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WELCOME to HotLines. We send you HotLines, Benton County Democrats’ subscriber e-letter, on the 1st and 15th of the month to let you know how you can keep the Democratic Party strong here at the grassroots level.

Send us your announcements, news of events of interest, and needs for volunteers. We’ll pass them along.

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1. ACTION NEEDED

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

3. EVENTS

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

5. SUCCESSES

6. THANKS

7. SHORT TAKES

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Celebrate Independence Day with us. Join the BCDems in the Corvallis July 4 parade. Meet at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Corvallis Arts Center by Central Park. Look for the BCDems banner.

1. ACTION NEEDED

Notice under “volunteers needed” that there are a number of good spots for Democrats to join in our effort to get our message to voters. With campaign season upon us we must move into high gear to get things done. Why not find a place where you can help. The rewards of working with some great people for causes important to us all are plentiful.

A good place to start…from a note by Sara Gelser: Your feet are needed to “Take Back the House.” Please help us pass progressive legislation in 2007 by supporting our Democratic House candidates. In particular, pay close attention to invitations from Kriste York with the BUS Project. Spending a day walking for Brian Clem or Jean Cowan can tip the balance of power in Oregon for the better.

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

--- Did you miss the news? We have a CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS at 129 N.W. 4th St., Suite 101. William Switzer is our HQ manager. (Thanks, William.) And now it’s time to fill the space with people and things. We need computers, monitors, printers, and telephones. If you have any that you can lend, please contact William, katewill@comcast.net or biff.traber@comcast.net.

--- If you have a desire to change the world…one piece of fabric at a time…here’s your chance. Join other BCDems in our new QUILTING CIRCLE. We welcome all skill levels. Our first project is creating a quilt that will be raffled at the Trow Dinner this fall. If you’re interested, contact Anne, althea97333@yahoo.com or Marion, marion.democrat@comcast.net.

3. EVENTS

--- DAILY VIGIL protesting the war in Iraq, 5-6 pm in front of the Courthouse on 4th Street. Democrats gather there on Wednesday each week. And…Did you know? The Albany Peace Seekers hold a weekly peace vigil on Mondays (5-6:00) on the east side of the courthouse, on Ellsworth between 4th and 5th Streets.

--- July 4, Tuesday, 10:00 am: BCDems will march together in the 4th OF JULY PARADE. Meet at Central Park near the front door of the Arts Center—in your red, white, and blue attire (or red…or white…or blue…or white and blue…). If you have a flag on a pole, bring it with you. The parade begins promptly at 10:30 am. See you there. (If you’re walking with Diana Simpson, wear a red t-shirt or a DS t-shirt.)

--- July 5, Wednesday, 7:00 pm: Planned Parenthood Legislative Action Team meeting, Community Outreach Center, 865 N.W. Reiman Ave. Contact Leah Bolger, ripken3@comcast.net for more information.

--- July 5, Wednesday, 5:30 pm: Canvassing with Diana Simpson, candidate for Benton County Sheriff. Meet at the Philomath City Hall Building, 980 Applegate St. Canvassing the next evening, July 6, Thursday, 5:30 pm, will begin at the Benton County Historical Museum BBQ, 1101 Main St. in Philomath. For tickets to the BBQ contact clintondowns@hotmail.com.

--- July 6, Thursday, 7:00 pm: Veterans for Peace, Chapter 132 meeting, Community Outreach Center, 865 N.W. Reiman Ave. Contact Leah Bolger, ripken3@concast.net for more information.

--- July 8, Saturday: The OREGON BUS PROJECT will be canvassing for Brian Clem and
Paul Evans in Salem. This is a great opportunity to experience the BUS first hand. There’ll be some great speakers, some fun and prizes, and some good old-fashioned democracy. Contact kriste.york@busproject.org for more information.

--- July 10, Monday, 7:00 pm: Note: The BCDems’ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE has rescheduled its regular first-Tuesday-of-the-month meeting in July to avoid a holiday conflict. Location is at our new HQ: 129 N.W. 4th St., Suite 101.

--- July 15/16, Saturday/Sunday: The Oregon Bus Project COAST TRIP: Let’s head to Newport on Saturday afternoon to meet the Bus and canvass for Jean Cowan. Contact Kriste.york@busproject.org for more information.

--- July 19, Wednesday, 7:00 pm: Jesse Bontecou, Field Representative for Linn Co., will be conducting a newly developed precinct person training for LC Dems and for any BCDems who would like to join us and participate. (We can always learn more about building confidence and effectiveness in canvassers.) Meet at the Old Armory Building at the SW corner of 4th and Lyons in downtown Albany. Contact John Puma pumajp@centurytel.net for more information.

--- July 20, Thursday, 7:00 pm: BCDems regular monthly meeting. Grace Lutheran Church, Harrison and Kings, Corvallis. Doors open at 6:30. Program TBA.

--- July 22, Saturday, 8:00 pm: “George and Julius.” (Julius Margolin, a living legend in the NYC labor movement and a tireless fighter for justice and equality, with George Mann, a filmmaker who produced a film about Julius’ life, travels around the U.S. with a 3-part performance. They will be in Corvallis at the Odd Fellows Hall, 223 S.W. 2nd St. Suggested donation of $7.00 will benefit the South Corvallis Food Bank. The event is sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Chapter 132. Contact ripken3@comcast.net for more info.

--- July 29, Saturday, 10 am-2 pm:

NOTE: The date and times have been changed.

MONEY, MONEY, WHERE DID IT COME FROM, WHERE DID IT GO?

4th Congressional District training event, at Cottage Grove Community Center, 700 E. Gibbs, Cottage Grove. Program: “Solving Problems with Campaign and Expenditure Reports.”

Don’t miss this if you are a county chair, county treasurer, event chair, campaign treasurer, or other officer. Fee: $15 pre-registration, $20 at the door. Lunch and materials will be provided. Contact Mike Van Laere, Benton County Chair, at vanlaere@proaxis.com if you’d like to attend.

--- August 19, Saturday: BCDEMS’ ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC, BBQ, and contra dance. Save the date and polish your dancing shoes and warm up your kazoos.

--- October 22, Sunday: Please mark your calendar for the GIANT GELSER CANVASS. Sara’s team will host a canvass from 1-4:00 pm, followed by food, fun, and relaxation. (That’s a win/win situation.) Let’s all help to keep House District 16 in Democratic control.

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Campaign Services Committee Needs….

(a) Phone Bank Script Writer: We need someone to be a resource to candidates and campaigns for writing phone bank scripts.

(b) Phone Bank Trainer: Also, can anyone out there help train volunteers on the process and technique of phone bank calls? Please contact Betty Malone at 929-2289.

HQ Needs….

We’re all moved in, and we need folks to help decorate, clean, and spruce up the office.

Also, we will start staffing the office on July 5. Our hours of operation will depend on how many volunteers are able to help. We would like to be open Monday-Friday from 10 am-2 pm and from 4 pm-8-pm. If you can give a little time each week, please contact William Switzer, katewill@comcast.net.

Fundraising Committee Needs….

The BCDems are going into the merchandising business. Want to run the show? We need someone to work with our local supplier, take orders, distribute product, set up for sales at local events (with your dedicated sales staff) and keep the HQ well stocked. You’ll bring in some funds…and circulate the Dems’ good name. Contact Fundraising Chair Todd Barnhart (754-0196 or fundraising@bcdems.net).

Newsletter Needs….

Want to help us pull together paid ads from local businesses for the monthly mailed newsletter? We’ve figured out how we want to go about this, and now we need someone to coordinate this little project. If you’re willing to spend a few hours a month—and a few more to get it off the ground—please contact Davi Richards, 745-3866 or davirichards@hotmail.com.

Benton County Fair Needs….

It’s almost time for the BCDems’ fair booth. We need people to help set up the booth on TUESDAY, August 1 and to tear down the booth on MONDAY, August 7th. The volunteer staff time slots each day are noon-4 pm; 4:00-8 pm; and 8:00-10 pm. Please contact William Switzer at katewill@comcast.net or 541-990-3731 to sign up to help.

Philomath Frolic Parade Needs….

Want to do something really important? We need 4 volunteers to walk alongside our float in the Frolic Parade on July 8 and pass out copies of the BILL OF RIGHTS. Please contact Sue Van Laere at vanlaere@proaxis.com or at 929-3988 by July 5. Or…find your favorite candidate in the parade route. Diana Simpson supporters—bring yourself, another wonderful person, water, sunscreen, and a red t-shirt or DS t-shirt.

5. SUCCESSES

Rep. SARA GELSER has just learned that she has been appointed to the House Select Committee on Education. That’s the committee which will process the recommendations from the Chalkboard Project and develop the legislative agenda for passage in the next session. Sara hopes to contribute “the perspective of both a former school board member and an advocate for non-traditional students that will lead to a broader agenda,” something that is practical and expands opportunity for all Oregon kids. Congratulations, Sara.

6. THANKS

Thanks to Peter DeFazio and his staff for 1,000 copies of the U.S. Constitution which BCDems will give to high school seniors as part of our Constitution Project. The documents will be distributed in August, in time for the start of the 2006-07 school year.

7. SHORT TAKES

--Critical reading about immigration from the Rockridge Institute, with information about why framing the debate is important and how Republican strategists are manipulating that framing. (If you have trouble engaging the sites below, you can also find these by typing in Rockridge):

The Framing of Immigration by George Lakoff and Sam Ferguson,

Immigration—Framing Versus Spin by Lakoff and Ferguson,

Luntz Frames Immigration Debate for GOP in DailyKos (Thursday, 5/25/06)

--"Thank You, Lt Watada" website to support 1Lt Ehren Watada, the first commissioned officer to publicly oppose the Iraq War, and to refuse participation based on its illegality.

--"Moms Rising" website has a chapter a discussion of open, flexible work options for moms who often face discrimination in the workplace.