Grassroots Democracy
February Coffee and Conversation is This Saturday! Please Note Location Change!
Posted January 22nd, 2012 by Pathadler
Our next Coffee and Conversation will be held this Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Upper Arlington Main Library, 2800 Tremont Road. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room B, and coffee and light refreshments will be served.
This will be an interesting meeting. The Upper Arlington Public Library Director Ann Moore, and Board Members Bill Shikurti and Amy Sharpe, will discuss the library levy that will be on the ballot March 6th. Additionally, Mike Schadek, member of UA City Council, will share his feelings about being on the Council and an update about what's going on with the city. Come and meet your fellow progressives in UA!
The Library is sponsoring Feed Down Fines this Saturday from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Bring in canned goods and non-perishable food in exchange for a reduction of overdue library book fines. The food goes to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. The Library will also take donations of food if you have no fines!
Check Out Coffee and Conversation This Saturday at the Library!
Posted February 1st, 2012 by Pathadler
February 2, 2012 • www.uaprogressiveaction.com
Please note both the time and location change!
Our next Coffee and Conversation will be held this Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Upper Arlington Main Library, 2800 Tremont Road. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room B, and coffee and light refreshments will be served.
This will be an interesting meeting. The Upper Arlington Public Library Director Ann Moore, and Board Members Bill Shikurti and Amy Sharpe, will discuss the library levy that will be on the ballot March 6th. Additionally, Mike Schadek, member of UA City Council, will share his feelings about being on the Council and an update about what's going on with the city. Come and meet your fellow progressives in UA!
The Library is sponsoring Feed Down Fines this Saturday from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Bring in canned goods and non-perishable food in exchange for a reduction of overdue library book fines. The food goes to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. The Library will also take donations of food if you have no fines!
Learn About the UA LIbrary Levy
The Library Levy will be on the ballot on March 6th. The most important thing to know about the proposed levy is that it's not a tax increase. Homeowners will continue to pay the same tax rate for the library levy as they currently do. For more information about this issue, please attend our Coffee and Conversation on Saturday (info above), or visit the Library's Levy Renewal Fact Page.
2nd Annual Blue Brunch Fundraiser to Benefit UAPA
Please join us for our Blue Brunch on Sunday, February 12, 2012, 11:30 a.m., at the Amelita Mirolo Barn, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane in Upper Arlington. An amazing gourmet brunch provided by Park Creek Kitchens is on the menu along with entertainment, and an exciting silent auction of unique items. Additionally OBAMA and UAPA gear will be available to loyal supporters! Because we love all of our supporters, we've added another giving level of $50 per person. it's a great way to enjoy brunch amid your fellow Democrats and Progressives, as well as help support our mission to elect worthy and reasonable candidates for state, local and Federal office!
Please send an email to feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com to let us know you're coming, and send your check, made payable to UAPA, to UAPA Blue Brunch, 2491 Lane Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220. If you can't attend, please consider sending us a donation!
Meet Your Democratic Primary Candidates for the 15th Congressional District
We have two candidates vying for the Democratic candidacy for the 15th Congressional District slot in the upcoming Ohio Primary on March 6. The winner will run against Republican Rep. Steve Stivers in the fall.
Pat Lang, 34, is the Athens City Law Director, a position he has held somce 2007.
Scott Wharton, 53, has been a commercial airline pilot for Delta for 22 years and runs a family farm in Amanda. For more information on both of these candidates, visit our website.
Admittedly the Democratic candidate will have an uphill battle against Stivers, but we feel that no one is unbeatable! We encourage our membership to support the candidate of their choice in the primary election in March, and to support the primary winner in the fall in the general election on November 6th!
The Successes of President Barack Obama
During this election year, it's particularly important to share the some of the achievements of the Obama administration, and when we talk about what separates a Democratic administration from a Republican one, there's no greater difference than how the poor are treated.
On February 1st, Mitt Romney told CNN that he's not concerned about the poor:
“I’m in this race because I care about Americans. I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it. I’m not concerned about the very rich; they’re doing just fine. I’m concerned about the very heart of America, the 90 percent, 95 percent of Americans who right now are struggling.”
Compare that to the Obama Administration which has continually tried to pass legislation to assist all Americans, despite an obstructionist Congress. The Administration has provided affordable health care, championed a a payroll tax cut for small businesses and individuals, and created a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, headed by our native son, Richard Cordray, that safeguards all from predatory financial practices. The differences are very clear!
Funnies
Meet Your Democratic Primary Candidates for the 15th Congressional District
Posted January 29th, 2012 by PathadlerWe have two candidates vying for the Democratic candidacy for the 15th Congressional District slot in the upcoming Ohio Primary on March 6. The winner will run against Republican Rep. Steve Stivers in the fall.
Pat Lang, 34, visited with UAPA during our Coffee and Conversation event on January 7, 2012. Lang was the youngest person elected to Athens City Council at the age of 19. He's a graduate of Ohio University and the University of Cincinnati, where he received a law degree. He served as an assistant prosecutor for Athens County for nearly four years before being elected to the position of Athens City Law Director in 2007, a position he currently holds.
Scott Wharton, 53, has been a commercial airline pilot for Delta for 22 years and is a retired Air Force pilot, having spent 10 years in active service and 10 years in the reserves. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a union member of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Wharton, who has a bachelor’s degree in computer science, resides in Amanda with his children, Heather and Thomas, on a family-run farm that raises cash crops. We have not been contacted by his campaign.
When Lang met with us in January, he informed the group about the redistricting changes in the 15th District. The original map, devised by the Republicans, had the 15th District as a snake-shaped monstrosity that was only 43% Democratic. The compromised redistricting plan shows the 15th District wiith 47% Democrats, which is slightly better.
Admittedly the Democratic candidate will have an uphill battle against Stivers, but we feel that no one is unbeatable! We encourage our membership to support the candidate of their choice in the primary election in March, and to support the primary winner in the fall in the general election on November 6th!
How can UAPA members help?
• Vote for your candidate on March 6th. It will say a lot if the Democratic candidates get more votes than the Republican incumbent.
• Facebook friend and bookmark the webpage of your candidate.
• Volunteer for their campaign and "knock and talk" about your candidate in the nieghborhood. No kidding, shoe leather is the number one way to get votes in UA. Just ask any City Council member!
Helpful Links:
UAPA is Looking for a Letters to the Editor Coordinator
Posted January 29th, 2012 by PathadlerWe're looking for an organized, motivated volunteer to coordinate our Letters to the Editor program. The duties of this position are to help generate letter topics and talking points (with help from UAPA's executive committee), make assignments to volunteers who have indicated their willingness to write letters, and ensure the volunteer letter writers follow through with assignments. You aren't required to write letters but encouraged to do so. Please contact us at feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com.
Don't You Just Love UAPA? Join Our 2nd Annual Blue Brunch Fundraiser to Benefit UAPA!
Posted January 29th, 2012 by Pathadler
Please join us for our Blue Brunch on Sunday, February 12, 2012, 11:30 a.m., at the Amelita Mirolo Barn, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane in Upper Arlington. An amazing gourmet brunch provided by Park Creek Kitchens is on the menu along with entertainment, and an exciting silent auction of unique items. Additionally OBAMA and UAPA gear will be available to loyal supporters! Because we love all of our supporters, we've added another giving level of $50 per person. it's a great way to enjoy brunch amid your fellow Democrats and Progressives, as well as help support our mission to elect worthy and reasonable candidates for state, local and Federal office!
Please send an email to feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com to let us know you're coming, and send your check, made payable to UAPA, to UAPA Blue Brunch, 2491 Lane Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220. If you can't attend, please consider sending us a donation!
Don't You Just Love UAPA?
Posted January 29th, 2012 by Pathadler
January 30, 2012 • www.uaprogressiveaction.com
Please join us for our Second Annual Blue Brunch fundraiser
on February 12th
and help support our efforts
to elect Democratic and Progressive candidates!
Join Us Tuesday for Obama For America State of the Union Watch Party
Posted January 22nd, 2012 by Pathadler 
Please join fellow Upper Arlington progressives for a State of the Union watch party on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Obama signs and bumper stickers will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served. Go to BarackObama.com to RSVP and get directions to the event.
UAPA Book Club Meets on This Monday
Posted January 22nd, 2012 by Pathadler
Enjoy stimulating and scintillating discussions with a congenial group at our next book club meeting this Monday, January 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in Donato's meeting room (corner of Northwest Blvd. and Zollinger Road). Ordering food is encouraged since the use of the room is free. Our book is Conservatives Without Conscience, by John Dean.
Join the party! Read a book! Watch the President's Address!
Posted January 22nd, 2012 by Pathadler
January 23, 2012 • www.uaprogressiveaction.com
UAPA Book Club Meets on This Monday
Enjoy stimulating and scintillating discussions with a congenial group at our next book club meeting this Monday, January 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in Donato's meeting room (corner of Northwest Blvd. and Zollinger Road). Ordering food is encouraged since the use of the room is free. Our book is Conservatives Without Conscience, by John Dean.
Obama For America State of the Union Watch Party
Please join fellow Upper Arlington progressives for a State of the Union watch party on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Obama signs and bumper stickers will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served. Go to BarackObama.com to RSVP and get directions to the event.
February Coffee and Conversation
Our next Coffee and Conversation will be held this Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at Park Creek Kitchen, 2124 Arlington Avenue. There will be a $3.00 charge per person for coffee, tea, muffins and fruit.
This will be an interesting meeting. The Upper Arlington Public Library Director Ann Moore, and Board Members Bill Shikurti and Amy Sharpe, will discuss the library levy that will be on the ballot March 6th. Additionally, Mike Schadek, member of UA City Council, will share his feelings about being on the Council and an update about what's going on with the city. Come and meet your fellow progressives in UA!
UAPA is Looking for a Letters to the Editor Coordinator
We're looking for an organized, motivated volunteer to coordinate our Letters to the Editor program. The duties of this position are to help generate letter topics and talking points (with help from UAPA's executive committee), make assignments to volunteers who have indicated their willingness to write letters, and ensure the volunteer letter writers follow through with assignments. You aren't required to write letters but encouraged to do so. Please contact us at feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com.
Mark the Date!
The second annual Blue Brunch will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012. More details to follow!
Call for Health Care Stories
UAPA would like to gather your stories about how the Affordable Health Care Act (President Obama's Healthcare initiative) had helped you and your family. Have you been able to get health insurance when you previously were denied due to a preexisting condition? Were you able to keep your 24-25 year-old child on your insurance policy? If you are a small business owner, did you take advantage of the tax credits to insure your employees?Send us your story! Contact us at feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com.
Funnies
Occupy the Courthouse/Protest Citizens United
Posted January 17th, 2012 by cmohr152@aol.comIt is the second anniversary of the Citizens United decision. How are you enjoying the concept of Corporations = People and Money = Speech? Keep enjoying all the television commercials in this election year paid for by anonymous donors to Super Pacs.
Ready to do something about it? Join the protest this Friday afternoon, January 20, 2012, from 3 to 5pm at the Courthouse in downtown Columbus. Tom McNabb of Occupy Columbus came and spoke to UAPA Conversations and Coffee in December, and their protests are designed to be fun, get noticed, and grow from the grass roots.
Location: Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse, 85 Marconi Boulevard, Columbus, OH
Fracking: Economic Godsend or Environmental Disaster? You Decide at the Next UAPA Member Meeting on January 17!
Posted January 12th, 2012 by Pathadler
January 13, 2012 • www.uaprogressiveaction.com
UAPA Membership Meeting to Feature Speaker on Fracking
The next UAPA membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Theatre of the Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Road. Following a brief business meeting, Trent Daugherty from the Ohio Environmental Council will present "Fracking: An Economic Godsend or Environmental Disaster?"
The reasoned talk will cover the environmental, economic, health and political consequences of fracking -- hydraulic fracturing the earth for gas (and apparently earthquake) production. Light hors 'd oeuvres will be served. Following the presentation and Q&A, UAPA committees will have brief working meetings. If you want to build a better community, state and nation, consider joining one of our committees, or just learn about our upcoming events and projects.
UAPA Book Club News
Enjoy stimulating and scintillating discussions with a congenial group at our next book club meeting, Monday, January 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in Donato's meeting room (corner of Northwest Blvd. and Zollinger Road). Ordering food is encouraged since the use of the room is free. Our book is Conservatives Without Conscience, by John Dean.
Looking for Data Entry Volunteers
UAPA needs your help. We need to add to and clean up our database so we can use it for the upcoming elections. We have a plan to get it done by the end of the month, but we need your help to do it. We know that you're busy, but any time you can give will allow us to reach our goal and be effective in electing Democrats!
We will provide you with training but be assured that the database is user friendly! This is a very helpful task you can do while watching TV! Please contact John Lytle at jlytle@columbus.rr.com.
Call for Health Care Stories
UAPA would like to gather your stories about how the Affordable Health Care Act had helped you and your family. Have you been able to get health insurance when you previously were denied due to a preexisting condition? Were you able to keep your 24-25 year-old child on your insurance policy? If you are a small business owner, did you take advantage of the tax credits to insure your employees?
Send us your story! Contact us at feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com.
UAPA Members in the News
At the last Coffee and Conversation, UAPA Member Allison Pierce described her recently opened one-woman photography exhibit, Unsustainable. Her photographs emphasize unsustainable environmental landscapes -- photo journalism at its best! The show runs through January 28, 2012, at the Ohio Art League Gallery, 1552 N. High Street, next door to the Gateway Theatre.
Have you done something newsworthy. We want to know! Send us your news at feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com.
UAPA is Looking for a Letters to the Editor Coordinator
We're looking for an organized, motivated volunteer to coordinate our Letters to the Editor program. The duties of this position are to help generate letter topics and talking points (with help from UAPA's executive committee), make assignments to volunteers who have indicated their willingness to write letters, and ensure the volunteer letter writers follow through with assignments. You aren't required to write letters but encouraged to do so. Please contact us at feedback@uaprogressiveaction.com.
Mark the Date!
The second annual Blue Brunch will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012. More details to follow!
The Successes of President Barack Obama
During this election year, it's particularly important to share the some of the achievements of the Obama administration, and when we talk about what separates a Democratic administration from a Republican one, there are no greater reminders about the differences than environmental priorities like the following:
Obama to Ban Uranium Mining around Grand Canyon
By Deborah Zabarenko
ScientificAmerican.com
"The Obama administration is set to ban new uranium mining claims around the Grand Canyon for the next 20 years, a move hailed by conservation groups as a key to the president's environmental legacy.
The decision would put some one million acres of public lands outside Grand Canyon National Park off limits to all hard-rock mining for two decades, the longest moratorium allowed by law. Existing mining operations would continue.
The National Mining Association, an industry group, expressed disappointment, but stopped short of announcing an immediate challenge to the decision." Read the rest of the story here.
and then there was this last month...
Obama Administration Announces Standards to Keep Our Families Safe from Mercury and Other Pollutants
by Frances Beinecke
National Resources Defense Council Blog
"Whenever I talk with parents of young children about my work, they often ask me about mercury pollution. They know it can harm children and pregnant women and they know it is pervasive, but they are unsure how to keep their families safe.
Today that job just got easier. President Obama announced new standards to reduce mercury, lead, and other dangerous pollution from pwer plants. Now dirty coal-fired plants that fought standards for decades will finally have to clean up their act." Read the rest of the story here.
Funnies
UAPA Membership Meeting to Feature Speaker on Fracking
Posted January 11th, 2012 by PathadlerUAPA Membership Meeting to Feature Speaker on Fracking
The next UAPA membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Theatre of the Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Road. Following a brief business meeting, a speaker from the Ohio Environmental Council will discuss the environmental and health impacts of fracking -- hydraulic fracturing for gas (and apparently earthquake) production. The politics of fracking will also be covered.
Coffee and Conversation This Saturday
Posted January 5th, 2012 by Pathadler
January 6, 2012 • www.uaprogressiveaction.com
Coffee and Conversation
Our next Coffee and Conversation will be held this Saturday, January 7, 2012, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at Park Creek Kitchen, 2124 Arlington Avenue. Environmental activists Ellen Baumgartner and Carol Fisher will be our speakers.There will be a $3.00 charge per person for coffee, tea, muffins and fruit. Come and meet your fellow progressives in UA!
UAPA Membership Meeting to Feature Speaker on Fracking
The next UAPA membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Theatre of the Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Road. Following a brief business meeting, a speaker from the Ohio Environmental Council will discuss the environmental and health impacts of fracking -- hydraulic fracturing for gas (and apparently earthquake) production. The politics of fracking will also be covered.
UAPA Book Club News
The next book club meeting will be Monday, January 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in Donato's meeting room (corner of Northwest Blvd. and Zollinger Road). Ordering food is encouraged since the use of the room is free. Our book is Conservatives Without Conscience, by John Dean.
Progressive Radio Returns To Columbus
Tune in to WVKO 1580 AM to listen to progressive talk, seven days a week. The lineup features popular radio hosts Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller, Thoma Hartmann, Mike Malloy, and Leslie Marshall. Support progressive talk by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter.
The Successes of President Barack Obama
During this election year, it's particularly important to share the some of the achievements of the Obama administration. The following statistics illustrate the effectiveness of his healthcare initiative:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has enabled 2.5 million young adults to have health insurance converage, far exceeding the 1.24 million who were expected to benefit from the law. An estimated 82,000 young Ohioans have access to health care because of ACA.
Funnies
Time Is Running Out! Sign the Petition to Overturn HB 319!
Posted December 8th, 2011 by Pathadler
December 8, 2011 • www.uaprogressiveaction.com
Republicans recently gerrymandered all of Ohio's congressional districts to "pack" all Democrats into the fewest number of districts possible. Although Ohio is roughly 50% Republican and 50% Democrat, over 75% of the newly drawn districts are GOP! Currently signatures are being collected to place the Repeal HB 319 measure on the ballot in 2012. But we don't have much time to gather the necessary 231,150 valid signatures -- our deadline is December 20, 2011! Make sure your name is counted! Let the Statehouse Republicans know you won't stand for such underhanded tactics to win elections!
Sign the Petition!
Petitions can be signed this Saturday and Sunday morning, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Please show your appreciation for Colin's support by purchasing a cup of coffee or treat. He's been a big supporter of UAPA and progressive causes near and dear to us all!
Please note: For the most current signing locations, please check our Facebook page. Additionally, petitions may be signed at the Ohio Democratic Party Headquarters. Please call first to confirm availability of times: 614-221-6563.
Funnies
Learn About Occupy Columbus at Our Coffee and Conversation This Saturday, December 3rd!
Posted December 2nd, 2011 by Pathadler
December 2, 2011 • www.uaprogressiveaction.com
Our next Coffee and Conversation is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 9:00 a.m. at Park Creek Kitchen, 2124 Arlington Avenue. Our speaker will be Tom NcNabb from Occupy Columbus. Come hear what's on the agenda for the occupy movement, including the march on Washington to overturn Citizens United.
There will be a $3.00 charge per person for coffee, tea, juice and muffins. Come and meet your fellow progressives in UA!
Funnies
