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Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

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Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

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  • Saturday, April 02, 2011

    Olympia/Thurston County, WA Focus

    SOLIDARITY EVENTS IN OLYMPIA:

    Fair Budget Rally and March
    April 5, 2011 10:00AM to 04:00PM

    Gather at the solidarity mural at 10:00 a.m., march to Capitol campus beginning 10:30 a.m., rally, speeches and music begin at noon on the Capitol steps. Actions, activities and speakers all afternoon. Join peace organizers, students, religious organizations and parent activists for all day activities.

    Location:
    Corner of State Street & Capitol Way
    Olympia, WA
    98501

    Community Action Day @ the Capitol
    April 6, 2011 12:00PM to 03:30PM

    On April 6th 2011, community groups, teachers, students, immigrants, and faith leaders are turning up the heat. We are demanding that the budget is not balanced on the backs of people, that corporate tax loopholes are closed, and that Washington State lawmakers prioritize racial and economic equity.

    Sign-up online: http://bit.ly/eSBvkV

    Food and translation are provided. We will have accessible transportation and activities for children available.

    Buses are leaving from Seattle, Burien, Tri-Cities, Spokane, and other cities across the state. Only limited seats available. RSVP for a spot: Jill@washingtoncan.org or (206)805-6678.

    Location:
    Capitol Theater
    Olympia WA, WA
    98501

    Directions:
    Capitol Theater 206 5th Ave SE Olympia, WA 98501

    We Are One — Put People First!
    April 8, 2011 12:00PM to 04:00PM

    This is the big one: a major Labor Rally at the Capitol in Olympia. Washington's working families are tired of being blamed and punished for the damage done by Wall Street banks and corporations. Join thousands of public and private-sector workers from all trades as we stand together as one and demand that lawmakers PUT PEOPLE FIRST! We want good jobs, we want our rights, and we want them NOW!

    Many unions are organizing buses or ride-sharing to get to this rally. Contact your local union to see if transportation is available.

    Sponsored by:
    State Federation
    Local Washington State

    Location:
    Capitol Steps
    Olympia, WA
    98501

    Directions:
    From Southbound I-5. Take exit 105 "State Capitol/City Center/Port of Olympia" onto 14th Ave SE toward exit 105A "State Capitol/City Center"; Bear LEFT onto "Sid Snyder Ave SW"; Park.


    Another upcoming event:
    2011 Kennedy Dinner
    Saturday, May 21. 2011

    Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of
    President John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration

    A Time of Hope and Optimism

    Guest Speaker, The Honorable Jay Inslee

    Doors open: 5:30 p.m. Program begins: 6:00 p.m.
    60s Cocktail Attire Optional
    Red Lion Inn, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW, Olympia (map)

    Reservations: $50 by may 14; $70 may 15 or later

    For information:
    Checks payable to: TCD, Kennedy Dinner
    www.thurstondemocrats.org/kennedy
    PO Box 164, Olympia WA 98507-0164


    COMMUNITY BANKING WASHINGTON:

    Want to break away from predatory lending banks, these are options to work within the local community.

    ReDirect Visa (15.15% apr, no annual fee): The ReDirect card is issued by Washington state’s ShoreBank Pacific.Depositors fuel the bank’s lending programs, which enable sustainable community development. ShoreBank Pacific issues the card by way of TCM, which is owned by ICBA Bancard, a subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America.

    Your card fees support ShoreBank Pacific’s community investing mission, and half of the card’s proceeds go toward reducing CO2 emissions through Sustainable Travel International’s “MyClimate” high-quality offsets. In addition to a conventional rewards program, the card also earns cardholders discounts at the sustainable businesses listed in regional “ReDirect Guides” for Denver/Boulder/Fort Collins, CO; Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA; and Salt Lake City/Park City, UT. Those businesses that offer Internet purchasing will extend ReDirect discounts to any cardholder. There’s no need to have a ShoreBank Pacific account to apply.

    Salmon Nation Visa (15.15% apr, no annual fee): This card, also from ShoreBank Pacific, directs a percentage of its income to growing a community of citizens that practice environmental stewardship of “Salmon Nation,” a bio-region stretching from Alaska to Oregon where wild salmon live. Like the ReDirect card, Salmon Nation Visa isn’t benefiting a mega-bank, and you don’t need a ShoreBank Pacific account to apply.


    Thurston County Democrats: It's a good day to exercise...democracy!

    The Thurston County Democrats meet every 4th Monday at 7:00 PM room 152, building 1 at the Thurston County Courthouse.

    Go here to find local Democratic events in Thurston County.


    Thurston County Young Democrats: a chapter of the Young Democrats of Washington, which in turn belongs to the Young Democrats of America.

    Young Democrats have been active in Washington State for nearly 75 years. As the official youth arm of the Democratic Party, we work to engage young people in the civic process and to ensure that the Party's goals reflect the vision of its younger members.

    In particular, TCYD creates opportunities for young adults to partake in civil discourse, meet local elected Democratic officials, participate in political campaigns and develop leadership techniques. Our organization is founded on the principles of Democratic Party, and we work with our party's leadership to ensure that the concerns of young people are addressed by our government representatives.

    Go here to join the Thurston County Young Democrats


    For those who want to mix social and political fun, here are Drinking Liberally groups in the Thurston County area:

    Drinking Liberally Olympia
    First and Third Monday of each month, 7:00 pm
    Urban Onion in Downtown Olympia -- In the Bar, 116 Legion Way SE (In the Bar--enter on Legion)

    Drinking Liberally Shelton
    Third Monday of each month, 7:00 pm
    El Serape Restaurant, 2503 Olympic Hwy N


    GET INVOLVED: Become a Precinct Committee Officer Now, more than ever, this is important for reconnecting the Democratic Party with the Community.

    State law (RCW 29A.80.041) provides that "any member of a major political party who is a registered voter in the precinct may upon payment of a fee of one dollar file his or her declaration of candidacy as prescribed under RCW 29A.24.031 with the county auditor for the office of precinct committee officer of his or her party in that precinct. When elected at the primary, the precinct committee officer shall serve so long as the committee officer remains an eligible voter in that precinct."
    Election of a Precinct Committee Officer

    From RCW 29A.80.051: "The statutory requirements for filing as a candidate at the primaries apply to candidates for precinct committee officer. The office must be voted upon at the primaries, and the names of all candidates must appear under the proper party and office designations on the ballot for the primary for each even-numbered year, and the one receiving the highest number of votes will be declared elected. However, to be declared elected, a candidate must receive at least ten percent of the number of votes cast for the candidate of the candidate's party receiving the greatest number of votes in the precinct. The term of office of precinct committee officer is two years, commencing the first day of December following the primary."
    Terms of Office

    The term of office for anyone elected to the office of Precinct Committee Officer is two years, and commences upon the official canvass of election returns by the County Auditors office.
    Vacancies and Appointed Precinct Committee Officers

    Vacant PCO positions shall be filled by majority vote of the Executive Committee. An appointed PCO must be a registered voter in the precinct served. If a PCO resigns or moves out of a precinct, the PCO position is then vacant. Any TCDCC member may nominate a candidate to fill a vacant PCO position. All nominations shall be made in writing and submitted to TCDCC, P.O. Box 164, Olympia, WA 98507 or by sending an e-mail to the TCDCC First Vice Chair. The Executive Committee shall act on the nomination no later than the next meeting of the Executive Committee after nominations are received.

    State law (RCW 29.42.030) used to provide that only elected PCOs may participate in the Legislative District and County reorganizations, therefore appointments to fill vacancies cannot be made between the state general election and the reorganization meeting of the county central committee, which must be held prior to the second Saturday in January following the election of Precinct Committee Officers. Current State Law, under RCW 29A.080 concerning Political Parties changes this requirement. Contact your local LD or County chair for details.

    To apply for TCD Precinct Committee Officer, please fill out this PCO Application.

    Find out more information about being a PCO here.


    Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in Washington State, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.

    Our Wind Co-op is a unique cooperative of small-scale wind turbines on farms, ranches and public and private facilities across the Northwest. Through this collaborative effort, 10-kW turbines were installed at numerous rural sites serviced by publicly-owned utilities. To find out more or ask about participation, Contact:

    Climate Solutions
    219 Legion Way SW #201
    Olympia, WA 98501
    info_at_harvestcleanenergy.org
    (360) 352-1763


    BIODIESEL STATIONS IN THURSTON COUNTY:

    Here are some biodiesel stations in Thurston County area. Biodiesel is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel, and is produced right here in the USA. Biodiesel can be used in almost any diesel engine. Up to B20 (a 20 percent blend) any diesel engine, whether car or 18 wheeler or whatever, can use it. Above B20 some older engines may have problems, but newer engines should be ok.


    Safeway Fuels: 3205 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia WA 98502, 360-352-3498, sells B20 (good in any diesel engine) CREDIT OK 24 HRS

    Pacific Pride: 3231 Mottman Rd. SW, TUMWATER, WA 98512, sells B2 fuel (2% biodiesel) usable in any diesel engine

    Fast Fuels/Acme Fuel: 505 Lilly Rd. SE, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-943-1133, sells B20 (good in any diesel engine) and B99 (good in newer diesel engines) PRIVATE CARDLOCK ONLY

    Pacific Pride: 8450 Old Hwy 99, OLYMPIA, WA 98501, sells B2 fuel (2% biodiesel) usable in any diesel engine

    Pacific Pride: 221 E. Mill St. SHELTON, WA 98584 sells B2 fuel (2% biodiesel) usable in any diesel engine


    GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE OLYMPIA AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages

    Traditions Cafe & World Folk Art
    www.traditionsfairtrade.com
    Promotes Fair Trade relationships with artisans and farmers around the world. Provides space for concerts, forums, and classes to build community. Tacoma location: (253)752-4069.
    Phone: (360)705-2819
    Fax: (360)705-0747
    300 5th Ave. SW
    Olympia, WA 98501-1015

    Sound Native Plants
    www.soundnativeplants.com
    Dedicated to promoting comprehensive ecological restoration in western Washington. Provides restoration consulting, a native plant nursery, and restoration project installation.
    Phone: (360)352-4122
    Fax: (360)867-0007
    P.O. Box 7505
    Olympia, WA 98507

    Casualtee Screen Printing
    www.casualtee.com
    Dedicated to high quality, eco-friendly, custom silkscreen printing. Uses eco-friendly water-based inks and offers sweatshop-free garments and organic cotton.
    Phone: (800)328-9460
    1018 Rogers St. NW
    Olympia, WA 98502

    Marigold Fair Trade
    www.marigoldfairtradeclothing.com
    Fashionable Fair Trade clothes and household items from a women's co-op in India.
    Phone: (888)205-1697
    Fax: (866)899-4395
    905 Rogers St.
    Olympia, WA 98502

    Yellow Bear Journeys
    www.yellowbearjourneys.com
    Eco-journeys that focus on beaches, rainforests, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii; specialized eco-journeys and workshops; customized eco-journeys.
    Phone: (360)918-8121
    2633 Westwind Dr. NW
    Olympia, WA 98502


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