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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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Come to the annual BCDems picnic Saturday August 19.
See Events below.

1. ACTION NEEDED
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS
3. EVENTS
4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
5. THANKS
6. SHORT TAKES

Also:
VISIT AND USE BCDEMS WEBSITE
ABOUT HOTLINES
CONTACT THE BENTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS
DONATE ONLINE

1. ACTION NEEDED

We need DONATIONS now. Our main fundraising activities are scheduled for fall. Meanwhile, we need donations to support our new headquarters (129 4th St.) Send a check to Benton County Democrats, PO Box 232, Corvallis 97339. Include your occupation, employer and employer’s address. Or donate on the BCDems website.

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

---- The HIROSHIMA MEMORIAL includes the beautiful folding crane and calligraphy exhibits at Footwise and at the Corvallis/Benton County Library as well as events listed below. Contact Jeanne Raymond raymondj@peak.org or Aleita Hass-Holcombe. Watch for more information about the program in the local media.

---- The TROOPS HOME FAST continues: a hunger strike that began on July 4 and will continue until Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace. The goal is to have at least one person fasting every day, and to maintain a public presence from 10 am to 7 pm every day in front of the Benton County Courthouse. Pledge to fast for one day, once a week, several days in a row, or whatever works for you. Email troopshome@comcast.net or stop by the table to sign up.

---- We need PERSONAL COMPUTERS FOR BCDEMS HQ. If you have one you can lend for 4 months or donate to us, our HQ efforts will greatly benefit. These computers will support BCDems and several campaigns. They’ll be used for voter identification, list creation, etc. Email Biff Traber (biff.trabler@comcast.net) or call him at 753-6735.

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.

---- August 5 to 9: SILHOUETTES IN CHALK in memory of the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombs. To participate, call Ed Epley, 752-3152.

---- August 7, Monday, 7:30 pm: TRADITIONAL FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY, Starker Arts Park, Country Club Drive and 45th Street. Families welcome. Contact Jeanne Raymond (raymondj@peak.org), 231-4125, or Aleita Hass-Holcombe (Aleita@cmug.org), 753-8267.

---- August 9, Wednesday, noon: DEMOFORUM: Merry Demarest speaks on “Parental Notification and the November Ballot” and the implications of Measure 51 for the health and safety of young women. In 1990, Oregonians defeated a similar measure, with Benton County voting 56% against it, the largest margin in the state. Merry will also discuss how a “No On” campaign works. (Related fact: prior to 1968 it was illegal in 28 states for married couples to use contraceptives.) Upstairs, Majestic Theater. Bring a sack lunch if you wish. Free and open to the public.

---- August 12, Saturday, The Oregon Bus Project will be canvassing IN EUGENE! Now's your chance to find out what all the fuss is about. No need to drive to Portland or Coos Bay! It's easy! In fact, the Bus might just stop in Corvallis to pick us up. The trip's in support of Vickie Walker and Chris Edwards, two great folks who need our help. The more doors we knock on, the better chance we have to change the world.
Email kriste.york@busproject.org to sign up.

---- August 17, Thursday, 6-8:00 pm: Stay tuned: PETER DEFAZIO will join us for a special BCDems meeting at HQ….

---- August 19, Saturday: BCDEMS’ ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC, PIE AUCTON, and CONTRA DANCE. Boys and Girls Club, 1112 NW Circle, Corvallis. Game room for kids: pool, bumper pool, foosball, table tennis, arcade video games (quarter each). Picnic at 4:00, dance at 6:00 (instruction for novices.) Tickets $5 for adults (15+). See the picnic page for music samples and Very-Ultra-Super-Important Pie Auction Info.

---- September 9, Saturday, 10:00 am: CITIZENS FOR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS Chapter Meeting. Teleconference call with national experts, subsequent discussion and planning. Ozretich home, 453 S.E. Powell Ave., Corvallis. Email Rachel Ozretich (racheloz@peak.org) or call her at 758-3221.

---- September 9, Saturday, 1-4:00 pm: STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING, Salem. Chemeketa Community College, Building 50, gym. We may hold a block of rooms at a nearby hotel, $39.99 per night, double or single occupancy. Need a rough count. Email LoErna Simpson (l.simpson@comcast.net) if you’re interested.

---- September 14, Thursday: Save the date to drive to Salem to see MAX CLELAND, campaigning for PAUL EVANS.

---- September 18, Monday: CONSTITUTION DAY

---- September 21, Thursday, 7:00 pm: BCDEMS’ REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING. Grace Lutheran Church, Harrison and Kings, Corvallis. Doors open at 6:30, business begins at 7:00 pm. Program TBA. All precinct committee people are encouraged to attend.

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

· Campaign Activities….

---- State Rep. SARA GELSER’S campaign (House District 16) will conduct the GIANT GELSER CANVASS from 1-4:00 pm, Sunday, October 22, followed by food, fun, and relaxation. Also, there will be several other fall canvasses for her campaign, and she is seeking volunteers.

---- SARA’s campaign is planning a mailing party in late August (TBA). They are looking for volunteers who like to stamp, stuff, and chat. If you are interested in helping with any mailing, or if you can walk with Sara anytime this fall, please contact Sara's campaign at sara@saragelser.com.

· Headquarters Needs….

---- VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF THE OFFICE. 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.

---- Several TECH-CAPABLE DEMS to help with databases, computers and networking. Please contact Todd Barnhart (barnhart@subboy.net), or Biff Traber (biff.traber@comcast.net).

· Fundraising Committee Needs….

---- BCDEMS MERCHANDISE MANAGER to work with our local supplier, take orders, distribute product, set up for sales at local events, and keep the HQ stocked. Bring in funds…and circulate the Democrats’good name. Email fundraising chair Todd Barnhart (fundraising@bcdems.net) or call him at 754-0196.

· Newsletter Needs….

---- AD COORDINATOR for the monthly mailed newsletter paid advertisements. If you’re willing to spend a few hours a month—and a few more to get this project off the ground—please email Davi Richards (davirichards@hotmail.com), or call her at 745-3866.

· Benton County Fair Needs….

---- To help staff our FAIR BOOTH during the fair this week or to help take it down Monday, August 7, email William Switzer (katewill@comcast.net) or call him at 541-990-3731.

---- If you’d like to support DIANA SIMPSON at the fair booth, contact Clinton Downs (clintondowns@hotmail.com) to get involved.

---- AND…Join with Veterans for Peace, Linn-Benton Advocates for a Department of Peace, and Alternatives to War in a booth at the fair. Contact Jeanne Raymond (raymondj@peak.org).

5. THANKS

Many thanks to RACHEL OZRETICH for a great job of keeping our website current and relevant. If you haven’t seen it lately, give it a look. You’ll be surprised at the difference.

6. SHORT TAKES

---- To join the movement for universal health care, visit the Archimedes Movement.

---- Google has a sustainability directory.

VISIT AND USE BCDEMS WEBSITE

You'll find up-to-the-minute information about BCDems and useful links to other sites. Under the "News" headings, you'll find the current issue of BCDems HotLines. You can also get access to post your own information and opinion. For content questions, ask Rachel Ozretich, racheloz@peak.org. Todd Barnhart, barnhart@subboy.net, is the technical editor.

ABOUT HOTLINES

If you know someone who would like to receive HotLines, send the email address (with their permission) to hotlines@bcdems.net, and be sure to put "HotLines" in the subject line. Or let them know they can sign up for HotLines on our website. We want HotLines to be useful to our subscribers. Send news items and events to be included to Davi Richards at hotlines@bcdems.net. We also welcome comments, suggestions, criticisms, and general feedback on content, readability, length, frequency, and other thoughts.

CONTACT THE BENTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS

Mail: P.O. Box 232, Corvallis OR 97339
Email: bcdems@bcdems.net
Web: http://bcdems.net
Phone: 541.752.4848

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