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EVENTS: Upcoming education forums, EAA Board meeting, and more

By on March 8, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Education, Events, Mark Schauer

Education related events are popping up all over the southeast part of Michigan over the next week. Here is a run-down on those that I have learned about.

FRIENDS OF EDUCATION MEET & GREET – MARCH 8, 2014 (TODAY!) AT NOON IN ANN ARBOR

Today from noon to 2:00 at the Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, a wide variety of elected officials and candidates, including Democratic candidate for Governor Mark Schauer, will be in attendance at a public forum hosted by the Ann Arbor Education Association and the Michigan Education Association. Click the image below for a larger version of the flyer:

There are additional details HERE.…

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Ann Arbor Dems to host Annual Strolling Gala fundraiser – March 2nd, 2014

By on February 23, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Democrats, Events, Michigan Democrats

From my pals at the Ann Arbor Democratic Party:

Sunday, March 2, 2014 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Rush Street Lounge on 314 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, next to The Ark, between Liberty Ave. and William Street.

Please join us for an evening fun featuring great hors d’oeuvres donated from local restaurants (lots of vegetarian and vegan options), desserts, drinks (wine/beer), live music by Shema, Daniel Feranandes, Leigh Daniels and more, guest speakers and other entertainment (Belly dancing). A local Judge will be on hand to renew wedding vows for married couples.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $75 for two in advance, $35 for students or $50 at the door.…

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BREAKING: Ann Arbor/Ypsi Chamber comes out against expansion of EAA

By on February 21, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Education

This afternoon the 1,300-member Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber issued the following statement regarding Governor Rick Snyder’s failed education experiment with Detroit students known as the Education Achievement Authority:

The A2Y Chamber’s Executive Board held a deliberation on HB 4369, legislation to expand the Education Achievement Authority (EAA). The A2Y Chamber encourages the Michigan Legislature to reject the current House version of the bill, which would effectively establish the EAA to operate all Priority Schools in Michigan (those where student achievement fall within the lowest 5% of Michigan schools). The EAA currently operates a number of Detroit schools under a contract with the state, however just this week State Superintendent Mike Flanagan cancelled that exclusive contract with the EAA.…
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Forum in Ann Arbor this week will explore the failure of Governor Snyder’s Education Achievement Authority

By on February 9, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Education, Events

This week, the Ann Arbor Education Association will be sponsoring a forum on the Governor Snyder’s failed education experiment known as the Education Achievement Authority. I will be speaking at the event and participating in the panel discussion along with Wayne State University professor Thomas Pedroni, State House Rep. Jeff Irwin, Eastern Michigan University professor Christopher Robbins, and others.

The event takes place Tuesday, February 11th from 7:30 until 9:30 p.m. at Pioneer High School in the Little Theater.

From the AAEA’s press release:

From the onset, the EAA has been fraught by questions regarding its computer-focused curriculum, high teacher turnover, declining enrollment, its handling of students with special needs, conflicting progress reports, and its long-term financial viability.…
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Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition brings together labor, faith, & community leaders to get problems solved

By on November 12, 2013 in Ann Arbor

They rock

[All photos by Isaac Epstein, used with permission]

In the spring of 2012, a handful of from various faith, labor, and community organizations began to meet to discuss building a local group to work on solving some of the intractable problem confronting their communities. Over time, that group swelled in size and became known as the Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition or “WeROC”.

This past Sunday, WeROC, in partnership with Detroit-based MOSES organization, held their first community meeting. WeROC has been focusing on three specific issues, issues chosen using the model best exemplified by MOSES’ parent organization, the Gamaliel Foundation.…

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1 in 3 Campaign event in Ann Arbor created support to end abortion care stigma

By on October 26, 2013 in Ann Arbor, Planned Parenthood, War on Women

Women shared their abortion experiences to raise awareness of the decisions and challenges they faced, as reproductive rights are increasingly under attack.

If you’ve never had an abortion, you can’t possibly know what it’s like. Yet 1 in 3 women will have an abortion in their lifetime — and some of them never tell a soul.

That’s why Advocates for Youth created the 1 in 3 Campaign, a grassroots movement to start a new conversation about abortion. It encourages women to tell their stories to help foster compassion, empathy and support for access to basic healthcare.

The campaign is in the midst of a national “1 in 3 Week of Action” (October 22-29), with more than 100 events across 32 states using storytelling to fight stigma and protect safe, legal, affordable abortion care.…

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Ann Arbor Labor Day “Laborpalooza” picnic to feature Mark Schauer, John Dingell, Gary Peters, and MORE!

By on August 30, 2013 in Ann Arbor, Events

The place to be on Labor Day

On Labor Day (Monday, September 2nd, 2013), the Ann Arbor Dems, in conjunction with the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, are having their annual “Laborpalooza” Labor Day picnic. This year there will be an all-star cast of Michigan Democrats in attendance including Dean of the House Congressman John Dingell and his wife Debbie along with Democratic candidate for governor Mark Schauer and Senate candidate Democratic Congressman Gary Peters.

Here are the details:

The Ann Arbor Democratic Party Club will host Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer, Senate candidate Gary Peters, Congressional candidate Pam Byrnes, and several Democratic elected leaders at Labor Day Laborpalooza Monday, September 2nd, from 3 p.m.…
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AUDIO: Eclectablog on Night Shift with Tony Trupiano about grassroots organizing in Michigan

By on August 2, 2013 in Ann Arbor, Democrats, Interview, Michigan Democratic Party, Michigan Democrats

“Show up, stand up, and speak up”

As I have written about before, grassroots organizing on behalf of Democrats is already well underway in Washtenaw County.

Last night, in the Blog Role segment of the Night Shift with Tony Trupiano radio show, I talked with Tony in depth about what we’ve done, what we’re doing, and where we are headed in Washtenaw County with regards to creating a network of neighborhood teams working to turn out the Democratic vote in 2014.

You can listen to it after the jump.

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Washtenaw County Clerk refuses to obey “unconstitutional” GOP law regarding factuality of recall petitions

By on August 2, 2013 in Ann Arbor, Michigan Republicans

“This new scheme flies in the face of the Constitution.”

Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum is rather legendary in the Ann Arbor area for his incredible grasp and deep understanding of Michigan election law. He is passionate about it, in fact. Which has led him to being put in a rather interesting situation this week.

Six out of the seven Ann Arbor school board members are facing a recall by a Jody Huhn of the group Ann Arbor Public Schools Parents for Change. Huhn lists the following reasons for recall on her petition:

  • Failure to demonstrate thoughtful consideration of constituent priorities.

    • …

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Michigan Dem Justice Caucus & others present Camp Millie training for activists, candidates, and staff

By on July 24, 2013 in Ann Arbor, Michigan Democratic Party, Michigan Democrats

Grassroots organizing at its finest

Every year, the Michigan Democratic Party Justice Caucus holds a two-day training workshop known as Camp Millie. It is a well-known and highly respected event aimed directly at progressive activists, candidates, and future staffers for elected officials. This year’s Camp Millie is titled “Diversity: The Challenge of Minority Candidates running in Majority Districts” and is co-sponsored by the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, the Washtenaw County Democratic Party Black Caucus, the Ann Arbor Democratic Party, and the 12th Congressional District Democrats.

The event takes place in Ann Arbor August 17 & 18, 2013 in the Eisenhower Center Moriah Hall at 3200 E.…

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