Chelsea Sounds and Sights Festival
When: Friday and Saturday, July 29, 30, and 31
We don't have a booth, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't come down and have a good time!
About the Festival
Sounds & Sights Festival (formerly known as SummerFest) is an annual summer festival in historic Chelsea, Michigan. The event started over three decades ago as merchant "sidewalk sales" and has since burgeoned into a highlight of summer that draws visitors from all over the state and beyond. The two-day, three-night event features live music and social tent, children's entertainment and activities, a classic car show, open-air art market, and much more. This year’s event offers many new, exciting changes as well as keeping the tradition of old favorites that keep people coming year after year.
Michigan Democratic Primary – Tuesday, August 3
When: Tuesday, August 3, 7:00am to 8:00pm
Where: Your regular polling place - Find it!
Go vote for more and better Democrats!
May Membership Meeting Wrapup
When: Thursday, May 27, 6:30pm
Where: Banfield's Westside Grill, Zeeb and Jackson Roads Find it!
Our Annual Happy Hour Meeting
Our May meeting was lightly attended, but a good time was had by all.
Stay tuned for a writeup and news on plans for the summer the 2010 campaign season.
Keeping Western Washtenaw Blue!
Keeping Mark Schauer in Congress is clearly a major goal, but we have great
candidates in important races up and down the ticket in 2010: Governor,
Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Senate, State Representative,
County Commissioner, and many more. We'll have our work cut out for us, and
we'll need all of your energy and enthusiasm in the next few months.
Next big event: the August 3rd, 2010 primary election.
Be sure to get informed and get out to vote. And while you are at it, take along a friend. Or two!
Primary election participation is important, and we'll need to activate every possible voter
in November. Start getting out the vote now by chatting
with a friend, co-worker, or neighbor.
Contact current Western Washtenaw Dems Chair
Adam Zemke
for further information.
April Membership Meeting Wrapup
When: Wednesday, April 21, 6:30pm
Where: Weber-Blaess One-Room School, Saline Find it!
In Saline!
Our April meeting with guest speaker Gary M. Mavael was informative and energetic.
Contact current Western Washtenaw Dems Chair
Adam Zemke
for further information.
March Membership Meeting Wrapup
When: Thursday, March 18, 6:30pm
Where: Union Hall - 7920 Jackson Road Find it!
The meeting was well-attended and the potluck went off without a hitch. Meeting notes will be posted shortly.
Richard Bernstein - Candidate for Attorney General
We enjoyed a conversation with Richard Bernstein,
candidate for the Democratic nomination for Michigan Attorney General.
Richard is an accomplished trial attorney at The Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills,
where he established and leads its widely respected Public Service Division.
His unique legal practice is dedicated to cases that involve both public policy
and complex litigation issues. He never charges a fee for his important public
service legal work. Bernstein appears frequently in court where he commits
entire case files to memory.
Note: The WW Dems do not endorse during primary campaigns, but we always welcome visits from
Democratic candidates for office.
Keeping our Congressional District Blue
We were also joined by a representive from Congressman Mark Schauer's (D-MI7)
campaign to talk about our game plan in Western Washtenaw in November.
February Membership Meeting Wrapup
Schools and School Funding
When: Wednesday, February 17, 6:30pm
Where: Union Hall - 7920 Jackson Road Find it!
Our special guest was be R. Stephen Olsen, current
Treasurer of the Chelsea School Board.
The schools are important to everybody who lives in Western
Washtenaw, and given the outlook for the State School Aid Fund, the
failure of the regional enhancement millage in 2009, and continuing budget
concerns, this was a great opporunity to speak with a local school board member.
The conversation with Mr. Olsen was an informal 'citizen-to-citizen'
question-and-answer session. Attendence was light, but participation was energetic.
Meeting notes will be posted shortly.
Contact current Western Washtenaw Dems Chair
Adam Zemke
for further information.
2010 Annual Membership Meeting Wrapup
When: Friday, January 22, 6:30pm
Resolved: It's More Fun When You Win!
Our annual all-member meeting was held on January 22.
Turnout was excellent at the Historic Chelsea Train Depot. Thanks so much to all who attended.
At the meeting, we reviewed 2009, and talked about about our planned activities for 2010, an important election year.
We are also fortunate to hear from local elected officials:
- Liz Brater (State Senator - 18th District),
- Ken Schwartz (County Commissioner - 2nd District), and
- Kent Martinez-Kratz (Chelsea City Council)
And from announced and potential candidates for the 2010 election:
- Christine Green (announced for State Representative, 52nd District),
- Ken Schwartz (possible candidate for State Representative, 52nd District), and
- Adam Zemke (possible candidate for County Commissioner - 1st District)
Mark Schauer on Health Care Reform, the Supreme Court, and more
Special guest Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI7) also addressed the
crowd. Due to recent events in Massachussetts and at the Supreme Court, the Republican Party is energized and
anticipating a flood of new financial support. We will need to come together to fight for a Democratic agenda and for
Democratic candidates at all levels. Local groups like ours are going to be critical as we work to counter the big money
and big special interests that will be backing our opponents.
Couldn't attend? Here's what happened.
Our good friend Chris Savage has posted a detailed
write-up of Schauer's remarks and Q/A with the group. Inspiring stuff.
Go read it right now.
Finally, we have a new slate of officers for 2010, accepted unanimously by the membership.
Former officers are not going away, and look forward to helping the new leaders make this
our most successful year ever:
- Adam Zemke, Chair
- Frank Parkinson, Vice-Chair
- Guerin Wilkinson, Treasurer
- Thomas Knox, Secretary
Pictures from the event forthcoming! Stay tuned.
Now, let's go out and make
Western Washtenaw even more blue in 2010!
Contact current Western Washtenaw Dems Chair
Adam Zemke
for further information.
Vision Meeting Wrapup
When: Saturday, November 7, 10:00 am to Noon
Where: Beach Middle School in Chelsea Find it!
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
On Saturday morning, November 7, 2009, we held a very important meeting to
review our vision and mission
and refocus our attention for the upcoming year.
Numerous folks came to share their vision for the WW Dems it with the group and help
set the organization's priorities.
After attendees girded their loins with food and drink, we set to work.
Meeting minutes are now available.
Thanks to all who attended.
— Roy
Contact current Western Washtenaw Dems Chair
Roy Schmidt
for further information.
Health Care Reform: Let the Dialogue Begin!
Well that was quick. This is what we are up against folks.
Which is why it is so important to show our support for reform:
Thanks for stepping up, Western Washtenaw Dems!
— Roy
Jackson Health Care Rally Wrapup
When: Thursday, August 13, 3:30pm
Where: 800 West Ganson, Jackson, MI 49202 Find it!
YES, WE DID!
Friends, we turned out, along with nearly 500 folks from all over the 7th District.
It was a great day for Democracy and for Democrats! Those opposed to reform were stunned as we owned all
four street corners in front of Mark's District Office.
Some notable coverage and event recaps - you should really check these out to see what we are up against:
Thanks so much for taking to the streets to let a vocal minority know what we care about. Mark was impressed and heartened
by our show of support, and
made an impromptu speech that got the crowd even more fired up.
A few pics to show the flavor of the event:
The original Call to Action from our good friends at Organizing for America:
There are those who stand in the way of progress, and wish to stop the health
care reform American families so desperately need. To combat the voices of a
loud few, come join us as we stand together with all who support health care reform.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009 @ 3:30 P.M.
Congressman Mark Schauer’s District Office
800 West Ganson
Jackson, MI 49202
For more information please call 517.894.1892
or email OFAMICHIGAN@DNC.ORG.
Get the flyer and spread the word.
As OFA State Director, Aletheia Henry put it: "We need ALL hands on deck for this one".
Please, folks, attend if you can. Bring a handmade sign to show your support for
health care reform and for Rep. Schauer's stance on reform. We must start winning
the day with these media events.
Thank you so much for all you do.
— Chris
Thanks for stepping up, Western Washtenaw Dems!
— Roy
Fellow progressives in Western Washtenaw
There are many active progressives in Western Washtenaw striving for change. If you aren't familiar with the Dexter for Obama
group, you should be. These grassroots activists rallied together as part of Obama for America (now renamed Organizing for America) during the 2008 presidential campaign,
and they are still fired up, active, and working hard to make a difference.
Drop by and learn more about their activities and events - you won't be sorry.
Now Meeting All of Your Facebook Needs!
Yes, we are surging into the 21st century and you can now find us on Facebook.
You should go there at once and become a fan! We've added a sidebar badge on this site (look to the left) that will be there all the time, for your linking pleasure. We'll do our best to update
Facebook with our events, postings of interest, and photos of our activities.
Can Twitter be far behind? Signs point to 'No'.
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