Democratic Party of Jeff Davis County
Upcoming & Ongoing Events
Mothers for Democracy
Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Chapter
While some leaders merely utter empty words, RGV-Mothers for Democracy Moms are getting it done.
We are organizing to protect our children, our public schools, jobs, and our communities. We want to wake up
your civic participation in the RGV. We want to help increase voter turnout, educate the valley about Democrats, Candidates and the issues most important to RGV families.
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What do we want to do?
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Register new voters by increasing the number of people who are VDR’s (Voter Deputy Registrars).
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Increase voter turnout. In 2022, only 33.6% of registered voters voted. There are about 1.1 million residents in Hidalgo County. Eligible to register are 750,000, only 426,00 are registered. And so far there have been 2,000 new voter registrations in 2024.
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Organize events to register new voters.
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Monthly coffee meetings, be sure to join our Facebook Group and Mobilize so you get notified of the dates!
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We use the Mobilize App to register for meetings, organizing events or socials.
American Climate Corps
In 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps, one of the most popular New Deal-era public works programs. The program was designed to lift the United States out of the Great Depression by putting young men to work protecting and improving America’s public lands.
Today, we face a different crisis – climate change – and President Biden has called it “the existential threat of our time.” Since taking office, President Biden has led and delivered on the most ambitious climate and environmental justice agenda in history, including signing into law the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest-ever climate investment, and cutting climate pollution across every sector of the economy.
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Nearly a century after FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps, President Biden launched the American Climate Corps, fulfilling a key promise to mobilize a new, diverse generation of clean energy, conservation, and resilience workers. The American Climate Corps is a groundbreaking, workforce training and service initiative that will put tens of thousands of young Americans to work fighting the impacts of climate change today while training tomorrow’s clean energy and climate-resilience workforce.
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We are the generation building the just and resilient world we want to live in. Join us.
Causes.com
How To Help Civilians in Ukraine
As of February 2024, 3.7 million Ukrainians are internally displaced, while 6.5 million are seeking refuge in other nations, and approximately 14.6 million are in need of humanitarian assistance.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 31,000 soldiers have been killed trying to defend the nation from Russia's invasion. Zelensky went on to report tens of thousands of civilian deaths, noting that the true number of those who have died in areas of Ukraine that Russia occupies is unknown. After two years of war, Ukraine needs your help now more than ever.
With Gravvy's Spread, you can donate to reputable aid groups, such as the Ukraine Children's Aid Fund, United Help Ukraine, Doctors Without Borders, and Save the Children, to help provide food, water, medical care, and more for displaced civilians. Your donation will contribute to lifesaving work and get Ukrainians the emergency relief they urgently need.
Vote.org
PROTECT DEMOCRACY: 2024 AND BEYOND
Vote.org is a nonpartisan nonprofit that is committed to advocating for voters in every state, creatively building tech and partnerships, reaching voters where they are and fighting against harmful voter suppression laws in court.
Our unique approach is research-backed and funded 100% by tax-deductible donations from voters like you. Your donation will power our ability to safeguard our democracy and ensure it can thrive into the future. Join us in our mission to strengthen democracy for generations to come.
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Now more than ever, it's vital to invest in our democracy, and Vote.org has the tools, the reach, the partners, the scale and the trust that can return dividends on its investments. Your support will help Vote.org reach more voters. Every dollar counts.
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Follow us for the most up-to-date election & voting information
Thanks, and happy voting!
Texas Blue Action
Texas Blue Action Network Weekly Trainings
Virtual Event: Tuesdays & Thursdays
12 pm CDT +1 more time
The Texas Blue Action Network is now the largest and fastest growing volunteer relational network in the country, with more than 7500 volunteers and almost 1
million registered voters across Texas. Our mission is to expand the electorate and build long-term sustainable Democratic get-out-the-vote organizing infrastructure in Texas through a relational organizing model.
In this training you'll learn how easy it is to engage the non-voters in your mobile phone contacts. This isn't about "stranger outreach." You can make a HUGE difference just by talking to the people you already know!
Power The Polls
HELP STAFF YOUR LOCAL POLLING PLACE
Our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure every election runs smoothly and everyone's vote is counted — people like you.
When you sign up with Power the Polls, we’ll share everything you need to apply to be a poll worker in your community. You can make sure we
have safe, fair, efficient elections for all voters. Step up and become a poll worker for the next election today!
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Power the Polls is a first-of-its-kind, nonpartisan initiative to recruit the next generation of poll workers to ensure safe and fair elections for all voters. When polling places close, it becomes more difficult for voters to access the ballot box. That’s why Power the Polls is working to recruit a new generation of poll workers excited to serve their communities, help their neighbors vote, and ensure safe access to the ballot box for years to come.
Vote Forward
Writing letters to voters is one of the most effective ways to help increase election turnout. And you can do it right from home! 32 million letters have been written since 2018. 255,000 volunteers power this work.
The impact in key elections is proven! Vote Forward letters can boost voter turnout by as much as 3.4 percentage points. This is big! Handwritten letters are among the most effective ways you can help get out the vote.
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Who We Are: Vote Forward is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that empowers grassroots volunteers to send handwritten letters encouraging fellow Americans to vote.
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What we do: Vote Forward’s flagship voter contact program trains and supports volunteers writing personal, heartfelt letters to potential voters with an easy-to-use online platform. The majority of our letter writing campaigns are 501(c)(3) nonpartisan (“Social”) campaigns, which focus on mobilizing potential voters in communities that have historically been marginalized in the political process—such as people of color, women, and young voters. We also support 501(c)(4) partisan campaigns (“Political”) to encourage likely-Democratic voters to turn out in strategic states and districts.
MoveOn
MoveOn Banned Bookmobile Tour!
MoveOn’s first-ever Banned Bookmobile is going on a multistate tour to sound alarms about Governor Ron DeSantis’s censorship and the rising wave of GOP book bans across the country.
DeSantis’s—and the MAGA movement’s—vision for America is a place where our stories, our identities, and our communities are banned. That’s why we’re launching the MoveOn Banned Bookmobile tour that will distribute some of the most frequently banned books in some of the communities most impacted by the bans.
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THE STAKES ARE HIGH: We must come together to fight for our freedom of expression, to build community, and for young people to be able to see themselves reflected in the classroom through their stories and identities. DeSantis’s bans are an attack on all of our freedoms, but he cannot erase us.
Despite book bans being terribly unpopular, Governor Ron DeSantis and the MAGA movement have banned or challenged more than 2,500 books throughout the country this past year.
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Just last month, a Florida school banned “The Hill We Climb,” the moving poem Amanda Gorman recited at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, saying it would now be off-limits to young readers after one parent claimed the poem was “indoctrinating” students. The school, which claimed the poem is “not educational,” also banned “The ABCs of Black History,” a book intended for readers ages 5 and older.
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WE MUST FIGHT BACK: In response, Gorman, the first national youth poet laureate, described feeling “gutted,” explained that she had written the poem “so that all young people could see themselves in a historical moment,” and said, “We must fight back.”
National Democratic Training Committee
Whether you want to run for office, work on a campaign, or drive progressive values through local leadership, NDTC provides the tools and training you need to be successful. Online training courses are available 24/7, all for free. And the trainers are top-notch.​
​A recommended course to take in the Online Academy is GOTV. Get Out The Vote (GOTV) training teaches you how to research early voting options available for an election; methods to identify and mobilize the voters your campaign will contact during GOTV; and best practices for leveraging volunteers’ capacity throughout GOTV.
After working hard for months earning voters’ support, you must make sure they get to the polls and actually vote by using a targeted and effective Get Out the Vote (GOTV) strategy. You are furnished:
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Your GOTV Universe Worksheet
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Absentee Voting Guide
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Daily Goals Worksheet Template and Sample – GOTV
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How to Make a Vote Plan Handout
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Sample Phone Scripts and Annotated Scripts for:
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ID’d Supporters
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Base Voters
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Early Voters
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Training for free, in your free time! Take advantage!
Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training and Certification
Ongoing online training offered by the Travis County Tax Assessor's Office.
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(Once your VDR certification is emailed to you by the Travis County Tax Assessors Office, you can take it to the Jeff Davis County Tax Assessor's Office, and through a reciprocity arrangement, get a certificate to register voters in Jeff Davis County. This same procedure can be followed to get certified in other counties.)
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You can participate in Travis County training sessions by watching a self-directed video and completing an exam. For more information, see the discussion of Volunteer Deputy Registrars on the Tri-County Voter Promoters page.
Past Events
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party & Friends
Precinct 1 Garden Gathering -- Saturday, May 11, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Limpia Crossing, 103 Cactus Drive, home of Madge Lindsay.
Backyard casual near the foot of Blue Mountain.
Backyard casual, bring binoculars and any drinks or snacks to share
Texas Democratic Party
Texas Democratic Convention: El Paso, TX 2024
El Paso Convention Center, June 6-8, 2024
Texas Senator César Blanco & Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, 2024 Texas Democratic Convention Co-Sponsors
Kick-off Reception
Thursday, June 6th, 6PM
Kick off the nation's largest state convention in the biggest battleground state! Catch up with old friends and Democrats who have traveled across Texas to convene in El Paso.
Nightcap with the Chairs
Thursday, June 6th, 9PM
Close out the day at our exclusive nightcap with the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party and our Convention Co-chairs. Thursday night, starting at 9:00 PM, we will be celebrating the day's successes and hearing from prominent Democrats.
Lady Bird Breakfast
Saturday, June 8th, 8AM
Join the Texas Democratic Party at our biennial Lady Bird Breakfast as we honor the trailblazing women in Texas Democratic politics - both past and present. We'll hear from some of the women who are working hard to turn Texas blue.
From Marco Orrantia, Texas Democratic Party
First El Paso, then on to Chicago!
I'm excited to share that the 2024 Texas Democratic Convention is coming to El Paso, the Sun City, from June 6-8 -- leading up to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the Windy City, on August 19-22! As a proud Texas Democrat, I know how important it is for our state to have a strong presence as we head towards the November General Election.
It's crucial that grassroots supporters like you help make both the El Paso and Chicago conventions successful events. Texas is a critical battleground state in our fight to keep the White House and secure a better future for all Americans. That's why I'm reaching out to ask for your help in ensuring that Texas is well-represented in its delegations.
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With your support, we can build momentum and excitement among fellow Texas Democrats, encouraging them to get involved and stay engaged in the political process. Will you chip in $24 now to help us put on the best 2024 conventions possible?
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In addition to your support, we want your input! The Texas Democratic Party is excited to send 273 National Delegates and 20 Alternates to the 2024 DNC. We invite Democrats across Texas to review the Texas National Delegate Selection Plan and share your feedback from now until May 2, 2023, at 6 PM CT.
The Texas Tribune
Pregaming the 2024 Texas Primary Elections
Ahead of Super Tuesday, join The Texas Tribune for a conversation about what's at stake in the state's March 5 primary elections. Our panel of experts will discuss the races up and down the ballot. We'll analyze the presidential campaign. We'll dive into the Democratic race to take on U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. We'll also talk about the politics surrounding the battles for spots in the Texas Legislature.
Join us at 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 21, at the Tribune's Studio 919 and online to get all the insight about what Texas voters will be deciding and what it means for Republicans, Democrats and Texans as a whole. Panelists to be announced soon. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. at Tribune’s Studio 919, located at 919 Congress Ave., Sixth Floor, in Austin.
The hour-long conversation will begin at 9 a.m. Parking will not be provided; street and garage parking as well as ride sharing are recommended. Complimentary coffee will be available. This in-person event will be livestreamed for virtual attendees and will be available to watch on demand afterward at texastribune.org/events.
You can also RSVP for a conversation happening Wednesday, March 6, about the results of the primary and what it means for Texans heading into the general election.
Mothers Against Greg Abbott
We launched our candidate webinar series last month — to connect all of us with the Democratic candidates running in Texas in 2024 and to learn more about where they stand on
issues and why they're running for office. All our 2024 candidate seminars are available on our YouTube channel, so you can watch our candidate conversations whenever works for you!
Want other ways to watch? If you're a member of our Mothers Against Greg Abbott private Facebook group, you can tune in LIVE and catch our webinars almost every day this week, streaming on Facebook tonight at 7pm CT.
Texas Coalition of Black Democrats
February 13, 2024 7:00 pm Zoom
Pre-register for what should be a lively debate of the top Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in the Texas primary election.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting – Saturday, January 13, 10 am - 12 noon
Jeff Davis County Community Center
601 Cemetery Road, Fort Davis
Speaker: Larry Francell
Our January Special Meeting will feature Larry Francell, Jeff Davis County’s grant writer who also oversees construction of the Bunkhouse and renovation of the Jeff Davis County Community Center.
Larry has extensive experience in our county government, having served as county commissioner of precinct 1 for 12 years, and as county judge for 3 months during the covid pandemic. He will discuss the difficulties that county governments must overcome in rural areas, with limited infrastructure and only a small portion of state tax dollars. The problem is compounded in a county like Jeff Davis, where the county seat is an unincorporated community.
Put this event on your calendar! And bring your questions!
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Regular Business Meeting -- Wednesday, December 12, 1-3 pm,
Party Office, 103 TX-118, Fort Davis.
Discussion of budget, Precinct 2 Democratic Chair update, fundraising, January meeting, Big Bend Democrats PAC, Reproductive Justice Action Committee, op-ed articles in local media, December Action for Contest Every Race Grants Program, voter registration in January, plans for 2024.
Potluck Holiday Social
Sponsored by Jeff Davis County Democrats
Friday, December 8, 3 - 6 pm
Home of Dedie Taylor,
308 North Buckeye, Fort Davis, Texas
Meet your fellow Democrats in the tri-county area, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate the holidays with us!
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Share your favorite appetizer, finger food, sweets, wine or signature holiday drinks. Hear about our local party accomplishments, plans for 2024 election cycle, and kick off the holiday season with friends.
Queries? Call Cecilia at (432) 426-0006.
Alpine Public Library
ESL & Citizenship Registration!
Bianca Gutierrez-Barrera
(432) 837-2621
(817) 307-8713 cell
ESL for the Big Bend: English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutoring: A free tutoring program for anyone who wants to learn English; all level learners of any native language are welcome.
The class meets every Thursday. Citizenship in Spanish meets from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm. Citizenship in English meets from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The class prepares everyone for the citizenship interview. Also, practice English and Spanish.
Now — even with a complete abortion ban in place — anti-abortion forces continue to crack down on women’s freedom in Texas. This week, The Washington Post and The Texas Tribune both reported on how Texas counties and cities are passing local ordinances to make it illegal to drive someone out of state for an abortion. We have to fight back and resist what’s happening.
This is why Blue Horizon Texas is supporting candidates for local office across the state who will stand up against this nonsense. We need county commissioner and city council candidates to run in the reddest counties in Texas to fight against this kind of extreme overreach. We can, should, and do win local races in red counties, but Dems rarely run.
That’s where Blue Horizon Texas comes in. What is Blue Horizon doing? We’re traveling across the state, with partners including the Texas Democratic Party, Mothers Against Greg Abbott, and The 134 PAC.
We’re recruiting candidates and providing information on resources we provide to candidates running in just these types of races. We already have local candidates signed up to run in Amarillo, New Braunfels, Conroe, Bryan, and more, and we’re working hard to fill the slate in as many counties in the state as possible before the December filing deadline.
Just next week, we’ll be in Waco, Bastrop, and Seguin on our Rural Road Show with Mothers Against Greg Abbott and the 134 PAC. Most importantly for us, the Road Tour will reach Alpine and Marfa/Presidio in late October.
Ongoing Online Training Offered by the Texas Democratic Party
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For a complete list of all their online courses, go here.
Selected courses that may be relevant and helpful to new Jeff Davis County Democratic Party members:
Activist 101 Training
A great introductory course for new volunteers and for those who want a refresher! Topics covered include grassroots organizing, staying engaged and hosting events.
Organizing 101 Training
Learn the basics of organizing and getting involved for this cycle! A great place to start for those looking to get involved.
Precinct Chairs
A learning pathway for Precinct Chairs and Precinct Organizers that includes: an overview of their role(s); VAN 101 training; and an introduction to volunteering and activist training.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Regular Business Meeting -- Wednesday, November 8, 1-3 pm,
Party Office, 103 TX-118, Fort Davis.
Discussion of budget, new Precinct 2 Democratic Chair, fundraising, upcoming meetings, event in Valentine, Big Bend Democrats, Reproductive Justice Action Committee, op-ed articles in local media, November Action for Contest Every Race Grants Program, Canvassing Grant Application with Texas Majority PAC.
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Cowboy Biscuit Baking Demonstration and Tasting
Sponsored by Jeff Davis County Democrats
Saturday, November 11, 3 - 5 pm
Valentine Community Center, 8th & N Mail St, Valentine, Texas
Meet your fellow county Democrats, enjoy refreshments, and
Celebrate Veteran's Day with us!
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Jill Miller and Albert Miller, Precinct 4 Democratic Chair, will provide expert cowboy biscuit baking instruction! Cecilia Riley, our Precinct 1 Democratic Chair, designed the beautiful flyer advertising the event, and is helping to coordinate the activities.
Big Bend Democrats Fall Forum on Issues and Advocacy
Sponsored by Presidio Democrats
Saturday, November 4 from 2 - 6 pm
Capri, 603 W San Antonio St, Marfa, Texas
Keynote Speaker: Nancy Thompson, Founder,
Music by Primo y Beebe
Democrats on the Border, a Panel Discussion Moderated by
Susan Hays
Women's Health in Rural Texas, a Panel Discussion
And More!
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, October 17, 1-3 pm
Jeff Davis County Community Center
601 Cemetery Road, Fort Davis
Speaker: County Judge Curtis Evans
Our October Special Meeting will feature our County Judge Curtis Evans, who will discuss his vision of where our county is headed, and the changes he hopes to bring about.
Judge Evans was instrumental in the passage of HB 1330 in the last session of the Texas Legislature. This bill allows Jeff Davis County to apply for and receive infrastructure grant funding to benefit our unincorporated communities (i.e., Fort Davis). It opens up new sources of funding without requiring us to incorporate or form another taxing entity. Judge Evans worked closely with State Representative Eddie Morales and State Senator César Blanco to move this bill to passage. We are indebted to them for their efforts.
Judge Evans will update us on the progress made on infrastructure funding since the passage of HB 1330, discuss other issues facing our community. Put this event on your calendar!
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party Meeting: Proposed Constitutional Amendments
Saturday, October 21, 1-3 pm
Jeff Davis County Community Center
601 Cemetery Road, Fort Davis
Speaker: Brewster County Democratic Chair Mary Bell Lockhart
New legislation passed in the 88th Texas legislative session requires changes to the Texas Constitution. A November 7th election will decide whether the changes become law. Fourteen constitutional amendments will appear on the ballot.
Texas lawmakers passed legislation to raise the homestead exemption to $100,000 from the current $40,000. The plan should lower school property tax rates, by having the state pay part of what school districts now collect. Texas voters must decide whether to put the tax relief plan into place in the constitutional amendment election in November.
The last day to register for the November 7th election was October 10th.
The deadline to apply for ballot-by-mail is October 27th.
Early voting begins October 23rd and ends November 3rd.
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Many of these 14 proposed amendments, if passed, will have a significant impact on the lives of Texans. Taking time to analyze these proposals and their effects should be worthwhile.
Consequently, the Jeff Davis County Democrats have scheduled a meeting on Saturday, October 21st, to discuss these proposed constitutional amendments. The meeting will be held at the Jeff Davis County Community Center, 601 Cemetery Road, in Fort Davis. Everyone is invited – and the invitation is extended to members of the two other county Democratic parties in the tri-county area: the Brewster County and Presidio County Democrats.
Information from the Texas Secretary of State, the League of Women Voters of Texas, and Progress Texas can be accessed in advance of the meeting by clicking on the links below. The Office of the Texas Secretary of State has provided short, explanatory statements on each of the 14 amendments. The League of Women Voters has released a 2023 Nonpartisan Voter Guide, in English and Spanish, that discusses the pros and cons of each amendment. Progress Texas has offered its own set of recommendations on how to vote on each amendment.
One little girl. One big hope.
Little Amal will be visiting Marfa on October 24
7:30 pm, Presidio County Courthouse, Marfa
Little Amal is a 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee walking across America. Join us and special guests in welcoming Amal and showing her what makes our region so magical. All are welcome!
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Little Amal will arrive in Marfa as part of her epic 6,000-mile journey across the United States this fall. Some of the country’s most influential cultural institutions and artists will greet Amal and add their unique color to the rich tapestry of America’s story.
During her stop in Marfa, Bi-national Cultural Council, Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, Marfa Chamber of Commerce, and Concierge Marfa will create a series of theatrical “events of welcome” for Amal. Since the beginning of her journey, Amal has been welcomed in communities across the globe at various artistic-led events that are authentic and meaningful to the local people she meets.
American Association of Retired Persons
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with AARP Texas!
Welcome to AARP Texas' Hispanic Heritage Month celebration! The month-long event is a terrific opportunity to honor and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
This year, AARP Texas has a host of vibrant, engaging, and educational activities scheduled throughout the state, spotlighting the diverse and rich cultures that make up our Hispanic heritage here in Texas.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. The celebration begins mid-month to commemorate the independence of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Communities throughout the United States join in the observance through parades, exhibits, ceremonies, and more to recognize the impact of Hispanic and Latino Americans on our country's history, culture, and achievements.
​At AARP Texas, we're excited to be part of this nationwide celebration. Our event line-up includes many events, both in-person and virtual. You can learn to prepare authentic dishes from various Latin American countries and bring the taste of Hispanic culture into your kitchen. We'll also delve into the local folklores of several Latin American nations to explore the rich tapestry of traditional stories passed down through generations. There will be arts and crafts workshops to showcase the creativity of Hispanic arts, giving you a chance to learn traditional art forms. Plus, we have some exciting sports and entertainment events that include a Los Lobos concert, a Hispanic Heritage Weekend with the Astros, Celebrando con AARP 10th Anniversary featuring top Tejano and Conjunto bands, and ballet folklorico dance company performances.
Tri-County Voter Promoters
Upcoming Voter Registration Events
Tuesday, September 26, 10 am -- 2 pm
Panther Junction Visitor Center
310, Alstate Ave, BBNP, TX 79834
Thursday, September 28, 10 am -- 2 pm
Porter's Grocery Store
104 N 2nd St, Alpine, TX 79830
Thursday, September 28, 12 noon -- 3 pm
Morgan University Center, Sul Ross
E Sul Ross Ave, Alpine, TX 79832
Friday, September 29, 10 am -- 2 pm
Porter's Grocery Store
104 N 2nd St, Alpine, TX 79830
Friday, September 29, 12 noon -- 3 pm
Morgan University Center, Sul Ross
E Sul Ross Ave, Alpine, TX 79832
Friday, September 29, 10 am -- 3 pm
Family Crisis Center
2001 Ghost Town Rd, Terlingua, TX 79852
Note: Additional events may be posted later, both here on our website and on our Facebook page.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Regular Business Meeting -- Wednesday, October 11, 1-3 pm,
Party Office, 103 TX-118, Fort Davis.
Discussion of budget, new Precinct 2 Democratic Chair, fundraising, upcoming October and November public meetings, event in Valentine, Action Committees, voter registration, op-ed articles in local media, October Action for Contest Every Race Grants Program.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, September 19, 1-3 pm
Jeff Davis County Community Center
601 Cemetery Road, Fort Davis
Speaker: Julia Green, Front Street Books
Our September Special Meeting will feature Julia Green from Front Street Books, who will speak to us about censorship and banned books, and their impact on public schools, libraries, and bookstores. On several occasions, Front Street Books has featured banned books at its store in Alpine. Consequently, Front Street Books has the distinction of being banned by the Brewster County Republican Party!
In 2022, the American Library Association tracked the highest number of attempted book bans since it began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago; 2,571 unique titles were challenged last year, up from 1,858 in 2021.
Many libraries have found themselves contending with reduced funding and staffing, threats to personal safety from bomb scares and to professional livelihoods from firings and job losses, and bills threatening to criminally charge librarians or defund libraries for making certain materials available on their shelves or findable through reference services. This is an issue that deserves our attention.
National Voter Registration Day
September 19, 2023
National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) is a nonpartisan civic holiday to get Americans registered and vote-ready. It is a coordinated day of events to share registration opportunities before state deadlines. NVRD is held each year on a Tuesday of September, with the next one on September 19, 2023. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the holiday.
Why celebrate National Voter Registration Day? As many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are NOT registered to vote, and this figure is EVEN higher for youth and communities of color. Millions of Americans miss elections each year due to registration problems or missing deadlines. Our democracy works best when more of us participate! YOU have unique and trusted relationships in your community, and YOU can help change this!
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How to join us? National Voter Registration Day is a partner-driven effort! Every year, thousands of partners of all stripes and sizes participate: nonprofits, campus and youth groups, high schools, libraries, election offices, companies, co-ops, digital platforms, media outlets, and more. Partners organize community events, post on social media, conduct employee outreach, hold online events, and leverage their network and reach to register voters.
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Become a 2023 partner TODAY! Partners agree to remain nonpartisan in all outreach associated with the holiday. With YOUR help, we hope to register more than 800,000 voters. Follow along on social: @NatlVoterRegDay on all platforms. For more information and materials, visit our website: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/.
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Tri-County Voter Promoters: In Brewster, Presidio, and Jeff Davis counties in Texas, the nonpartisan Tri-County Voter Promoters have partnered with the National Voter Registration Day organization to register voters. To assist the Tri-County Voter Promoters in their registration efforts, please email remorey@bigbend.net, or call (432) 426-0122.
Women's Inequality Day
League of Women Voters
Saturday, August 26
August 26, otherwise known as Women's Equality Day, marks the anniversary of the certification of the 19th amendment, which granted some women the right to vote.
Yet today, women have fewer rights than they'd had in decades. To recognize this, we acknowledge Women's Inequality Day, uniting to demand that lawmakers restore and protect our rights by:
1. Passing voting rights legislation;
2. Adding the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution;
3. Restoring reproductive rights to women and those who can become pregnant.
Throughout August 2023, we're engaging in a digital campaign promoting the core messages of Women's Inequality Day (above) and encouraging people to sign our petition sharing our wish list for women's equality.
We encourage you to share the campaign across your social media and to access our Women's (In)Equality Day Toolkit!
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Regular Business Meeting -- Wednesday, August 9, 1-3 pm,
Party Office, 103 TX-118, Fort Davis.
Discussion of budget, new Precinct 2 Democratic Chair, fundraising, upcoming August and September public meetings, Action Committees, voter registration, op-ed articles in local media, August Action for Contest Every Race Grants Program.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting -- Tuesday, August 15, 1-3 pm,
Jeff Davis County Community Center,
601 Cemetery Road, Fort Davis
Speaker: John Porras, Raise Your Hand Texas
John Porras is visiting Fort Davis again, with word on the coming battles this summer over the future of Texas education. Raise Your
Hand Texas (RYHT) supports public policy solutions that invest in Texas’ 5.4 million public school students. RYHT works in communities throughout the state to educate, engage and activate advocates who care about public education. They are reinventing public education for the future – because the future of Texas is in our public schools.
This summer’s public hearings for the House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment have concluded, but the Committee will produce a report in August with recommendations for the Texas House to consider in future legislative sessions, and possibly a special session later this year. We need to be ready!
Big Bend Reproductive Coalition
Community Needs Assessment -- Town Hall
Monday, August 7, 7 pm
Cedar Coffee and Supply
103 N 4th St, Alpine, behind Front Street Books
The Big Bend Reproductive Coalition is launching a community needs assessment to learn what the community wants and needs in regards to reproductive healthcare.
The community needs assessment will take place over the course of four months and will include a series of community town halls, anonymous surveys, door-to-door canvassing across the region. Big Bend Reproductive Coalition hopes to learn about potential service gaps and what types of services and educational opportunities women and people that can get pregnant would like access to, including sexual and reproductive healthcare services, funding, workshops, community events, and more.
This information will help inform BBRC’s services and strategy to best serve the community. Volunteers are needed. To volunteer for the community needs assessment, please reach out to morganneBconsulting@gmail.com.
Future town halls are being planned for Marfa, Fort Davis, Terlingua, and Presidio. The town halls are
free and open to all. There will be Spanish language translation available at each event. For more information about the Big Bend Reproductive Coalition, visit www.bigbendrc.org.
BBQ & Auction Fundraiser
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Gates open at 3:45 p.m.
Your ticket includes the following:
* Silent Auction 4:00 p.m.
* Live Auction 5:00 p.m.
* BBQ Dinner 6:00 p.m.
An exciting line-up for this year's fundraiser! Martin Stringer will lead the Live Auction, and Rick Ruiz is providing the music. Lisa and Mark Sanchez of Sanchez BBQ will cater this year's event, serving brisket, sausage, and all the trimmings.
The Live Auction will feature fine art from Julie Speed, Bruce Lee Webb, Lindy Severns, and many others, plus offerings in pottery, photography, and handcrafted jewelry. Getaway vacations are another auction attraction.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting -- New Location at Community Center
Friday, July 21, 1-3 pm, Jeff Davis County Community Center,
601 Cemetery Road, Fort Davis
Speaker: Lisa Kettyle, Big Bend Reproductive Coalition
Big Bend Reproductive Coalition (BBRC) is a grassroots mutual aid abortion advocacy group that provides educational materials, resources, workshops, and support for West Texans in the Big Bend.
The BBRC website (https://www.bigbendrc.org/) offers links to a wide range of pro-choice healthcare information, including a Reprocare Healthline, a Repro Legal Helpline, and information on financial and logistical support. Lisa will discuss the work of her organization and the role it plays in a Texas-wide mutual aid network.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Regular Business Meeting -- Wednesday, July 12, 1-3 pm,
Party Office, 103 TX-118, Fort Davis.
Discussion of budget, selection of new Precinct 2 Democratic Chair, fundraising, upcoming July and August public meetings, Action Committees, voter registration, etc.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting Open to All
Wednesday, June 14, 1-3 pm, Jeff Davis County Library, Fort Davis
Speaker: Mike Wallens+, Co-Chair, Rio Grande Borderland Ministries
Vicar - Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Marfa; Priest-in-Charge, Big Bend Episcopal Churches.
The Rio Grande Borderland Ministries works with the U.S. Border Patrol to assist immigrants cleared to enter our country. Volunteers with Rio Grande Borderland Ministries help immigrants with transportation, travel availability, clothing, and overnight accommodations, so that they can find their way to their new home or temporary location. Numerous members of the Jeff Davis County Democratic Party are volunteers with this group, and additional volunteers to help with new immigrants legally entering the country are welcome. Michael will update us on current conditions for migrants on the Texas border.
National Parks Conservation Association
Today, as we celebrate Endangered Species Day, it is crucial to remember the plants and animals that are at risk of extinction in our parks today.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is an essential piece of legislation that continues to save wildlife and plant species from extinction ever since it passed in 1973. Unfortunately, its protections have been under threat in
recent years, as many have attempted to weaken the ESA or dismantle it altogether.
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National Parks provide refuge for a variety of endangered plants and animals and the ESA is the cornerstone of their protection. Without it, the grizzly bears we love to see in Yellowstone, the grey wolves that have just started to repopulate North Cascades and the rare ghost orchid of Big Cypress could be wiped out of existence.
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By preserving the Endangered Species Act, we can ensure that these species and many others continue to thrive and contribute to the rich diversity of life in our parks.
Please share the links found here with friends and family so they can join us in the fight to protect the ESA.
From Edna Queen and All Our Friends at Davis Mountains Resort
Texas Luau! Benefit for the Volunteer Fire Department!
The Texas Luau will feature delicious pulled pork made by firefighter Jan VanLiere or Sliced Brisket cooked by RR BBQ in Fort Davis or Hawaiian style turkey if you don’t eat red meat.
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Choice of one or 1/2 & 1/2 of two meat selections. A choice of two sides, Sandi Billingsley is making her famous potato salad, pasta salad by Rhonda Brown Honeycutt, beans by RR BBQ or baked beans by Marvin Voiers, and Hawaiian cole slaw made by Jan VanLiere!
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Of course you need a Kings Hawaiian roll. For dessert I am making a
Hawaiian pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting or milk chocolate cake by Marvin! It will come with Iced sweet or unsweetened tea, homemade Hawaiian Punch or bottle water. Sodas are 1 dollar donation. Come one, come all!
Earthworks
UNCOVERING THE PERMIAN CLIMATE BOMB
If you missed the Worldwide Premiere in March, you can still catch this event online now at the Earthworks website. It is an award-winning short film directed by Miguel Escoto and Sharon Wilson, Texas Field Advocate at Earthworks. The film is about a 22-year-old activist coming face-to-face with what is now the world's largest source of climate pollution: the Texas Permian Basin.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Regular Business Meeting -- Wednesday, May 10, 1-3 pm,
Party Office, 103 TX-118, Fort Davis.
Discussion of budget, fundraising, precinct activities, Action Committees, next public meeting, etc.
National Education Association
May 8-12, 2023
Honoring Teacher Voices Town Hall Sunday, May 7, 1:30-2:30 ET
Teachers Go Above & Beyond for Students -- NOW IT’S OUR TURN TO SHARE OUR SUPPORT
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Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, 2023. This year, we’re joining together to tell teachers that we will listen to them, we will stand with them, and together we will take action so that every student has a teacher who feels respected and supported.
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No matter their ZIP code or the color of their skin, teachers are creating lesson plans while they create a sense of safety and belonging for their students. They are getting up early to make it work and they stay up late with worry. Teachers are working with parents and caregivers while they work without enough resources. They are reaching students who are falling behind and must reach into their own pockets to transform classrooms into learning environments.
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Join our HONORING TEACHERS VOICES TOWN HALL EVENT Sunday, May 7, 1:30-2:30 pm ET!
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Join the National Education Association, the National PTA , and Emmy award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph from ABC's hit comedy series, Abbott Elementary for a Town Hall kicking off Teacher Appreciation Week. Take part in a lively discussion with teachers, education leaders, community leaders, parents and students about critical topics facing public school educators and students and the solutions our communities need to ensure every student has access to a high-quality, equitable and inclusive education, regardless of family income, race, or where they live. Sign up here to receive a reminder when it's time to tune in!
Meeting of Concerned Citizens, Rio Grande Borderland Ministries
Rio Grande Borderland Ministries
St. James Episcopal Church, 510 N 6th St, Alpine, TX
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 9 am
The Rio Grande Borderland Ministries works with the U.S. Border Patrol to assist immigrants cleared to enter our country. Title 42 is a border policy that blocks migrants, including asylum seekers, from entering the U.S. due to COVID-19, but the Center for Disease Control will end Title 42 shortly, due to improved public health conditions and the availability of vaccines and treatments.
Volunteers with Rio Grande Borlerland Ministries help immigrants with transportation, travel availability, clothing, and overnight accommodations, so that they can find their way to their new home or temporary location. Mike Wallens+, Borderland Co-Chair, has called a meeting of concerned citizens for 9 am Tuesday, May 9, at St James Episcopal Church, 510 N 6th St in Alpine. Numerous members of the Jeff Davis County Democratic Party are volunteers with this group, and additional volunteers to help with the many new immigrants legally entering the country are welcome.
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Mike Wallens+ contact info: Co-Chair of Rio Grande Borderland Ministries
Vicar - Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Marfa; Priest-in-Charge Big Bend Episcopal Churches
P.O. Box 175, Marfa, Texas 79843, Home: 510 N. Second St., Alpine, Texas 79830
Cell: 214-862-7292; Home: 432-538-7042; St. Paul's: 915-239-7409
michaelwallens@gmail.com
A Program of the Big Bend Citizens Alliance (BBCA)
Voices From Both Sides Festival
May 13, Noon to 6 pm, Lajitas & Paso Lajitas
The Voices from Both Sides festival is an annual event that takes place in the tiny border town of Lajitas, in far southwest Brewster County, about 300 miles east of El Paso. The festival is a way to showcase the talented border musicians near Terlingua and Lajitas, U.S.A., and Manuel Benavides, Paso Lajitas and Ojinaga, Mexico.
Hundreds gather to celebrate, remember and protest the closing of the area’s border passage. The event is facilitated by the U.S. border patrol, with only a few Mexican police officers on standby. Party All!
From Drew Corbitt, Digital Director, Texas Democratic Party
National Librarian Day (April 16th)!
Do you remember your childhood library? I certainly do. Growing up, my mom and I would spend hours browsing the shelves, getting lost in the world of stories and knowledge. Libraries were sanctuaries that encouraged learning, growth, and imagination.
Today, on National Librarian Day (April 16th), we honor the amazing librarians who dedicate their lives to fostering knowledge and education. But while we celebrate these heroes, we also face a troubling reality in our state.
You may have heard about the recent victory in Llano County, where library supporters courageously opposed attempts to close local branches amidst a heated controversy involving censorship and book banning. Thanks to their courage and passion, the Llano Public Library will remain open! But the fight doesn't end there. Across Texas, Republican lawmakers are continuing their fight to ban books, erase history, and silence the voices of the most marginalized in our communities. We cannot let it happen.
In honor of National Librarian Day, will you join us in standing up for Texas libraries? Sign our petition to show your support and let's send a clear message: Texans stand for the freedom to read, learn, and grow!
STAND UP FOR TEXAS LIBRARIES!
Let's ensure that future generations have the same access to libraries and the world of knowledge they offer. Together, we can protect our libraries and the incredible librarians who work tirelessly to support our communities.
Raise Your Hand Texas
Measure What Matters Capitol Day
This Tuesday, April 18, Raise Your Hand Texas will host Measure What Matters Day at the Texas Capitol. Our schools and our students are so much more than ONE TEST on ONE DAY. A press conference will start at 10:15 a.m. on the South steps of the Capitol with over 2,500 wooden rulers on display from all over Texas,
featuring messages from public education advocates (children, parents, educators, community and business leaders) sharing how they want schools measured.
Now is the time to reimagine how we capture and assess performance in Texas schools beyond STAAR. Reforming the A-F accountability system to de-emphasize STAAR and incorporate more measures of student learning and campus outputs will help
our communities and policymakers know what actions matter most inside our schools.
EARTHDAY.ORG
The global organizer of Earth Day and the largest recruiter of environmental movements worldwide has announced the theme for Earth Day April 22, 2023 – “Invest in Our Planet.” The theme is focused on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and the more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part in partnership for the planet.
Businesses, governments, and civil society are encouraged to take action against the climate crisis, and light the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous, and equitable future. If we push away from the old technologies of centuries past, we can redirect attention to creating a 21st century economy that restores the health of our planet, protects our species, and provides opportunities for all. For those wishing to participate, check out the Earth Day 2023 Action Toolkit.
Texas Democratic Women
2023 Blue Ribbon Lobby Day
Texas Capitol, Ext Auditorium, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 8:30 am -- 4 pm
Talking to our legislators about healthcare, education, and economic security. For more information, contact Diana@electionnerdsllc.com.
Registration $30/person.
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting
Saturday, April 15, 1-3 pm, Cuevas Restaurant, Fort Davis
Speaker: John Porras, El Paso/Trans--Pecos Regional Advocacy Director, Raise Your Hand Texas.
John will discuss the critical work of his non-partisan, non-profit organization. Raise Your Hand Texas works to raise the voices of parents, teachers, community leaders, business owners, and students who care about the future of public education.
Planned Parenthood
The courts are attacking our ability to access abortion yet again. A group of anti-abortion activists and organizations have sued the US Food and Drug Administration over it's approval of mifepristone, one of the
two medications most commonly used in medication abortion in the United States. On April 7, a Federal Judge in Texas, hand picked by anti-abortion extremists for this case, ruled to block the FDA's approval of mifepristone. We aren't going to stand for it. Join us on April 14 and fight back:
Rally for Mifepristone and abortion access, April 14 at 11:30am, Texas Capitol South Steps, or watch the livestream of the “Bans Off our Bodies” Rally on Planned Parenthood's Facebook page. You can also take action from your home: Speak out now — add your name to the People's Brief!
Jeff Davis County Democratic Party
Special Monthly Meeting -- Tuesday, March 14, 3-5 pm,
Party Office, 103 TX-118, Fort Davis
Precinct 2 Meet & Greet, hosted by Donald Schuelke, Precinct 2 Democratic Chair, a get-together primarily for residents of precinct 2.
Texas Freedom Network
Texas Freedom Network, Just Texas, & Texas Rising Advocacy Day
Texas Capitol, March 23, 2023, 9 am-5 pm
Mobilizing to advocate for issues that matter to us: reproductive
justice, LGTBQIA+ equality, environmental justice, voting rights, public education, and more. If you have any questions, contact Nick Savelli, Outreach & Field Manager, at nick@tfn.org or by phone at (512) 322-0545.
Top: Toni Morrison, Maxine Hong Kingston, Jovita Idar, Maya Angelou
Middle: Gerda Lerner, Gloria Steinem, Winona La Duke, Lillian Hellman
Bottom: Betty Soskin, Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, Marjory Stoneman Douglas
The National Women's History Alliance
“Our History is Our Strength!”
Throughout March
The National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women’s History Month, has announced the women’s history theme for 2023, Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.
Throughout 2023, the NWHA will encourage recognition of women, past and present, who
have been active in all forms of media and storytelling. The Alliance will encourage local communities throughout the country to use the year’s theme to guide their own celebrations. The NWHA will popularize national efforts through online celebrations, a special magazine, and thematic products that recognize and honor these brave, accomplished, and influential women who told – and continue to tell – our stories.
Kitchen Counter Chronicles
20 Inspiring International Women’s Day Books for Kids
Life Lands on the Kitchen Counter
The first International Women’s Day took place in 1911. IWD is a day to celebrate women’s accomplishments – economic, political, social, cultural, and more. These International Women’s Day Books will introduce kids to women in positions of power and independent women who are fighting stereotypes.
United Nations International Women's Day March 8th
DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality
The United Nations Observance of IWD recognizes and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education. The observance will explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities, and will also spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence.
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center
Cactus & Succulent Sale
CDRI's annual sale!
March 13 - 15, 2023 (or until all plants are sold)
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Email programs@cdri.org or call 432-364-2499 with questions about the event.
StoryCorps Partnered with Marfa Public Radio
StoryCorps Mobile Tour
Airstream at Marfa Public Library, February 16 -- March 10, 11:30 am
StoryCorps, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, will record interviews in West Texas as part of its Mobile Tour. Reservations to record can be made by visiting storycorps.org/mobile-tour.
League of Women Voters of Texas
Women Power Texas ~ A Making Democracy Work Dinner
Annual fundraising dinner, Monday, February 27th, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
UT Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Keynote speaker Rochelle Garza, honorees Texas Gun Sense, Texas Impact, and The Texas Tribune.
Texas Gun Sense
Gun Safety Advocacy Day
Texas Capitol, Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, 12 pm
Rally at the Capitol's South Steps. Texas Gun Sense is joined by their Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence partners to ensure
gun safety is a priority this legislative session, and to raise awareness of and advocate for common-sense gun policy.
Black History Month
Celebrating Black History Month -- February
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to
the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
Raise Your Hand Texas
Valentine High School Ex-Student Reunion
A West Texas Valentine's Parade
Saturday, February 18, 2023, 1:30 pm
Parade route from the Valentine Community Building to the Ole Mercantile
Texas House Democratic Caucus
Response to Governor's State of the State Address
Texas Governor Greg Abbott will deliver the State of the State address Thursday, Feb. 16th, at 7 pm on Nexstar television markets (ABC TV – KMID in Midland-Odessa).
The Texas Democratic response, a 10-minute rebuttal, will air on TV immediately after the State of the State address. The Texas House Democratic Caucus will deliver a more detailed response at 9 am, Friday, February 17, at the Texas Capitol, Speaker's Press Conference Room. That broadcast will be livestreamed on twitter.com/TexasHDC.
League of Conservation Voters
Honoring the Civil Rights & Environmental Justice Legacies of Black Leaders through Action
As we celebrate Black History Month, LCV honors the pioneers in the environmental justice movement, including civil rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late Congressman John Lewis.