition Neighborhood Clean Up Day. Meet them at 7:45 AM at Union Park (501 Plum St., Medford) with your work gloves. Please call Chris Lachner at 541 245 0542 if you plan to attend. This is a GREAT way to support our community, support Lynn Howe and pick up your very own Lynn Howe tee-shirt. JIM OLNEY is our candidate for County Commissioner. Jim is traveling through out Jackson County conducting a very personal campaign. If he hasn't knocked on your door yet, he will. Go to www.Olney08.com to make a contibution. This is our big chance to help the County move foward into good responsive and inclusive governance in the 21st Century. Thank you for supporting Democratic candidates in the primary election. This is our year to turn Jackson County BLUE. We just need 3% more Democrats in Jackson County to become the majority party. We can do it when we all help. Start helping now by volunteering to phone bank to welcome over 7,500 newly registered Democrats. Onward to November 4th! Paulie Brading Chair, Jackson County Democrats

Time: Saturday, June 28 at 9:30 PM
Contact Phone: 541 858-1050
Location:
Jackson County Dem HQ (Medford, OR)
40 S. Central
Medford, OR 97501

Local Dem's and Obama campaign Ice Cream Social (Unite for Change)
The local Democratic party and the local Obama campaign invite all Democratic officials, leaders and volunteers and the local Obama campaign staff and volunteers to an old fashion "Ice cream social" as part of the nationwide "Unite for Change" event taking place June 28th. Join us to kick-off our joint campaign for the general election! RSVP to Democratic Party of Lane Co at www.info_at_dplc.org

Time: Saturday, June 28 at 12:00 PM
Contact Phone: 541-484-5099
Location:
Emerald Park (River Rd Park) (Eugene, OR)
1400 Lake Dr
Eugene, OR 97404

Tabling at La Pine Frontier Days (Organizing)
Sign up to table and register new voters at the Deschutes Democrats Booth. Please indicate the days and times you are available when you sign up for this event.
Time: Friday, July 4-6 at 10:00 AM
Contact Phone: 541-788-9923
Location:
La Pine Frontier Days (La Pine, OR)

Tabling on 4th of July (Organizing)
Volunteers are needed to table the 4th of July event in Drake Park. The Deschutes Democrats will have a booth that we will share to register voters and provide information about Barack Obama. Sign up for a two hour shift between 11 am and 4 pm. Contact Mary Ann at 788-9923 or itsmemaryann@gmail.com
Time: Friday, July 4 at 11:00 AM
Contact Phone: 541-788-9923
Location:
Bend 4th of July Celebration (Bend, OR)
Drake Park
Bend, OR 97701


The Democratic candidate for Oregon's Senate seat is Jeff Merkley. Merkley has MAJOR union support as well as the support of the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, 21st Century Democrats, and Council for a Livable World, among MANY others. You can read Merkley's stands on the issues here.

Go here to volunteer to help Merkley win.

Even more importantly, you can become a Neighborhood Leader for the Oregon Democratic Party and be a major part of Victory 2008.

Here are progressive events and groups in Oregon: (events first, groups at the end)

SolWest 2008 Conference
July 25, 26 and 27
Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more info, go here.

Ecovillage and Permaculture Certificate Program - At Lost Valley
June 16, 2008 - August 8, 2008
Learn practical tools for self-reliant living and sustainable human habitats in this affordable 8-week program. Built around the permaculture design curriculum, this dynamic educational experience includes a full permaculture design course and provides a holistic introduction to ecovillages, int...
Location: Dexter, Oregon
Scope: International
Website: http://www.lostvalley.org/epcp

Harney County "Alternative Energy Club"
Third Thursdays, 7pm; Harney County Library, Burns OR. Contact Claire Larson 541-573-6680.

Wasco County Dems' Monthly Meeting
Second Tuesday of every month at The Dalles-Wasco County Library. Questions? Call 541.298.4700.

Deschutes County Dems Monthly Meetings:
Second Thursday of every month
7 to 9 p.m. (6:30 social) at Bend's Community Center, 1036 NE 5th Street

Umatilla County Democratic Women These Dems meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm, generally alternating between Pendleton and Hermiston. The Chair is ElRae Wells Ph. 276-7943 (call for more info).

Umatilla County Dems now meet at 6pm on 2nd Thursdays at Pendleton's BMCC Sci-Tech Bldg in Rm 204

Every Thursday Vancouver For Peace Street Vigil
Bring your own signs or use one of ours. We stand of the corner of the Vancouver main library and express our desire to end the illegal occupation of Iraq (and other issues). This is a Vancouver for Peace event.
Event Date: Every Thursday
Event Time: 4:30 PM
Venue Name: Ft Vancouver Library
Address: 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd
City: Vancouver


Here is a Democracy for America Group in Oregon:

Tigard DFA
1st Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM
Silver Palace
Tigard, OR
We are a motivated band of progressive activists who meet occasionally for political discussions and activism.
Phone Number: 503-620-3536


And for those who like to combine socializing and politics, here are Drinking Liberally groups in Oregon:

Corvallis, Oregon
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
* Squirrels, 100 SW 2nd St (non-smoking, good food)

Portland, Oregon
* First and third Thursday of each month, 7:00 - 10:00 pm
* Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St (Upstairs)
* Hosted by Nicole Vanderhoof, James Riddle and Bill Nothstine, portland (at) drinkingliberally.org

St. Helens, Oregon
* Second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
* Red Line Sports Bar & Grill, 2098 Old Portland Rd (Back Room)
* Just drop in - all welcome
* Hosted by Julane Grant, sthelens (at) drinkingliberally.org