CFRW Capitol Update Friday, November 21, 2014

President's Message

The pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620 started their long journey by boarding the Mayflower in Delftshaven, Holland. They endured crossing a stormy ocean, but when they landed all they could see before them was a vast and desolate wilderness full of wild beasts and wild men. There were no friends to welcome them, no inns to entertain them, no homes or towns to give them shelter. Almost 50% of the settlers died the first year due to illness and the harsh winter weather but they persevered! The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, to commemorate the successful harvest gathered by the Plymouth Colony after the first harsh winter. In that year Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. The colonists celebrated by inviting the local Indians to a traditional English harvest feast (from WSJ).

As Americans we should remind ourselves that the richness of our country was not born in the resources of the earth but in sacrifices and hard work of our men and women through many years. We are reminded of their hard work every where we look … in cities, towns, farms, factories, hospitals, homes, and schools that spread across the wilderness that once greeted the pilgrims. For all our social disagreements we are still the longest enduring society of free men governing themselves without a king or dictator. We might remind ourselves also, that if those men and women setting out from Delftshaven had been daunted by the troubles they saw around them, then we would probably not be celebrating Thanksgiving Day this November 27 (from WSJ).

In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, America celebrated its first Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution. Much of the credit for the adoption of a later ANNUAL national Thanksgiving Day may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book. For thirty years, she promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day, contacting President after President until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Over the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln’s precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.

Other countries may also celebrate a day of thanksgiving but in America, Thanksgiving day is very special because we have so much to be thankful for:

We are privileged to live in America, the greatest country the world has even known.

We have the freedom to speak our minds, choose our religion, decide our future and we have the freedom to work hard to achieve our own American Dream.

We live in a country where citizens are willing to give their lives to protect our freedom. That is American Exceptionalism and we thank our military for the sacrifices they make every day.

We live in a country where all citizens are created equal, no monarchy or hereditary classes.

We have the freedom to vote for are elected officials and we must continue to guard this important freedom.

As we celebrate this holiday with family and friends take a minute to think about what you are most thankful for.
God Bless America!

We wish You and Your Family a Very Happy, Healthy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day

Thank you for all you do,
Roseann
Working Together To Make A Difference

CFRW Capitol Update Monday, September 15, 2014

President's Message

I would like to share with you some interesting polling statistics and talking points about women voters that we received at the RNC Taking Back the Future Workshop. This information can be helpful when talking to voters, especially women, about the critical November election:

◼ Women’s top priorities are the economy, government spending, education and healthcare.

◼ Only 25% of women believe the country is headed in the right direction, while 67% say it’s on the wrong track. A majority (53%) also disapprove of President Obama’s job performance.

◼ For years Democrats have fixated on a contrived “war on women” to connect with female voters, they have no appeal to women voters beyond “Republicans don’t like you”.

◼ In the past the Democrats’ baseless attacks weren’t sufficiently countered Today the Democrat policies have done nothing to help improve the lives of working families and Republicans are answering their attacks forcefully.

◼ Recent survey results of likely women voters in Battleground Congressional Districts commissioned by the RBC & NRCC demonstrate that Republican priorities are more in line with women’s priorities, and we will work hard to earn their votes.

◼ Women’s priorities run the gamut, but the most important issues involve jobs and household finances. Second, the vast majority are upset with the status quo and express feelings that range from anger to apathy…but certainly not satisfaction.

What does the polling say?

◼ On the economy, women are still looking for solutions that offer women better work opportunities and will actually start growing our economy for all workers. They also endorse changes to our tax and retirement laws to allow them to keep more of what they earn and to help small business owners pursue they goals.

◼ On Obama Care, 55% of women oppose the Democrats’ healthcare law while just 41% support it, 43% strongly oppose the law ,compared to just 22% who strongly support it. Women agree that “we need to start over and create real health care reform that allows us to choose the plans we want, the doctors we need at the cost we can afford.

◼ 60% of women were more likely to agree with Republicans that say women should receive equal pay for equal work. What we need are real solutions, such as better paying jobs and updating antiquated laws. Under the Obama watch women are facing higher levels of poverty, lower incomes, and stagnant wages. Since Obama took office nearly four million women have fallen into poverty.(according to the U.S.Census Department)

◼ 52% of women were more likely to agree with Republicans that say we need higher wages for all hardworking Americans. We should view minimum wage jobs as stepping stones for Americans that provide important work experience and training. Instead of focusing on increasing the minimum wage we need to talk about how to move women out of minimum wage jobs and into better paying, higher skill employment .

◼ 67% of women were more likely to agree with Republicans that say women should have the freedom to pick the health care plan that best fits their needs. Women need more control over health care decisions, not less. Obama Care doesn’t allow women to make health care decisions for their families. We need real health care reform not a one-size-fits-all plan.

Republicans recognize the need to win a greater share of women’s votes. But unlike Democrats we do not define women voters as single issue voters. As women we wear many different hats and we care about many issues facing all Americans today from the economy and jobs to health care and national defense. We need to engage women voters.

So many women are Republican, they just don’t know it! It is our job to help educate them.

God Bless America
Thank you for all you do,
Roseann
Working Together To Make A Difference
__________________
Stop Bad Bills!

Governor Brown signed into law last week, AB 1522 (Gonzales, D), which requires California employers to provide three days paid sick leave to all employees. We were disappointed, but there are still bills we need to stop! In the gubernatorial debate against Republican Neel Kashkari, Governor Brown said he is likely to sign the plastic bag ban. We must let him know that is not what Californians want!

SB 270 (Padilla, D): This narrowly passed bill now bans all plastic bags from grocers and retailers throughout California. Not only a ban, but a tax on Californians, who will now be charged 10 cents to use a paper bag or reusable bag. This will put thousands of plastic bag manufacturer workers out of work in California. This is useless legislation and must be stopped!

SB 1077 (DeSaulnier, D): The recently amended "Road Usage Fees" bill (from "Mileage Based Fees," same function, different name) passed through the legislature and is waiting for Governor Brown's signature. This bill creates a pilot program for the California Transportation Commission to begin to tax California automobile users by the number of miles they drive per day. The tax revenue from gas taxes just isn't the same in California since everyone and their mother drives a hybrid, so the Democrats have gotten creative on how they can take our money. This bill unfairly targets rural drivers who have to drive further for basic necessities and blue collar Californians who commute everyday.

CONTACT GOVERNOR BROWN NOW AND ASK HIM TO VETO THESE BILLS!
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160
Mail: Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
◼ EMAIL via Web: CLICK HERE
Tweet: @JerryBrownGov
__________________
CFRW Ballot Recommendations
Below are the California Federation of Republican Women's ballot recommendations. Talking points for each proposition will be available shortly.

Prop 1: YES
Prop 2: YES
Prop 45: NO
Prop 46: NO
Prop 47: NO
Prop 48: Neutral or No Position

CFRW PRESIDENT'S UPDATE

Hello Republican Women,

I hope all of you who attended our 2013 Leadership Workshop went home feeling much more informed and ready to get to work to continue to build your clubs and create an even a great presence in your communities. We are the messengers in our communities and knowledge is power.

We are very excited with the plans for our 2013 Spring Conference on April 27 in Redding so plan to come up and join us! Kerry Criss and the clubs of North Region are doing an awesome job of planning a conference with great speakers, an opportunity to network & share ideas and the chance to learn more about the most northern part of our state and the one of the last rural frontiers of our country. There will be some Friday workshops, and the Honorable Lynne Leach will host her outstanding Campaign School on Friday, April 26.

This is the year to INCREASE OUR MEMBERSHIP! We have to build up our numbers because we have another shot at electing more Republicans in 2014 . We need to have even more Republican women with boots on the ground so we can turn Sacramento around, keep the House and win back more seats in the Senate. We must put a stop to Mr. Obama’s out of control spending! We can do it but we need to get a lot more women involved!

CFRW President’s Message

Yesterday, Thursday, June 28, 2012 was a sad day for those being forced to purchase medical insurance. Never did we believe the Federal Government would be able to tax us into purchasing an item we did not want. All under the guise of the Government having the authority to tax their members. What will be forced to purchase next using this obscure law?

Those praising the passage of Obamacare did not read the fine print where a new agency will be put into place, a clearing house that will help us look for affordable insurance. Who will determine what is affordable? How many employees will it take? This is just one new agency; imagine when this debacle is fully implemented how many new agencies will be put into place. All of this on the back of middle America.

The gauntlet has been thrown down. We cannot afford to take time off this summer, we must put our boot on the road and work each and every day to elect Mitt Romney as President. Use your Facebook, Twitter, any and all electronic media and Letters to the Editor to remind the American public of this new tax being forced down our throats.

We WILL take back America, and with the Fourth of July just around the corner, today truly begins our fight for Independence and Freedom. We are Republican Women Federated, we are the activists, the life blood of this party, the defenders of our homes, we make things happen. We are women who will protect this nation. Stand tall, build our forces, and November 6th will be the true Independence Day for our nation and future generations to come.

ONE TEAM, ONE PURPOSE, ONE GOAL: MITT ROMNEY WILL BE PRESIDENT.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Carol Hadley
CFRW President

May 2011: President's Message

GOP candidates Herman Cain, Gary Johnson, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum took the stage in the first GOP 2012 Candidates Debate in Greenville, South Carolina. The event was co-sponsored by the South Carolina Republican Party and Fox News ◼ (Politico image)

The political season is bursting with new blood and energy as seen in the first vigorous debate. We were introduced to new faces, strong principles, and straight decisive answers!

We certainly heard powerful opinions on the current administration and the devastation it has subjected America to. As we launch even more candidates into the field, I feel confident that we are about to embrace this next election with several viable leaders to strongly support.

We must remember our true goal and that is a bold victory in 2012, not by bashing or tearing down our own Republicans who stand up to run but to get engaged, focus and use our excitement to target the win. The candidates themselves will unveil their leadership skills and knowledge, truth, honor and electability and the victor will be standing as our choice. America is relying upon us ~ let’s get ready to rumble!!!!!!!!

Watch the entire (recorded) debate on our website: http://www.hrwf-ca.org/2011/05/watch-entire-fox-news-south-carolina.html It’s broken up into four YouTube videos for easy viewing - and stay tuned for more. We’ll be posting news and opinion pieces to help you stay up to date and in the know.

◼ View the full Redwood Alert Newsletter here

President’s Message - February 2011

Boom! The Health Care Bill Illegal, Who Knew? WE DID!!

Federal Judge Roger Vinson, a Reagan appointee serving in Pensacola, Florida, ruled that key components of the law signed by President Barack Obama in March, are unconstitutional and that the entire law "must be declared void." Judge Roger Vinson found the entire law unconstitutional, after declaring that its key element -- the health insurance mandate -- was a law Congress did not have the power to enact. Opponents of the law claimed that while the government can regulate the activities of people engaged in commerce, like the insurance industry, it cannot regulate someone's inactivity -- that is, someone's refusal to buy insurance. It's an argument the judge found persuasive. Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared "void." The injunction is in place and yet the President moves forward. Administration can be held in contempt of court! When does the rule of law and the Constitution get recognized by Obama and Congress? If our Republicans would follow both, they would look to Printz v. United States (95-1478), 521 U.S. 898 (1997). This 1997 victory states Justice Scalia’s opinion: http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/95-1478.ZO.html. Read the pocket version under books: www.sheriffmack.com. This case was initially moved forward by Federal District Judge John Roll of Arizona, who was murdered four weeks ago in Tucson.

What does the Government fear? Patriots who educate their neighbors!

President’s Message

2011 brings us a sign of hope and new vitality and wishes for a Happy New Year!
It is exciting to begin January ushering in all victorious Republicans around the country and to Washington and see the stage set once again for promotion of conservative principles and logic.

The Constitution is read aloud!! This truly marks a great moment in time and may the younger generations pay attention to the “Word of the People” - the primary guide that keeps our nation the greatest on earth.

We must accept the responsibility to support our leaders diligently. And when we watch with care as coaches and umpires do in a football game, we will know exactly when to throw in the “Red and Yellow Flags”  to stop the action, contact them, rewind the misuse of power or money we entrusted them with, and hand out penalties when they are deemed.

We must “step in” and get out of our comfort zone to take our nation back to greatness. We can and will do it – even if we have to sleep with one eye open.    Debbie Walker

President’s Message - November 2010

HRWF ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS:

◼ Club's name changed from Eureka Republican Women Federated to Humboldt Republican Women Federated (HRWF) for purposes of making the club more inclusive of the home communities of our conservative women who are united in common purposes: education, better government, and service to our country.

◼ We closed out 2009 celebrating HRWF's award as a Diamond Club. There is reason to believe that we might be able to earn that award again.

President’s Message - October 2010

Our October 21 General Meeting is a fund raiser to be held at the Moose Lodge at 4328 Campton Road in Eureka. Members are being asked to volunteer to bring desserts (last names begin with letters A-L) and Salads (last names beginning with M though Z.) All those choosing the buffet lunch will pay $12. Those who prefer only dessert and beverage will pay $6 and Beverage/Speaker only will pay $4. Help would be most welcome. When we did this project in January it proved to be a great success and there were requests that we do an encore. If you would like to volunteer your help on this project please call Colleen Hedrick at 268-0101 or Kay Parris at 442-9232.

On going efforts on campaign efforts are in need of volunteers also and anyone who could spare time for helping on telephone work and office staffing may call and leave their names and contact information at Republican Headquarters. Call 442-2259.

This election is likely the most important election we have ever dealt with and every effort we can lend is important to our country, our children‟s way of life, and to our identities as a free people. We have candidates who are giving their all in campaign efforts. It is a matter of good citizenship that we support our best get out the vote efforts and our best support to our candidates.

The Hanks reception is scheduled for Saturday, October 9 from 4 to 5:30 in the Palm Room at the Eureka Inn. There will be music, a silent auction, wine, punch and Hors D‟ Oeuvres. The cost is $30 for singles and $50 for couples. Persons of all political persuasions are welcome to attend.

Even if you know you are giving your vote to Hanks, you have no questions to ask and your contribution has been sent your attendance will be excellent support. The event promises to be pleasurable and will certainly benefit from a strong turn out. COLLEEN HEDRICK

◼ Redwood Alert October 2010 (PDF)

President’s Message - September 2010

While it is a season that sees many of those aspiring to office throwing their hats in the ring, we think that it is probably a great time to have a little fun with a Hat Wearing Contest at our general meeting Thursday, September 16. We are hit daily with bad news from Sacramento, bad news from Washington, and bad news from places far and near (some unpronounceable and some tiresome because they stay so persistently on the wrong side of something or whatever). It seems like a good time to decide we will just have fun with something for the sake of fun. Fun prizes will be offered for: the most becoming hat, the ugliest hat, the best sunshade, and the most unusual hat. Both men and women many enter. The opinion of the judges is final and, no matter how much you may disagree, no one will care. Please participate. Unless you have a job interview as a fashion model immediately after the meeting, your hairstyle will survive a bout with a hat after you give it a little tweaking--so please add to the fun and put on a derby, a sombrero, a coon skin hat, or whatever you think up. I plan to prove myself a woman who wears more than one hat.

The Republican Picnic was a happy day. Rohner Park was a great facility and thanks to outstanding volunteer help, the event went off very well. Candidates were with us: Lawrence Weisner, candidate for First District State Senate; Loren Hanks, candidate for First District House of Representatives,; Karen Brooks, candidate for First District State Assembly; Sue Long, candidate for the Fortuna City Council; and Virginia Bass, candidate for First District County Board of Supervisors.

October is going to be another of our Republican Women fundraiser buffets. We will again fill the tables at the Moose Lodge for our general meeting. That’s Thursday, October 21, so please mark your calendar and save that day for HRWF---if your doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, or whoever wants to see you at that time, just bring them to lunch with you---they could do dessert first, if that’s their preference. BY COLLEEN HEDRICK

President’s Message - August 2010

August will mark the last quarter before November election day. We are scheduled for a booth in cooperation with Humboldt County‟s Central Committee at Rio Dell‟s Wildwood Days on Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8.

Voter registration, displaying our candidates‟ campaign materials, promoting membership in Humboldt Republican Women Federated (HRWF), and cookbook sales will be offered in the booth.

The next booths will be at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale, running Thursday, August 12 through Monday, August 23. Again HRWF and Central Committee will cooperatively staff the Republican Party Booth. Many of us will also be working in the Tea Party booth. Help is needed both in Rio Dell and in Ferndale. Both sites offer opportunities to win friends and influence voters. Anyone who has worked in the booths knows that the experience is interesting and fun because of the opportunity to meet people.

Our general meeting, Thursday, August 19, will also be tied to our all-important November date with the ballot box with Peter Hannaford as our speaker, offering professional advice on helping with campaigns and elections. This is a rare chance to learn from a person who worked on top level campaigns. We will also be holding a Bake Sale at this meeting. If you haven‟t renewed your membership, there will be an opportunity to see Terry Roberts and bring yourself up to date on that transaction. Currently, we are lagging behind our recent past years‟ roster numbers. We have consistently been one of the two top membership clubs. Let‟s keep our prestigious status.

All through August, September, and October, the staffing of the Central Committee Office will be of great importance. We have some fine candidates. They‟re working hard and we are their back-up. Please step up and schedule time there, volunteer to walk precincts, hold a coffee session for a candidate, and be there when telephone help on get out the vote is needed. We are in great need to elect conservatives and the time to do our part is now through election day.

Sunday, August 29, is our Republican Picnic at Rohner Park in Fortuna, 12 noon to 4 p.m., lunch at 12:30. Candidates are invited so meet-and-mingle time will be part of this sociable event. You just might hear someone talking politics. There will be a chili cook-off and a pie contest. Anyone is welcome to compete. There will be children‟s activities. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages will be provided by HRWF and Central Committee. Those whose last names begin with A-M will bring sides and salads. Those with last names beginning with N through Z will bring desserts. Please do call Debbie Walker, 441-1126, or Colleen Hedrick, 268-0101, so we have a ballpark idea on how many will be served. Don‟t miss this chance to visit with candidates and your fellow Republicans.

President’s Message - May 2010

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY COLLEEN HEDRICK
Ladies we are looking at a summer with a number of projects needing our attention and our time. A top priority has to be from now to the ballot boxes; first in June and then in November That means the need to staff the office, work as needed on phone calling, helping on candidate fund raisers as individuals, registering voters, and helping to get out the vote. Please call me at 268-0101 or Debbie Walker at 441-1126 and tell us what you would like to do and what times suit you best We have kicked off our Big Ticket Sale. This event drew a lot of interest last year when we offered for the first time a gas grill as a Grand Prize. Again this year we have exceptional prizes offered in first, second, and third places. First Prize is an overnight stay at Benbow Inn and two rounds of golf, Second Prize is a gift basket from Blue Lake Casino, and Third Prize is a gift basket from Cher ae Heights Casino. Tickets sell for $15 and the funds are targeted for our scholarship fund and for community outreach projects. Drawing will be held at our June 17 gen- eral meeting.

Consider the possibility of giving our cookbook as a thoughtful gift for summer birthdays. This is a gift with a long life. Books will be avail- able at the May20 meeting Call if you need copies: Kathy Rodriguez @839-8105, Lynda Pozel@ 442-1283 or Colleen Hedrick @268-0101.

Our coupon collecting for military families is an ongoing project that is booming. Please bring your coupons to the next meeting and give them to Chris Wennerholm, our Americanism Chairman. She not only sends them to military bases but does a tally on the dollar amount the coupons offer to families that in some cases function below poverty level. Lend a hand if you can please. You are sure to like yourself better for the ef- fort.

Our business directory project and the care home project will be getting underway in the near future. If there are jobs you would be willing to lend a hand please do call me. We will be much pleased to have your help.

President’s Message - March 2010

If you have checked our calendar in this issue of our newsletter, you have seen that we are in the happy role of being scheduled well ahead in some areas of our plans for this club year and this election year. Currently, several members of HRWF have collected papers at the Humboldt County Elections Office for the purpose of soliciting signatures to support candidacy for the board of Central Committee. Members are needed so business may be conducted. Attendance and support by community members are also in the best interests of the board and local citizens. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at 311 Fifth St. in Eureka.

Our gala Republican of the Year celebration will be Saturday, April 10, at
the Ingomar Club. Watch for more information on this event.

Our Membership Tea has been scheduled for April 13 at Jerrie Bartley‟s lovely home at 2525 O St., Eureka. If you aren‟t current with your membership, there‟s an insert/envelope combo in this newsletter to make it easy to have that small chore off your list. The tea will be our April meeting.

We are counting on a great turnout for Dr. William Wagner at this month/s general meeting. Debbie Walker has heard him speak and made a strong effort to get him here so we can all benefit from his extensive background in the Middle East. We are hoping for strong representation of our local military, so don‟t forget to invite your service person, be they current or retired.

Please do remember your food donations for the second half of our winter food drive. These are difficult times for many of our Humboldt families.

Touch base with me if you want more information about out-of-our-area events. Think about Advocacy Days if there‟s a young person you would like to take to Sacramento to visit legislators.

Our Republican Picnic is nailed down for Sunday, August 29, at that great facility in Rohner Park in Fortuna. We will be trying for candidates to be in attendance to give members, their families and guests the opportunity to look over the field, as well as to socialize with old friends and make some new ones. If you want to lend a helping hand on this project, please give me a call at 268-0101.

Currently we are working on several new projects for HRWF. Preliminary organization is in process for Care Home Visitation Program, Community Beautification, and the Establishment of a Scholarship Program. We are looking for helpers on the first two and there will be fundraising efforts along the way that will welcome your interest and help. HRWF has proven it is a most
capable organization and you have reason to be proud of each member‟s contribution. Thank you for all you do
◼ March 2010 issue Redwood Alert

President’s Message - February 2010

Our first effort at a buffet lunch as a fundraiser worked well, thanks to outstanding support in the donation and helping hands departments. HRWF members’ efforts netted between $800 - $900 before all minor bills are accounted for in the expense column. It would appear that the event would be well worth considering as worth a repeat at some future time. The event was also certainly a success in the culinary selections with at least a half dozen choices for filling soup bowls, many salads and side dishes, and desserts aplenty. Kay Backer was an outstanding speaker on our swampy county planning department.

Humboldt County citizens are encouraged to complete the form provided on the back cover of this newsletter and send it to Kay Backer, 2524 San Marin Lane, Sacramento 95835, go online at biusa@aol. com, or turn the form in to Colleen Hedrick.

This month’s general meeting will offer a repeat of last year’s drive for the Eureka Food Bank. Winter months are particularly difficult for many Humboldt families and the Food Bank needs help in keeping a stock of groceries to meet their needs. The food service will bring containers to the lobby at the Elks Club and pick up the containers after our meeting. This project was a huge success last year. Let’s put it over the top again. Bring metal and plastic containers, please. Protein food choices are particularly needed. If you get to the meeting and realize you forgot the food you intended to bring, please consider writing a check payable to Food for People, Inc.

Continuing efforts on cookbook sales have resulted in the placement of the books at the Eureka Chamber, the Morris Graves Art Gallery, and Bella Baskets in Eureka. The Fortuna Chamber and Green’s Pharmacy in Fortuna are selling copies. The books are available in Ferndale at the Like Nobody Else Day Spa, Lentz Department Store, and G.B. Farm Girl. CC Market in Rio Dell is a distributor and the Rio Dell Library has posted a flyer about our book. Carolyn Eisner is checking for placement in Trinidad stores. Call Kathy Rodriguez at 839-8105 for
copies. By Colleen Hedrick

President’s Message - January 2010

Happy New Year. This is a favorite time of mine simply because I love new beginnings. We had a great 2009 in the awards arena, made some mistakes and learned some things. We tried some new things and most of those we are likely to repeat because they worked. We also repeated some old things, borrowed some good ideas and pulled up our red, white, and blue socks to become greater activists than we were before last year started. And, of ourse, since we had old, new, borrowed, and blue and some great women in our membership some of you got married in 2009.

This new year promises to be even busier and more productive than the territory we just plowed. We hope to expand our image in Humboldt County with our community service work by maintaining past projects and expanding into some interesting other areas of local involvement. The new
arenas include some community beautification efforts and a visitation program for care homes.

Mary Scott has prepared a first draft on our scholarship plan; due to computer challenges we will be reporting on that next month. Our Bake Sale at the December meeting added nicely to our fledgling scholarship fund. Thanks for your help.

The arrival of the cookbooks was a big ending for a year that gave us considerable cause to celebrate, reasons to be proud of ourselves as better informed and more activist citizens,
satisfaction because a lot of hard work was behind our achievements, and because we had fun while we did the whole thing.

Let’s see if we can out-do ourselves in 2010 as we take on an election year and a loaded agenda.

Colleen Hedrick
◼ January 2010 Redwood Alert

President’s Message - A look over our shoulder

As we approach the end of the year it is time to take a look at where we have been for 2009 and a look forward to our next newsletter in January 2010. Most of our goals for 2009 were met and one way and another we cut a pretty wide path. Eleven meetings will have been held, we did a lot of community outreach and drew a share of the hoped for publicity for our efforts. On this topic helping the community is our first goal but the additional purpose is to establish our identity in the community as a caring, productive element in our community. Remember the stereotype image of the Republican woman is a rich woman with at least one fur coat, a limo, and a snooty face. e are a widely diversified group but one thing is for sure we are not afraid of work.

Our work for 2009 produced 11 newsletters, 11 well attended programs, heavy duty participation in Tea Party activities, staffing of several fair booths, the Meg Whitman reception, and the Republican Picnic with Chuck Devore (a candidate for the senate) and Ken Miller who aspires to the governor’s race. We were fortunate to gather these guests since that rarely happens for Humboldt County Republican Women.

We earned the Diamond Award (the highest award a club such as ours can earn.) We added a half dozen more awards in Northern Division competitions. Among the awards at the conference were first place for community outreach and first place for membership increase.

Some of what we learned in 2009 seems likely to make some projects easier this coming year. Hopefully that will enable us to have an even more productive 2010. Part of what’s important in all this is that we also learned from our programs, gained friendships, and had fun. There are big challenges for 2010. Let’s remember: When Women Work We Win. Colleen Hedrick

◼ november2009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING & MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christmas Celebration for Republican Women
Monday, December 7, 2009
5:30 P.M. at Elks Lodge
We would like to invite you to a celebration of our club and the close of a very exciting and productive year, earning us the “Diamond Award”, the highest honor. We are happy to hold an evening event with dinner so all members may join us and share in our club and see many friends and meet our new members!
Reserve early – Evening pricing -Colleen- 268-0101
“Bake” Sale – or “No Bake” Sale Event –
Bake or donate money in place of goodies!
Tantalizing Cuisine Cookbooks WILL be here!
Ways and Means Opportunity Drawing
2010 Installation of Officers

President’s Message - September 2009

Our successful hosting of Meg Whitman, candidate for governor of California, was a surprise event and put together in record time through the combined generous efforts of donors:
Harvey Harper, Green Diamond, Security National, George Peterson Insurance, and O & M Industries. Mike Harvey, devout Republican supporter and all-around great guy to work with, was hugely instrumental in the event’s success. Joy Finley and I had reason to be well pleased with the turnout of the membership on short notice. Our attendance matched the best count at a more urban location and well exceeded other points on the Whitman itinerary on their Northern California tour. A big thank you to all of those persons contributing to what was called “a big success.”

Other projects underway include the Sunday, October 4, Republican Picnic at the Moose Lodge on Campton Road. Please mark your calendars and save that day. Chuck De Vore, candidate for Barbara Boxer’s senate seat, has promised to attend and other invitations have been sent.. Our November 19 meeting will be a social event opening at 5:30 (more details to come), so please plan ahead on scheduling for this and a first showing of our new cookbooks.

Please remember your clothing contributions for the Soroptimists Battered Women’s Shelter and your coupons for the overseas military families. Helping hands are often most readily available on the ends of our own arms. BY COLLEEN HEDRICK
◼ september2009

President’s Message - August 2009

We have more different directions these days than a hot air balloon caught in a Kansas cyclone. We are asking everyone to save coupons they receive and to ask family and neighbors to save them as well. Chris Wennerholm will send them to overseas bases where they will help military families stretch their budgets. The base exchanges will accept coupons that are up to three months old. It’s a freebie for us but valuable to the families. Please make it a habit to save coupons..

Please bring in toiletries and kitchen items for our second stint at lending a hand to help American Business Women Associated support their women’s shelter. Barbara Hecathorn is
chairing this community project. For the September meeting, we will be collecting clothing for a SoroptimistSponsored battered women’s shelter. There is particular interest in clothing that would be useful to women who are job-hunting. Almost any closet is housing clothing and accessories items that will give a lift to people who surely deserve our help.

Committee meetings are in progress for the production of a cookbook by our club. A form for recipes is included in this newsletter. The book will have greater community appeal if it includes recipes from your family, friends, and neighbors.

Saturday, August 29 at 4 p.m. is the time for a Meet the Candidates event in Napa at the El Macero Country Club…

Don’t Miss Our August Speaker — The Liberals want to SHUT UP RUSH, HANNITY, AND ALL CONSERVATIVES ON TALK RADIO — Let’s find out how to stop them. BY COLLEEN HEDRICK
◼ august2009

President’s Message - July 2009

I hear from many people that these are times that are troubling and everyday seems to add still more causes for great concern. Those circumstances readily lend themselves to frequent feelings of worry and frustration since there is no ready solution.

We call state and national politicians, send emails and letters, sign petitions, register voters, join the TEA Party marchers, and if we are surprisingly lucky, get a letter to the editor printed. Essentially, the resource we have is a show of numbers and our most valuable asset is bulldog persistence. Do not give up.

COUPONS, PLEASE
For the July meeting, bring manufacturer’s coupons for food and household items that have been clipped and trimmed. We will send them to a military base to help stretch the buying power of overseas service families. Coupons are accepted up to three months past their due dates. Please—
no store coupons.

Also for the July meeting please bring the toiletries to donate to American Business Women’s Association’s women’s shelter. One - use sizes are also welcome. Let’s extend our helping hands.

Please understand the Elks Lodge policy of a $4.00 charge that can be beverage/speaker or for speaker only. The facility has to function as a business. They do a good job of serving our organization. BY COLLEEN HEDRICK

President’s Message - June 2009

This month’s speaker, Northern Division President Liz Froelich, will be a most welcome guide and support to our club’s goals to become the ardent activists who make a difference. That is no easy course to chart by the time we meet our obligations to our families, jobs, communities and to ourselves.

We are all well acquainted with the adage that bad things happen because good men do nothing. Maybe we need to adopt a mantra that, “We will strive to be the good women who do something to change what we can.” If we don’t bird dog proposed legislation, advocate to the best of our principles, and work to elect those we believe will bring our conservative purposes to their office, who will?

It was wonderful at our last meeting to see the great show of hands when the question was asked, “How many picked up the phone, sent an email or a fax, signed a petition, sent a donation, or wrote a letter to the editor?” Hurrah for every one of you! You spoke up and stood up to be counted. And that, ladies, is the heart and soul of democracy. I am proud of you.

We hope you will be at the June meeting to hear Liz Froelich’s information on campaigns. WHEN WOMEN WORK, WE WIN! BY COLLEEN HEDRICK