Join the Whatcom Democrats for our Annual Holiday Party on December 9 at the Elks Lodge in Bellingham! The fun will start with a social hour at 5 PM followed by a potluck dinner and dessert dash.

We'll provide ham and turkey for all. Please bring a dish to share. If your last name starts with A-H, please bring an appetizer. I-Q, bring a salad or veggie dish. R-Z, bring a side dish.

Looking for another way to help out? We need contributions of delicious desserts for the dessert dash. Call the office at 647-7661 if you'd like to bring a dessert. We are also looking for items for a silent auction. If you have any democratic memorabilia or interesting items you'd like to donate, please let us know!

Purchase tickets on Brown Paper Tickets. For more information, call our office at 647-7661. We look forward to seeing you on December 9 at 5 PM.

By Riley Sweeney

You hear that sound? That's the sound of Washington Republicans crying all across this great state, because we just retired their entire bench. For those of us who care about good government, civil rights and moving our country forward, election night was a night of celebration. Sure there are some very good reasons to be cheering on the national level (say it with me, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Tammy Baldwin), and of course the Presidency, but let me drill down on why we can celebrate locally.

Thank you's to everyone who brought food to the election night party at the VFW , including Laurel Cook and Ronalee Kincaid, who helped set-up and decorate our lovely venue and supplied the delicious victory cake. The nice white platter and bowls that were left at the party will be in the Whatcom Dems office, if their owner(s) would like to pick them up.

This year the Whatcom Democrats had a consistent presence at events across the county. We handed out voting literature, staffed booths, marched in parades and formed relationships with voters in many diverse communities, large and small.

A special thank you to local businesses Totally Chocolate,on Sweet Road in Blaine, and Home Skillet, on Kentucky Street here in Bellingham, for providing our campaign phone-bankers with delicious morale-boosting treats in the last days before election day. The Whatcom Democrats appreciate your kindness.  

Thursday, November 15th - 7pm - 9pm
Norway Hall 1419 N. Forest St, Bellingham

Democrats have much to celebrate after our big night on Tuesday.  With results still being counted, we are confident that Jay Inslee will be the next Governor of Washington!  Our state joined Colorado in passing marijuana legalization.  Marriage Equality also won the night with victories in all 4 states that were considering measures.  We have work to do and lessons to learn from in some local races.  Join us at our meeting this Thursday.  Full State election results and Whatcom County Election Results.

Meeting agenda:

• Election results - overview and analysis
• Legislative Preview - What can we expect in Olympia in the new year?
• I-502 Resolution - Andrew Redding has prepared a resolution encouraging our federal representatives to respect the will of Washington voters.  Read the resolution here.  The resolution will be voted on at this meeting, as a first reading occurred in October.

Here are the 2012 Whatcom County Election Night Parties we know of:

Whatcom Democrats - Bellingham - 6pm - 10pm
Bellingham VFW Post 1585 - 625 North State Street
We’ll have a big TV, arrays of refreshing laptops, snacks and a cash bar.  Come watch the national and local returns with fellow Democrats! RSVP on Facebook

42nd LD Democrats - Ferndale - 6pm - 9pm
Kelly's O'Deli, 5506 Neilson Ave. Unit C
North County election night party and volunteer appreciation night, hosted by the 42nd District Democrats. Festivities will include food, beverages, a live broadcast of election coverage on a large screen TV, and honorary mentions for our amazing volunteers.  RSVP with Tara: tara@peoplefornatalie.com

Community to Community Election Party - Bellingham - 5pm
Downtown Bellingham Jalapenos, 501 West Holly Street
 

Approve R-74 Election Results Party - 8pm - 2am
Rumors Cabaret, Railroad Ave, Bellingham
RSVP on Facebook

The Obama for America campaign has a goal of knocking on 54,000 doors before the election. Helping with the OFA campaign helps our local congressional and gubernatorial candidates as well. They also have phone banking opportunites from 9am to 9pm. Contact Colleen for more info: (206) 227-8880 or cbryan@ofawashington.com

The Bellingham OFA office is located on the 5th floor of the Herald Building, 1155 North State Street.

Thursday, October 18th - 7pm - 9pm.  Norway Hall, 1419 North Forest Street  Bellingham

Come to our October membership meeting and learn about our Get Out The Vote plan, pick up candidate literature to distribute during our lit drop, and get some helpful hints on how to talk to your friends about politics without offending them. Hope to see you all there!

We also have a resolution to consider regarding the Federal Goverments response to the potential passing of Initiative 502, the New Approach to Marijuana laws. Read the proposed resolution here.

by Riley Sweeney

We all know what is at stake this year. Are we going to hand over our country to a vulture capitalist or are we going to keep rebuilding our communities? Are we going to fund education on the state-wide level or toss it to the private industry wolves? Are we going to take a step forward for equality, or a step backward towards bigotry? This election will change lives, and it is up to us to make that happen