Volume 23. Issue 10. October 2022

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Susan Dollar I first heard Gloria Steimen in person in 1978 when I was a delegate to the National Women's Political Caucus, which Steinem, along with Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisolm, and Betty Freidan, had formed. The NWPC is a multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process. Being newly divorced and a single mother, I was intrigued by the political activism, the feminist ideas, and the energy that was shared at the caucus meeting. Little did I know that those ideas and impressions would motivate me throughout my life. Now, 44 years later, I once again had the opportunity to hear Steinem speak at the Planned Parenthood luncheon in San Antonio in September. She posed very good questions to the audience: What is your most important issue? What do you hope for? What are you going to do?  We should ask ourselves those questions today. Steinem suggests writing down answers - and then committing to them. I'm asking each one of you to do the same. What is your most important issue?  What do you hope for?  What are you going to do?  Write down your answers; make a plan, then COMMIT. Step up and get involved in some way, big or small. Theee are plenty pf volunteer opportunities at our Democratic headquarters - postcard writing, phone calling, texting, letter writing, and more. It's going to take all of us working together to win those elections 30 days from now. Most importantly...don't wake up on Nov. 9 and wish you had done more. I'll leave you with this quote from Steinem: "The only thing worse than failing is not having tried. You will walk around forever thinking, What if?"

OCTOBER BAD MEETING Thursday, October 13 12:00 noon Longhorn Cafe Guest Speaker: Chris Shadrock, City of Boerne Chris will be presenting information about the November Quality of Life Bond Election, which is for $36M for streets/mobility and parks/open space. More information can be found on the city website:  https://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/2238/2022-Quality-of-Life-Bond-Election Remember to arrive early and order in person if you plan to eat. The cafe is not taking phone or online orders.

BECOME A RECURRING DONOR! Please consider becoming a recurring donor! After our August donations to candidates and causes, we need to build up our bank account so that we can continue to help pay the office rent, maintain our web site and email accounts, and save money for our scholarship that will be awarded in April. The easiest way to donate is via ActBlue; simply click on the ActBlue logo above and enter your donation information. You can also donate via a credit card, an auto-withdrawal from your bank, or by mailing a check. We also love one-time donations!

BROOKE ORR Membership Recently, many of our BAD members have moved away so our membership count is down. If you would like to become a new member, you can pay online with PayPal by following this link to https://www.boerne-area-democrats.org/become-a-member. Dues are $40 a person for those under age 60, $25 a person for those aged 60 and older, and $10 for students. Fill out the payment form and submit and also complete the application and submit it. You can also mail your check to BAD Membership, PO Box 2132, Boerne, TX, 78006.

LAURA BRAY Kendall County Democratic Party Chair NOTE FROM THE CHAIR IT’S CRUNCH TIME, FOLKS! We’re getting down to the wire! As you read this, the election is only 4 short weeks away. NOW is the time to sign up to help. Contact me (laurabray61@gmail.com, 210-884-6843) or Peg Layton (layton.peg@gmail.com, 210-287-2083) to find out what you can do. As Democrats continue to pass bills to help lower costs for all Americans and address supply chain issues, Republicans in Congress keep voting on the side of huge oil companies and big pharma instead of working people. In just the past few months, congressional Republicans—including our own Chip Roy-- have voted against bills to: ·      cap insulin prices at $35 a month, ·      prevent price gouging and help lower gas prices, ·      help cut food and fuel costs,  ·      and get the FDA resources to address the baby formula shortage.  And Republicans in the Senate have made clear they’ll block these critical bills from becoming law – denying Americans relief at the pump, on their grocery bills, and more. It’s critical to elect better leadership this November. We *must* get all our local Democrats out to vote, either during Early Voting or on Election Day. This election is too important to our democracy to have anyone sitting on the sidelines. Make sure you’re a part of our “Get Out the Vote” effort. Sign up today. Whitney White is hosting another BLOCK WALK FOR BETO. Meet at the office at 9:00am and then again at 11:30am to debrief. Here is the date and link to sign up: ·      GOTV: Saturday, November 5, 9:00am https://www.mobilize.us/betofortexas/event/506724/ Also, there are many GOTV block walks scheduled in Boerne by others as part of their Get Out the Vote push starting October 3. Here is the sign up link for the general Mobilize site already sorted for Boerne area (there are a few in Fair Oaks) https://www.mobilize.us/betofortexas/?q=Boerne&show_all_events=true&tag_ids=2233

TEXAS MIDTERM ELECTIONS: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-elections/texas-results?icid=election_usmap VOTE SMART: votesmart.org AARP VOTING GUIDE: aarp.org/electionguides BALLOTPEDIA: ballotpedia.org LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS: vote411.org

DON'T FORGET YOUR YARD SIGNS! You can pick up yard signs at the Democratic headquarters, 216 E. Blanco, Suite 201, between 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday. State Election Code Rules: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.259.htm

CENTER FOR REFUGEE SERVICES needs our help!

BAD has been a longtime supporter of the CRS efforts in the past and now we need to step up again. CRS is partnering with the Muslim Children's Education and Civic Center to host a warm clothing drive for the CRS refugee community as well as all in the city of San Antonio.  The National Council of Jewish Women in San Antonio ia also partnering to make this possible.   CRS has welcomed 3300 Afghans who were part of the evacuation.  Over half of them have come to San Antonio after being settled in another location and unable to find needed resources. San Antonio has proven to be a very generous, caring community and continues to go above and beyond to meet the challenges of this crisis. They need new or gently used blankets and clothing; socks and shoes must be new. Bring your donations to our October 13 BAD meeting and Jessica Veilleux will deliver them to CRS on October 14.

PLEASE DONATE: blankets sweaters jackets and sweaters pants and jeans new socks and shoes

Join us for our next trash pick-up for our Adopt-A-Highway section on FM 3351 (just south of its intersection with Hwy 46). Be prepared with the following: good shoes, plenty of water, sun protection, and gloves if desired. Trash bags, trash grabbers, and donuts will be provided. If you happen to have your own bright orange safety vest, you are welcome to wear that.

KENDALL COUNTY DEMOCRATS ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY TRASH PICK-UP DAY Saturday, October 15 9 – 11:30am CDT Location: 913 TX HWY 46 We will meet at the shopping strip behind the Circle K/Subway. Sign up here to volunteer: https://www.mobilize.us/kendalltxdems/event/507528/ Please complete the registration to participate. Each adult needs to sign up individually, so we know how many safety vests to provide. If you are bringing children, email us at kendalltxdemocrats@gmail.com so we can ensure they will have a safety vest too.

A new billboard is going up! Thank you to the generous people who answered the urgent plea for funds and donated to another billboard. Pratap Khanwilkar, a BAD member, came up with the idea and donated $1,440 of his own money to get the ball rolling. Within 24 hours, BAD had raised $2,360 towards the cost and KCDP joined in with their donation of $1,300. Together we raised the total $5,100. The billboard will go up near Ralph Fair Road and I-10 on October 10. Thank you, donors!

RALLY TO VOTE THEM OUT! On September 18, almost 50 people attended the rally to honor volunteers and billboard donors and to support Kevin Henning in his bid for Kendall County Commissioner Place 4. In addition to games and prizes, the attendees enjoyed good food and great company. Thanks to Sandy Speed and Frank Stafford for hosting this fun event!

PLANNED PARENTHOOD LUNCHEON Several BAD members attended the South Texas Planned Parenthood luncheon on September 23. Guest speakers were feminist icon Gloria Steinem and Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Also in attendance were Mike Collier, candidate for Lt. Governor, and Angi Arambura, candidate for Texas HD 122. Our own Wonder Woman, Laura Bray, was also there!

SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB We had a great turn-out on September 24 for our supper club. There were 17 returning members and 17 first-timers! Everyone enjoyed visiting and getting acquainted with the new folks. Don't be left out - make plans to attend the October 22 dinner at La Hacienda Scenic Loop!

CLAUDIA ZAPATA FUNDRAISER Kendall County Democrats joined forces with Gillespie County and Blanco County Democrats to host a fundraiser for Claudia Zapata on September 27. Over 50 donors showed up at the Pontotoc Winery in Fredericksburg, along with special guest Wendy Davis. Claudia is running for TX Congressional House District 21 against Chip Roy.

DEBATE WATCH PARTY Local Dems gathered at the headquarters on Friday, September 30, to watch the debate between Beto O'Rourke and Greg Abbott. Good food, good friends, and a good performance by Beto!

OCTOBER MARKET DAYS We had great response at Market Days this weekend! A total of 121 people stopped by to chat with us on Saturday and another 103 stopped by on Sunday! We gave away lots of yard signs and buttons. We also collected over $100 in donations! And BTW, the Republicans didn't have a booth again this weekend! We are showing Boerne that TAMOUTYT! A sincere thank you to all the volunteers that worked at our booth!

BAD BOOK CLUB The next meeting of the BAD Book Club will be on Wednesday, October 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Democratic Headquarters. The book selection is American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy by David Corn. R.S.V.P. to Janice Bloodworth at 210-632-6974.

SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB Saturday, October 22 5:30 p.m. at La Hacienda Scenic Loop R.S.V.P. to 361-455-1265 by Wednesday, October 19. Remember to bring $5.00 per person to leave as an extra tip for the wait staff.

Boerne CROP Hunger Walk Saturday, November 12 9:00 a.m. St. Mark Presbyterian Church 208 W. Bandera Road CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk fundraising events held in cities and towns across the United States, created to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. In 2022, they will continue to fight against disease, disaster, displacement and other challenges that leave people hungry. They are seeking participants to walk to raise funds to help neighbors near and far get the meals they need for today and sustainable food security for tomorrow! For more information or to sign up to walk/donate: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/event/boernetx

Just a reminder: there are always interesting and informative posts on our social media pages so be sure to check them out - and Like them! Web: boerne-area-democrats.org Facebook: Boerne Area Democrats  Instagram: @boerneareademocrats Twitter: @BerneDemocrats

NEW HOURS! Our Democratic Headquarters at 216 E. Blanco, Suite 201, are now open on Monday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Stop by to visit with other Dems and pick up campaign materials and goodies.

Click on any of these icons to be taken to their web pages.

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY! Let your voices be heard by attending these community meetings. Click on any of the icons for more information.

Boerne City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, Boerne. The Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are held on the first Monday of each month in the Ronald C. Bowman Council Chambers at City Hall, 447 N. Main Street, Boerne.

The Kendall County Commissioner's Court meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday at 9:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse, 201 E. San Antonio Street, 3rd floor.

The Fair Oaks City Council meets on the 1st Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and the 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the FOR City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, FOR.

The Comfort ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the CISD Central Office, 327 High Street, Comfort.

The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Administrative Offices, 235 Johns Road.

The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at 9 Topperwein Road, Boerne.

BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS BOARD President: Susan Dollar Vice President: Jerry Terry Secretary: Robin Prescott Treasurer: sharon Noack Membership: Brooke Orr Publicity: Natalie Schun Newsletter: Judy Dewey Social Media: Krista Bermejillo-Vasquez Past President: Stacey Gilfillan Ex Officio member: Laura Bray, KCDP

Connect with us! JOIN THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS Membership Form Email: BAD@boerne-area-democrats.com Web: boerne-area-democrats.org Facebook: facebook.com/boerne.area.democrats Notice Regarding Photography and/or Audio/Video Recording The Boerne Area Democrats captures photographs and/or audio/video recordings during our events. Such photographs and recordings may be used in BAD's advertising and social media relations to let others know of our events. In addition, local news organizations may hear of our events, and BAD may allow them to record events for news reporting. If you do not wish to be in photos/videos, please let the photographer/videographer know in advance. This newsletter is intended for people interested in the work of the Boerne Area Democrats and the Democratic Party in general. To be removed from this mailing list, please click on Unsubscribe below or email us at bad@boerne-area-democrats.com.