Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Sad News

From Just Out

February 24th, 2009 at 11:55 am by Marty Davis · 3 Comments

Just Out has just learned of the passing of Richard Levy, long-time Oregon gay rights activist and political leader.


Dick had recently undergone surgery for cancer, and returned last night to the hospital for treatment from complications from the surgery.

Just Out Article: http://blogout.justout.com/?p=6638#comments

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Dick had contributed his collection of political buttons for us to auction at the Celsi Dinner - so if you are the lucky ones who bought those - you now have some Portland history in your home.



Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Nick Kahl - Townhall Meeting Tonight

Just a reminder about Rep. Kahl's Town Hall coming up tonight - Thursday, Feb 26th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Joe Edgar Union Hall at the corner of 162nd and Halsey in Rockwood.

Rep. Kahl will be joined by OR Attorney General John Kroger and Multnomah County Sheriff Bob Skipper.

Monday, February 23, 2009

POTUS Speech, John Kroger, Cesli Info and more

From Sue H...Communications person extraordinaire

The President's speech to the joint session of Congress starts tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6:00 PM

(Doesn't it feel good to say "The President" these days?)

Join with other Democrats 5 PM to 9 PM to watch the speech at Krakow Cafe, 3990 N. Interstate Ave, 503-954-2200 www.myspace.krakowkoffee.com

Party-goers can fortify themselves from the televised Republican response, by playing State of the Union "Bingo." After Obama's speech, revelers will get bingo cards to mark any time the GOP speaker refers to "health care," "education," "environment," "HIV-AIDS," or Haliburton."

First ones to scream "Bingo" win prizes.

Oregon Democrats step up to help consumers, and need your support:

Debt collectors in Oregon have enjoyed a significant legal loophole that has allowed them to abuse consumers with no consequence. Oregon Attorney General John Kroger and Senator Suzanne Bonameci are leading the effort to change that.

Heading to the Senate Floor this week, SB 328 puts debt collectors in the same position as nearly all other Oregon businesses by making abuses subject to the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. No enforcement provision currently exists to hold collectors accountable for unscrupulous practices, and such abuse ranks among the top consumer complaints in Oregon, allowing debt collectors to freely harass and intimidate Oregonians.

Companion SB 386 would make it illegal for debt collectors to attempt to collect money that they know, or ought to know, is not owed.

Both the Oregonian and the Register Guard have recognized the value of these bills and to read them go here

find your legislator:

Please contact your Senator and let her/him know that you support Oregon consumers. It's important to make your voice heard even if you think your Senator will be an advocate. Our legislators need to not only know they have our support when they are considering good legislation, but it gives them an additional reference to use in debate.

Celsi Dinner: A great time and a big success!

Big thanks to the many volunteers who helped put on the Celsi, all the beautiful and charming Democrats who made it the place to be last Friday night, and special thanks to those who donated or bid to help support the Party in the coming year. Thanks to all those elected representatives in Congress, the Legislature, the City Council and County Board of Commissioners and School Boards who took time out to party with the grassroots.Thanks also to Democrats who traveled from neighboring counties to give their support.
Special thanks to Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley whose spirited remarks kicked off the festivities, and Congressman Earl Blumenauer, who set a generous tone with a pledge to pay the first month's rent when we get our new headquarters.

Thanks to speakers Karol Collymore, John Kroger and Carl Wolfson, and the multi-talented Steve Novick, who can always become an auctioneer if he gets tired of politics and policy.

Here's one comment I received:
"The dinner was GREAT! My first such event but surely will not be my last.
Speeches are supposed to be boring! What were those guys thinking of??? I laughed and thought and thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening."

Congratulations to Celsi Award winner John Vandermosten and McCoy Award winner Jackie Dingfelder. Both awards are richly deserved.

Mark your calendar for next year: Celsi Dinner, February 5, 2010.

(PS: Unfortunately we ran out of time for some of the live auction items. Or fortunately, if you'd like to bid but missed the dinner. Stay tuned for news of how we will conduct an extended auction for those.)

Thursday, February 19, 2009

What's Next for Fun?

We never stop having fun. We have yet to "do" the Celsi dinner but we know it will be great fun - how can it not?

Full room of friends, great auction items, local and state pols, pals from Washington County, fun speakers and funnier auctioneers!

What do we do as an encore? We have a night to get together and watch President Obama give a speech - it's not a real state of the union as he's only been in office a short time - but it's the night that it would be the SOTU and he's giving a speech...

So we are getting together at Krakow Cafe on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Here is Mark's announcement - he's planning on a fun event too!

The president's speech starts at 6 pm:
Party-goers can fortify themselves from the televised Republican response, by playing State of the Union "Bingo." After Obama's speech, revelers will get bingo cards to mark any time the GOP speaker refers to "health care," "education," "environment," "HIV-AID," or Haliburton."

First ones to scream "Bingo" win prizes.

Party from 5 pm to 9 pm. Krakow Cafe, 3990 N. Interstate Ave, 503-954-2200
www.myspace.krakowkoffee.com

Monday, February 16, 2009

Celsi - top 7 reasons for going

Top reasons to go to the Celsi Dinner

Celsi 1


7. Suspense: Will John Vandermosten shave his sesquicentennial beard (Oregon's sesquicentennial, his beard) before the Celsi award?

6. Opportunity: Last chance to heckle John Kroger before he gets all Attorney Generally (C'mon bloggers, you know it's more fun the old fashioned way.)

5. Thrills: A chance to hook bump with Steve Novick.

4. Amazement: KC Hanson in a pink boa. (Ok, that one's a maybe.)

3. Fun: There’s plenty of time to be serious the rest of the year.

2. Power: 2% of the entire US Senate. What more do you want???

1. But seriously, here's the top reason: We can't take for granted our successes in the election just past. “Community organizing” doesn't cost a lot of money, but it costs some. We (and by we I mean you) can be the best hub for volunteer political action in the county (maybe the state?). This fundraiser and our monthly donors will make that possible.

The ticket deadline looms. Please buy your tickets by Monday night, or place a frantic call to Susan Silodor Tuesday morning.


What?
Multnomah Democrats' Annual Celsi Dinner. Celsi Award. McCoy Award. Attorney General John (The Hammer) Kroger. Steve (The Hook) Novick. KPOJ's Carl Wolfson. Blue Oregon's Karol Collymore. Fabulous Silent and Live Auction items. Lots of beautiful (and charming!) Democrats. And...

TWO United States Senators from Oregon!! Senior and Junior. Both. All.

When?
Friday, February 20, 2009 (Day 32 of the Post Bush Era), 6:00 PM

Where?

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Street, Portland

How do I get tickets?

Click here: https://secure.dpo.org/cgi-bin/d6.pl/multdems/celsi09.html
Or contact Vice Chair Susan Silodor at Celsi@multdems.org

See you there!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Big surprise unveiled!

So.... two Senators and an Attorney General walk into a ballroom....

And they're at the Celsi Dinner! Time for some ass, kicking™ fun!!

Celsi 1


If you're waiting until the last minute to buy your tickets, well, that time is coming soon. Really. We have to have a meal count by Monday night, and believe me, the sooner you order your tickets the more you save us from anxiety.

So give your fellow community organizers a break and buy them now.

What?
Multnomah Democrats' Annual Celsi Dinner. Celsi Award. McCoy Award. Attorney General John (The Hammer) Kroger. Steve (The Hook) Novick. KPOJ's Carl Wolfson. Blue Oregon's Karol Collymore. Fabulous Silent and Live Auction items. Lots of beautiful (and charming!) Democrats. And...

TWO United States Senators from Oregon!! Senior and Junior. Both. All.

When?
Friday, February 20, 2009 (Day 32 of the Post Bush Era), 6:00 PM

Where?

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Street, Portland

How do I get tickets?

Click here: https://secure.dpo.org/cgi-bin/d6.pl/multdems/celsi09.html
Or contact Vice Chair Susan Silodor Celsi@multdems.org

See you there!