Events 2006

[eridani]

An event thread, because individual threads are more likely to fall off the first page.

[eridani]

1. Defend Education and the Estate Tax

Defend Education and the Estate Tax-meeting 1/6 2pm @ Machinists Union Hall


This is a followup to our previous conversation. As you, and our 11th District folks know, I'm always talking about the need for progressive tax reform, and that includes moving the issue within our HDC (House Democratic Caucus) as well. Now, Speaker Chopp asked me to organize a campaign, and to be the point person for the House, to push back against a probable right wing attempt to repeal the Estate Tax, which is the only progressive tax our state has. This tax only affects a little over 200 taxpayers a year and is dedicated to funding the Education Legacy Trust Account (see Estate Tax background info attached).

This is a great opportunity to not only defend the Estate Tax, but to start building the statewide movement necessary to get the tax reform we want. As a first step, we are putting together a meeting (Fri. Jan 6th, 2pm at the Machinists Union Hall in South Park--see meeting notice flier attached) of stakeholders in education, tax reform, and retaining the Estate Tax to organize our opposition to the right wing's attempt to repeal it.

I'm hoping the 11th District Democrats (and its ally organizations) will see themselves as having a stake in preserving the Estate Tax and also the longer term struggle for progressive tax reform which I feel is a linchpin issue for funding all the social programs a progressive society should have. I hope you, and/or representatives of your key organizations can attend this meeting and I'd appreciate any other help/support you can offer to this campaign.

Please let me know if you, and/or others can attend the 1/6 meeting, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bob Hasegawa
bhasegawa aol.com
Cell-206/334.4804
District office (Cely)-206-439-3810
Washington State Representative, District 11
425 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Hotline: [phone]

PS-please let me know if you have problems opening the attachments

Meeting Notice
Defend the Estate Tax and Protect Funding for Education
There is a move afoot to repeal the Estate Tax?
Let’s push-back for progress!

Who: All stakeholders interested in improving education and defending the progressive Estate Tax.
When: Friday, January 6th, 2006, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Machinists Union Hall, 9125 15th PL. S., in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood

Purpose of this meeting: Bring stakeholders together to defend the Estate Tax and the Education Legacy Trust Account it funds.

The 2005 Legislature reinstated the progressive Estate Tax and dedicated that money to fund a new
Education Legacy Trust Account that will improve all levels of our education system. A bill or other effort may be introduced this session to repeal the Estate Tax. We need to be well organized to fight back, and move forward.

Sponsored by:Gov. Christine Gregoire, House Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, and numerous elected officials, educators, and community based organizations.

For more information see the attached fact sheet on the Estate Tax, and/or contact: Rep. Bob Hasegawa at bhasegawa aol.com, 206/767.4085

[Peeves]

56. Lets all defend the estate tax! ...

... only affects about 200 people. :evilgrin:

[eridani]

2. Stonewall Democrats reception, Bellingham

LGBT Democrats Invite You!
The Washington State Stonewall Democrats
Are Having a Bellingham Reception.

Saturday, 14 January 2006 5 to 7 PM
Garden Street Family Center
1231 N. Garden St. corner of Holly

The guest speaker is Jerry Hebert, Washington State Human Rights Commissioner and Stonewall Vice President of Political & Legislative Affairs. Local Democratic officials and lawmakers have been invited as well. Refreshments will be served.

The Stonewall Democrats started forming in 2005 and On Friday, November 11th, the Washington State Stonewall Democrats met to elect a Board of Directors and formally adopt new bylaws at the quarterly State Democratic Meeting in Ocean Shores, WA.

Lets have a party - a Democratic party - that looks like us and represents us to our elected representatives and lawmakers! Bring your concerns and ideas; meet new friends and network. Become a member!

Contact: Michele Kämmerer, Stonewall Board Member at 360.398.2878 and/or Michele {AT} @stonewalldemswa.org

All Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Transgender folks and Allies are welcome.
http://www.stonewalldemswa.org/

[eridani]

3. Progressive values forums, Seattle

Building a Progressive Machinery.
Wed., Jan. 18th. 7:30 PM.
1220 10th Ave. E (between Galer and Highland), Seattle (Capitol Hill)

Video on right wing think tanks, etc. developed over last 30 years. Presentation on Washington State (Dem/Prog) needs assessment done over last 10 months. Then discussion. RSVP with host, Valerie Tarico. valerietarico {at} hotmail.com.

Values & Political messaging Series. Feb. 4th. Seattle. Joe Chrastil & Keisha Krumm will focus on grassroots organizing -- drawing out those we are trying to reach - hearing their stories, hopes, fears, values and priorities, and finding the common ground. RSVP with host, Valerie Tarico. valerietarico {at} hotmail.com.

This isn't Lakoff, but it is using his ideas along with grassroots organizing by Sol Alinsky

[eridani]

4. Strategy session on winning the 8th CD

Description: 8th Congressional District Strategy Session
Location: Aerospace Machinists District Lodge 751
Address: 201 A St SW, Auburn, Wa
Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

The Democrats have a real chance win the 8th CD and pick up a seat in the house, but it is going to take a lot of work on our part to make it happen. We have had a couple of brainstorming sessions, now it is time to get serious about what we are going to do. This meeting is for officers and others from any district or county in the 8th CD, or any that want to help us win this important seat. Please come help us make practical plans for what the Democratic party can do in 2006 to un-seat Dave Reichert.

Bryan Kesterson
Chair, 47th LD Democrats
Home: 253-639-3515
Cell: 206-595-9164

[eridani]

5. 2006 Healthy Priorities for WA, Seattle, 1-7-06

2006 Healthy Priorities for WA Legislative Workshop in Seattle.

Along with a keynote from the Department of Ecology Director, Jay Manning, we'll also hear from legislators, environmental leaders, and members of the media regarding the community's Priorities for a Healthy Washington. These priorities include legislation for cleaning up Puget Sound, phasing out toxic chemicals that impact children's health, promoting renewable fuels and recycling e-waste. We are also united to defend against attacks on our land protections in Washington State.

What: Priorities for a Healthy Washington Legislative Workshop in Seattle
When: Saturday, January 7th, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Where: Seattle; Seattle Pacific University, Gwinn Room, 3310 6th Ave W (map: http://www.spu.edu/info/maps/index.html)

Space is limited, so for more info and to register, go online to http://www.wecprotects.org/join/legworkshop_reg.cfm or contact me, Washington Environmental Council Organizer, at 206-622-8103 or amy {at} wecprotects.org with any questions.

[eridani]

6. Arlington Northwest Display, Seattle, 1-8-06

Arlington Northwest Display
Sunday, January 8, 2006
7:30 AM to 5 PM
Green Lake Park
65th and Green Lake Way N
Rain or shine

Please come help us set up more than 2100 markers for the US service people who have died in Iraq since March 2003. We will start setting up at 7 AM and will need lots of help as this park has hills and trees to work around. The number of markers may exceed the space available in the park. We will have tables out with the names of the fallen soldiers and cards for these names which will then be placed on the empty markers. We need 10 - 12 people to help set up and also people to be with the display during the day. Please let me know by return email if you can help out or just show up. Thank you.


Sponsored by Evergreen Peace and Justice Community and Western Washington Veterans for Peace

[eridani]

7. Bicycle Alliance events

Join the Bicycle Alliance of Washington at one or more of these upcoming events:

Bicycle Club Convention
Sunday, January 22, 2006, 10am-3pm
The Alpine Experience, 408 Olympia Ave NE in Olympia

Open to club members, bicycle advocates and interested citizens. Learn how 18 advocates turned their city into a bicycle-friendly community, updates on the new legislative session and more! Additional details can be found at www.bicyclealliance.org.

Bicycle Brunch
Saturday, January 28, 2006, 10am-12 noon
The Pub at Ravenna Third Place, 6504 20th Ave NE in Seattle

Join the Bicycle Alliance at Seattle's newest and most unique pub for brunch, old time cycling movies, stories and more. Meet at Gasworks Park at 9am for a ride to the pub or arrive at the pub at 10am. Space is limited! Please RSVP at info bicyclealliance.org.

Bicycle Lobby Day in Olympia
Thursday, February 2, 2006

Join us in Olympia as we lobby legislators on bicycle-related issues. We'll provide talking points and help you schedule appointments with your legislators. Contact Dave Janis, 206.224.9252 or davej bicyclealliance.org for more info or to sign up!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
PO Box 2904
Seattle, WA 98111
206.224.9252 (voice)
206.224.9254 (fax)

[eridani]

8. Fair Share Health Care Bill lobbying

On Thursday, January 19th, activists from across the state will descend on our legislators in Olympia to demand their participation in improving the health care situation in this state. We are lobbying for the passage of the Fair Share Health Care bill, which would require large employers (5,000+ employees) in Washington State to spend the equivalent of 9% of their total payroll to provide health benefits for their employees. Should they choose to spend less (this means only WalMart), they would have to pay the difference between what they do spend and the required amount to the state. This would help offset the cost of uncovered employees to Washington taxpayers.

Please join us! We will spend the day in Olympia talking to our elected officials about this important issue. We will provide lunch and a T-shirt. Buses will be leaving from the Federal Way Park & Ride on 348th St at 6:15 a.m. and will be returning around 3:30. We understand it's difficult to take a whole day off, but direct lobbying is the single best way to ensure our lawmakers hear what their constituents really need and not what corporate lobbyists tell them. Please RSVP to Joe Earleywine at 1-800-732-1188 ext. 587 or email jearleywine ufcw1001.org.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon,
Joe

[eridani]

9. Voting rights workshop 2-4-2006, SEattle

Working to restore our voting rights!

Literacy tests, poll taxes, understanding clauses, grandfather clauses and felony disenfranchisement have all been used by states to deny African-Americans the right to vote. Over time, all of these barriers to voting have been struck down with the exception of felony disenfranchisement. Due to this and the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, an estimated 13% of black men are still unable to vote in the United States.

Come learn more about how 5 million Americans have lost the right to vote and work with us on our plans to change that!

A 34 minute film—Panel discussion—DIRECT ACTION
Date: February 4, 2006
Time: 4pm—6pm
Location: Cascade People’s Center
309 Pontius Ave N
Seattle

Justice Works! www.justiceworks.info 206-303-7559
ACLU http://action.aclu-wa.org/voting 206-624-2184
WA St Safe Communities Collaborative www.wsscc.net 206-312-6176

[eridani]

10. Open House at New Inslee District Office

You are invited to attend an open house at Congressman Jay Inslee's new district office in Shoreline.

After nearly seven years in Mountlake Terrace in the Pacific Cascade Building, which is home to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest supervisor's office, Inslee's main district office has moved to Shoreline Center. The center, formerly Shoreline High School, now houses the Shoreline School District headquarters, a senior center and offices of elected officials.

Please stop by. Congressman Inslee will be available to meet with you about any concerns you may have with legislation being considered in Congress or other matters of public policy. The district office staff will be in attendance to review the federal constituent services available to your through the office. If you will attend, please R.S.V.P to 206-361-0233 or to jay.inslee {at} mail.house.gov.

Inslee's offices in Poulsbo and Washington, D.C. will be unaffected.

Public open house at new district office location
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. , Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006
Shoreline Center
18560 1st Ave., NE , Suite E-800
Shoreline , WA 98155-2150
Toll Free: 1-800-226-7144
[phone]
[phone] fax
Please R.S.V.P to 206-361-0233 or jay.inslee {at} mail.house.gov

Directions
Going North or South on Interstate 5

Take NE 175th Street exit (Exit 176) toward Shoreline. Go west on N 175th Street. Turn right onto Meridian Ave. N. Turn right onto N 185th Street. Turn left onto 1st Avenue NE.

Shoreline Center is on the right, Suite E-800 is located on the south end of the building.

Going North or South on Highway 99

Turn east onto NE 185th Street. Turn left onto 1st Avenue NE. Shoreline Center is on the right, Suite E-800 is located on the south end of the building.

[eridani]

11. Citizens Heath Care Working Group meeting

The date and location of the Citizens Heath Care Working Group meeting in Washington State is:

February 25, 2006
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p,m,
Seattle Center- Northwest Rooms, Snoqualmie Room
305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109

Questions listed on http://www.citizenshealthcare.gov, Tell Legislators What You Think Public Comment Center are the following:

1. What concerns you most about health care in America today?

2. Our current way of paying for health care includes payments by individuals, employers, and government. Are there any changes you think should be made to this system?

3. What trade-offs do you think the American public is willing to make in either benefits or financing to ensure access to affordable, high quality health care?

4. What is your single most important recommendation to make to improve health care for all Americans?

[eridani]

12. Career Advancement Workshop--Women in Computing

ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN COMPUTING PUGET SOUND CHAPTER PRESENTS their January 2006 Event: Career Advancement Workshop (http://www.awcps.org/)

Job Hunting? How about trying to get that big raise? Just want to make your current job be more enjoyable? Mark your calendars because this seminar is for you! This exciting seminar will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 a.m. at Computer Classrooms In Seattl (www.computerclassroomsinseattle.com)

Sessions include: Creating a Searchable Profile on the Internet
Negotiating Compensation, the Secrets to Establishing Your Worth
Resumes that Catch A Recruiter's Eye!
Secrets of High Performance Employees
Take Control of Our Career Destiny
How to Market Yourself As a Consultant
Recruiters from a number of organizations will be available

Location: Computer Classrooms In Seattle, 10604 NE 38th Place, Suite 118, Kirkland, WA http://www.computerclassroomsinseattle.com Price: $20 for AWC members and $30 for non-members.
Registration: Online at
http://www.awcps.org/meetings/registration.html or leave voicemail at [phone].
Send your check to: AWC/PS, P.O. Box 179, Seattle, WA 98111 or pay by credit card on our site via PayPal.

[eridani]

13. Aradia benefit breakfast

In honor of the 33rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Aradia Women's Health Center cordially invites you to a breakfast of commemoration and celebration. We request a $33 donation for admission, benefiting Aradia Women's Health Center. Continental breakfast will be served.

DATE: Sunday, January 22, 2006
TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Aradia Women's Health Center
1300 Spring Street, Suite 500, Seattle, WA
(Entrance on Summit Avenue)
For reasons of security, a photo ID will be required for entry to the event.

We are pleased to be joined by special guest, Emily Lyons. Emily is an Aradia Honorary Board Member and the survivor of an abortion clinic bombing in Birmingham, Alabama.

Emily has recently authored a memoir, titled Life's Been a Blast, with her husband, Jeff Lyons. Copies will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information about Emily, visit her website. -
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=7vepurbab.0.jnorvrbab.aod479n6.309&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emilylyons

[eridani]

14. WA Citizens for Fair Elections meeting, Seattle 1-24-06

Washington Citizens for Fair Elections invites you to our upcoming meeting. The topic will be Vote By Mail: How it works, the mechanics, the benefits, and the risks. It will be very relevant given the proposal to shift King County and the entire state to vote-by-mail. There will be a presentation followed by question and answer discussion.

Washington Citizens for Fair Elections is a new, multi-partisan group forming to educate people on issues around elections, and to work for free, fair, transparent, verifiable elections.

Tuesday Jan 24th, 2006 6:00pm - 9:00pm in Room 209

University Heights Center for the Community Center
5031 University Way NE
Seattle, Washington 98105
http://uhcca.org/


Agenda

6:00 Doors Open (Food and drink is potlatch, if you wish to join in.)
6:30 Meet and Greet (Introductions)
7:00 Group Business
7:15 Vote By Mail Presentation
8:00 Q & A
8:30 Wrap up

[eridani]

15. Community Alliance for Global Justice events

HUGE, FUN AND FULFILLING EVENTS TO KICK OFF A NEW YEAR FOR CAGJ!!

Kevin Danaher events

Thu, Jan 19 6pm - 7pm
Seattle University School of Law
Seattle, Washington
For more information:
Dana Gold
Center on Corporations, Law & Society
206-398-4252
goldd {at} seattle.edu

Fri, Jan 20 10am - Noon
Seattle Central Community College
Seattle, Washington
For more information:
Pete Knutson
206-937-1048 or 206-587-6978
peterknutson {ayt} comcast.net


Fri, Jan 20 12:30pm - 1:20pm
University of Washington
Kane 130
Seattle, Washington
For more information:
Dr. Matt Sparke, Associate Professor
Jackson School of International Studies & Geography
206-543-5194
sparke {at} u.washington.edu

Fri, Jan 20 7:30pm - 9pm
" Building the Local Green Economy"
Sustainable Business Speaker Series
Bainbridge Graduate Institute
Island Wood Bainbridge Island, Washington
For more information:
Anna Oeste
206-855-9559
anna.oeste {at ]} bgiedu.org


Kevin Danaher is described by The New York Times as the "Paul Revere of globalization's woes," Dr. Kevin Danaher's analytical expertise, sense of humor and blunt eloquence make him an exceptionally dynamic speaker. As Global Exchange's co-founder, Dr. Danaher has spoken at hundreds of universities and for community organizations throughout the U.S. He conducts workshops on issues ranging from the dynamics of the global economy to how we can replace the power of transnational corporations with local green economy networks. A longtime critic of the so-called "free trade" agenda, Dr. Danaher explains how we can create 'grassroots globalization', empowering local communities to create sustainable local economies.

Dr. Danaher has traveled widely in Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, North America and Europe. He is familiar with the problems and prospects of economic development in diverse cultural settings. Dr. Danaher is a veteran activist and has special expertise on the following subjects: the Local Green Economy; the Two Globalizations (Elite vs. Grassroots); Policies of the World Bank; WTO and International Monetary Fund; US Foreign Policy and Activist Strategies for Creating a Sustainable World. Dr. Danaher is the author and/or editor of numerous books, including his latest, Insurrection: Citizen Challenges to Corporate Power . Dr. Danaher has also published: Ten Reasons to Abolish the IMF and World Bank; Democratizing the Global Economy: The Battle Against the World Bank and the IMF; Corporations Are Gonna Get Your Momma: Globalization and the Downsizing of the American Dream; Globalize This!: The Battle Against the World Trad Organization; Fighting for the Soul of Brazil; 50 Years Is Enough: The Case Against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund; In Whose Interest: A Guide to US-South Africa Relations; Can the Free Market Solve Africa's Food Crisis; The Political Economy of US Policy Toward South Africa; South Africa: A New US Policy for the 1990s; and Beyond Safaris: A Guide to Building People-to-People Ties with Africa.

CAFTA Resistance Event (1/21)

From Costa Rica and El Salvador, Marina Preza, Patricia Ramos and Salvador Duarte will speak on how "Unionists and Feminists Resist Free Trade and Privatization in Central America."

The Event is Saturday, January 21st at 7pm At the Seattle Labor Temple, Hall 6 2800 1st Ave For more information call [phone]

This event is sponsored by us and the following organizations:
Washington Federation of State Employees Local 304
Seattle Radical Women=20
Chileans for Justice and Solidarity in Chile
Colectivo-Ixmucane
Department of Youth Services Guild
STITCH and many others

January 25th CAGJ Community Meeting

Come help us further develop our goals, campaigns and strategies for the coming year. Your input is gold.

This is held at 606 Maynard in the heart of the International District, room 252.
Please come to these great events and bring everybody.
Also, please stay in touch by responding to this email or giving us a call at 405-4600.

[eridani]

16. Making the Federal Way school district more progressive

The needs of children don’t change by zip code or mile marker."~RSM

Tuesday, January 24th 6:30 PM
Washington Education Association Building Room 171
32032 Weyerhaeuser Way S. Federal Way, WA 98001-9687

Bring your passion, concern, expertise and energy to a welcoming, progressive community coalition. Students, teachers and families in Federal Way deserve inclusive policies, protections, and support already in place in surrounding public school districts. Join representatives from the Human Rights Campaign, Equal Rights Washington, Washington Safe Schools, PFLAG, Rainbow Center, Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities, and so many more as we support the Federal Way Public Schools in the process of becoming a more inclusive district where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can safely learn. Whether a Federal Way resident or someone who cares about ALL children, bring paper, pencil, great ideas and your readiness to see change in 2006!

Special Guest: Ellen Kahn, Family Project Director Human Rights Campaign flying in from Washington DC.

Refreshments provided. RSVP bikefamilymom {at} comcast.net or 253-838-0813.
An accurate head count = plenty of “nosh” for everyone.

Directions to WEA:
http://www.washingtonea.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=4&id=88&Itemid=77

[eridani]

45. May update

Community Alliance for Global Justice Newsletter
May 2006


Upcoming: Buy Local Organizing Meeting
Community Meeting will be Thursday, May 25th at 7pm at CAGJ office on 606 Maynard Ave. S #252

Come and get involved in the initial organizing meeting for our Buy Local: Fair Trade and Fair Made Campaign. We will discuss and plan the essential first steps in focusing our targets and goals for the campaign by asking questions like: What community do we want to work with? What will our goal be in working with that community? Do we want to focus on consumers, merchants, or suppliers? What information do we need and how can we get it?

If you are interested in helping to get the campaign on the ground and running please join us Thursday night. Also, if you have any questions, please call Allan Paulson at 206-246-0931.

Get Involved with CAGJ's Fundraising Efforts
Spring into summer with the CAGJ Grassroots Capacity Building Campaign!

1. Annual Membership Drive
Yep! It's that time of the year again! Has it been a while since you've renewed your membership dues? Have you recently been thinking, "I really want to support the grassroots work CAGJ is doing for economic justice?" Then it's time to dust off that old checkbook and make a donation to CAGJ (606 Maynard Ave. S #252, Seattle, WA 98104)! Or donate now online:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=3D1976

Also, a big thanks to all of our phone banking volunteers for helping us out this month!

2. Summer Garage & Jewelry Sale, July 16th
Have you got some gently used furniture, CDs, DVDs, books, appliances, clothes, or other cool stuff you've been aching to donate to the fight for economic justice? Wait no more! CAGJ is having a summer garage sale and we want your stuff!

This will also be a jewelry sale, with a local artist and CAGJ member donating her hand-made goods to help CAGJ!

Email Heather Day at hrd99 {at} igc.org to make drop off arrangements in the Wallingford neighborhood anytime between now and the garage sale date. Email Heather Golden at namaskaara {at} gmail.com if you can help us out by volunteering the day of the garage sale OR if you are a jewelry maker (OR if you know any) willing to donate part or all of your proceeds at this sale.

3. Summer Movies in the Park

By popular demand, CAGJ's Summer Movies in the Park is back! Yay! Got some movie ideas? Want to help find a good park location for this year? Want to volunteer the day of to help set up? Email Jessica Varney at jessicagalevarney {at} yahoo.com to find out how you can help!

4. CAGJ New Logo T-shirt Contest
Attention all artists, designers, and people inspired by social and economic justice! We're looking for a new CAGJ T-shirt design inspired by our new Buy Local & Fair Trade campaign aka "Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere." Please email Heather Day at hrd99 @ igc.org or snail mail your design to CAGJ, 606 Maynard St #252, Seattle, WA 98104.

DESIGN SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS JUNE 15! We'll all be voting on our favorite design at the movie in the park in late June or early July, so send us your design soon!

Annual Report: A year full of good work!

CAGJ has had a busy year! From ground-breaking CAFTA organizing, creation of the WA State Fair Trade Coalition, Immigration Forum, UIR workshops to other CAGJ activities, 2005 was a successful year for social and economic justice work. In the past few weeks you should have received in the mail the 2005 CAGJ annual report, which describes our work and accomplishments on all of these fronts. Reflecting on the good work, our annual report also invites members to renew their membership contribution that is vital to sustaining the organization and our future endeavors promoting fair trade and strengthening local economies everywhere. If you haven't yet done so, please become a new CAGJ member or renew your support so that 2006 can be as productive as 2005 (See above "Annual Membership Drive" information for how to make a donation)!

FTA Watch: US-Oman Free Trade Agreement under attack

The US Congress is currently in the process of considering the highly contentious Oman Free Trade Agreement (OFTA). Many have criticized the deal, arguing that Oman is ruled by an absolute monarch, has been cited by the U.S. State Department for human trafficking, forced labor and widespread political and worker repression.

The OFTA has received much criticism in Congress. In a recent "mock mark-up" in the House Ways and Means Committee, Washington State Representative Jim McDermott criticized the OFTA's labor provisions, stating that worker protections were inadequate and unenforceable. Citing recent labor abuses in Jordan under a FTA, and the failure of Bahrain to make promised reforms, McDermott said that any side agreement to the FTA in regards to labor protection would be just so much paper. Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett joined McDermott noting the OTFA's degradation of environmental standards by allowing rampant trade of endangered black rhinoceros horns. Doggett further argued that the agreement should require Oman to join the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), an environmental treaty all other U.S.trade partners have signed.

While the OFTA is receiving criticism in Congress, the threat of its passage remains. CAGJ members and global justice supporters are encouraged to give a thanks to McDermott for taking a stand against the OFTA, and to put pressure on our other local representatives to follow his example. Please make a phone call to Representatives Inslee, Smith and Reichert this week!


Upcoming Local Events on Global Justice Issues


Dr. Edwin Nichols' talk on "Infusing an Anti-Racist Analysis and Approach into Organizational Culture", May 24-25 Along with the People's Institute Northwest (PINW) and others, CAGJ is co-sponsoring Dr. Edwin Nichols' upcoming trip to Seattle. Dr. Nichols speaks around the country on diversity issues and organizational culture.

Join us for one of his community speaking events:
--Wednesday, May 24th 6-8:30pm at the Garfield High School Auditorium
--Thursday, May 25th from 12-1:30pm at the UW Ethnic Cultural Theater (Brooklyn & 40th in the University District)
---Thursday, May 25th from 7-8:30pm at the Freedom Church in West Seattle (corner of Roxbury & 35th SW) - he will be speaking as part of the evening church service.

[eridani]

17. Adam Smith's Progressive Advisory Council

News from Congressman Adam Smith
Chelsea Orvella, Field Representative
[phone] or Chelsea.Orvella mail.house.gov
Friday, February 3, 2006

Progressive Issues Update

Congressman Adam Smith would like to invite you to participate in the next meeting of his Progressive Advisory Council on Tuesday, February 21st, from 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. in conference room #104 of the Port Business Center. The PBC is located at 3600 Port of Tacoma Road in Tacoma.

Directions from I-5:

Traveling southbound, take exit #136, the Port of Tacoma Road Exit, and turn right. It will put you on Port of Tacoma Road. Follow it one block past the first major intersection (Pacific Hwy 99) and turn left into the PBC building driveway.

Traveling northbound, take exit #136B, the Port of Tacoma Road Exit. It will put you on Port of Tacoma Road. Follow it one block past the first major intersection (Pacific Hwy 99) and turn left into the PBC building driveway.

Congress returned to Washington D.C. this week to begin the second session of the 109th Congress. Adam invites you to join him in an informal roundtable discussion of current national issues, including the topics below and other progressive issues.

Space is limited, so please RSVP to Chelsea Orvella at 253.896.3784 or via email at Chelsea.Orvella mail.house.gov. Thank you for your time and consideration. We hope to see you there.

HOUSE PASSES PATRIOT ACT EXTENSION

Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed by voice vote another extension of the Patriot Act, the anti-terrorism law passed in 2001 to expand the circumstances under which the federal government can obtain a warrant to search or otherwise gather information about people in this country. Set to expire this Friday, the 16 provisions of the existing Patriot Act have been further extended until March 10, 2006.

Congressional leadership hopes the additional five weeks will give lawmakers time to continue negotiating a conference report that would make 14 provisions permanent and extend the other two until 2009. It passed the House on December 14, 2005 but was held up in the Senate two days later. Four Republican Senators joined almost all of their Democratic colleagues in blocking its passage due to concerns that existing provisions did not offer enough protections for civil liberties.

While supportive of providing our law enforcement officials with the necessary tools they need to combat terrorism, Adam feels the Patriot Act does not require the government to meet a high enough standard in order to obtain a warrant, use wiretaps, or otherwise gather information. Adam voted against the reauthorization of the Patriot Act when the conference report moved through the House as it failed to address these concerns and adequately protect civil liberties.

SMITH OPPOSES BUDGET CUTS TO VALUABLE DOMESTIC PROGRAMS

Also yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $39 billion budget savings package that included the first cuts to vital entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and student loans since 1997.

The budget-cutting package - left over from last year's agenda - narrowly passed by 216-214 without the support of a single Democrat. It will save the federal government $39 billion over five years, totaling .3 percent of federal spending over five years and putting only a small dent in the federal debt at the expense of programs primarily assisting the low-income and middle class Americans. Some of the more alarming cuts include $11 billion in Medicare and Medicaid programs, $12 billion in student loan programs - in addition to increased interest rates - and $1.5 billion in child support enforcement aid to states.


"The budget reconciliation bill sent to the President's desk yesterday takes this country in the wrong direction," said Smith. "While I strongly believe in fiscal discipline, it is an enormous mistake to balance the budget on the backs of the low-income and older Americans that need help the most and the students who make up our future. This simply is not consistent with the priorities and values of the American people and I will work throughout the coming year to advance a more commonsense and fair fiscal policy."

[eridani]

18. Salmon recovery meetings

On Dec 27th, the federal government released the draft master plan for the recovery of Puget Sound salmon species (called Shared Salmon Strategy). This draft plan contains individual chapters for each large watershed, and represents thousands of hours of work by hundreds of stakeholders over several years.
Washington Environmental Council is very committed to salmon recovery, and has been working for years to prevent pollution and habitat destruction as well as increase stream flows. WEC is an active member of the Shared Strategy Development Committee. We believe this plan is our best hope for recovery and eventual delisting.

The federal agency, called NOAA, has agreed to hold public hearings on the draft plan at four locations this month. Please come and weigh in for salmon!

Feb 7th Sequim
Feb 8th Downtown Seattle
Feb 9th Lacey
Feb 21st Anacortes
All four hearings begin at 6pm.

(for a copy of the plan and directions to hearings, see www.sharedsalmonstrategy.org/plan)

COMMENTS

If you cannot attend these meetings, you can also submit a comment before Feb 27th, 2006. Always draw from your personal experience with these issues, but you can consider the WEC points below.

a) Via Email to: PugetSalmonPlan.nwr {at} noaa.gov

Please put "Comments on Puget Sound Salmon Plan" in the title.

b) Or send a letter to:

Elizabeth Babcock,
National Marine Fisheries Service,
Salmon Recovery Division,
7600 Sandpoint Way NE,
Seattle, WA 98115

Talking points:

Implementation:
To ensure the plan is put into action, NOAA must obtain explicit commitments from all jurisdictions within the basin with implementation authority.

Funding:

The funding needs during the first 10 years of implementation are huge yet the draft plan requires no funding committee to oversee funding concerns. Funding oversight will be key in the success of this plan.

River and stream flow levels:

Within the draft plan, specific remedies to address insufficient water flow for fish are only provided for in a few individual watersheds. We agree strongly with the assessment that this is not enough and that the WA Dept of Ecology must set ecologically-based instream flows in every Puget Sound watershed.

Land management regulations for sensitive areas:

Since Critical Areas Ordinances are being updated currently by many counties around the Sound, the draft plan should include commitments by these jurisdictions to enact CAO updates necessary to meet the goals of salmon recovery.

Thanks for helping restore Washington's rivers, streams, and fish populations!
Amy

Amy Zarrett, Organizer
Washington Environmental Council
206-622-8103 ext. 207
amy{at} wecprotects.org
www.wecprotects.org

[eridani]

19. Pro birth control people needed at Pharmacy Board Hearing

The Pharmacy Board has made several changes to the hearing times. We hope this is final. Please see below!

We need your help to stop discrimination at local pharmacies!

Some pharmacists across the country, and right here in Washington, are refusing to fill prescriptions for medication
like emergency contraception because of a personal belief that using it is immoral or a sin. This is outrageous and nothing short of discrimination.

If you also think this is wrong, please let the Washington State Pharmacy Board know your opinion by attending a public meeting (information below). The Pharmacy Board will soon make a formal decision about whether they will allow pharmacists to refuse to fill valid prescriptions for solely personal reasons and the Board Members need to hear from you.

At the last Pharmacy Board meeting, the audience was filled with supporters of the right of pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions based on their personal beliefs. The Pharmacy Board needs to see and hear from the majority of citizens who
find this proposal offensive. Please attend the hearings and bring your family and friends.

We believe that pharmacists are in a profession where they have taken on the responsibility to put the patient first, not themselves. Denying any form of health care to individuals because of a personal belief is wrong and should not be
tolerated.

Please join us at the following public meetings. Your participation is vital and will impact the Pharmacy Board?s
decision:

Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Labor & Industries, Auditorium
7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater WA 98501

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2006
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Red Lion Hotel, Yakima
607 E. Yakima Avenue, Yakima WA 98901

Speakers will be given a maximum of 2 minutes to talk.

It is important that as many people as possible attend this meeting to express their concerns about pharmacists refusing to
fill prescriptions of any kind - including contraception.

This decision impacts all of us. If the Pharmacy Board decides that it will allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for personal reasons, pharmacists could deny medications to men and women based on perceived sexual orientation, HIV status, martial status or for any other reason.

For more information in your area, please call:

Bellingham: 360-734-9007
Olympia: 253-779-3913
Pullman: 509-334-1525 ext 302
Seattle: 206-328-7714
Spokane: 509-326-6292 ext 156
Tri-Cities: 509-301-7807
Tumwater: 253-779-3913
Vancouver, WA: 503-775-4931
Walla Walla: 509-301-7807
Yakima: 509-225-3417

If you cannot attend the meeting, please take a moment to:

Write a letter* and send it to the Washington State Board of Pharmacy, PO Box 47863, Olympia WA 98504-7863 or via email to WSBOP {at}doh.wa.gov, or fax to 360-586-4359.

AND Governor Christine Gregoire, Office of the Governor, P.O Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504. To e-mail the
Governor go to http://www.ppaction.org/ct/9pz6X_41yRPe/.You can fax the Governor at Fax [phone].

*While written submissions will be considered throughout the entire rule making process, in order for written submissions to be considered by the Board in time for the hearings, the Board must receive your comments by April 18th.

*Call the Board at Ph: 360.236.4829 to express your concerns and also call the Governor at 360-902-4111.

*Add your email address to the Board's e-mail list to receive updates and future meeting notices related to this issue by signing up at http://www.ppaction.org/ct/97z6X_41yRP3/.

This is a critical issue with long lasting and far-reaching
implications for access to health care.

BACKGROUND, POINTS TO CONSIDER, AND SAMPLE LETTER:

Pharmacists should not be allowed to refuse to fill prescriptions for FDA-approved medication, including emergency contraception and other forms of contraception.

We are deeply troubled that the Washington State Board of Pharmacy is considering adopting a Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) position asserting that a pharmacist has a right to refuse to provide health care services to men and women because of their personal beliefs or prejudices.

The Pharmacy Board should do what pharmacy boards have done in all of the other states where this issue has come before them and reject the imposition of a pharmacist's personal belief on the health care decisions made between doctors and their patients.

Denying any form of health care to individuals because of a personal or religious belief is wrong and should not be tolerated. Individuals should be able to receive health care without discrimination or delay.

We believe that pharmacists' moral or religious beliefs may be accommodated provided that the accommodation does not cause the patient delay or untold barriers to securing services. This means that a patient should not be referred to another pharmacy to receive his/her medication.

It would be harmful to Washington citizens for the Pharmacy Board to adopt a rule or policy that would enable a pharmacist's personal beliefs to trump the medical needs of their patients.

The issue of pharmacists' refusals is much broader than the issue of an individual’s right to access contraception. It has implications for all individuals seeking health care.

Pharmacists refusing to dispense emergency contraception may create a significant barrier to accessing the medication in the time frame necessary especially if the woman is from a rural community with only one pharmacy and/or has limited access to transportation.

Contraceptive use is a private and personal matter. Women may already be feeling apprehensive, scared, and intimidated when they ask a pharmacist for emergency contraception. A woman who is asking for emergency contraception may have been sexually assaulted. A pharmacist's refusal to fill the prescription can further traumatize an already vulnerable client.

Emergency contraception is not abortion - it is birth control. Emergency contraception is a high dose of oral birth control pills. The FDA states that emergency contraception is not effective if a woman is already pregnant. Emergency contraception prevents a pregnancy - it does not terminate a pregnancy. It acts principally by delaying or inhibiting
ovulation and fertilization.

Experts estimate that wider access to emergency contraception could prevent up to 1.7 million unintended pregnancies – and 800,000 abortions a year.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Washington State Pharmacy Board Members,

I am writing to ask you to protect my right to have my prescriptions filled without delay or discrimination.

I believe that denying any form of health care to individuals because of a personal belief is wrong and should not be tolerated. If I walked into my local pharmacy and the pharmacist refused to fill my prescription because of personal reasons, I would be outraged and would lose faith in my ability to get the health care I need, when I need it.

It is hard enough for many people to get the health care they need. A policy allowing pharmacists to refuse to dispense medication because of personal beliefs would make it even tougher. People who need medicine from pharmacists may already be feeling vulnerable, scared and have a sense of needing urgent help. Referring men and women to other pharmacies is not a satisfactory substitute to having a prescription filled immediately. These policies can result in the individual being unable to fill his/her prescription in a timely manner. It is also important to remember that in many parts of our state the nearest pharmacy may be miles away.

A pharmacist has no right to interfere with the relationship I have with my doctor. If my doctor has given me a prescription,
it is not the right of the pharmacist to second guess unless it there is a valid medical reason to do so.

INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY OF BEING REFUSED A PRESCRIPTION HERE IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE SHARING IT WITH THE BOARD.

I believe that pharmacists' moral or religious beliefs may be accommodated provided that the accommodation does not cause the patient delay or untold barriers to securing services. This means that a patient should not be referred to another pharmacy to receive his/her medication. A pharmacist’s personal beliefs should not trump the health care needs of patients.

Thank you for considering my concerns. I hope that you will do everything in your power to protect the rights I have come to expect as a citizen of Washington.

[eridani]

20. Vote counting meeting sponsored by Sec'y of State

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/public_hearings.aspx

"Vote Counting and Recounting"

U.S. Elections Assistance Commission
April 20, 2006, 10:00 a.m.
Seattle Hilton Hotel
1301 6th Avenue & University Street
Seattle, WA 98101
[phone]
http://www.eac.gov/

http://www.eac.gov/Public_Meeting_042006.asp

AGENDA The Commission will receive presentations on the following
topic: "Vote Counting and Recounting". The Commission will hear from
election officials and election researchers on experiences with
recounting and procedures for counting votes. The Commission
will receive updates on other administrative matters.

THIS MEETING WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

[eridani]

21. AWIS April program--Seattle

Seattle AWIS April Program
A joint meeting between AWIS, AWEP, and AWG

Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest: Science and Policy Convergence Zone
Amy Snover

Wednesday, April 19th 6:30pm
UW South Lake Union Building at 815 Mercer St.

6:30 pm Networking
7:00 PM Presentation
8:00 PM Networking

UW South Lake Union Building, First Floor Auditorium

In addition to giving an overview of climate change causes and impacts, planning for climate change, and action that Pacific Northwesterners can take to attenuate the impacts, Dr Snover will talk about her career - how she got interested in climate change issues, her training and career path.

Amy K. Snover is a research scientist with the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington. Dr. Snover performs integrated assessment of the impacts of both natural climate variability and future human-caused climate change on the natural and human systems of the Pacific Northwest. Her special interests include communication of complex scientific topics and facilitating a mutually beneficial relationship between science and decision making.

Getting to 815 Mercer Street:

From I-5 N or S
Take Exit 167 ? Mercer Street/Seattle Center
Take a left at the light onto Fairview
Turn right onto Republican
Park behind the building on 9th and Republican
We meet on the first floor in the Auditorium

[eridani]

22. Progressive Majority Casino Night (Seattle)

Progressive Majority is pleased to announce our second annual casino night celebration! We invite you to join us for an evening of fun, realistic, casino style gaming - and you don't have to gamble with your hard-earned dollars!
Don't gamble with your political future! On Friday April 28th, we'd sure like you to come dressed to the nines for a night of casino mystique ... and help us recruit, train and elect new progressive leaders statewide. Play poker, black jack, roulette and craps with your favorite politicians and politicos (and you're not gambling with real money folks!), with all of the proceeds to benefit Progressive Majority.

What: Second Annual Casino Night!
When: Friday April 28th, doors open at 6:00pm
Where: The Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Avenue S, Seattle WA. (Note: this is not the Columbia City Movie Theater; the theatre is located next to the restaurant "Tutta Bella").
Cost: $50 per person, or $100 to host.
Other: Light Food provided. Cash Bar. Check or Credit Card accepted at the door. Street parking available.
RSVP: cclapp {at} progressivemajority.org



The proceeds of the event will go towards supporting Progressive Majority's non-federal work - in addition to our
Washington State office, we are open in Arizona, Colorado, Wisconsin Pennsylvania, and will soon be opening offices in Minnesota, Ohio and Southern California.

Our hosts at the Columbia City Theatre, who have generously donated their space for the event, have asked us to give them a head count, and I'd like to be able to include your name on the guest list. It's only $50 to attend the event, and $100 to serve on the host committee.

To RSVP, please email Christine Clapp at cclapp {at} progressivemajority.org.

The evening is hosted by and housed in the historic theatre, built for vaudeville in 1919 and survives as the oldest existing vaudeville theatre in Seatte. In the 1960s Jimi Hendrix often played here before he hit the big time. Quincy Jones preformed here and Bruce Lee held exhibitions. In the 1970s, it was a hedonistic Disco Club. On April 28th, Progressive Majority will turn it into Monte Carlo.

[eridani]

23. Jobs with Justice Seattle events 4/14 and 4/17

Keep our Children Healthy!
Good Friday, April 14th, 2006
Day of Action for Healthcare for Janitors' Kids
Family friendly action with clown, face painting, and songs
12:00pm meet at SEIU Local 6 at 150 Denny Way, Seattle
Return to SEIU Local 6 before 4pm

Whether or not you can attend, please contact Cingular Operations Manager Russ Levy! Call him at [phone] or email at russ.levy {at} cingular.com.

Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless provider in the U.S. -- and the only one that is unionized. Cingular proudly advertises that it is a union company and that it respects the collective bargaining process. So why won't Cingular enforce the decision of the janitors who clean Cingular Headquarters?

Help us end this fight! Over the past month SEIU has collected 1,200 postcards from the community that tell the boss of Cingular that Cascadian janitors' kids need healthcare, too.

SEIU and Jobs with Justice are inviting its members, Cascadian janitors' kids, and the community kids to come together to have fun and support the Cascadian janitors' kids who don't have healthcare. SEIU has rented a bus, will have lunches, songs, and a face-painting clown on the bus.

All of our kids who attend will deliver the postcards and sing a song at the Cingular headquarters. From there they will go to another site where Cascadian cleans. SEIU will end the day by joining the Bellevue ecumenical churches in the last Station of the Cross, which will be at the Court Apartments near Crossroads Mall.

Jobs with Justice is inviting you and your organization to join us and support the Janitors, bring your kids, and enjoy the afternoon as we struggle for better health care for Janitors! More background on this fight is at the end of this email.

*****************************************
Take your lunch break on the picket line!
Monday, April 17th from 1-3pm
Sanitation Worker Picket Line Support
Join the JwJ picket line anytime between 1 and 3 pm at 3rd Ave S and S Forest Street across from Rabanco Transfer
Station (near 3rd & Lander, just South of Seattle's Safeco Field)

Teamster garbage drivers voted March 31st to extend negotiations until April 16th in an effort to win a fair settlement of union contracts covering 600 drivers working in Seattle and 30 other cities in King and Snohomish County. Affordable health care and limits on mandatory overtime are key demands in these continuing garbage contract talks with the two largest garbage companies in the country: Waste Management (WM) and Allied Waste.

Affordable Health Care: Garbage drivers do a dangerous, dirty job to keep our neighborhoods clean and disease-free. Workers currently pay almost $300 per month for health care coverage, which is more than they can afford. At the same time, garbage drivers are three times more likely to be killed on the job than police officers or firefighters, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And their occupational fatality rate is ten times the average. Garbage workers contend with every sort of risk. To name a few: needle sticks and medical waste, limb amputation in truck machinery, inhaling acid fumes (workers have died that way) to traffic accidents. Most of us can't imagine the daily hazards these workers face.

Limits on Mandatory Overtime: Workers are currently subject to mandatory overtime of 2-4 hours a day in addition to the normal work day. They are asking for limits on the amount of overtime that can be assigned. Excessive overtime is physically damaging to the workers, disruptive to family life and is a serious traffic safety hazard.

Will you be there if sanitation workers need support on the picket line? On Sunday, April 16th, garbage drivers will make the decision about whether to move forward with a strike, like WM drivers in New York & DC have done over company attempts to slash take-home pay, wipe out employer-paid retirement benefits and drastically raise the price of health care while cutting coverage.

If garbage drivers decide to strike, JwJ will be there. Join our community picket line on Monday, April 17th, in support of garbage drivers reaching a fair settlement with Waste Management and Allied Waste. (If drivers decide to continue negotiations, we will let you know how we can support progress in these critical negotiations.)

BACKGROUND ON SANITATION WORKERS STRUGGLE

Garbage drivers held a Solidarity Celebration (Burn Barrel Bash) on March 31st at the Teamster headquarters in Tukwila, which was attended by hundreds of union members, their families, and community supporters. Shortly after the garbage drivers voted to postpone a strike decision, King County Executive Ron Sims addressed the celebration and said, "Local 174 is leading the fight to protect affordable healthcare which is under attack all over the country. You need to win this fight not only for yourselves, but for all American workers."

Other public officials and community supporters who joined the solidarity celebration were Seattle City Council member Jean Godden, Burien Deputy Mayor Jack Block, Social Justice Minister of the Greater Seattle Council of Churches Michael Ramos, People's Institute Pastor Amos Landry, State Representative 11th District & Assistant Majority Whip Zack Hudgins, and Dave Freiboth, Executive Secretary, King County Labor Council.

Garbage drivers from New York City and Washington D.C. who went on strike after months of grueling negotiations with Waste Management also attended the Rally. Across the country, garbage drivers have shown what solidarity means when negotiating. Drivers are sending the message to Waste Management and Allied Waste that taking pensions out of the contract, lowering wages, increasing health insurance costs to drivers and their families, changing overtime language, and other cost-cutting measures on the backs of drivers are not acceptable. Coast to coast, drivers and community supporters are standing together for what's right, with stickers, leafleting, public demonstrations, and picketing or whatever it takes.

Rain, sleet and snow are not just for the mailman! Garbage drivers work in all kinds of extreme conditions. Now that it's spring, drivers get a break from chaining up, and stopping and starting on hills in ice and snow. But, there's no break for watching out for children on vacation from school and the usual long hours busting out the work. It is a tough job and drivers earn their pay. Whether in the heat of summer or the cold of winter, sanitation workers show the fortitude and skill to get the job done.

BACKGROUND ON CINGULAR JANITORS STRUGGLE

Cingular Headquarters is currently cleaned by anti-union Cascadian Building Maintenance (CBM), where janitors work under sweatshop-like conditions with no affordable health care benefits (the Cascadian healthcare costs $20 a month PLUS a $25 copay for each visit PLUS the deductible is $1000 for an individual OR $420 a month PLUS $2000 deductible for a family -- after the deductible is paid, workers must pay 50% of all medical expenses and insurance covers the other 50%). The unionized janitors in Seattle and in Bellevue have employer paid family health care and dental, with the workers only needing to pay a $15 copay and 10% of any medical expenses.

Janitors have been very successfully organizing for healthcare, and now on the Eastside over 65% are part of the Union. That's an increase from 35% in this last year. A victory here will take it to 75% and that will make a big difference in getting an affordable healthcare standard in the entire industry.

CBM janitors want affordable health care, respect, and better benefits. They want what the majority of King County janitors have . . . a union contract and they are prepared to take action. SEIU Local 6 has been organizing CBM for the last year and we are close to winning.

Join us to tell Cingular to follow the socially responsible lead of many other building owners and respect the dignity of th janitors who clean union wireless worker toilets. Cingular janitors face the conditions that the Holland America and UW School of Medicine off-campus lab janitors previously faced because the local Operations Manager of Cingular, Russell Levy, utilizes the Cascadian contractor that refuses to provide affordable healthcare. Whether or not you can attend the action, please contact Russell Levy at 425-580-6000 or russ.levy {at} cingular.com.

[eridani]

50. May 24th 2006 newsletter

http://www.wsjwj.org/news/victory-5-24-06.asp
Donating made EZ – Take the Sustainer Challenge . . .
Our monthly donor program has grown to 75 people contributing almost $1,000 per month. This source of steady, reliable income helps us make organizing plans for the future. In 2006, with the addition of 1½ additional organizers (see details at end of email), we hope to double our Monthly Sustainer Program to 150 donors giving $2,000 per month. Will you accept the challenge?
Three quarters of our funding comes from local individuals like you and local democratically-run organizations. We are an almost all-volunteer organization except for 3½ staff organizers, and have a small organizing expense budget. Even with these modest costs, our bills are over $150,000 per year.
As we are devoting the next month to this fund-drive, we greatly appreciate your timely contribution so we can get back to committing more of our time to organizing and less time to fundraising. Please contact the Seattle office for more information on joining our Monthly Sustainer program. Or, if you prefer your donation to be tax-deductible, simply sign up with a credit card online through National JwJ. https://secure.ga3.org/08/WashingtonDonate

Roll Call of Victories
Federal Workers Join JwJ to Beat Back Bush Union-Busting

After a 4 year campaign, WA State JwJ along with federal workers and community activists have stalled Bush's proposed National Security Personnel System (NSPS) while momentum grows for labor's right to organize initiative: the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

Intimidators Become the Intimidated: JwJ Mobilizes to Fight Immigrant Worker Harassment by the Minutemen

During a time of intense attacks on immigrant workers' rights that threatens the livelihood of all workers in this community, Casa Latina asked the MLK Jr. County Organizing Committee for an emergency mobilization to stand with day laborers in Seattle, and protect their fundamental right to seek employment.

JwJ and other Community Pressure Helps Win Healthcare & Overtime Victory for Greater King County Sanitation Workers

Garbage drivers do a dangerous, dirty job to keep our neighborhoods clean and disease-free, yet their previous contract forced them to pay almost $300 per month for healthcare and routinely work 2-4 hours of mandatory overtime per day. That's now about to change when the new union contract (with Teamsters 174) goes into effect. JwJ plans for picket line support were set aside after garbage drivers approved new contracts with Waste Management and Allied Waste.

Fired Immigrant Painters Rehired After JwJ-Led Delegation Visits Boss
After the April 10th march and rally for immigrant rights, which topped 30,000 participants, people were elated at the monumental nature of this action. Jobs with Justice mobilized for the event and assisted in critical planning and support areas. The feeling of power was soon to escape some workers, especially those that had to face their bosses the following day.

[eridani]

24. Adventure Cycling solstice celebration--Kent

Come and Celebrate in Kent, Washington!

Join Adventure Cycling Association, the nation=E2=80=99s largest bicycling organization, in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Bikecentennial, the inaugural ride on the Oregon to Virginia TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. For the 30 years since Bikecentennial, thousands of cyclists have ventured on their bicycles, discovering the people and landscapes of America from the best place possible--a bicycle seat. So now’s the time to adjust your helmet, dust off your great cycling stories, and prepare yourself to get inspired all over again.

On June 21st, the Summer Solstice, we'll have a deliciously catered barbeque on one of the best bicycling paths in the country. You'll also meet some cyclists who will be heading out on our 30th Anniversary Cross-Country Ride. Other festivities include inspirational speakers, the Bikecentennial 1976 movie, and plenty of bicycle adventure stories. We'll cap off the evening with a cake cutting ceremony. Invite your friends and family to join us at this celebration of bicycle travel and Adventure Cycling!

Date: Wednesday, June 21st (The Solstice)

Time: 6-9 pm with a pre-party ride. See below for more details
Where: Seattle/Tacoma KOA Kampground Pavilion in Kent, Washington
Speaker: Willie Weir, the author of Spokesongs, a columnist for Adventure Cyclist magazine, and is known to public radio listeners for his commentaries aired on KUOW. He has cycled over 50,000 miles.

MC: Tom Radley, an Event Director with Adventure Cycling for 14 years.
Tickets: $35 for adults and $20 for kids under 12. Purchase tickets online atwww.adventurecycling.org/30thbirthdaybashes or by phone at 1-800-755-2453.

Pre-bash afternoon bike ride: Join us for a fully paved, mostly off-road ride along the Green River and Interurban Trails. Meet at the Seattle KOA Campground (see directions to the party) at 3 pm for a 20 to 30-mile mostly flat mile loop. RSVP to Tim Payne with the Tacoma Wheelman’s Bicycle Club at paynet {at} msn.com or [phone]. The cross- country riders will not be on this ride, but many enthusiastic cyclists will!

Register your 1976 ride at www.adventurecycling.org/ride_registry/index_BC76.cfm or your other rides at our ride registry at www.adventurecycling.org/ride_registry/index.cfm

For directions and information on overnight accommodations, please visit www.adventurecycling.org/30thbirthdaybashes.

Thank you to Mirrycle Corporation, makers of Incredibells and Mirrycle Mirrors, for their support of this event.

We look forward to celebrating with you this Spring Solstice at the Bash.

Sincerely,

Becky Douglas
Outreach and Education Coordinator

[eridani]

25. Knowledge as Power, Ballard, 5-7-06

To Caucus, a networking event in support of Knowledge As Power.

Nosh on complementary appetizers.
Order a handcrafted cocktail.
Network with with fellow Washingtonians who support Knowledge As Power's mission
of giving citizens full access to government.

Proceeds of Caucus go to Knowledge As Power's development fund, providing Washingtonians a suite of online tools to access legislative information and become effective advocates.

Where: Bal-Mar (www.thebalmar.com) at 5449 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle
When: Sunday, May 7th from 7 to 9 PM
RSVP online at www.knowledgeaspower.org.
Tickets are limited, pre-paid tickets are $25, $30 at the door.
$15 level for students and young professionals.

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Knowledge As Power is a Washington State recognized non-profit organization, 501 c 3 pending.

[eridani]

26. Association of Women in Science May 2006 forum--Seattle

Seattle AWIS May Program

A Public Health Professional: From Diarrhea in the Developing World to Pandemic Preparedness at Home
Dr. Jude VanBuren
Wednesday, May 17th 6:30pm
UW South Lake Union Building at 815 Mercer St.
6:30 pm Networking
7:00 PM Presentation
8:00 PM Networking
UW South Lake Union Building, First Floor Auditorium


Dr. VanBuren, currently Assistant Secretary in the Washington State Department of Health, manages the Epidemiology, Health Statistics and Public Health Laboratories, and will give an overview of the challenges of avian flu and our preparations in this state for a pandemic flu from an avian flu or other source. She says, "This is something I am engaged in every day and my Division is very involved. I'll speak somewhat to the biology of this organism - but my approach will be more from a public health protection and response focus."

In addition, Judy (Jude) A. VanBuren, will describe her own professional career path, which she began with an Associate Degree of Science in Nursing (1971, Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA). She has returned to student status periodically, and finished her doctorate in Public Health (1997, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore). She has worked in the Peace Corps, and done research in epidemiology and environmental health, as well as regulatory program assessment, teaching, publishing and management.

Getting to 815 Mercer Street:

From I-5 N or S
Take Exit 167 ? Mercer Street/Seattle Center
Take a left at the light onto Fairview
Turn right onto Republican
Park behind the building on 9th and Republican
We meet on the first floor in the Auditorium

Check out the Seattle AWIS May Newsletter!
http://seattleawis.org/newsletter/2006/May06.pdf

[eridani]

27. NARAL May 2006 events, Seattle and Bellevue

Join the Eastside Choice Action Team on Wednesday, May 3!

Election season is around the corner and we will be out in the community talking with your pro-choice supporters.

How can you help us build our movement in Washington? Join our Eastside Choice Action Team next week to find out how!

Here are the details:
Wednesday, May 3
6:30-7:30 pm
Bellevue Regional Library
1111 110th Ave. NE
Bellevue, WA

Light Snacks Provided!

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

Please join us!
Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am
Green Lake Bath House Theatre for our 3rd Annual Run for Your Rights.

REGISTER TODAY! (http://prochoiceaction.org/ct/vdapNXM1imPp/


Pull out your tennis shoes and join other NARAL Pro-Choice Washington activists in a walk (or run) for reproductive
justice. The 3rd Annual Run for Your Rights is just around the corner!

Motivate 5 of your friends or family members to join you in a team and receive a discount on registration. All of the proceeds will help us in our fight to:

--Increase access to medically accurate sex education
--Ensure that pharmacists can't refuse to fill safe, valid prescriptions
--Elect pro-choice officials

For more information visit our website or email us at
Runwalk {at} prochoicewashington.org.
http://prochoiceaction.org/ct/v1apNXM1imP0/)

We also need volunteers at the Run/Walk! If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Sasha Cousineau at
206-624-1990 or email sashacousineau {at} prochoicewashington.org.

REGISTER TODAY for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington's

3rd Annual Run for Your Rights
Saturday, May 13
Individuals: $20
Students: $15

Teams of 6 or more: $17 per person

[eridani]

28. Reception for Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Seattle, 5-6-2006

Please join us for a homecoming celebration for Seattle native

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey
The first Member of Congress
to call on the President to bring our troops home
& the Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus,
the largest Democrat Caucus in the House of Representatives

Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 3 to 5pm
Prag House
747-16th Ave. East, Seattle, WA
on Capitol Hill

Fine wine & gourmet fare

Tickets:
Friend $50 Supporter $250 Sponsor $500
Host $1,000 Premier Host $2,000


Please mail your checks to:

Woolsey for Congress
P.O. Box 750176
Petaluma, CA 94975
(please reference “Seattle event”)

or purchase your tickets online
at www.woolseyforcongress.com

Please RSVP to [phone] or [phone]
or email [e-mail]

www.woolseyforcongress.com

[eridani]

29. May 11th demo at Reichert's Mercer Island office

This Thursday, May 11th, MoveOn volunteers in Mercer Island will be gathering to expose Rep. Reichert's connection with the big drug companies and demand that he oppose the May 15th sign up deadline for the Medicare drug plan. Can you join us? Here are the details of the event nearest you:


Reicherts Mercer Island Office
Mercer Island, WA
Thursday, 11 May 2006, 11:45 AM

[eridani]

30. 34th LD meeting to discuss viaduct options May 10th, Seattle

The 34th LD Dems meeting tomorrow brings together speakers to provide information on the status of and options for replacing of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about the issues involved.

Speakers include:
Ron Paananen, Project Director Washington State Dept. of Transportation--overview of the Highway 99 project as it stands today.

Grace Crunican, City of Seattle Transportation Director--Transportation Department's analysis

Sally Bagshaw, Seattle Allied Arts--Waterfront for All vision (tunnel and land use)

Carry Moon and Lawrence Winnerman, People's Waterfront Coalition (surface streets option)

Warren Aakervick, Ballard Oil (viaduct rebuilt option)

Also attending will be Seattle City Council Members Rassmussen, Drago, Godden, Della and Clark, King County Council Member Larry Phillips, and State Representative Mary Lou Dickerson. Of course, our own 'electeds' from the 34th LD will be there too. This should be quite an exciting meeting because so many people feel passionately about one option or another already. Members of the press will be covering the meeting. This is an informational meeting, the 34th Dems have not taken a position on the viaduct replacement and it is unlikely we will be doing so until our endorsement meeting just before the Nov. elections.

The meeting begins at 7 PM, with pre-meeting social/networking time starting at 6:30 PM.
Location: The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Avenue S.W.
http://www.34dems.org/news_agenda.htm
(if you don't know where the Hall is, it is just a few blocks up the hill from the Fauntleroy ferry terminal)

[eridani]

31. Single Payer vs. HSA Debate - Aaron Katz vs. Paul Guppy

OMJP has scheduled a debate on the subject "Prescription for a sick health care system: Single Payer or Health Savings Accounts?"

Tuesday June 13th, 2006
7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M
The United Churches of Olympia
110 11th Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501-2259

Moderator: Deborah Vinsel, Executive Director TCTV (Thurston Community Television)

Single Payer viewpoint: Aaron Katz - former Director of the Health Policy Analysis Program of the UW School of Health and Community Medicine; currently Editor-in-Chief of Northwest Public Health and Director of the Packard-Gates Population Leadership Program.

Health Saving Account viewpoint: Paul Guppy - Vice President for Research, Washington Policy Center; former Capitol Hill Chief of Staff and Legislative Director.

We believe this debate will be an important contribution to public understanding of possible solutions to a crisis about which there is currently a great deal of public confusion.

For futher information, contact Gar Lipow at 360- 943-1529

[eridani]

32. Des Moines peace vigil on Mothers' Day

Please join us on Sunday, May 14th from 2-4 PM at the Redondo Boardwalk

in Des Moines/Federal Way. Code Pink and Cindy Sheehan are holding a 24 hour Mother's Day vigil in front of the White House and we'd like to show our support for them locally. Wear some pink and bring your
placards with anti-war/pro-peace messages. For directions and
information, contact bfopnow {at} hotmail.com

[eridani]

33. JIm Dean at DFW houseparty 5-19-06

Democracy for America invites you to a Conversation on Political Activism with
Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America

Friday, May 19th, 2006
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

At the home of Paul & Amy Curtis
2809 96th Avenue, NE
Clyde Hill, WA 98004

Suggested Contribution:
Friend $50
Sponsor: $100
Or join DFA's monthly sustainer program, The DFA Trust

RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/seattle or contact Dina Wolkoff 802-651-3200 ext. 171 or dwolkoff {at } democracyforamerica.com

Democracy for America empowers Americans to take their country back. We value fiscal responsibility, social progress and the power of grassroots activism. Our strategy calls for standing up for what we believe, regardless of how "red" the state or district. Tactically, we conduct on-line campaigns to engage and grow our membership, promote hundreds of monthly organizing events in more than 300 congressional districts, advise a growing coalition of like-minded state-based organizations, conduct grassroots activist trainings, and encourage our members to run for office.

[eridani]

34. Fidalgo Dems to show "The Dreams of Sparrows" 6-6-2006

Fidalgo Democrats will be showing the movie The Dreams of Sparrows on Tuesday, June 6, at 7pm in Anacortes (Pace Hall 5th and Q). This is an incredible unfiltered portrait of life in Baghdad after the US Invasion, shot by Five Iraqi filmmakers. This is the first historic documentary from the IRAQeye Group, a collaboration between American and Iraqi filmmakers. For more information, or to view the trailer, go to www.iraqeye.org
The movie showing is free. Coffee, tea, and light desserts will be served. We hope that you will be able to join us.
We encourage you to invite people who would benefit from seeing The Dreams of Sparrows.

A flyer is attached for you to print on your computer. Post it wherever you wish, give it to friends, or to the people you meet in stores during the upcoming days. We would appreciate it if you email Kathryn ([e-mail] ) a list of the locations where you were able to post flyers -- so we can make sure not to duplicate your efforts.


Looking forward to seeing you at the Fidalgo Progressive Film Series on Tuesday, June 6, 7pm, at Pace Hall (Anacortes 5th and Q).


Sam Gebala & The Fidalgo Democrats Steering Committee

[eridani]

35. Justice Works! carwash 5-21, Seattle

Please come out to support the carwash that we are having on Sunday May 21st from 12:30-5pm at Montlake 76 station. This is at the 520 intersection with Montlake.

We are washing cars to raise money for Justice Works! as well as raise awareness for the play Set Up to Fail that will be going on the next day at the University of WA HUB auditorium at 6pm.

It will be fun in the sun with music and for a good cause.

Hope to see you there!

[eridani]

49. Their play Set Up To Fail is in Spokane May 27th

If you are in the Spokane area, consider attending our Set Up To Fail play

Saturday, May 27th 6-9pm at Gonzaga Law School Moot Courtroom 721 North Cincinnati Spokane, WA

For a printable poster:
http://www.november.org/stayinfo/fail-spokane.pdf


As you are moved, please submit a letter to the editor.

America behind bars

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003006553_peirce22.html


Has America become a "prison nation"?

Check our culture.

We wink an eye as our youth are exposed to such films or television offerings as "Slam," "Prison Break," HBO's "Oz" and "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." Or such highly violent video games as "Grand Theft Auto." The constant message: If you're angry, strike out violently; if you're crossed, seek revenge.

[eridani]

36. Bicycling Alliance of Washington tabling 6-10, Seattle

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington will have a table at Discover Seattle, a community resource event for newcomers to the area. Discover Seattle will be held at Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion on Saturday, June 10. We need volunteers to staff our table, chat with visitors and hand out information! Please respond to this email if you'd like to volunteer for one of the timeslots below. Thanks!

Louise

Discover Seattle - BAW Table
Saturday, June 10
10am - 12:30pm
12:30 - 3 pm
3 - 5:30 pm

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
PO Box 2904
Seattle, WA 98111
206.224.9252 (voice)
206.224.9254 (fax)

[eridani]

37. Bob Hasegawa campaign kickoff 5-24, Seattle

Come Join Representative Bob Hasegawa and Friends Kick Off his 2006 Re-Election Campaign

Wednesday May 24th
5:30-7:30 pm
In the New Gym at Maple Elementary
4925 Corson Ave S, Seattle

Directions:

From I5 (Coming North or South)
Take the Columbia Way Exit
Go straight on Columbia Way- turns into 15th Ave S
Go through 2 sets of lights and one stop sign
At next light take a right onto S Shelton
Go 4 blocks
Maple Elementary will be in front of you
Look for signs to gym

[eridani]

38. Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter in Seattle 5-25

www.carterfornevada.com
The Carter for US Senate Committee cordially invites you to a Town Hall Fundraising Reception in honor of:

Jack Carter

Democratic Candidate for United States Senator from Nevada
Thursday May 25, 2006
5:00 – 7:00pm

With special guests President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter

Located at Town Hall
1119 8th Avenue (at Seneca Street)
Seattle, WA 98101
Suggested donation $50 per person, $25 seniors/students

Please RSVP to cartertownhall {at} yahoo.com

Contributions to the Washington State Democrats are not deductible for federal tax purposes. Your contribution may be used in connection with federal elections and is subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act. State and federal law require us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, employer, occupation and employer’s address of individuals who make contributions to the WSDCC in excess of $100 and $200 respectively per calendar year.

Paid for by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee
PO Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194
[phone]
www.wa-democrats.org and not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate’s committee

[eridani]

39. Duwamish cleanup open house in Seattle 5-25

THURSDAY, MAY 25
6:30 PM OPEN HOUSE / 7:00 PM MEETING
CONCORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
723 S. CONCORD ST., SEATTLE

Free Food and Child Care; simultaneous Spanish interpretation provided (see announcement: http://www.duwamishcleanup.org/T117PubMtg.pdf)

WHAT'S UP?

The Port of Seattle has proposed to "clean up" the former Malarkey Asphalt plant, on the Duwamish River in South Park. The "clean up" would leave enough toxic chemicals behind to limit future uses to highly restricted industrial. The property would be permanently fenced to protect the public from exposure.

IS THIS OUR FUTURE?

Please attend EPA's public meeting to learn more about the Port's plan and share your ideas of what the future of our waterfront should be.

For more information or to view a copy of the plan, contact DRCC at info {at} duwamishcleanup.org.

BJ Cummings
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition
5410 First Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206.954.0218

[eridani]

40. May 20th Green Lake peace walk

SPREAD THE WORD!! FORWARD THIS INFORMATION WIDELY!

Dear Friends,
Saturday will be a day to celebrate community, the work for peace, and our vision for a better world. Please join us! If you cannot join us, consider sending a contribution.

WHY WALK FOR PEACE AND HEALING ?
-Walk to raise money for specialized medical care for a war-injured Iraqi child.
-Walk to put a human face on war.
-Walk to reflect our own share of responsibility for healing the devastating effects of war on the most innocent.
-Walk to be part of a community taking positive action.

BEFORE MAY 20th
-Spread the word about the walk to family, friends, neighbors, churches and schools.
-Collect pledges from others for your walk. (Pledge sheets downloadable at the website.)
-Donate! Make checks out to IHC, and send to SNOW, 225 N 70th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

ON MAY 20th
-Begin your walk anytime between 1 PM and 3:30 PM.
-Register at any one of the three canopies - near the parking lots at the Community Center, the Bathhouse or Boat House.
-Bring money you have already collected or wish to donate yourself.
-Listen to the Raging Grannies, Seattle Children's Chorus and other entertainers ringing the lake.

[eridani]

41. Washblog sustainable farming net conversation May 22nd

http://www.washblog.com/special/conversations
Back to the Roots, a new program of Institute for Washington's Future, will be holding its first event this coming Monday (May 22nd) evening at 7PM. You are all invited to join in -- to observe or participate. It's a virtual event in collaboration with Washblog.com, Pacific Views, and Evergreen Politics. Citizen Steve of Washington Outsiders will also be joining in.

The event will be based on Steven Garrett's piece, Tomatoes in December, which will be published shortly before 7M on Washblog.com

December Tomatoes is about sustainable farming, peak oil, and the need to develop local markets in Washington. We have a number of 'conversationalists' lined up to join in. These include Steven, the author, and 12 other confirmed guests who have backgrounds in blogging/community organizing, alternative energy, public policy, agriculture, conservation, peace activism, and religion. See the list of conversationalists and upcoming essays for more information.

This is the first in a series of essay conversations. On September 14, Jim Hightower will be kicking off the Back to the Roots in-person series with a national perspective on food, energy, and the commons. This will be followed by a forum series featuring Washington speakers.

If you'd like to volunteer with this project, please call or email Noemie directly. I'd love to hear from you!

Noemie
253-638-9892


BACK TO THE ROOTS
Next event:
Community Conversation: You are invited:
December Tomatoes, By Steven Garrett
An essay on sustainable agriculture, peak oil, and local markets
Monday, May 22, 7:00 PM

[eridani]

42. WashClean speaker training in Burien on June 3rd

We hope you will be able to attend our upcoming speaker training on June 3rd.

At the training, you will learn how to make presentations about public financing of campaigns and Washington Public Campaigns, and how to answer frequently asked questions about public financing. We will also brainstorm ideas for how prospective speakers can create their own gigs, rather than wait for an invitation. The training will be conducted by WPC Board Member Bill Nerin, an experienced speaker on public financing.

You can come to the training if you are interested in joining our Speaker's Bureau and making presentations to groups. And, even if you are not interested in joining the Speaker's Bureau, please feel free to come and learn how you can better explain public financing of campaigns to your family, friends, co-workers, etc. Here are the details:

SPEAKER TRAINING:

Saturday, June 3rd
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Annie Phillips's house
17600 Sylvester Road SW
Burien, WA 98166
[phone]

Please RSVP to WPC Board Member Annie Phillips at annie {at} washclean.org.

OR, INVITE US TO SPEAK TO YOUR GROUP:

Even if YOU don't want to be a speaker, please contact any organization in your area that might be interested in hearing about our work. We will arrange for a trained speaker to go there! All you have to do is make the contact and offer them a presentation. We'll handle the details. Please e-mail Speaker's Bureau Coordinator Annie Phillips at annie {at} washclean.org to invite a speaker.

Our presentations, which usually begin with a 12-minute video featuring Bill Moyers, are ideal for service clubs like Kiwanis and Rotary that meet regularly at lunchtime and are usually eager for speakers. Other ideas might be your local Legislative District party meetings, church groups, business and professional groups, labor union locals, etc.

We hope to see you at the training on June 3rd!

Katy Carter
Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org

[eridani]

43. Walk for peace and healing May 20, Seattle

SPREAD THE WORD!! FORWARD THIS INFORMATION WIDELY!

Dear Friends,
Saturday will be a day to celebrate community, the work for peace, and our vision for a better world. Please join us! If you cannot join us, consider sending a contribution.

WHY WALK FOR PEACE AND HEALING ?
-Walk to raise money for specialized medical care for a war-injured Iraqi child.
-Walk to put a human face on war.
-Walk to reflect our own share of responsibility for healing the devastating effects of war on the most innocent.
-Walk to be part of a community taking positive action.

BEFORE MAY 20th
-Spread the word about the walk to family, friends, neighbors, churches and schools.
-Collect pledges from others for your walk. (Pledge sheets downloadable at the website.)
-Donate! Make checks out to IHC, and send to SNOW, 225 N 70th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

ON MAY 20th
-Begin your walk anytime between 1 PM and 3:30 PM.
-Register at any one of the three canopies - near the parking lots at the Community Center, the Bathhouse or Boat House.
-Bring money you have already collected or wish to donate yourself.
-Listen to the Raging Grannies, Seattle Children's Chorus and other entertainers ringing the lake.

[eridani]

44. Physicians for National Health Care, Seattle May 25th

Physicians for National Health Care meeting in Seattle, WA 98168

The May monthly PNHP--WW meeting is coming up next Wednesday, May 25th, at 7:00 - 8:30PM in the Providence Hospital Medical Staff Auditorium.

There has been discussion that we need to focus some effort on mastering our understanding of the PNHP program to best explain, promote and defend it.

The following is the Agenda:

7:00PM Introductions

7:05 Coordinator's Report - David McL
7:10 Activities since last meeting:
PNHP Leadership Conference - Theresa Mangahas or Dana Iorio
UW Medicine Open House - Scott Sanderson
Family Physician Meeting - Mindy Blasky
Seattle Surgical Society Meeting - Hugh Foy
7:20 New Projects:
6/7/6 Activities with HCFA - Dana
Blue Ribbon Commission submission - David McL
Speaking engagement - Port Townsend Democrats -
7:30 Working Committee Reports:
Organization Building - Jeff Warner
Outreach - Charissa Fotinos
Legislative - Tina Shereen
7:45 The Nuts and Bolts of the PHNP Plan & Discussion - David McL
8:30PM Adjourn


There is an important new PNHP study coming out in the American Journal of Public Health May 30th entitled "Access to Care, Health Status, and Health Disparities in the US and Canada: Results of a Cross-National Population-Based Survey." The conclusions are that compared to Canadians, US residents are less healthy, with higher rates of nearly every chronic illness, less able to access care, and universal coverage appears to reduce most disparities in access to care. I'll pass out copies of the paper that won't be released until May 30th.

[eridani]

46. Lessons, Post-Katrina, from New Orleans; Bellevue May 28th

RESTORING OUR COMMUNITIES
Lessons, Post-Katrina, from New Orleans

Sunday, May 28, 2006, 3 - 6 PM

Fenwick Hall, First Congregational Church of Bellevue (lower level)
752 108th Ave. NE
SE corner of NE 8th St. and 108th Ave. NE
Bellevue, Washington

Malik Rahim has stepped in where public and government agencies are failing. He is the pre-eminent struggle to provide comfort and aid to the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Common Ground is intent upon restoring New Orleans with attention to the needs of all the people who once called the area home.

Please join us with a pot-luck dish if you are able to. Let us bring our communities together, but most importantly, let us help to support the work of Common Ground by extending this invitation to others.

All are welcome!

Some food provided

Donations for Common Ground gratefully accepted.

www.commongroundrelief.org
Questions?

Karen Konzen
425-246-7915
karenhkonzen {at} mailstation.com

[eridani]

47. Brian Baird 3rd CD electronic town hall May 24th

My number one priority is representing the interests of Southwest Washington residents in Congress. Town halls are a great way for constituents to share their thoughts on issues and legislation that are important to them and their families.

As part of my continued efforts to increase communication with my constituents, I will be holding my first online town hall meeting, or e-town hall, this Wednesday, May 24th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. PST. I encourage you to submit questions in advance by visiting my website, www.house.gov/baird and clicking on E-Town Hall. I hope you will then be able to participate live by going to my website from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, May 24.

If you are unable to participate in the live e-town hall, a full transcript of the online town hall meeting will be available on my website at the conclusion of the meeting. Thank you for your time, I hope that you are able to participate in this new method of communication.

[eridani]

48. Saving Puget Sound, June 8th, Seattle

Washington Environmental Council and other conservation and environmental groups active in the Puget Sound area are co-sponsoring a talk about an exciting new book to be published in the fall of 2006, Saving Puget Sound: A Conservation Strategy for the 21st Century, by author John Lombard. John brings a unique background to the book: high-level employee in local government, citizen activist, riparian property owner, consultant, journalist and public speaker. Join the conversation by attending Thursday, June 8th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountaineers Clubhouse in Seattle (300 Third Avenue West).
Saving Puget Sound develops a practical proposal to conserve the Puget Sound region's natural heritage in the face of continued population growth. It offers both a long-term vision for conservation across the regional landscape, synthesizing the best available studies, and an original strategy for how we get there-including how we (realistically) pay for it and how we cross the urban/rural political divide to build a consensus for conservation that can endure.

See http://www.savingpugetsound.com/home.htm for more details and background on the book.

Hope you can make it,
Amy
Amy Zarrett
Washington Environmental Council
Organizer
206-622-8103 ext. 207
amy{at} wecprotects.org
www.wecprotects.org

[eridani]

51. Darcy Burner fundraiser May 30th Mercer Island

Please Join Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Architect of the Democratic Strategy to Take Back Our Country

At a rally for Washington's Democratic candidate in the 8th Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives

DARCY BURNER
Tuesday – May 30th, 2006
5:45 – 7:00 PM

Community Center at Mercer View
8236 SE 24th ST
Mercer Island, WA

Hosted by Dwight Pelz - Washington State Democrats Chair
Suggested Donation - $25 Bronze - $50 Silver - $100 Gold
Donation Is Optional

RSVP to Wyatt King at 425-454-0402 or at wyatt {at} darcyburner.com

Please make checks payable to "Darcy Burner for Congress" or donate online at www.darcyburner.com

Contributions to the Washington State Democrats are not deductible for federal tax purposes.

[eridani]

52. THE BIG BUY--premiere showing in Bellevue 6-14

THE BIG BUY

premier showing!!

The Bradford Center
720 108th NE St.
Bellevue, Washington 98004

Wednesday, June 14 2006 07:00 PM

"By the time we finish this poker game, there may not be a federal government left! Which would suit me just fine." -Tom DeLay, 1994

In a stunning 1994 interview, shortly after the now infamous Republican revolution, Tom DeLay sat down and laid out his vision for America: to destroy the Department of Education, HUD, OSHA, the NEH, the NEA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. His self-stated goal was to "completely redesign government."

The Big Buy: How Tom DeLay Stole Congress is the story of how he did just that. It's the story of one of the most blatant power grabs in American history, and how a District Attorney in Texas turned out to be the biggest threat to the national DeLay Machine. The film is a warning about how easy it is for American democracy to be hijacked by a combination of relentless ambition and corporate millions. It makes the case that DeLay built a "custom-made Congress" that is still providing votes for his agenda.

[transeo]

53. Seattle LGBT Pride - June 24 and 25

The parade is on the 25th, but the festival is all weekend. I think the dyke march is still the night of the 24th. Anyone know what happened to the Dykes on Bikes? I heard a rumor of a rift between them and the parade organizers and thus they aren't leading the parade anymore. That makes me sad.

http://www.seattlepride.org

[eridani]

54. Check out Stonewall events for Seattle and other state Pride events

Please join us at 3 pm June 24 in Conference Room H, Floor 3 at the Center House in the Seattle Center during the Seattle Pride Festival for a panel discussion concerning *Immigration and LGBT Issues* . Our featured speaker will be *Olga Vives*, Executive Vice-President of NOW. Olga Vives, originally from Cuba, is a long time NOW activist and was elected Executive Vice-President of NOW in July 2005. Immediately after the panel we will hold a reception for elected officials.

Please join Washington State Stonewall Democrats during one or more of our events, booths and receptions during the 2006 Summer Pride Season!

Capitol City Pride Olympia June 17 11-5 pm (Saturday) booth
Out & Proud Seattle June 24-25 12-6 booth (Sat & Sun)

June 24 3 pm Conference Room H, Center House at Seattle Center Immigration and LGBT Issues Panel Discussion
Featuring Olga Vives, Executive VP of NOW

Followed by a reception for elected officials.

Out In The Park Tacoma July 8 12-6 booth (Saturday) new feature in Tacoma - "A Soapbox Arena" a second stage for political discussion, an art slam and a poetry slam.

July 6, 6 pm Elected Officials Reception at Kings Books in Tacoma

OUTKITSAP Bremerton July 15 noon-5 pm WSSD booth with 26thLD and a Peninsula Stonewall booth with Kitsap Dems
Elected Officials Reception 10 am - 11:30 am

Our Next Caucus Meeting will be held in September in conjunction with the Washington State Democrats Central Committee Meeting in Tacoma WA.

NOTICE: If you signed up on our website for contact info but did not formally join then you are not yet a member of the Washington State Stonewall Democrats.

If you would like to join please go to our website at www.stonewalldemswa.org, click on the box on the left which indicates Membership/Donations. This will take you to another screen. Select the level you choose using the blue carrot next to "Stonewall Sponsor". {NOTE, as Democrats we do not turn anyone away for an inability to pay.} If you choose to purchase a tshirt you can email me to make arrangements to pick it up at any Pride event.

Thank you,
Anita Latch, President
Stonewall Democrats

[eridani]

55. June bike-related transportation meetings (Bicycle Alliance of WA)

If you cycle on Highway 2, please read this:

There are meetings next week (June 13 and 14) on a plan for improvements to SR 2 between Snohomish and Skykomish. The changes will impact cyclists who use the highway - whether it's for the better or not partly depends on us. We need to make ourselves heard at this early stage and throughout the process. Changes to the shoulder - rumble strips, width, etc. - will be part of this plan.

Please consider attending a meeting or reviewing the information on the website http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US2/RDP/ and making your comments to the Department of Transportation. Let them know that cyclists use this roadway and we want it to be designed for our safety as well as for cars. Be specific about what kind of shoulder you are most comfortable with (width, continuous or intermittent rumblestrips, etc.)

Bicycle Alliance of Washington
PO Box 2904
Seattle, WA 98111
206.224.9252
http://www.bicyclealliance.org/


Washington State Trails Coalition will host its biennial Statewide Trails Conference on November 3 & 4 in Yakima. Theme for this year’s conference is Trails for Future Generations and will feature three workshop tracks: Urban Trails, Constituency and Funding.

WSDOT Offers Grants for Bicycle &Pedestrian Projects

Communities across the state have an opportunity to increase safety for bicyclists and pedestrians through two grant programs that are managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The Safe Routes to Schools program was created to provide children a safe, healthy alternative to riding the bus or being driven to school. This program has $7 million of federal funds available to public agencies. Eligible projects are those within two-miles of primary and middle schools (K-8), and that address engineering solutions, educational programs, and law enforcement efforts.

Applications for Safe Routes to School project grants are due to WSDOT on October 2, 2006.

Another $7 million in state funds is available through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety program. This program aids public agencies in funding projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. Eligible projects may include engineering solutions, educational programs, and enforcement efforts. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety project grant applications are due to WSDOT on September 20, 2006.

More detailed information about these grant programs and the application process is available on WSDOT's website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/ProgMgt/Grants/Ped_Bike.htm

[eridani]

57. 2nd CD progressives hold Dem convention postmortem in Anacortes

Hello, all--

The 2nd Congressional District Progressive Caucus would like to invite all delegates and alternates from the 2nd CD for the 2006 State Democratic Convention to come to a regional followup meeting:

Sunday, June 25th
PACE Union Hall
5th St. and Q Ave.
Anacortes, WA
2-5 p.m.

Any other interested Democrats are welcome, too. This will be an opportunity to talk about the convention, what went well, what could have gone better, and what we'd like to see happen next time in 2008.

To get to the PACE Union Hall, turn right on Commercial when you get into town. Go through town and turn right on 5th. The Hall is about a block down on the left. Entrance is off of 5th Street.

Hope to see you there!

Nancy Ging, Chair
2nd Congressional District Progressive Caucus

[eridani]

58. Dem convention rehash on 6/24 in Bellingham--emphasis on platform

Hello, all--

As a result of the dissatisfaction experienced with regard to the state platform development process before and at the 2006 Democratic Convention in Yakima, some members of that Platform Committee have organized a meeting to be held:

Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In our area, the meeting will be at:

Whatcom County Democrats office
1220 Bay St. in Bellingham
(across the street from the Blue Horse Gallery)
Map & directions:
http://www.whatcomdemocrats.com/directions.php

We will do small group discussion among ourselves locally, as will other groups meeting simultaneously in other parts of the state. Then we will teleconference together (via speakerphone) and report the results of our discussions to the other groups, hopefully ending the day with some consensus recommendations.

Here's the planned agenda:

1. Introduction, Word of Welcome, Housekeeping (conference call)
2. Small Groups work on Lessons Learned at the convention
3. Spokesperson reports back to All (conference call)
4. Small Groups work on Vision for new process
5. Spokesperson reports back to All (conference call)
6. Small Groups work on Next Steps
7. Spokesperson reports back to All (conference call)
8. Group consensus on Next Steps

NOTE: We will not be discussing the platform content, only the process used to develop state platforms and resolutions.

All Democrats in the 2nd Congressional District are invited to participate at this Bellingham meeting. If you were at the convention, please make notes ahead of time about what you felt worked and didn't work regarding the platform and resolutions process there. Bring the notes to the meeting on Saturday. The more we can be prepared ahead of time, the more productive the meeting will be.

Please also bring a sack lunch and drinks as we'll be working through the noon hour.

This is a wonderful opportunity to talk about how we want this process to work and have a say in recommending changes. Please attend if you can!

RSVP would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Nancy Ging
Platform Committeewoman
360-758-2529
nancy {at} turtlehome.com

[gordontron]

59. please gather signatures for I-937

YES! on I-937

Campaign Newsletter – Volume XIX, 6/23/06

150 Nickerson Street, Suite 109 ~ Seattle, WA 98109 ~ Phone [phone] ~ Fax: [phone]

www.yeson937.org



PLEASE HAND IN YOUR SIGNATURES!

The deadline is June 30th- 1 week from today!! Please send or drop off ALL petitions (even if you only have 1 signature) to the campaign headquarters!

Thank you!



Best Week Ever - One More to Go!

Thanks to each and every one of you for all of your hard work - we had our best week yet! We collected 16,633 signatures!!! That’s right, we broke last week’s goal by over 1,500. If we keep up this momentum for the final week, we can gather 20,000 signatures and secure I-937 a place on the November ballot! This is our last chance! We need everyone out this weekend to ensure we don’t fall short!



Thank you so much to all our wonderful volunteers! I-937 is about the people of Washington State taking action at the local level to create a clean energy future for our state. It has been absolutely inspiring to see thousands of people come together to support I-937! Thank you for being part of this wonderful group of citizens committed to renewable energy! We’re making history together.



Putting I-937 on the ballot with such an amazing grassroots effort sends a powerful message to everyone in Washington State. It says that each of you, over 3000 people, cares deeply about creating a clean and renewable energy future for Washington. We know that we can no longer be dependent on fossil fuels and for once we have a simple action that will make a difference. But we need you out in force NOW to ensure that we succeed. This is our last big weekend! Take your petition with you everywhere you go and get as many signatures as possible in the next week. Attend an event near you, a farmers' market or your local grocery store. All it takes is a few hours of your time to have a lasting effect on our future generations.



Don’t forget, we need all signatures into the campaign headquarters by June 30!



Need to find a place to go this weekend? Check out this week’s event calendar to find an event near you. If you need any help finding a place to petition, call us today at [phone].


Upcoming Signature Gathering Events:

The following events should draw good crowds and offer good signature gathering opportunities. Call our office if you’re planning on attending so we don’t saturate any one event and miss out on other opportunities. Let’s fill these shifts to bolster our numbers!



THIS WEEK

Al Gore’s new movie “An Inconvenient Truth”, at a theater near you

Puget Sound
Fri, June 23, Seattle Storm, game starts at 7 PM, Key Arena, Seattle

Fri – Sat, June 23 – 24, Relay for Life, Mt. Tahoma High School, Tacoma

Sat – Sun, June 24 – 25, Seattle Pride Parade and Festival, Seattle Center and Capitol Hill

Sat – Sun, June 24 – 25, Strawberry Festival, Downtown Park, Bellevue

Sat – Sun, June 24 – 25, Shoreline Arts Festival, Seattle

Sat, June 24, 14th Annual Greenwood Classic Car and Rod Show, Greenwood Neighborhood, Seattle
Sat, June 24, SummerFEST, Lakewood
Sat, June 24, Farmers’ Market, Locations: Vashon, Woodinville, Tacoma, Bainbridge Island, University District, Magnolia, Federal Way, Kent, Issaquah

Sat, June 24, Rat City Rollergirls, starts at 6 PM, Magnuson Park Hangar 27, Seattle

Sun, June 25, Melissa Etheridge, doors open at 6:30 PM, Paramount Theatre, Seattle – sold out

Sun, June 25, Farmers’ Market, Locations: West Seattle, Capitol Hill

Tues, June 27, Seattle Storm, starts at 7 PM, Key Arena, Seattle

Wed, June 28, Farmers’ Market, Locations: Kirkland, Columbia City, Tukwila
Thurs, June 29, Farmers’ Market, Locations: Lake City, Tacoma, Lake Stevens, Snohomish

Fri, June 30, Seattle Critical Mass, Westlake Center, Seattle

Fri, June 30, Sonic Youth Concert, concert at 8 PM, The Moore Theatre, Seattle


Statewide
Sat – Sun, June 24 – 25, Hoopfest, Spokane

Sat, June 24, The Columbian River Walk, registration starts at 8 AM, Esther Short Park, Vancouver

Sat, June 24, Berry Dairy Days Parade and Street Fair, Burlington

Fri, June 23, Fairhaven Walkabout and Summer Solstice Gallery Walk, Fairhaven, Bellingham
Fri – Sun, June 23 – 25, Leavenworth Accordion Festival, Leavenworth
Fri – Sat, June 23 – 24, Yelm Prairie Days, Yelm
Fri – Sat, June 23 – 24, Cool Desert Nights, Richland
Fri – Sun, June 23 – 25, Lake Chelan Street Fair, Riverwalk Park, Chelan

Fri – Sun, June 23 – 25, Artburst 2006, Colville

Sat – Sun, June 24 – 25, Founders Day, Cashmere

Sat – Sun, June 24 – 25, La Conner Summer Arts Festival, La Conner

Sat, June 24, Yakima Farmers’ Market, Yakima

Wed, June 28, Bellingham Farmers Market, Fairhaven



Meagan’s Tip of the Week:

This is it – the last weekend you have to get out there and make a difference for clean energy!! It’s not often that you have the POWER to effect real positive social change, that you can say YOU were part of the solution – so take advantage of this opportunity. This week’s tip is simple: Go out to a public place and ask people to sign for clean energy! Everywhere you go this weekend – Starbuck’s, your child’s soccer game, your friend’s barbeque, the grocery store, church, the beach – take your petitions and ask people to sign for clean energy. It may be outside your comfort zone, something you’re not used to doing, but think of the impact it will have. It is only one weekend and you will be able to say that you helped fight global warming.

[eridani]

60. Community Alliance for Global Justice Garage Sale, Seattle 6/16

Upcoming: CAGJ Garage Sale, July 16th

Location: 3919 Wallingford Ave N.
When: Sunday, July 16th, 10am- 6pm

We have furniture, clothing, house wares, knickknacks, etc...AND, Local Jewelry Maker, Jane Paulson, has donated some lovely beaded jewelry for the sale, so come by and check it out!

The proceeds from the sale will benefit CAGJ.



Get Involved?

We Need Volunteers for the CAGJ Garage Sale Fundraiser! Please contact Heather Golden at namaskaara {at} gmail.com or [phone] if you can help with:

1. Pricing items before the garage sale, (week or day before sale)
2. Coming early day of to help set up
3. Help sell stuff at the garage sale
4. Help bring stuff we don't sell somewhere to donate.

[Sanity Claws]

61. SOunds great but

Could you repost with correct date? The subject line says 6/16 (June 16) but the message says July 16. I assume it's supposed to be July since 6/16 has already passed.

[eridani]

62. Sorry--July 16th n/t

[eridani]

63. Demonstrate for nurses 7-10 at Virginia Mason

Monday, July 10th 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virginia Mason Hospital (1100 9th Ave)

Send an Email to wsjwj {at} igc.org to Confirm You'll Be There on July 10th

What do nursing, longshore, building trades, postal and other Washington workers have in common? They're all fighting to protect our right to belong to a union, which is facing its worst attack since 1947 and could strip hundreds of thousands of workers of the right to organize and have a voice at work.

At issue is whether the National Labor Relations Board will rule this summer to reclassify skilled workers as supervisors. Such a move would take away workers' protection under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 to bargain collectively for a voice at work, fair wages, family heath benefits and retirement security.

Virginia Mason is trying to do locally what the labor board is ruling on nationally - reclassify workers (in this case 600 nurses) as supervisors, and strip them of their right to belong to a union. Join Jobs with Justice for this critical action to maintain the basic human right of a voice at work, and stand with workers all over the country who are potentially affected by this decision.

Other sponsoring organizations include: Washington State Labor Council, SEIU 1199NW, Washington State Nurses Association, United Staff Nurses Union/UFCW Local 141, and many other unions.

Larger Implications

The week of July 10th will be a nation-wide week of action on a serious threat posed by pending decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The decisions are a follow-up to 2001 NLRB ruling. If the decisions go the wrong way, virtually all RNs in hospitals throughout the nation could be re-defined as "supervisors" not eligible for union membership through the NLRB. This would put some 300,000 union nurses at risk of losing their union representation.

But this is attack on workers' rights is part of a pattern. The current administration and the NLRB have already stripped graduate student workers in the private sector of the right to union representation, as well as taking away the right to meaningful union representation for 165,000 federal workers in the Department of Homeland Security. While federal workers had some victories both in the courts and in Congress, the administration continues with its efforts to deprive 750,000 civilian workers in the Department of Defense of real union representation. And if these pending rulings on nurses go the wrong way, we can expect assaults on the rights of other workers with limited supervisory authority: foremen in the building and printing trades, working foremen in factories and warehouses, ILWU-represented "walking bosses" on the west coast docks - and, in fact, any journeyman in the building trades, since the administration may argue that they all "supervise" apprentices. Literally millions of workers could lose any federal right to union representation.

This is much more than an effort to break the nation's health care unions. It is part of a concerted effort to take away our basic rights and freedoms. It would eliminate the right of potentially millions of workers to have a choice about whether to have union representation.

Background

In 2001 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in NLRB v. Kentucky River Community Care that made it easier for employers to argue that RNs are "supervisors" and therefore ineligible to join unions. The Bush NLRB is expected to decide sometime this summer which private-sector nurses should be considered supervisors. Three cases (Oakwood Healthcare Inc., Golden Crest Healthcare Center and Croft Metals Inc.) have been combined and are now under consideration that could label millions of nurses as supervisors. This decision could seriously affect the freedom of nurses and millions of other workers across the nation to join unions.

The issue is whether skilled workers, like nurses, should be considered supervisors because, on the basis of their greater knowledge and expertise, they give instructions to lesser skilled employees about how and when to perform certain tasks. For example, registered nurses who tell nurse's aides to perform certain tasks for particular patients and journeymen/building trades workers who direct other workers on a crew are in real danger of being falsely categorized as management under a new interpretation of the law. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) does not protect the right of supervisors to join unions and permits employers to discipline or fire them for supporting the union.

An unfavorable decision by the NLRB (which is becoming increasingly hostile to workers as President Bush's appointees settle in) would allow employers to reclassify nurses and other workers as "supervisors" to avoid recognizing or bargaining with their unions.

NLRB decisions already have stripped workers' federally protected freedom to form unions. A bad ruling in this case would label millions of workers as supervisors and remove them from coverage by the NLRA, further constricting the freedom to form unions and bargain collectively.
Currently, 135 cases are being held up at the NLRB waiting for these decisions; 60 are union election cases. In some of these cases, workers who voted on forming a union several years ago are still waiting for their ballots to be counted. If the NLRB issues a broad decision, many of the workers who voted in these elections will never have their votes counted.

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this important action to protect the right to have a union for hundreds of thousands of workers in the United States.

http://www.unionvoice.org/join-forward.html?domain=wsjwj&r=MpztxO91-P6K

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for WA State JwJ at:
http://www.unionvoice.org/wsjwj/join.html?r=MpztxO91-P6KE

[eridani]

64. Meet Montana candidate Jon Tester in Seattle 7-17

Join us in welcoming the next US Senator from Montana!

I hope you will join us in welcoming JOHN TESTER, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in Montana, who is here for a brief visit next Monday. Incumbent Republican Conrad Burns is one of the most vulnerable members of the United States Senate. This is a free event – it is not a fundraiser!

- Paul Berendt

What: Meet John Tester the populist from Montana! – Not a Fundraiser
Date: Monday, July 17th
Time: 8:30 AM
Where: Strategies 360 Office
Westlake Union Center Building
1505 Westlake Ave, North
Suite 1000
Seattle, WA 98109



Please RSVP to Dawn Bonker if you plan to attend 206-282-1990. Or Respond to this email.

[eridani]

65. Richard Wright, 4th CD candidate, event Aug. 6th in Quincy

Sunday, August 6th

2:00 PM
Share Richard Wright's ideas for positive change! Bilingual staff will be on-hand.
Richard Wright would be delighted to see you in Quincy this Sunday, August 6th. He will be discussing his vision for the 4th District and for our nation. Join us for a conversation with the candidate and share Richard's ideas for positive change.

Venga a conocer el hombre "Wright" para el U.S. Congress del ano 2006!

Accompanenos en una junta de preguntas y respuestas con Richard Wright y comparta sus ideas para cambio positivos.

Persona de habla espanol estara presente.

Hope to see you on Sunday! Bring your friends.

Anna Fahey, campaign manager
Committee to Elect Richard Wright

email: anna {t} wright06.com
phone: [phone]
web: http://www.wright06.com

[eridani]

66. Jim Hightower in Seattle Sept. 14th

Tickets available now -- organized by local activists:

What: Jim Hightower speaking on political power for sustainahbility
With a special appearance by Seattle Peace Chorus
When: Thursday, September 14, 7PM
Where: Town Hall Seattle, 8th & Seneca

Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5459
See http://forwashington.org/btr/events.php for more information

Jim Hightower, populist firebrand, radio commentator, and former Texas Agriculture Commissioner, speaks on the topic of building political momentum for sustainability in Washington and the critical importance of alternative energy and sustainable agriculture in relation to that effort.

Hosted by Institute for Washington´s Future in collaboration with washblog.com and evergreenpolitics.com

[eridani]

67. Public campaigns speakers' bureau presentation in Anacortes

Help Liberate Us from a Broken Political System!
Washington Public Campaigns
Seminar and Speaker Training
Attend one or both events

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2-4 p.m.
Location: PACE Union Hall, 902 5th St and Q Avenue, Anacortes.

First Event: (2-3 p.m.): Introduction to Washington Public Campaign's background, progress, and goals.

Washington Public Campaign (WPC) is a non-partisan group dedicated to effecting public financing of elections in Washington State so that wealthy donors can no longer exert undo control on candidates, issues, or policies.

Campaigns must be about fairly debated issues unclouded by financial advantage of special interests. Go to www.washclean.org for more information or to donate.
WPC’s reason to exist: To promote and develop legislation or an initiative to liberate our State and our politicians from a broken system. The Maine and Arizona models of publicly finance campaigns circumvent pitfalls which have prevented Washington State from successfully implementing public campaign financing. This common sense solution is supported by Republicans, Democrats and Greens.

Second Event: (3-4 p.m.): Speaker Training for those who want to help spread the word regarding this critical issue.

Note: You must RSVP if you plan to attend the Speaker Training as we must prepare a packet for you.

All interested and concerned Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan citizens are invited to attend.

RSVP to Roni Beall (roni.beall {at} ronbeall.com) or call 360-756-1405

[eridani]

68. Goldmark event in Spokane, Sept 23rd

“Critical Issues” Conversation with Peter Goldmark

Your voice and experience are important in setting agendas for Congress. Please come and have a conversation with a man who knows how to listen and wants to hear from you. He needs to hear your opinions, priorities, issues and solutions.

Tuesday, August 29
5:30 - 7:00pm
West Central Community Center
1603 N. Belt Street, Spokane

[eridani]

69. Jobs with Justice September 2006 events

9/4 - Solidarity March for Human Rights and Economic Justice
9/6 - Rally and March for Fair Trade - Stop the Korea-US FreeTrade Agreement

*SOLIDARITY*

March for Human Rights and Economic Justice September 4th, Gather at 4pm - March Begins at 5pm Gather at the park behind St. Mary's Church 2150 S Norman St (intersection of Norman & 23rd Ave S.) Rally at MLK Jr. Memorial Park, 2200 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

This labor day, join a solidarity march uniting different movements in our community - from immigrant workers fighting federal government attacks on their right to employment, to those who oppose the War in Iraq and its effects on our local communities like severe loss of jobs and cuts to social programs.

For too long, the ears of those who purport to represent our communities have been deaf. While they wage their wars on all fronts and shift more wealth into their pockets, we are weakened by our own divisions.

Join us this Labor Day to build bridges among working people: people of color and whites, immigrants and citizens, women and men, and march under the banner of "Never Again Divided!"

*Rally and March for Fair Trade*

Stop the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement!
Wednesday, September 6th at 12:30pm
Rally at Westlake Park (4th Ave and Pine Street) then march to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center

Trade negotiators are returning to Seattle to push their free trade agenda down the throats of US and Korean workers. When government officials and their corporate backers negotiate free trade agreements behind closed doors, they guarantee that huge corporations in Korea and the US will gain at the expense of working people.

Many Americans saw their jobs disappear after the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed with Canada and Mexico. In Washington State alone, more than 45,000 jobs were lost due to trade after NAFTA was passed. Meanwhile, workers in Mexico were handed the hard labor without the pay or benefits. The people of Mexico have seen nothing of the economic prosperity that they were promised with NAFTA. Instead we see worsening urban poverty and a growing gap between the rich and the poor. Millions of Mexican migrant workers, facing these conditions, cross the border in search of work and face exploitation, discrimination, and marginalization in this country. This is the reality that faces the Korean people as well, along with millions of others displaced by neoliberal globalization.

The suffering of workers and farmers in other countries only makes the situation for American people worse. People whose way of life in their homeland was destroyed by corporations in pursuit of profit are forced to seek other ways to survive. If they cannot do so at home, they have no choice if they want to feed their children, they must come to America. Once here, many employers are delighted to pay them only a fraction of what they deserve. Families are torn apart and children are forced to live without their parents. Year after year of unending work at bottom wages goes by without a father or mother being able to kiss a precious daughter or son. And their suffering makes the long struggle of American workers for decent pay that much harder and more heart-breaking.

Effects of the trade agreement on Korean Workers:

Rice is at the heart of Korean farming and Korean culture. Many of South Korea's 3.5 million small rice farmers, already struggling, will be forced into bankruptcy by corporate agribusiness dumping their products, destroying Korea's long heritage of rice cultivation. By getting rid of tariffs in South Korea but not of US government subsidies for agribusiness here, small farmers in both South Korea and the US lose out to giant corporate agribusiness.

The proud tradition of South Korean workers' struggle for their human rights is under sharp attack. The FTA is the latest weapon of South Korean and American corporate conglomerates to cut wages, eliminate jobs at will, and exponentially increase the numbers of temporary workers with no benefits and no security. We want to support the working people of Korea in their quest for fair wages and in their determination to live lives of dignity and peace. As the famous labor leader Chun Tae-Il said as he set his body afire in protest suicide against horrendous working conditions, "We are not Machines!" That was in 1970, and year after year Korean workers, including many trade union leaders, are still compelled to kill themselves in protest, the most recent being Mr. Lee Seung Dae in March of this year.

Regulations that encourage consumers to buy cars with smaller engines, protecting the environment, will be abolished. The FTA will open the door for the dumping of US brand-name drugs, destroying the hope for affordable, life-saving medicine for senior citizens and everyone suffering from illness.
Visit the web address below to tell your friends about these two upcoming actions.
http://www.unionvoice.org/join-forward.html?domain=wsjwj&r=N1ztxO911q7m

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for WA State JwJ at: http://www.unionvoice.org/wsjwj/join.html?r=N1ztxO911q7mE

[eridani]

70. Peace walk over I-90 bridge Sept 21st

Washington’s Department of Peace Campaign
and the International Day of Peace
Invites YOU to Join us in a
WALK FOR PEACE AND CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
September 21st


IT’S TIME TO STAND UP FOR PEACE!!

Can you imagine living in a country where peace is the organizing principle. Nothing is more powerful than a shared vision supported with money. Our goal is to raise at least $2500. for the Peace Alliance, working to establish a cabinet level United States Department of Peace.

www.dopcampaign.org

Please have any banners and signs you might bring promote Peace or the Department of Peace, not statements of opposition. In this way, we will stand for what we have in common, for those things that unite us and create understanding and peaceful coexistence. The walk will begin at 5:30 PM (details below).

You are welcome to join us anywhere along the route.

We will meet at the Park and Ride Lot, which is located 14200 SE Eastgate Way in Bellevue at 5:30 PM on September 21st. Our Walk for Peace will cross I-90 on the 142nd overpass, walk up SE 36th to the pedestrian overpass, and continue on Eastgate Way to Bellevue Community College where we will meet up with the International Day of Peace Candlelight Vigil. For questions or concerns regarding the walk, or to volunteer, please contact Judith Shattuck at:
implacablepatriot {at} hotmail.com or call 425 830 2323

All proceeds benefit the Peace Alliance, supporting the ongoing grassroots effort to create a U.S. Department of Peace. Make checks payable to "Department of Peace” with ""Bellevue Walk in the memo line. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to reducing violence! If you are unable to walk, you can still make a contribution. Mail all checks to: The Peace Alliance, c/o Judith Shattuck, 6904 153rd Ave. NE #2, Redmond, WA. 98052

The International Day of Peace Candlelight Vigil

Bellevue Community College - 7:00 to 8:30pm
The program will include the World Peace Prayer Ceremony,
speakers, songs, stories, and poems
For questions regarding the Candlelight Vigil, please contact Linda Ellsworth at:
[e-mail] or call 425 865 9368

For more information on these events please go to: http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/
http://www.quaker.org/eastside (sponsors of the Peace Vigil are on this website)
http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/view/178/147/
BBC Student Programs: 425 564 6150

[eridani]

71. "Iraq for Sale" to be shown in Bellevue Oct 11th

Progressive Democrats of America, Evergreen Peace and Justice Community, and Eastside Fellowship of Reconciliation Present

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers

Film to be shown on October 11, at the Bradford Center, Bellevue, WA. Directly south of the Bellevue Congregational Church at NE 8th and 108th. 7 PM Donations accepted.

It is necessary to RSVP to be seated. Go to: http://iraqforsale.org/screenings.php

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers ... the story of what happens to everyday Americans when corporations go to war.

Acclaimed director Robert Greenwald (Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, Outfoxed and Uncovered) takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the reconstruction of Iraq. Iraq for Sale uncovers the connections between private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the decision makers who allow them to do so.

Brave New Films are both funded and distributed completely outside corporate America. Over 3000 people donated to make Iraq for Sale.

Profiteering from war offends all citizens. Regardless of the war, the administration, or the various sophistries for expending human lives as a matter of government policy, profiteering from it universally offends all citizens, whether they are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, other parties or no shows. Most Americans, regardless of party or ideology, want to believe that any government "of the people, by the people and for the people," as once put forth by Abraham Lincoln, necessarily must dispense the people’s business and money in a fair, honest and accessible way. As a "developed" democracy, for decades we have established extensive, government procurement processes to ostensibly ensure such full and open bidding for contracts.

But of course the street reality is much worse. And unfortunately, despite political rhetoric and platitudes about "competitive bidding," the indisputable fact is that in Iraq and Afghanistan and the entire, massive Defense budget, those companies winning the largest, most lucrative government contracts have been consistently among the most politically influential in Washington. They have expended millions of dollars to hire former Pentagon officials, to finance federal campaigns, to lobby the legislative processes. We are supposed to believe it is merely coincidental that the recidivist recipients of U.S. contracts, some of whom have committed fraud, price fixing or other abuses in the documented past, also just happen to be those who have most greased the skids in our nation’s capital.

[eridani]

72. Comedy benefit for Center for Social Justice, Seattle 10/17

The Center for Social Justice presents a comedy benefit show for
Community to Community Development !

Tuesday, October 17, 2006
8:30pm-10:00pm
Comedy Underground,
222 S. Main St.
Seattle , WA
(under Swannies Sports Bar in Pioneer Square )



Tickets $10 each
Proceeds will support the efforts of Community to Community
as they work to challenge the minutemen at the U.S./Canadian border and
towards a just and humane immigration reform

**Tickets can be bought at the door OR to buy your tickets in advance contact:
Catherine Chambers, catherinec2c {at} qwest.net or 360-756-2330 OR
Marissa Chavez, chavezmarissa {at} gmail.com or 206-459-2236


Details: Doors open at 7:30pm, to be assured seating arrive by 8:00 p.m. Street parking is usually available nearby, as are most downtown buses; there's also a (pay) parking lot right across the street from the club. Please note that the Comedy Underground is 15 steps underground and that there is no elevator. The Comedy Underground (now smoke-free!) is open to all ages except Fri/Sat, but it is always a free speech zone, so think twice if you're easily offended or bringing impressionable youths.

Have questions? Contact Marissa Chavez at chavezmarissa{at} gmail.com

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

Community to Community Development,
http://www.foodjustice.org/mission.html
Community to Community Development is a place-based, grassroots organization committed to creating alliances in order to strengthen local and global movements towards social, economic and environmental justice. For more information on C2C contact Rosalinda Guillen (rosalindag {at} qwest.net).

The Center for Social Justice,
http://www.centerforsocialjustice.org
The mission of CSJ is to be a catalyst for broad-based progressive social change. CSJ works to build strategic relationships with and between diverse communities and organizations who are committed to addressing human rights and social justice issues and working towards building a more just society. For more information on CSJ contact Dan Merkle ([e-mail]) or Cindy Domingo (Cindy.Domingo {at} metrokc.gov ).

[eridani]

73. Domke et al on the evangelical phenomenon-Seattle, 11/16

Are you worried about the growing power of the Religious Right?
The Evangelical Phenomenon
What is it? How should the rest of us respond?

A Panel Discussion & Community Dialogue
Featuring:

David Domke Author of “God Willing: Political Fundamentalism in the White House, the ‘War on Terror,’ and the Echoing Press”

Rev. Rich Lang Minister of Trinity United Methodist in Ballard, a congregation that seeks to model justice, peace, compassion and kindness in their care of creation and of each other.

Valerie Tarico, Ph.D Author of “The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth”

Rabbi Daniel Weiner Senior Rabbi of Temple de Hirsch Sinai working to create a caring and sacred community bound by a common purpose, and committed to the well-being of each of its members.


Thurs., Nov. 16 • 8-9:30pm doors open at 6:45pm
Town Hall - Main Auditorium, 1119 8th Avenue (at Seneca)
Tickets: $5 in advance through http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5953. $7.50 at the door.

[eridani]

74. South King county citizens for universal health care--meet 10/17 in Kent

Come join your neighbors in South King County next Tuesday, October 17th to organize an effective campaign to assure our kids, our elders, our young adults, and our neighbors finally have the coverage we all deserve. And, do bring a neighbor! See you there.

Health Care for All - Washington
http://www.healthcareforallwa.org


How to Fund Publicly-Financed, Universal Health Care in Washington State

Come build a neighbor-to-neighbor network to lobby Congress and our state legislature for Publicly-Financed, Universal Health Care

"One Card" - save 8-11% off of our medical costs!
"One Claim Form" - save 17% + more off of medical costs!
"Free Choice of Provider" - covers every authorized doctor/clinic in the state
"All medically necessary care" - no one gets excluded

* * * * * *

The governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Access and Costs has stated that its vision is "All Washingtonians will have access to health coverage that provides effective care by 2012, with all children having such coverage by 2010."

The Citizen's Health Care Working Group has just presented its report to President Bush. It states, "It Should Be Public Policy that All Americans Have Affordable Health Care' and that all Americans have access to a set of affordable and appropriate core health care services by the year 2012."

Yet, no elected official is talking about the fundamental issue of
funding such plans, and the insurance companies are giving out money this campaign season to assure nothing disrupts their profits!

South King County Coalition for Universal Health Care
Kent Commons - Mill Creek Room
525 - 4th Avenue North, downtown Kent

Tues, 17 Oct 2006
7 - 9 pm

Sponsors:

Health Care For All - Washington
Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans
Physicians for National Health Program - Western Washington chapter
http://www.healthcareforallwa.org

[eridani]

75. Bellingham: Veterans' National Day of Action

FOR: All National Media
Community News Directors
FIELD CREW SCHEDULING;
EVENTS: Bellingham, Whatcom, WA

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Contact: CONTACT: Mark B. Polin
Retired U. S. Navy Veteran
1979-1997
[phone]
[phone]
or
Michael Colfer
U. S. Air Force Veteran
1958-1962
[phone]


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHO: United States Military Veterans – Chapters of Veterans for Peace across the United States will take the lead on this, but ALL veterans are encouraged to participate.

WHAT: “Enough is Enough – A Veteran’s Day of National Action”

WHERE: In cities across the United States of America

WHY: With the passing of the Military Commissions Act, the United
States government has dissolved our constitutional right to habeas corpus, in addition to authorizing the systematic torture of prisoners of war and enemy combatants. On the heels of the USA PATRIOT Act and the ongoing illegal occupation of Iraq, our government has methodically dishonored everything that veterans of prior conflicts have fought and died for in vowing to serve and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. As a result, we must be silent no more! Enough is enough!

WHEN: This action will take place on Friday, November 10th at 5:00 pm in every time zone. This action will serve to create a wave of civil disobedience across our country. In a display of genuine patriotism, veterans across America will take action to give new meaning to Veteran's Day on the day before the shameful parade of "official" Veteran's Day propaganda is glorified in our country yet again.

HOW: Veterans will march on many major cities in America and engage in an act of civil disobedience in order to communicate their disgust with our country’s continued attack on the United States Constitution and our continued illegal occupation of Iraq.


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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - NOVEMBER 6, 2006

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[eridani]

76. "Beyond Oil" in Bellevue Sunday 11/19

Beyond Oil
Bellevue
Sunday, November 19
2:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Featured speaker: Sonia Shah, author of Crude: The Story of Oil

Fenwick Hall, Bellevue First Congregational Church
752 108th Avenue NE in downtown Bellevue
Corner of NE 8th St and 108th Ave NE, one block north of the Bellevue Transit Center -

Event emcee: Bruce Welti of the Northwest Earth Institute
Examine the connections between oil consumption, global warming and resource wars. Explore positive steps we can take to halt global warming and achieve a nonviolent energy policy.

Includes three concurrent, interactive workshops:

o Community Solutions: Food, Energy and Housing
o Pending and Hopeful National Legislation
o Solutions From Around the World

Free and open to the public. Donations welcome.

Sponsors include:
Bastyr University, Eastside Earth Education, Eastside Fellowship of Reconciliation,
Evergreen Peace and Justice Community, Northwest Earth Institute, Veterans for Peace–Chapter 92, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation. This event made possible with the support of the Ploughshares Fund

For more information: Martin Fleck, WPSR, 206.547.2630; martinf

[eridani]

77. FCC HEARING, Seattle, Nov. 30th

FCC HEARING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Seattle Public Library (Central Branch)
1000 Fourth Ave.
Microsoft Auditorium

On November 30th, there will be a public hearing on the future direction of media ownership. The FCC is considering revising its media ownership rules, which currently helps limit the number of newspapers, TV and radio stations a single company can own or control.

Allowing cross ownership would allow TV -newspaper combinations in virtually every city in America. FCC commissioners, Michael Copp and Jonathan Adelstein, will be in Seattle to listen to the community about these proposed changes. What can you do?

Speak out!

Come to the hearing and speak out on the effect of media consolidation on your organization/community. (We are working on talking points for testimony to distribute)

Mobilize!

Get folks in your membership, on your mailing lists, that you serve to come to the hearing and testify

Support!

You can also endorse a statement on media consolidation (Reclaim The Media will draft)

If you can testify at the hearing, or if you have any questions, please contact: Karen Toering (co-director of Reclaim The Media) @ 206.941.5596 or karen{at} reclaimthemedia.org

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Basic reasons why more cross-ownership of media hurts the community:(from the Stop Big Media.com website)

Big Media stifle viewpoints: Consolidated corporations strip local newsrooms of staff, while pushing aside competing points of view. That means less diversity of voices and a narrower range of debate. This is currently happening at Seattle's oldest television station KTSW 11. Seattle's newsroom will close and layoff an unspecified number of workers.

Big Media don't serve local communities: Controled from remote locations, media companies (television, print, radio) frequently ignore important local issues, pander to sensationalism, provide biased coverage of elections, and stifle diverse viewpoints. The current flooding situation is a perfect example of why we need local people in control of the local media. How could we effectively evacuate people from potential danger zones?

Big Media ignore diversity: Coverage of issues important to people of color, the working class and rural citizens are squelched or ignored because these people aren't advertisers' target audiences. People of color are frequently on local news, as victims or perpetrators, but rarely as experts, analysts, or local heroes.

Folks can learn more by visiting www.reclaimthemedia.org click on Stop Big Media

[eridani]

78. Rainforest Action Network fundraiser, Seattle, 12/13/06

I'd like to invite you to join me for a Seattle fund-raising event for a strong environmentlist ally of the labor.

During the last longshore contract fight, the ILWU got a lot of extraordinary help from our allies in the environmental movement, some of which didn't get a lot of attention. In North Carolina, enviros picketed and leafleted Best Buy to put pressure on the West Coast Waterfront Alliance. At a national anti-globalization rally in DC, a Bay Area environmentalist took the microphone from Ralph Nader to report the lockout, and to urge solidarity with longshore. Incredibly, in Montana tree-sitters came down from their trees to picket Home Depot. And in San Francisco, in reponse to the PMA locking out longshore,
environmentalists brought locks and chains to lock PMA out of their headquarters.

A lot of the work to make these and other actions happen came from Rainforest Action Network (RAN), one of the most creative and effective environmental groups in the country - and one that has a particularly strong commitment to working with labor, especially the ILWU. RAN has an extraordinary track record. They've had successful campaigns to demand sustainable forestry policies that have changed the practices of such huge corporations as Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Boise Cascade, Home Depot and Burger King. And they've done it in a way that's always taken into account workers' rights and economic impact. You may also remember RAN's dramatic kick-off for their Weyerhaeuser campaign, with a massive banner-hang across the street from Seattle's Labor Temple.

Incredibly, they were charged with felonies under a century-old anti-labor statute. Thanks to pressure from labor - particularly the KCLC, JwJ and the Carpenters - the charges were reduced to misdemeanors. But the experience helped RAN to develop a particularly strong bond with Seattle-area labor, and led to discussions between RAN activists and folks from several of the building trades unions on how our movements can work together. Since then, they've been working closely with the Steelworkers, Teamsters and Canadian First Nations in challenging Weyerhaeuser's anti-environment, anti-worker policies.

RAN is a great oragnization, and their creative tactics in fighting multinational corporations are an inspiration. I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of a fund-raising event for them, and hope that those of you in the Puget Sound can join us:

Wednesday, December 13th
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Stonington Gallery
119 S Jackson St (Pioneer Square)

Michael Brune, RAN's Executive Director, will be there to discuss RAN's current work; and there will be snacks and drinks. Please join us if you can; and if you'll be there, please RSVP to ksteele {at} ran.org. Thanks.

[eridani]

79. South King County Coalition for Universal Health Care-Kent 12/13

Worried About Health Care Costs? Help Win Health Care Coverage For All Washingtonians!


Come build a neighbor-to-neighbor network to lobby Congress and our state legislature for Publicly-Financed, Universal Health Care


One Card – save 8-11%; from corporate profits!
One Claim Form - save 17-20%; from administrative costs!
Your Choice of Provider – covers every authorized doctor/clinic in the state
All Medical Needs Covered – core benefits cover evidence-based procedures
* * * * * *
South King County Coalition for Universal Health Care
Kent Regional Library – Small Meeting Room
212 2nd Avenue North, downtown Kent
Wed, 13 Dec 2006
7 – 9 pm

[eridani]

80. No New Prisons Campaign, Seattle 12/11/06

No New Prisons Campaign

Monday, December 11, 2006
6:30pm-8:30pm

2111 E. Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
Light snacks, desserts and refreshments will be provided

We will be building on alternatives to incarceration.

Hear from others who are interested in preventing prison expansion.
Do a power analysis to help us understand our challenge by:

Identifying key players, policy makers, decision makers and systems on
both sides of the prison expansion agenda.

Continue the struggle for justice.


Lastly, I want to encourage everyone who will not be able to participate to call or e-mail others who are interested in attending and spread the word wherever you can.



No New Prisons Agenda (WA State Level)

Introductions
Meeting goals
Good understanding of factors influencing prison expansion
Preliminary campaign plan based on above understanding
Preliminary team outreach
Brief overview of research / statistics on WA State prison system
Current prison system stats
Prison expansion project currently in progress
Future planned prison expansion
Do power analysis as INPUT to campaign planning
What is our agenda? What is their agenda?
Define major economic, political and/or social conditions that impact
Identify / assess decision makers over prison expansion
Identify / assess major organized opposition
Identify / assess organized groups and allies in support
Identify / assess groups of people or communities most affected
Develop a preliminary campaign plan to stop prison expansion
What actions support decision makers who are allies?
What actions block decision makers who are foes?
What can be done to counter work of organized opposition?
What can be done to support the work of allies?
What can be done to assure that those most affected are involved?
What types of public education are needed?
What areas of the state need the most attention?
What materials are needed to support our agenda? (I.E.: research, position papers, poster, flyers, media work, banners, etc.)
Who is interested in participating in this campaign?
Who else could we invite?
Set date for next meeting for follow up and results (once a month)
Comments
Adjourn

[eridani]

81. Movies for Fair Trade--Seattle 12/7

Join us this Thursday, Dec 7th for Movies and Fair Trade!

Movie Showing: Argentina – Hope in Hard Times

a film by Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin



Plus Fair Trade Gifts for Sale
Shoes and shirts from worker run factories in Argentina!!
Fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate


Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006
Doors open @ 6:45 for fair trade shopping and refreshments

Film Screening @ 7:15--donation requested

911 Media Arts Center, 402 – Ninth Ave N
<9th and Harrison in the Denny Re-grade, downtown Seattle>

Join filmmakers Young and Dworkin for the screening of their award-winning film,

Argentina – Hope in Hard Times. The stories of a failed economy and distrusted
politicians, of heartache and hard times, a resurgence of grassroots democracy and an irrepressible spirit of community, are told in colorful, resonant detail.

ALSO: 10 minute sneak preview, Argentine co-ops 4 years later


Fair trade products available before and after the film.


Sponsored by:

Traditions Café and World Folk Art www.traditionsfairtrade.com

Community Alliance for Global Justice www.seattleglobaljustice.org

Moving Images www.movingimages.org

[eridani]

82. Support janitors in Seattle and Bellevue, 12/6 and 12/7

Two actions this week to support low-wage janitors!

Send a holiday greetings from janitors to the community next week - bring your bells, santa hats and singing voices!

Wednesday, December 6th
12pm to 1pm

Civica Commons in Bellevue
225 108th Ave NE

I'll be there on 12/6!

Carpools leave from SEIU Local 6
(150 Denny Way, Seattle) at 11am.
Thursday, December 7th
12pm to 1pm

Seattle PI Building
101 Elliott Ave W

I'll be there on 12/7

Meet at SEIU 6 (150 Denny Way, Seattle)
at 10am to help with logistics

Cascadian Building Maintenance (CBM) janitorial company, which cleans both the Civica Commons and the Seattle PI Building, continues to violate their workers' rights. It was a year ago when workers complained to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) about intimidation, interrogation, threats, and changes in their working conditions by CBM managers for being union supporters. It took over 6 months of investigation and the NLRB found CBM violated workers' basic rights.

Today, six months later, workers are continuing to speak out against CBM's treating them unfairly, violating wage and hour laws, working under unsafe working conditions and retaliating against them for organizing for a voice at work and respect on the job.

Cascadian janitors have had enough. They want respect and the same wages and benefits that 80% of Puget Sound janitors receive.

[eridani]

83. Comedy benefit for NARAL, Seattle, 12/12

Non-Profit Comedy for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is a week away! Our June show was hilarious, and this one will be better than ever! So get your tickets today and save your spot at our funniest event of the year...Non-Profit Comedy! Bring your friends to a benefit show with thoughtful, mostly political comedy from some of Seattle's best comics! If you're pro-choice and like to laugh, join us for:


Tuesday, December 12, 8:30-10:00 pm
Doors open at 7:30 - get there by 8:00 pm to get a good seat and avoid waiting in line!
The Comedy Underground
222 S. Main Street, Seattle (under Swannies Sports Bar in Pioneer Square)
Tickets: $10/$12 at the door
Seating is limited, so get your tickets today!
Half of the proceeds from the door go directly to NARAL Pro-Choice Washington!
**All ages**
For more info, email [e-mail] or call 206-624-1990.

Additional Info: Street parking is usually available, and there is a pay lot right across the street from the club. Please note the club is 15 steps underground and there is no elevator access. Food and beverages will be available - and there is no drink minimum.

[eridani]

84. Association for Women in Science, 12/13, Seattle

Greetings and Happy Holidays!

The December general meeting is going to be a special one, where the program will be about the incidence of breast cancer in Washington State woman. We're also going to have a holiday dessert potluck. Come and enjoy the favorite desserts of your AWIS board members and, if you like, bring your own favorite to share.


When:
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 pm

Presentation
Women, Personal Leadership & Power of a Promise
by Lynn Hagerman for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Agenda:
6:30-7:00 pm Networking and Desserts
7:00-8:00 pm Presentation
8:00-9:00 pm Wrap-up and Networking

Where:
UW South Lake Union Building
First Floor Auditorium
815 Mercer Street Seattle, WA 98109


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The December Newsletter is also available on the Seattle AWIS website. Check it out and read about the Nearshore restoration of Pacific Northwest waters followi ng removal of the Elwha River Dams.

http://www.seattleawis.org/newsletter/2006/Dec06.pdf

The newsletter also includes the program flyer. Feel free to print it out and post it. Invite friends, family and co-workers to the meeting. Everyone is welcome!

[eridani]

85. WashClean speaker training, Olympia and Bellevue 12/16, 12/17

Due to overwhelming demand for our Outreach Training on December 16th in Olympia, we are scheduling a second free training on December 17th in Bellevue. You are invited to attend!

At the trainings, you will learn how to make presentations about public financing of campaigns and Washington Public Campaigns, and how to answer frequently asked questions about public financing.

You can come to the trainings if you are interested in joining our Speaker's Bureau and making presentations to groups or tabling at events. And, even if you are not interested in volunteering with our Speaker's Bureau, please feel free to come and learn how you can better explain public financing of campaigns to your family, friends, co-workers, etc. Here are the details:

Washington Public Campaigns Outreach Trainings - FREE

Saturday, December 16th
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Downtown Olympia Library
313 - 8th Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Sunday, December 17th
6:30 PM (sharp) - 8:00 PM
Bellevue Public Library
1111 - 110th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

To pre-register for either training, to change your registration to the Bellevue location, or if you are interested in future trainings, please contact Annie Phillips, our Speakers Bureau Coordinator, at annie {at}washclean.org or [phone].

We hope to see you at one of our trainings!

Katy Carter
Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
katy {at} washclean.org
http://www.washclean.org/

P.S. If you don't have time to be part of our outreach program at this time, please help support our work by making a financial contribution. You can make a secure online donation, or receive instructions on where to send a check, at
http://www.washclean.org/donate.htm. Thanks for your support!

[eridani]

86. Anti-WalMart rally in Renton 12/15

Get Wal-Mart while they're on the run!
Rally & leafleting at the Renton Wal-Mart

Friday, December 15th 3pm-5pm
743 Rainier Ave S. (near main Rainier Ave. entrance)

Email confirmation to wsjwj {at} igc.org with "I'll be there on 12/15" in the subject line and your name and evening phone in the body.

sales declined in November for the first time in a decade. They've predicted flat sales for December even though they depend on holiday sales for one-third of their annual revenues. Heads are rolling in the executive suite with several top executives fired recently for their lackluster sales and deteriorating public image.

Local residents are blocking Wal-Mart from building in Fircrest, and are challenging attempts at expansion in Bellingham. JOIN US in solidarity to share information with holiday shoppers about Wal-Mart's fleecing of America! We have the momentum and now is the time to turn up the heat.

[eridani]

87. Washington Tax Fairness Coaliton, Seattle open house 12/18

You're Invited to Our Year-End Open House!


Please Join Us at Our Year-End Open House
December 18th - 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

We hope you’ll join us and other friends and supporters of the
Washington Tax Fairness Coalition and our colleagues at the
Washington State Budget & Policy Center
for a fun, informal open house!

It’s a nice opportunity to socialize, celebrate our big win in defeating Initiative 920, talk about goals for next year and beyond, and support the vital work of two terrific organizations that create and advocate for sound and fair tax and budget policies.

Hors d’Oeuvres provided. Cash bar.

The Elysian Fields
542 1st Ave South, Seattle (across from Qwest Field,
halfway between South King St. and Railroad Way South)

Please R.S.V.P. to martinez {at} wataxfairness.org, [phone] ext. 29

We look forward to seeing you there!

Suggested donation: $25 each to the Coalition and the Center -- more if you can afford it, and less if you can't. Both organizations are 501(c) (3) non-profits, so donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

If you’re not able to attend, please help support both organizations' work by making a year-end, tax-deductible donation online through our respective websites: Washington State Budget & Policy Center and Washington Tax Fairness Coalition or by mailing checks to 419 Occidental Ave S., Suite 206, Seattle WA 98104.

[eridani]

88. Association for Women in Science, Seattle, 12/13

Don't forget to join us for the December general meeting this Wednesday, where the program will be about the incidence of breast cancer in Washington State woman. And don't forget the fabulous holiday dessert potluck, where you can taste the favorite desserts of the AWIS board members and, if you wish, share your own.

When:
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 pm

Presentation
Women, Personal Leadership & Power of a Promise by Lynn Hagerman for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation:

Agenda:
6:30-7:00 pm Networking and Desserts
7:00-8:00 pm Presentation
8:00-9:00 pm Wrap-up and Networking

Where:
UW South Lake Union Building
First Floor Auditorium
815 Mercer Street Seattle, WA 98109

[eridani]

89. Support Puget Sound Energy workers in Bellevue, 12/20

RSVP to wsjwj {at} igc.org
Subject: I'll be there on 12/20
Message body: Name, Evening Phone

Stop the rate increases while paying subcontracted workers pennies!
Rally & Leafleting at Puget Sound Energy's Corporate Headquarters

Wednesday, December 20th 11am to 1pm
10885 NE 4th Street, Bellevue
Carpool from the JwJ office (2620 3rd Ave, Seattle) at 10am

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is a private corporation providing electricity and natural gas to the majority of consumers in Western Washington. PSE currently contracts out many jobs, and uses contractors who pay starvation wages, provide no access to healthcare or retirement benefits for themselves or their families, and have no voice at work. This is in stark contrast to PSE's own financial situation .. . .

PSE shamelessly advertises ways on its website for consumers to lower their energy bills while ramming through rate increases for natural gas in each of the past four years - 33% in 03, 16% in 04, 12% in 05 and 9% in 06 - a total of 70% in four years. At the same time, Puget Energy (PSE's parent company) CEO Stephen Reynolds raked in $3,014,274 in total compensation including stock option grants from Puget Energy Inc. in 2005.

Join Jobs with Justice next Wednesday and send a message to PSE that we won't tolerate these rate increases when workers are treated this way!


Background:
There are two major classifications of workers most impacted by PSE and their practice of awarding contracts to the lowest and often most irresponsible bidder. These are individuals employed as traffic-control flaggers and as concrete/asphalt restoration laborers.

Flagging: Many workers employed by PSE contractors are paid starvation wages either through temporary staffing agencies or specialty flagging companies retained by either PSE or, at times, another sub-contractor. These workers have little or no access to healthcare or retirement benefits for themselves or their families. When these benefits are available through the employer, they likely are priced beyond the means of all but the company owner(s) themselves.

Concrete/Asphalt: Workers employed by PSE contractors are better paid than flaggers, and often have health and retirement benefits available to them. Unfortunately, their wages are far below the area standard for this type of work.

These contracting practices and the exploitation of workers taking place on projects owned by PSE are detrimental to not only these workers and their families, but the community as a whole. PSE has electricity and natural gas monopolies in many areas of Puget Sound providing service to various communities in the region, therefore; PSE has the responsibility of being a good corporate citizen to serve the needs of all their workers in those communities where they live and work.