Volume 26. Issue 8. August 2024 | |
|
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Susan Dollar
Wow! What a change a few weeks can make! Finally there is reason for hope and optimism. I'm seeing a lot of relief and lots of smiles now. People are feeling good!
I know that we all feel a huge amount of gratitude towards President Biden for his leadership and compassionate humanity. As he said in his withdrawal speech: “I revere this office, but I love my country more,” he said. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president.” But, he said, the defense of democracy is more important than any title, and democracy is “larger than any one of us.” We must unite to protect it."
He's absolutely right - we must unite! There's so much excitement and enthusiasm now! It's great to be energized and hopeful. As Joyce Vance wrote last week, "The energy right now is endless and pretty incredible." Now we must harness that energy and turn it into action.
There's great news about voter registration, too! Vance also wrote: "A friend at the campaign texted me the newest voter registration numbers from vote.org this afternoon. More than 100,000 people have registered since Kamala Harris announced. Eighty-four percent are younger voters, and 18% are 18-year-olds. Some of the states the election is likely to turn are on the top of the list of new registrants: Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. While they may not all be Democrats, it's safe to say that the type of enthusiasm that leads 18-year-olds to register to vote isn’t being generated by cat and woman-hating vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance. Next week, the real work begins."
Let's all relish these moments of happiness and bask in the glow of possibilities. For now, let's rejoice and rejuvenate because we have a lot of work ahead of us. We still have to win in November but we can do this!
I want to leave you with something that will make you smile. Watch this:
Kamala Harris Laughing for a Minute Straight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3_MZBCAcbE
This is pretty funny, too:
Late Night with Stephen Colbert:
Harris: We Are Not Going Back | Why Did Trump Pick Vance? | Fox News Is Grasping At Plastic Straws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLgF8ThFrFM
| |
Dr. Hector Garcia is a researcher and clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M University San Antonio. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and his master's and doctoral degrees from Rutgers University. | |
|
AUGUST BAD MEETING
Thursday, August 8, 2024
12:00 p.m.
Longhorn Cafe, 369 S. Esser, Boerne (upstairs)
Guest Speaker: Dr. Hector Garcia
Dr. Garcia publishes on the evolutionary psychology of religion, warfare, politics, and PTSD. He has published extensively on the treatment of PTSD in combat veterans, masculine psychology in the aftermath of war, the evolutionary roots of political partisanship, and the interplay between religious practice and psychopathology. He is the author of the books Sex, Power and Partisanship and Alpha God: The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression. He has been featured on TED, PBS, and CSPAN.
His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeU6Xl4pGpP9qYZWx4tzDOA/videos
| | |
|
|
NEXT BAD MEETING
Thursday, September 12
6:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Joseph Kopser
| |
|
LAURA BRAY
Kendall County Democratic Party Chair
It’s been a long time since I’ve said this, but it’s an exciting time to be a Democrat! The energy that VP Harris has injected into the campaign and the party is nothing short of amazing. And in the two weeks since the announcement, my schedule has been off-the-charts busy; as you can imagine, this turn of events took a normally routine Democratic National Convention (DNC) schedule and turned it completely on its ear.
Here's a summary of the recent events:
-
I was interviewed by Texas Public Radio l on July 21; the story appeared during two newscasts on “Morning Edition” on Monday, July 22. Read/listen here: https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2024-07-21/kendall-countys-democratic-party-chair-sees-bidens-wise-decision-to-political-opportunity
- The DNC and the Harris Campaign organized a petition drive to get her name on the ballot to become the Democratic nominee. She got the required 300 signatures from delegates, and no other candidate reached that milestone.
- Due to some screwy deadlines in Ohio, the DNC must nominate its candidate *before* the actual event. So last Thursday, I submitted my ballot to nominate Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. The Virtual Roll Call closes on Monday afternoon.
- This also means that the traditional “Roll Call of the States” that you always see at national conventions will be ceremonial, since the Virtual Roll Call will officially determine the nominee.
- Media is reporting that VP Harris will name her VP candidate on Monday. (After the roll call vote has closed.)
| | |
COMING SOON! NEW BUMPER STICKERS!
Show your colors by displaying a bumper sticker on your vehicle!
These will be for sale at the office for $5.00 each. Get yours while they last!
| |
GOOD NEWS!
You can put your yard signs out as of August 7, which is 90 days before the election.
Get your signs at the office or online via candidate websites.
Remember that your HOA cannot prevent you from putting up signs,
as long as they don't block a walkway or interfere with roads.
Texas Election Code: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.259.htm
| |
|
VIRTUAL PHONE BANK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our VPB is rocking along but we still need more participants. We are targeting folks who are inconsistent voters, particularly 18 - 35 year olds. This is an easy activity that you can do in the comfort of your own home - and it can help motivate people to get out and vote! Please email (khenning@mac.com) or give Kevin a call if you want training (830-331-0672).
| | |
|
WE NEED POSTCARD STAMPS
The Kendall County Democratic Party is sending out hundreds of postcards this fall to encourage people to vote. To do this, we need hundreds of postcard stamps! If you would like to donate some stamps to this good cause, please bring them to the BAD meeting in August or drop them off at the office.
| | |
|
WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES!
Bring your donations to the August BAD meeting
or drop them off at the office.
From the Center for Refugee Services:
Every summer, CRS organizes a school supply drive and distributes backpacks stuffed with new school supplies to k-12 students in the refugee community. Last year, we gave out close to 2000 backpacks thanks to the donations and efforts of over 100 volunteers. Please see below for more information about how to donate and volunteer to make the project a success again this year!
Our school supply drive is especially poignant for our CRS community because of the population that we serve. Currently, more than 95% of our clients are from Afghanistan. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, Afghan girls have been barred from attending school beyond sixth grade. Although the life of a refugee in San Antonio is incredibly difficult, the girls here have the opportunity to attend middle school, high school and even college. During our scholarship ceremony last month, we heard from several young women as they plan to attend college and study nursing, medicine and other majors. By supporting our school supply drive, you will be helping more students achieve their dreams with education.
Items needed: composition books, wide rule; glue (Middle only); glue sticks (Pre-K to 5); loose leaf paper; spiral notebooks (wide rule); 3 ring binder (preferred 2 inch or bigger); colored pencils (packs of 10); composition books (wide rule); crayons (24 packs); big erasers; pencil top erasers; black or blue pens; red pens; rulers; school supply boxes; scissors; thin washable markers; wide washable markers
|  | | |
|
MARKET DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!
The Boerne Area Democrats and the Kendall County Democratic Party will have a booth at the September 14-15 Market Days in Boerne. We need lots of volunteers to staff the booth over those two days. This is one of the highest visibility activities for us and we need to show our strength in numbers, so please consider signing up for a shift! Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094DA9AE29A2F94-50458973-badseptember
| | |
“Get to Know Your Democratic Neighbors”
Saturday, August 10
11am-2pm
Democratic Headquarters, 216 E/ Blanco, Suite 201
Join us at this Saturday social event hosted by Precinct 3050 Chair Thomas Nordstrand. Take advantage of this opportunity to mix and mingle and meet fellow Democrats while enjoying a summer lunch! Hot dogs and trimmings will be provided - but we need a headcount so please RSVP to Tom at thomas.nordstrand@yahoo.com
Parking is available at the old court house just east of the office complex. Be aware that there is a Trump Train planned for Main Street at 10:00 a.m. that same day.
| |
|
The Comfort Area Democrats, Independents, and Others
will meet on Tuesday, August 13, at noon
at the Comfort Library. Everyone is invited!
Email layton.peg@gmail.com for more information or to RSVP.
| |
Invite your friends & neighbors to gather in support of our LGBTQIA+ community members!
Next meeting: Tuesday, August 13, at 6:30 pm at the Patrick Heath Public Library, 451 N. Main Street, Boerne.
For more information: pflagboerne@gmail.com
| |
|
BAD BOOK CLUB
The BAD Book Club will meet on Wednesday, August 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dem headquarters, 216 E. Blanco, Suite 201.
The book is Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson.
| |
SKILLS FOR DISAGREEING BETTER WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
10:30 AM TO 12:30 PM
PATRICK HEATH PUBLIC LIBRARY
451 NORTH MAIN STREET
BOERNE, TX 78006
In our current political environment, many people avoid or dread political conversations with friends or family members whose politics differ from their own. They worry, rightly so, that any attempts at political discussions will devolve into arguments and acrimony and result in hurt feelings or anger.
This Braver Angels workshop teaches skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. It also gives participants a safe environment to practice these skills.
It will also help participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically, and it teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground.
| |
|
Workshop Goals:
● More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically
● Better skills for listening in a way the other person feels heard
● Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear even if they disagree
Other Essential Information:
This workshop is interactive and includes opportunities for practice and discussion.
A light lunch will be served from 12:30-1:30PM for those who can stay.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
| | | |
|
|
FUNDRAISER FOR COLIN ALLRED
candidate for US Senate
Friday, September 6
Noon-2pm
home of Wayne and Billie Watts
Suggested donation is $250.
For more details or to RSVP,
email Wayne at wayne.watts@att.net
or Kevin Henning at Khenning@mac.com
| | |
Our July BAD meeting featured Mr. Roy Quillian, a retired lawyer and frequent writer of Comfort News columns. his presentation was both informative and fun. | |
A great crowd showed up at the Lost Oak Winery on July 25
for our monthly Thirsty Thursday event!
| |
Thanks to Andy Wine for hosting a Meet-and-Greet at his home on Saturday, July 20, for Dwain Handley , candidate for TX House District 19. | |
The Young Texas Democrats hosted a Texas House District 21 mini-convention on Saturday, August 3, in Fredericksburg. In addition to hearing from current candidates Merrie Fox (candidate for Texas State Senate District 25), Kristin Hook (candidate for US House District 21), and Cynthia Chapa (candidate for Texas 4th Court of Appeals), the group heard from Vicki Goodwin (State House District 47 Representative), John Courage (current San Antonio City Council member and candidate for Mayor), Holly Taylor (candidate for presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and Joseph Kopser, who will be our September BAD meeting speaker. There were also video presentations from Colin Allred and Beto O'Rourke.
| |
|
The mini-convention was held at the Gillespie County Democratic Party
headquarters in Fredericksburg. Over 60 enthusiastic and motivated people attended!
| |
Organizers and hosts Gabrien Gregory and Abel Jaimes. | |
Barbara Baruch, BAD member, signs a welcome poster. | |
Laura Bray, KCDP Chair and delegate to the Democratic National Convention, shows off her official ballot to nominate Kamala Harris for President! | |
Gabrien Gregory moderated the panel with John Courage, Vicki Goodwin, and Kristin Hook. | |
At lunch, we ran into two Democrats from San Antonio that had also been at the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso and had voted for Laura to become a national delegate! | |
|
PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A RECURRING DONOR!
Now, more than ever, we need your donations to help fund candidates, causes, and the get-out-the-vote effort!
It’s really easy to set up your recurring donation via ActBlue, Simply go to https://secure.actblue.com/ and click on Sign In to enter your information. You can also donate via a credit card, an auto-withdrawal from your bank, or by mailing a check to BAD, P.O. Box 2132, Boerne, TX, 78006.
| |
If you prefer to pay regular annual dues ($10 for students, $35 for those 60 or over, and $50 for everyone else), you can do so online by clicking here: https://www.boerne-area-democrats.com/membership and by completing the online payment form. You can also mail a check or pay in person at a BAD meeting. | | |
|
The office is now open on Monday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and there is a Voter Deputy Registrar available on Saturdays to register voters and answer any questions about voting in Texas. Stop by and visit - or better yet, stop in and help work on getting out the vote!
| | |
|
Click on any of these icons to be taken to their web pages. | |
|
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
Let your voices be heard by attending these community meetings.
Click on any of the icons for more information.
| |
Boerne City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, Boerne.
The Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are held on the first Monday of each month in the Ronald C. Bowman Council Chambers at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, Boerne.
| |
The Kendall County Commissioner's Court meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday at 9:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse, 201 E. San Antonio Street, 3rd floor. | |
The Fair Oaks City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the FOR City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, FOR. | |
The Comfort ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the CISD Central Office, 327 High Street, Comfort. | |
The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Administrative Offices, 235 Johns Road.
| |
The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at 9 Topperwein Road, Boerne.
| |
|
BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS BOARD
President: Susan Dollar
Vice President: Whitney White
Secretary: Robin Prescott
Treasurer: Michele Smith
Membership: Shawn Bonner
Publicity: Gloria Villanueva
Webmaster: Andy Wine
Ex Officio member: Laura Bray, KCDP
| |
Connect with us!
JOIN THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS
Email: BAD@boerne-area-democrats.com
Web: boerne-area-democrats.org
Facebook: facebook.com/boerne.area.democrats
Notice Regarding Photography and/or Audio/Video Recording
The Boerne Area Democrats captures photographs and/or audio/video recordings during our events.
Such photographs and recordings may be used in BAD's advertising and social media relations to let others
know of our events. In addition, local news organizations may hear of our events, and BAD may allow
them to record events for news reporting. If you do not wish to be in photos/videos,
please let the photographer/videographer know in advance.
This newsletter is intended for people interested in the work of the Boerne Area Democrats and the Democratic Party in general. To be removed from this mailing list, please click on Unsubscribe below
or email us at bad@boerne-area-democrats.com.
| | | | |
