Good News About Democrats - November 28, 2011 Edition
HOLIDAZZLE PARTY - FOR THE ENTIRE STATE
NC Democrats are going to stage the biggest Holiday Party ever! The Holidazzle Celebration will be held on December 15th in The Grand Ballroom of the Capital Club Building at 16 Martin Street in Raleigh. Sponsors who donate $100 or more will enjoy a reception with Governor Beverly Perdue at 5:15PM. Tickets are available for $50 for the Party which will begin at 6:00PM. Music will be provided by a band named "Peter Lamb & The Wolves." Get your ticket and sponsor information by calling the State Party's Finance Director Ellen Stankiewicz at 919-821-2777, Ext 206.
This is going to be a big time celebration!
WAKE COUNTY
President Mary Starkey welcomed over 90 Democrats as the Wake County Democratic Women celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a banquet on November 19th at the University Club in Raleigh. Former State Senator Margaret Dickson was the Keynote Speaker. Since she is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit against the GOP redistricting plan, she was able to share the details of the redistricting fight. All previous chapter presidents were recognized. At their October meeting the the Wake DW happily presented their annual Betty Ann Knudsen Award to longtime County Commissioner Lindy Brown. Christy Terrell and Nancy Looper served as Co-Chairs of the Awards Committee.
PAMLICO COUNTY
County Chair Christa Brown invites everyone to the big Pamlico County Democratic Dinner on November 29th at Brantley's Restaurant in Oriental. Tickets for the buffet meal are $10. Dynamic State Senator Eric Mansfield will be the featured speaker. Everywhere he speaks, Senator Mansfield energizes Democrats!
DARE COUNTY
Dare County Democrats are looking forward to their "Meet, Greet, & Eat Kickoff 2012" dinner which will be held at Kelly's Restaurant in Nags Head from 12 Noon to 3PM on December 3rd. County Chair Sherry Rollason says there is no specific admission price, but everyone is invited to donate as much as possible. All of the county's Democratic elected officials will be there to talk with Democrats.
HISPANIC AMERICAN DEMOCRATS
Under the leadership of State President Olma Echeverri, over 40 Hispanic American Democrats gathered for the first State Executive Meeting of the HADNC at the Forsyth County Headquarters in Winston-Salem. (This Headquarters has a life size statue of President Obama.)
Albert Porter, First Vice Chair of the 12th District Democratic Party, welcomed everyone. Judge Wanda Bryant of Brunswick County who is running for reelection to the NC Court Of Appeals spoke about what the judicial branch does and explained the various court levels. State Democratic Women's First Vice President Joan Dressler of Greensboro spoke about the progress women have made since the DW was formed 51 years ago. The DW statewide membership is about 35,000 now. State Party First Vice Chair Gwen Wilkins of Rocky Mount spoke to the group about starting from the "ground up" and the importance of working together for the good of the Party.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Many Mecklenburg Democrats met with all of the county's Democratic legislators at a forum at C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church in Charlotte on November 17th. The General Assembly Members gave the crowd information on many of the issues currently facing the state. Everyone is invited to a "Coalition Christmas Party" from 6:30PM to 8:30PM on December 15th at Cuzcatlan Restaurant in Charlotte. Latin music and food will be featured.
Katherine Alexander, President of the Hispanic American Dems of Mecklenburg encourages everyone to bring canned goods for the Homeless Shelter.
ASHE COUNTY
At their November 14th Century Banquet, Ashe County Democrats took up a love offering of $635 to buy Christmas presents for some of the county's disadvantaged children. They added $100 from the Party's Treasury. County Chair Melba Jones reports that they are eagerly looking forward to spending a whole day wrapping presents!
FORSYTH COUNTY
Last Saturday Forsyth County's West Ward Democrats staged an all day "Ham It Up For The Hungry" event featuring eight local rock bands. They raised $1,345.93. The total amount they have raised since August is $4,131.62 which will provide 28,921 nutritious meals for hungry people through Second Harvest Food Bank. This drive by West Ward Democrats demonstrates the Democratic Party at its best!
CLEVELAND COUNTY
President Betsy Wells welcomed State Rep. Patsy Keever to speak to the Cleveland County Democratic Women's meeting on November 21st. Patsy recently announced that she will run to knock Patrick McHenry out of Congress.
Tenth District Chair Cliff Moone and Tenth District YD Chair Nick Carpenter spoke to the group about the activities they are working on.
UNION COUNTY
Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin will be the guest speaker at the Union County Democratic Women's meeting at 5:30PM on November 22nd at the Hilltop Restaurant in Monroe. The Union DW had a unit in the Monroe Christmas Parade on November 20th.
NCDP TRAINING BOOT CAMP
Over 650 Democrats attended the training sessions held by Executive Director Jay Parmley and the Goodwin House staff at various cities across the state. Last Thursday night's session in Raleigh drew over 150 people. The staff taught classes on how to develop a voter list for canvassing and phone banking, how to raise money, and how to use new media to build support. One session focused on how to use "an exciting new tool" that gives organizers the ability to target voter registration to specific populations. (If you missed it, you will have to attend the next round of training to find out what this new tool is.)
Across the state, Democrats gave high praise to Jay Parmley and the Goodwin House team for their excellence in training!
ANGELA BRYANT'S BIRTHDAY PARTY
On December 9th there will be a big Birthday Party for the state's youngest looking 60 year-old, State Rep. Angela Bryant. This happy event will be held from 5PM to 8:30PM at the Four Seasons Restaurant in Rocky Mount. To get tickets, call 252-442-8659. Special guests will include Congressman G. K. Butterfield, North Carolina AT&T President Cynthia Marshall, and State School Superintendent June Atkinson.
TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Over 25 Tenth District Democrats joined District Chair Cliff Moone in Morganton on November 19th to develop a 2012 Grassroots Action Agenda. They used their Strategic Plan, a SWOT analysis, and the State Party's County Goals to create an action agenda.
HENDERSON COUNTY
Nancy Thomas's venison chili won the prize as the best chili at Henderson County Democrats "Second Annual Chili Cook-Off." Nancy donated her cash prize to the County Party. Christmas casseroles will be the featured dish at the December 3rd "Raise The Rent Breakfast" on from 9AM to Noon on December 3rd at the County Party Headquarters.
GUILFORD COUNTY
Former State Senator Tony Foriest spoke to the Guilford Senior Democrats at their November 19th meeting. He explained the Voter ID issue.
The Democratic Women of Guilford are looking forward to a December 3rd Christmas Party at the home of Senator Don and Nancy Vaughan. Everyone is asked to bring canned goods for the Greensboro Urban Ministry.
