The Western Herald's Max Clark also has written an excellent article explaining how GOP extremists are hurting Western students.

Join Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Monday, September 17, 2007
For the Fifth Annual Sweet September

General Reception
5:00 to 6:30 PM
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
The Grand Ball Room
1000 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids
$100 per person

Host Reception
6:30 to 8:00 PM
At the Home of
Jerry and Elizabeth Lykins
955 Cambridge Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI
$1,000 per person

For more information or to RSVP, please call 517.485.5100

Normally, commentary is placed in the blog, but this Battle Creek Enquirer article shows why unions are so important to Michigan. "'We believe the state needs a new, larger budget,' Mark Gaffney, president of the [Michigan AFL-CIO], said today at a pre-holiday weekend press conference. 'We believe there is going to have to be tax revenue enhancements. We are talking to legislators about reforms and reorganizations, but we do not believe for a minute that reforms and reorganization alone will fix an over $1 billion hole. We are concerned that as months go by the hole gets bigger.'"

GOP extremists are already starting recall drives, and the AFL-CIO promised to help state legislators who vote for the necessary revenue enhancements.

This is a courageous stance and far sighted stance by Michigan's AFL-CIO, and every Michigander owes Mark Gaffney and the union membership a debt of gratitude.

Attn: All Democrats

The Allegan Fair is Sept.7th-15th. We still need some volunteers for the Democratic Party booth at the fair. The hours are 11:00 AM-4:30 PM or 4:30 PM-10:00 PM. If you are available for either shift please contact Linda Reynolds @ reynoldslinda1@aol.com.

We are planning on having a float again this year in the parade. The parade is Saturday, Sept. 8th. The parade forms downtown Allegan. We will all meet in front of the ACDP office @ 327 Hubbard at 9:15. It starts promptly at 10:30 AM. We need candidates and Democrats to walk with the float. If you walked with us last year and still have your ACDP T-shirt please wear them if possible.

"Good Jobs and a Cleaner Environment for a Better Tomorrow"
Join local lawmakers and experts in renewable energy to learn more about energizing Michigan's economy while creating jobs and reducing global warming pollution.

Wednesday, August 29th, 6:30pm
Edison Neighborhood Association
816 Washington Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Sponsored by
Blue Green Alliance
www.BlueGreenAlliance.org
Environment Michigan
www.EnvironmentMichigan.org
This event is free and open to the public.

For more information or to RSVP contact
Sue Browne: sbrowne@usw.org
Abby Rubley: arubley@environmentmichigan.org

"How Do We Get Out of Iraq?"
Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, August 28th 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Kalamazoo Public Library, Van Deusen Room,
315 S. Rose St, Kalamazoo

Sponsored by
Americans Against Escalation in Iraq,
Kalamazoo Non-Violent Opponents of War,
and the Sixth Congressional District Department of Peace.
For more information contact Joe Hawver at Michigan8@IraqSummer.org.

The Kalamazoo County Democratic Party will meet for its regular Third Thursday meeting at 7 pm August 16 at Theo and Stacy's Restaurant -
5225 Portage Rd.

The meeting will be an open forum on issues of importance to the State and Nation. Come with your ideas and concerns and be ready to raise questions and comment on issues you want to discuss.

There will be a later follow-up to this meeting.

Executive Committee meeting at 5:30

Michigan Healthcare Workers Unite For Quality Care!

On August 16, 2007 SEIU Healthcare Michigan will become the largest united voice for health care workers in the state of Michigan! Join Governor Granholm, State lawmakers, local elected officials, SEIU coalition partners and Healthcare workers in a summit to celebrate the launch of SEIU Healthcare Michigan, which will be the single largest Union Local in the state.

Workers at the bedside are coming together to help improve the quality of care our citizens receive and to have a voice in making it better in the future.

SEIU Healthcare Michigan Launch
When: 9:30am, August 16th
Where: SEIU Healthcare Michigan Headquarters 2604 4 th Street. Detroit, MI 48201

Please Join Jon Byrd, George Franklin, Richard Frantz, James Hettinger, State Senator Mark Schauer, Friends and Supporters At a Battle Creek Reception To Honor the Distinguished Service of United States Senator Carl Levin Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Clara's on the River
44 N. McCamly
Battle Creek, Michigan

Click here to RSVP

Host & Sponsor Reception
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Host $500 per person
Sponsor $250 per person

General Reception
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
$50 per person
(All Hosts and Sponsors will be listed at the event.)
To RSVP or for information please contact
Gabrielle Johnson at gjohnson@carllevin.com

Contributions or gifts to Friends of Senator Carl Levin are not tax deductible.
Corporate contributions are not permitted.

South County Democratic Club
Annual Picnic
-- Corn and Sausage Roast --

-- Local sweet corn donated by Lee LaVanway, Market Master of the Benton Harbor Fruit Market.
-- Featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables.
-- "Chef" Johnie Rodebush (Cass County Commissioner) will be preparing his renowned roasted corn.
-- Raffle: Prizes and homemade quilts.
-- Door prizes.

Guest Speaker:
Michigan's Lt. Governor John Cherry
(After speaking, Mr. Cherry will take and answer questions from the audience.)

About Lt. Governor Cherry: Prior to his election to the office of Lieutenant Governor, Cherry had been a member of the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative (1983-1986), State Senator (1987-2002) and Senate Minority Leader. In his current position, Cherry presides over the State Senate, casting votes there in the event of a tie. His sister, Deborah Cherry now holds his senate seat.
Cherry chairs the Lt. Governor's Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth, with the commission making recommendations on higher education and the need to expand and retain Michigan's job base. He also serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. Cherry obtained a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, Flint in 1984. He has earned several awards including being recognized as "one of Michigan's Most Effective Legislators" by The Detroit News and the 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. Cherry is married to Pamela M. Faris; they have two children and one grandchild.

Join Us at the SCDC Corn and Sausage Roast

Where: Galien American Legion, 402 N. Main Street, Galien MI 49113
When: Saturday August 25, 2007
Time: 3:00 PM to . . . (Roast begins at 4:00 PM)
Tickets: $15 per person

(If weather conditions are not favorable for outside festivities – either rain or just because it is too hot -- we will move inside the Legion hall.)

The Blue Tiger Democrats was started in 2006 by Bill Samuels as a way to show our communities that we are involved with them year round, not just come election time. By engaging in civic services across town, Democrats can make themselves a visible entity in the eyes of society, as we once were during the 1800's through WWII.

That being said; please join us for our first very own Blue Tiger event in Kalamazoo!

On Saturday, August 25, we'll be out building a house in Kalamazoo through Habitat for Humanity. Taking part in this activity will allow you to make invaluable connections with other Democrats in the area, give back to this community, and increase respect and esteem for our Democratic Party as a whole. Due to the unpredictable nature of construction, we may be painting, cleaning up, staining, landscaping, demolition, insulating or other general skill acti! vities. Come dressed in long pants and clothes that can get dirty or painted on. Layers are suggested.

We will meet at the Habitat for Humanity Warehouse at 8:30 am on 1718 Fulford Street in Kalamazoo. Directions can easily be found on Googlemaps or Maquest. From there, we'll carpool to the construction location designated by Habitat. Work will go from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Lunch will(hopefully) be provided.

So save the date! RSVP as soon as possible by emailing samahs@umich.edu with your name, phone number, and how many people you plan to bring along with you.

We’re doing it again ...
Celebrating Mary Brown’s Birthday
and raising funds for the 60th District Service Office.
The DSO has been serving citizens in Kalamazoo for over 36 years

Hosted by
Sally Reames & Art Cole
Alexander & Anne Lipsey
Come and enjoy the annual
Ice Cream Social and lots of friends
Also Serving
Coffee – Tea - Cake and more Sweets

In the home of
Mary & Don Brown
1624 Grand Avenue
Friday, August 17, 2007
5-7:00 p.m.

Special Guest
State Representative Robert B. Jones
60th House District

Sponsored by
Peter Battani
Don and Mary Brown
Ron & Nancy Crowell
Rev. Kevin & Juanita Holley
Ed and Ann LaForge
Judy Markusse
Art Cole & Sally Reames
Linda Teeter
O.F.S.
* * * * * * * * * *
Suggested minimum contribution $25.00 ---RSVP not required but requested
60th District Service Office
Juanita Holley
315 N. Burdick 269-382-4676
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Donations can be mailed or offered at the party

Engineering Social Justice Training Series

DATE: Friday August 17th, 6:30-9:00PM

LOCATION: Anna Whiten Hall, KVCC Arcadia Campus

DESCRIPTION: Dave Woodward (Michigan State Director of the Center for Progressive Leadership) will present the ins and outs of political campaigns, how to run for office, how to manage campaigns, and the inside workings of campaigns.

MORE INFO: visit http://www.socialjusticemi.info or call 269.978.2063

STABENOW IS COMING TO KALAMAZOO
A KCDP FUNDRAISER WITH OUR SENATOR

The Kalamazoo County Democratic Party is holding our 4th fundraiser of 2007, to get us ready for 2008. The election cycle has started early and we need to be ready to carry Election Day for Democrats.

We will be holding a reception at the Kalamazoo County Party this Wednesday. Special guest U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will be joining us at the event. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

We are asking $25 per person for the general reception which starts at 5:30pm this Wednesday.

Please RSVP by calling the County Party Hotline at 269.342.4217 and speak with a volunteer or leave a message. OR...send an e-mail to Joshua Brandt at k01jb05@gmail.com

As members of the community, it's important that we let our Leaders know our issues. Please make arrangments to attend this Wednesday.

Join us for a great event with our Senator and fellow Democrats!

WHO:
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and you!

WHERE:
Kalamazoo County Democratic Party HQ
3254 S. Westnedge Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

WHEN:
Wednesday, August 8th
Host reception 5:00pm - 5:30pm ($250/person)
General reception 5:30pm - 6:30pm ($25/person)

Thank you, we look forward to seeing you there!

This Sunday, August 5, Senator Levin will appear on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer to discuss his plan to reduce and transition U.S. forces in Iraq. This legislation is likely to come before the Senate again sometime next month.

Late Edition will air this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on CNN. The segment with Senator Levin is expected to start at approximately 11:25 a.m.

ALERT:  STABENOW IS COMING TO KALAMAZOO
COME FOR A POTLUCK DINNER WITH OUR SENATOR

The Kalamazoo County Democratic Party is kicking off our fundraising efforts to ensure that we are ready for 2008.  The election cycle has started early and we will need to maximize our infrastructure and volunteers to carry the day for Democrats.

We will be holding a potluck dinner at the Kalamazoo County Party on August 8th.  Special guest U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will be joining us at the event.

We are asking $250 to be a host of the event and $25 per person for the general reception potluck dinner.

Please RSVP by calling the County Party Hotline at 269.342.4217 and speak with a volunteer or leave a message.  OR...send an e-mail to jbrandt83@gmail.com

Then come to a great event for a potluck dinner with our Senator and fellow Democrats!

WHO:
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and you!

WHERE:
Kalamazoo County Democratic Party HQ
3254 S. Westnedge Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

WHEN:
Wednesday, August 8th
Host reception 5:00pm - 5:30pm ($250/person)
General reception 5:30pm - 6:30pm ($25/person)

Please Help! Support The Mothers of Hope and the Ultimate Family Reunion, Saturday, Aug. 4th!

The Mothers of Hope, the Kalamazoo Deacon's Conference and members of a local Grandparent Group are planning The Ultimate Family Reunion. This community event has been organized to serve as an alternate to the white supremacists' rally, scheduled on the same date

We have been asked to help by making contributions of food for the event! Let's show our support by helping to fill the wish list of supplies needed to make this event a success!

For more information about the Mothers of Hope and the Ultimate Family Reunion, use the link below (or cut & paste into your browser) to visit the story in the July 22nd, Kalamazoo Gazette.
http://www.mlive.com/kalamazoo/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-24/1185078096232600.xml&coll=7

I realize time is short, so please contact Cheri Bell directly at CheriLBell@aol.com and make arrangements for your contribution! See the list below this message which outlines the specific needs.

Below is our wish list:

Condiments:
6 Large Containers KETCHUP
6 Large Containers MUSTARD
6 Large Containers RELISH

30 packages of HOT DOG BUNS
30 packages of HAMBURGER BUNS

LOTS OF ICE, LOTS OF ICE, LOTS OF ICE!!! (we need to keep the coolers filled with ice)

6 Large Bags of Charcoal

30 packages of Hot Dogs (no pork) or 10 cases
300 Hamburger Patties or 10 cases

300 small bags of FRITO'S ( we plan on making "walking tacos" add cooked hamburger meat and melted cheddar cheese to Frito bag - shake it up - and go). The kids love them!

1,000 CUPS
1,500 PLASTIC FORKS

20 Watermelons (AS MANY AS WE CAN GET)