Sunday, January 24, 2010

OPD newsletter for Jan 24 & MEETING NOTICE

UPCOMING CLUB ACTIVITIES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPD MEETING THIS WEEK!!!
Thurs, Jan 28, 6:30pm social, 7-9pm meeting, HCDP headquarters, 1445 N. Loop W., Suite 110, Houston, 77008
We weren't able to have officer nominations at the December holiday party, so be sure to come to this meeting, because we'll be nominating and electing all in one swell foop. Remember, too, you must be a paid member (2009, 2010 dues now due) to run or vote in officer elections. Since the bylaws require nominations to be made 30 days in advance, the general assemby of the membership must first vote to suspect that rule (Article VI.C.3) and then conduct the election.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS & STUFF
HCDP EVENING BROWN BAG–2010 Census
Tues, Jan 26, 6:30pm, HCDP headquarters, 1445 N. Loop W., Suite 110, Houston 77008
Join the Harris County Democratic Party, as the evening Brown Bag Series continues with special guest speaker Dionne Roberts-Emegha from the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau. Over $400 billion will be annually allocated to states based on Census data. The Census is easy, important, and confidential. This year's form has only 10 questions that will take 10 minutes to complete but will impact the country for the next 10 years. Texas stands to gain two additional U.S. Congressional districts, and the city of Houston may add two city council seats. However, in 2000, only 61% of Houstonians responded to the Census questionnaire. The undercount cost Houstonians approximately $250 million over the last 10 years. Come learn about Census job opportunities and information that will help you separate facts from myths.

DFH PRECINCT CHAIR/ACTIVIST TRAINING
Sat, Jan 30, 8am-5pm, CWA Union Hall, 1730 Jefferson, Houston 77003
Democracy for Houston is hosting a county-wide precinct chair/activist training entitled “How To Win In 2010.”Admission is $10 and includes a boxed lunch for attendees. EPA PUBLIC HEARING ON HAZARDOUS OZONE STANDARDS IN HOUSTONTue, Feb 2, 9:30am-7pm, Hilton Houston Hobby Airport, Moody Ballroom, 8181 Airport Boulevard, Houston 77061The EPA is accepting public comments on proposed new ozone standards that will make the air we breathe cleaner and our communities healthier, but they are facing fierce opposition from the coal industry and its allies. We need you to join us the public hearing in Houston to show that Texas is ready to be a leader, instead of a laggard. The Coal and Oil industry is going to come out with a vengeance. TCEQ and Governor Perry have already threatened to sue the EPA over this proposed ruling on ozone standards. Texans deserve standards that follow the law and abide by the Clean Air Act. There are TWELVE NEW coal plants proposed in Texas, and we already have 17 coal plants up and running (some of the dirtiest in the country). We deserve better. If you can help organize turnout for the event—making phone calls, going to meetings, and spreading the word please email eva.hernandez@sierraclub.org or call Eva at 512.299.1550. To preregister to speak at the Houston Ozone Hearing, please contact Ms. Tricia Crabtree at crabtree.tricia@epa.gov, (919) 541-5688. If you wish to speak at the hearing but don’t pre-register, you must arrive before 7:30pm that evening at the Hearing location. Otherwise, you can submit a comment to the EPA Docket. The public hearings will begin at 9:30am and continue until 7:30pm or later, if necessary, depending on the number of speakers wishing to participate. The EPA will accommodate all speakers that arrive and register before 7:30pm.

TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, ENDORSEMENTS
OPD is affiliated with Texas Environmental Democrats. Please see note below from Blair Dancy, Chair.
Next Texas Environmental Democrats Meeting (statewide caucus): Feb. 13, about 3:00 p.m. immediately following the SDEC meeting at the Doubletree Hotel, 6505 IH-35 North, Austin , Texas, 78752-4346, Tel: 1-512-454-3737. Meetings will also take place March 13 and April 24 in Austin. Primaries are March 2. State convention will be June 25-26 in Corpus Christi .

Agenda for Feb. 13:
1. Primary Endorsements in Statewide Races: Votes will be allowed by email from caucus members currently enrolled on the Yahoo! email lists (which reflect environmental caucus members from past state Democratic conventions). Votes will also be allowed from members of local TED-affiliated clubs. Whether through email or through local clubs, votes will be counted only once. More details will follow including links to candidates’ websites. The final endorsement decision will be made at this February 13 meeting.
2. Election Committee: We will solicit members of the election committee. Per our bylaws, election of officers will take place April 24, 2010, immediately following the SDEC meeting on that date.
3. 2010 Convention Caucus Committee: We will solicit members of the 2010 Caucus Committee. This committee will put together our program for the caucus at the 2010 convention.TED-PAC: You can send donations to TED-PAC, made payable to “TED-PAC,” to Treasurer Sharron Hargis, P.O. Box 2360 , Austin , Texas 78768-2360 . $50 is recommended. The PAC is limited to state races only and plans to donate funds to strategic races in 2010.
Texas Environmental Democrats Officers: Blair Dancy, Chair; Donna Bryant, Vice Chair; Sharron Hargis, Treasurer; Rick Cofer, Secretary; Gene Collins, Director; John Courage, Director; James Hubener, Director.

GHASP/MfCA's 3rd ANNUAL STATE OF THE AIR ADDRESS
Wed, Feb 24, 11:30am-1:30pm, United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston 77007
Galveston-Houston Association For Smog Prevention (GHASP) invites you to attend this special event. $15 registration includes lunch; pre-registration required online (http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2nncafh0721a57a&oseq=a0220fg2p2wbg2) or mail check to GHASP/MfCA, 2311 Canal, Suite 326, Houston, TX 77003. Checks must be received by February 19, 2010.

Keynote Speaker is Jay Olaguer, PhD, Director, Air Quality Research, Houston Advanced Research Center. His topic will be "Preliminary Results from the Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors (SHARP) and Their Implications for Texas SIPs." The featured speaker is Monique Harden, JD, Co-Director & Attorney Advocates for Environmental Human Rights, and her topic will be "Getting the Devil Out of the Details: What's Needed to Protect Our Human Right to a Healthy Environment."

If you have any questions about the event or how to register, please email info@ghasp.org or give us a call at 713-528-3779.

FRIENDLY MEMBERSHIP REMINDERS
Did you move? Change your phone or have a different e-mail address? Please email Donna with your updated information. Have you paid your dues, or do you want to make a donation to the club or to the PAC? Dues are $25.00 per person/$10.00 Reduced/Student. If you are not able to attend the next meeting, you can mail your check to Roopa Gir (see her contact information below). Please make your check payable to Oil Patch Democrats. Or go to our contribution connection on ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18607. Be sure to put in the correct amount for membership, or if you're contributing more than the membership, just email Jim Cargas & Roopa to let them know your contribution includes a membership. Actually, since the provider charges us 3.5% to use this great tool, a little extra would be a good idea.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONTACTS
Do you have any ideas for speakers, events, fundraisers, working meetings, etc.? Contact one or all of the Executive Committee—John Moffitt (President)—John.Moffitt@nov.com; John Preston (Vice President)—johnwmp@hal-pc.org; Roopa Gir (Treasurer)—roopa10@gmail.com; Jim Rine (Secretary)—jmrine@hotmail.com; Jim Cargas (General Counsel, PAC Treasurer)—jcargas@aol.com.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

NEWSLETTER FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2009

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

CLUB MEMBERS MEET TO SEE MOVIE “CRUDE”
Mon, Nov 9, Houston Theater District
Meet for dinner at Birraporetti's between 5:45 and 6pm, 500 Louisiana Street, Houston TX 77002, just behind the Alley Theatre on the corner of Prairie and Louisiana
Movie starts at the Angelika at 7:40pm. If you don't want to meet for dinner beforehand, look for others in the lobby at 7:30pm.

BILL WHITE THANK YOU PARTY
Mon, Nov 16, 6-8pm, Bill White Campaign HQ, 2100 W Loop S Fwy, Houston TX 77056
Bill White & his campaign has invited all Democratic club members to a thank you party. Here is his personal invitation:

“Your support and work has been vital... and I want to thank you. On Monday, November 16th, from 6 to 8 pm, please join me for a "Thanksgiving Thank You" reception at our campaign office located at 2100 West Loop South near 610 and San Felipe. We will have yard signs out front to guide you from the service road to our free parking garage.

“I am very grateful for the support that Democrats and our Democratic clubs have given to me and, as we start our new campaign, I wanted to thank you. It has been a great honor to serve you as Mayor of Houston, and I have enjoyed working with you and making progress for our great city.

“So join us on Monday, November 16th, for some pumpkin and pecan pie. In Houston, we have a lot to be thankful for, and I hope you can join us to give thanks and celebrate our shared success.”

CLUB MEMBERS MEET TO VIEW MOVIE “COAL COUNTRY”
Sun, Nov 22, 3pm, home of Randy Scott, 5606 Saxon Drive, Houston, TX 77092
OPD members are meeting to view the movie “Coal Country” at the home of Randy Scott. Contact Randy at rscott77092@oplink.net if you plan to bring friends, since his space is limited. Bring your own munchies and drinks. Saxon is the first street west of Antoine, on the northwest corner of Antoine & US290, and 5606 is the only house with a standing gas light in the front yard.

OPD DECEMBER MEETING & HOLIDAY PARTY
Tue, Dec 22, 7:30pm, home of Roopa Gir, 4903 Mayfair Street, Bellaire TX 77402
More details to come. We will be making officer nominations in a brief meeting, so this is an important meeting. Please RSVP to Roopa at
Roopa10@gmail.com.

FRIENDLY MEMBERSHIP REMINDERS
Did you move? Change your phone or have a different e-mail address? Please email Donna with your updated information.
Have you paid your dues, or do you want to make a donation to the club or to the PAC? Dues are $25.00 per person/$10.00 Reduced/Student. If you are not able to attend the next meeting, you can mail your check to Roopa Gir (see her contact information below). Please make your check payable to Oil Patch Democrats. Or go to our contribution connection on ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18607. Be sure to put in the correct amount for membership, or if you're contributing more than the membership, just email Jim Cargas & Roopa to let them know your contribution includes a membership. Actually, since the provider charges us 3.5% to use this great tool, a little extra would be a good idea.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONTACTS
Do you have any ideas for speakers, events, fundraisers, working meetings, etc.? Contact one or all of the Executive Committee—
John Moffitt (President)—John.Moffitt@nov.com
John Preston (Vice President)—johnwmp@hal-pc.org
Roopa Gir (Treasurer)—roopa10@gmail.com
Jim Rine (Secretary)—jmrine@hotmail.com
Jim Cargas (General Counsel, PAC Treasurer)—jcargas@aol.com

NEWSLETTER FOR OCTOBER 20, 2009

UPCOMING CLUB ACTIVITIES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

THIS THURSDAY!! OCTOBER OPD MEETING
Thurs, Oct 22, 6:30pm social, 7-9pm meeting, HCDP headquarters, 1445 N. Loop W., Suite 110, Houston, 77008
Wow! Have we got a show...uh...meeting for you! This month, we welcome the hosts of Channel 8's political interview program, Red, White, & Blue—David Jones & Gary Polland (http://www.houstonpbs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=con_rwb_david_gary_bio), the respective feisty left-and right-wingers who have interviewed so many of Houston's and Texas' most prominent politicians. This will be a lot of fun, so bring yourself & bring a few friends along, as well. We'll probably have a few munchies for you, too.

NOV 3 ELECTION INFORMATION
Early voting for the Nov 3 election started today & will extend through October 26. It is CRITICAL that everyone vote in this election & vote on all amendments & FOR ALL RACES.
For more information on the 11 constitutional amendments, go to http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/pubsconamend/analyses09/analyses09.pdf or to http://scotthochberg.com/amends.html or to http://www.kirkwatson.com/watson-wire/get-ready-to-vote/.
For early voting.locations/times, go to http://www.harrisvotes.org/docs/EV/earlyvotinglocations_schedule_ENG.pdf.
For a sample ballot for your precinct, go to http://www.harrisvotes.org/.

JEFF WEEMS FUNDRAISER
As you know if you read this newsletter, OPD unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Jeff Weems for Texas Railroad Commissioner at our August meeting. At the same time, we started an internal fund-drive so that we could put our money where our mouths are and give Jeff's campaign a substantial bump. So far, the total amount stands at under $500. Here are a few words from John Preston, our founder and current vice president on the subject:

“Friends, there is not a race in Texas or America next year that will influence your jobs and the health of this state and even our nation (at least concerning energy) than this contest for the Texas RRC. Jeff Weems is the best candidate I have seen for this position in my lifetime (and I did work in the losing campaign for Jim Hightower for RRC before he ran and won as Ag Secretary).

“We can do more than $500 and I’m hoping the membership will jump into this at some point. $500 for me would be a huge amount and I assume for most of you, but $500 from the OilPatch Democrats should be chump change. Sure, when Jeff has the nomination sewn up and the law firms and oil industry folks with some business sense jump in, he won’t need our money. Now, some early money could make the difference between having a real candidate in this race or opening it up to a nutcase who picks strawberries but thinks he should be our Democratic candidate because his strawberries are carried on the railroad.”

Any donations are welcome, but donations of $50 or more would be super. Go to our ActBlue site to make your donations— https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18607
And think about signing up for a recurring monthly donation (okay, maybe in a smaller amount), so that our fundraisers won't have to beg so pathetically in the future. :)

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS & STUFF

NEXT EVENING BROWN BAG
Tues, Oct 27, 6:30pm, HCDP headquarters, 1445 N. Loop W., Suite 110, Houston, 77008
No speaker, but a meet and greet with city-wide candidates (mayor, council, etc.).
2009 PROGRESSIVE FORUM FALL SPEAKER SERIES
Wortham Center, Cullen Theater
Information available at http://www.progressiveforumhouston.org/. Order tickets at https://tix.extremetix.com/tix/SilverStream/Pages/pgIndex.html?siteID=1420&eventID=13156.
• James Hansen, Thurs, Oct 29, 7:30pm—Premier Climatologist whose presentation will be “Threat To The Planet, Implications for Intergenerational Justice.” James Hansen was the first to create broad awareness of global warming in his Congressional testimonies in the 1980s. His recent research has made the public aware that the climate is even more sensitive than previously thought, that the safe level of atmospheric CO2 is 350 ppm and must be returned to below that level over time. The current CO2 is now 387 ppm and rising steadily. Hansen says the climate is nearing tipping points "that would be irreversible if we do not promptly slow fossil fuel emissions...." James Hansen is the director of the leading U.S. governmental agency responsible for atmosphere and space studies. Government regulators preclude us from naming the agency in advertising, describing his Forum appearance as "personal/outside activity." Dr. Hansen is making a rare and timely appearance just prior to the critical Copenhagen Climate Conference in December whose purpose is to forge an international climate treaty. He does not have a book, but his articles will be available and he will greet fans at the end of the evening.

FRIENDLY MEMBERSHIP REMINDERS
Did you move? Change your phone or have a different e-mail address? Please email Donna with your updated information.
Have you paid your dues, or do you want to make a donation to the club or to the PAC? Dues are $25.00 per person/$10.00 Reduced/Student. If you are not able to attend the next meeting, you can mail your check to Roopa Gir (see her contact information below). Please make your check payable to Oil Patch Democrats. Or go to our contribution connection on ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18607. Be sure to put in the correct amount for membership, or if you're contributing more than the membership, just email Jim Cargas & Roopa to let them know your contribution includes a membership. Actually, since the provider charges us 3.5% to use this great tool, a little extra would be a good idea.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONTACTS
Do you have any ideas for speakers, events, fundraisers, working meetings, etc.? Contact one or all of the Executive Committee—
John Moffitt (President)—John.Moffitt@nov.com
John Preston (Vice President)—johnwmp@hal-pc.org
Roopa Gir (Treasurer)—roopa10@gmail.com
Jim Rine (Secretary)—jmrine@hotmail.com
Jim Cargas (General Counsel, PAC Treasurer)—jcargas@aol.com