HELP DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Please make plans to attend the Marin County Democratic Party Retreat. This is an opportunity to make your views known, to share ideas with others, and participate in small group discussions.
Saturday, January 29th from 1pm- 5:30 PM at the Bacich Community
Center on Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Speakers will include Susan Kennedy (CPUC Commissioner, former Cabinet Secretary for Gray Davis & former Executive Director for the California Abortion Rights Action League) and John Alden (Chair, Democratic Central Committee of Marin).
A sample of the Breakout sessions and working groups at the retreat include:
* Politics and Religion (Rev. Jim Burklo, progressive theologian and author);
* Working for Change in the Democratic Party (John Alden);
* Red State, Red County (Mayme Hubert, 6th AD Delegate and former co-chair Dean for President, Marin);
* Media Reform (David Matheson, former VP Reuters);
* Presentation Skills (Lee Glickstein, Author and Director of Listening Circles International).
A $5 Donation at the door will help offset the retreat's costs. Please RSVP in advance by emailing dverrue2004-Retreat@yahoo.com or calling 415.459.9211, Extension 50.

ELECTIONS, GRASSROOTS STYLE
On Saturday January 8th, Marin County Democrats of the 6th Assembly District held elections for representatives to the State Democratic Convention. Twelve delegates were slated to be chosen, six male and six female. There was a great turnout of voters at the Pickleweed Community Center and a strong slate of candidates. Men running for delegate postions were William C. Dewey, David V. Harris, Gerald Hill, Jay M. Hubert, Benson L. Kaukonen, Vincent W. Lingle, Lawrence Rose, Andrew Tusting, William A Sims, Sim Van der Ryn, Palcido Salazar, Swayne Hunn, Bill Kissinger, Henry Kingdon, Pete Newcomb and Fabrice. Women candidates were Kathleen Hill, Mayme Hubert, Pat Kunstenaar, Candace Kuss, Dotty LeMieux, Carole S. Mills, Janice Phelps, Sherry E. Reson, Dolly M. Verrue, Evelyn Woo, Regina Carey, Julie Kautz, Sunshine Weismer, and Ruth Rosen. The winning delegates are Kathleen Hill, Mayme Hubert, Carole Mills, Evelyn Woo, Sherry Reson and Regina Carey. The six male winners are Jerry Hill, Jay Hubert, David Harris, Peter Kaukonen, Sims van der Ryn and Placido Salazar.
In addition, offers for the district were chosen and include:
Marty Krasney, Chair
Kathleen Hills, 1st Chair
Pat Kunstenaar, 2nd Chair
Janice Phelps, Secretary
Gation Cunningham, Treasurer
David Harris, Representative to the Executive Board
Mayme Hubert, Alternate

MEET CANDIDATES FOR DNC CHAIR
The Chair of the Democratic National Party will be chosen in February, and this time more Democrats than ever before are paying close attention to the election. A DNC Chair Candidate Forum that allows candidates for the position to speak and answer questions will be held on January 22nd. The meeting is open to the public and will convene at 12:00 noon. The Forum will be held at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento, 500 Leisure Lane Sacrament CA 95819. This is a convenient way to find out more about the people who want to lead our party. The California Delegation to the DNC includes: Steven K. Alari, Richel Binah, Mary Ellen Early, John Perez, Robert Rankin, Garry Shary, Chris Stampolis, Norma Torres, Jeremy Berard, Inola henry, Mona Pasqual, Christine Pelosi, and Ros Wyman.

EXPLORE VALUES-BASED POLITICS
As part of the on-going Third Wednesday Conversations, the Ruth Group will sponsor a program that explores the possibilities of furthering contact with local religious communities. The program will be a dialogue between Jim Burklo of the Sausalito Presbyterian Church and Pastor Caleb and Rachel Kliage of the New Life Christin Center entitled: Articulating Values: A conversation Among Progressives and Conservatives. Moderated by Marty Krasney. Sausalito Cruising Club, January 19th, 7 PM. $10 donation requested. Doors open at 6 PM for a social hour.

SUPPORT ROE vs WADE AT THE LARK THEATER
Help celebrate 32 years of Roe v. Wade, with proceeds to benefit California NOW, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and Planned Parenthood San Rafael Health Center. The Event will feature a Reception, Speakers, and a showing of the film, Motherhood by Choice, Not Chance by Emmey-Award Winning filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman. Tuesday evening, January 25th, 6-9 pm at the Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur. Speakers include Susan Adams, Marin Country Board of Supervisors, Beth McGovern, Legislative Director of California NOW, Dian Harrison, President/CEO Plannd Parenthood Golden Gate, Amy Everitt, Statewide Directgor of NARAL Pro Choice CA, and moderator Wanden Treanor, College of Marin Trustee. $100: Reception, Film, Panel, and on-screen recognition. $50: Reception, film and panel. $20: Film and Panel. Tickets now on sale at Lark Theater box office. 924-5111

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR VOTE IS: BUY BLUE
Find out which businesses have been naughty... and which have been nice. Shop accordingly!
You may have voted progressive, but were you aware that every day, you unknowingly help dump millions of dollars into the conservative war chest? Simply by buying products and services from companies which donate heavily to Republicans, we have been defeating our own interests as liberals and progressives on a daily basis. Visit http://www.buyblue.org/ and find out which companies are with us and those we don't want to patronize.

NOT ONE DAMN DIME
Show the administration there are plenty of people who didn't vote for them, who don't approve their policies, and who are mad about the way the election was conducted. We can't strike, but we can boycott! For 24 hours people are asked to avoid Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, or any other retail outlet. Don't go to the mall or the local convenience store. Don't buy any fast food (or any groceries at all for that matter).   The object is simple. Remind the people in power that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal; that they are responsible for starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it.  It is to remind them, too, that they work for the people of the United States of America, not for the international corporations and K Street lobbyists who represent the corporations and funnel cash into American politics.
There's no rally to attend. No marching to do. No left or right wing agenda to rant about. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" you take action by doing nothing. You open your mouth by keeping your wallet closed. For 24 hours, nothing gets spent, not one damn dime, to remind our religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people.

THANK BARBARA BOXER
If you haven't already done so, email or call Barbara Boxer to show your support for her courage in standing up with John Conyers to contest the Ohio vote. Reach her at http://boxer.senate.gov/