Fayette County TX Democratic Party Newsletter
May 2024
YES, IT’S TIME TO VOTE AGAIN…
Voting info link for Primary Runoff Election: https://newtools.cira.state.tx.us/upload/page/1737/2024/ev_days_time_05282024_primary_runoff_election.pdf
Tuesday, May 28 - This is the day after Memorial Day so it will be easy to remember. So if you voted in the Democratic Party Primary on March 5th, get out there and complete the job! Voting will take place at your regular precinct locations.
Democratic Primary candidate Maggie Ellis (https://www.maggieforjustice.com/) is running for Justice, 3rd Court of Appeals District, Place 2, against Democratic Primary candidate, Edward Smith (https://www.smithforjustice.com/)
District 3 is quite a vast one geographically, containing 24 counties, and is located in the center of the state from Fayette County on the eastern side to Stirling County to the northwest. What does the Texas District Court of Appeals do? FYI from the Texas Judicial Branch website: txcourts.gov/about-texas-courts/trial-courts
“District courts have original jurisdiction in felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court. While most district courts try both criminal and civil cases, in the more densely populated counties the courts may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters.”
Click below to see what your Fayette County Democratic Party Primary Runoff Ballot will look like:
https://www.co.fayette.tx.us/upload/page/1737/2024%20Elections/dem_runoff_sample_ballot.pdf
“DOOM” DOOMSCROLLING
May is Mental Health Awareness month, so what better time to cut out the doomscrolling, doom reading and watching. It’s time to periodically disconnect. Remember when there was no Trump and MAGA out there scaring the bejesus out of us? Does this feel like your struggle, it certainly is mine?
Having asked that question, a few whimsical suggestions come to mind? Turn loose your own creative powers to come up plan for your sanity. Here are mine:
Mindful Breathing Exercises: Inhale the scent of political chaos, exhale unicorns and rainbows. Imagine you're blowing away political tension like candles on a birthday cake, with each exhale is a wish for a more chill world.
Digital Detox: Create a "No-Politics Zone" in your home. Declare it a safe space where political debates are forbidden, and anyone (that would be me) caught doomscrolling gets tickled until they promise to switch to cat videos or memories of your friend’s dachshunds rolling around on the floor playing.
Mindfulness or Meditation Practice: Close your eyes and imagine you're floating on a cloud of zen, dodging political thunderstorms like a superhero. Bonus points if you can meditate without getting distracted by thoughts of spouting off witty political commentary. (I’m learning to, thanks to my Meditation class.)
Physical Exercise: Get your heart pumping with some energetic exercise. Pretend you're that same superhero dodging political drama saving the day from political villains with your Keanu Reeves, epic Matrix style spin kicks.
Relaxing Bath or Spa Time: Ladies, pretend you're a mermaid lounging in a sea of bubbles, far away from the chaos of politics.
Unplug with a Good Book or Movie: Escape into a fictional world where politics is just a distant memory. Dive into a fantasy land where dragons reign or a sci-fi universe where aliens have better diplomatic skills than Earth politicians and most people.
Connect with Loved Ones: Spend quality time with friends or family and share a good laugh.
Gratitude Practice: Count your blessings and give thanks for the little things, like finding the last donut in the box or discovering a hilarious political meme that perfectly sums up your feelings. (Lately my iPhone reports my screen time is down and I am quite satisfied and grateful for that! Yes, the little things do matter.)
DEMOCRATIC NEIGHBORS LUNCHEON - THURSDAY, MAY 16, NOON
The May monthly luncheon will be held at Majek’s Winery, a true gem for a lunch venue in the beautiful countryside just south of Schulenburg. We could easily car pool if the drive seems to be a long one. If you would like a lift down to Majek’s, a few of us will be waiting at the La Grange Walmart parking lot, near J.D.’s Sports Bar for the 35 minute drive. We’ll leave at 11:15 am. Call me, Annette, at 812-391-6518 to let me know if you “are in” for a ride. Yes, they serve lovely food, as well. Their food menu: https://www.majekvineyard.com/Visit-Us/Our-Tasting-Room/Menu
MONDAY, MAY 20TH, 6PM - La Grange ISD Board of Trustees Meeting, 560 North Monroe, La Grange. This will be the last School Board Meeting before summer break and your opportunity to support the idea that school libraries are a sanctuary—a place where students can chose to explore age appropriate library materials, discover, and dream. Let’s show up for our librarians, too, either by attending the meeting or by expressing your viewpoint during the public portion of the meeting. Visit the LGISD Administration Office to fill out a brief form ahead of time to secure a spot on their meeting agenda.
GOTV: MAY - NOVEMBER
In 2020, Democrats in Georgia leaned heavily into “relational organizing” to get people registered and out to the polls. It’s fun, easy, and effective, so we’re teaming up with a robust Austin organization, the Blue Action Democrats, to give it a try.
The ”Blue Action Network” begins with an app on your phone called “Reach”. Get started with a special-for-us online training session. Either zoom in from home or join some of us in a group zoom-together for a bit of comradery and access to technical help. Further details will be announced at a later date, so stay tuned.
The November Election is an “all hands on moment”. We need your support and talents to support Democrats in the upcoming elections by using apps like Reach, phone banking, literature dropping, and door knocking to pitch in and help us Get Out The Vote in 2024. It’s easy to sign up to volunteer by clicking on the “Get Involved” tab on the FCDP website fayettetxdemocrats.org, fill out the website's Online Volunteer Form and click Submit. That’s all there is to it and one of our volunteers will be in touch.
THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO? VOLUNTEER!!
UPDATE: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY / RELAY FOR LIFE
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Becky Snyder for her hard work helping the Relay for Life committee organize this year’s event. The Bake Sale and Drive Through Chicken Dinner were a huge successes! Kudos also belong to our FCDP, Blue Ribbon Relayer Team (Laura Logan, Kirk Pate, Becky Schenker, Amy Citzler McCord, Mary Wolf, and Matt & Annette Holdeman). We exceeded our $500 goal, ultimately raising $1,130 to support finding a cure for this terrible disease that effects us all. Way to go everyone!
COMMUNITY CORNER
Want to Learn Spanish? / Free Classes / Smithville Public Library
Beginners - Mondays 1-3pm & 3-5pm / Fridays 10-12pm & 3-5pm
Intermediate - Thursdays 1-3pm / Advanced 3-5pm
Call: 512-575-0018
Thanks for reading! Remember to like, comment and share. Until next time…
Visit our website at: https://www.fayettetxdemocrats.org/
Sigue la lucha y hasta luego! - Annette
Great newsletter! I really enjoyed reading about detoxing from politics. See you Thursday
What a great newsletter as usual. Thanks for the detox advice. As luck would have it, I’m currently reading Deep Work by Cal Newport and was inspired to remove several pesky apps from my phone for this very reason. See you Thursday if not before!