Support the Equal Rights Amendment

Support the Equal Rights Amendment

This Monday, February 7, is an important day for the Equal Rights Amendment, as the Virginia State Senate will be voting on the ERA. This is the first time in Virginia since 1982 that the ERA has been able to get out of committee, so this is HUGE! We need to have a strong showing of supporters to not only demonstrate that the ERA has strong backing this year, but to help us in future efforts for the ERA. It's going to be a close vote in the Senate, and if it passes, a strong show of support could help change minds in the House.

So, if you can make it to Richmond, please help us out! We'll be meeting at 10:45 a.m. in front of the Washington Monument, which is between the Capitol Building and the General Assembly Building on Capitol Square. Legislators need to cross this location in order to reach the Capitol Building. We'll have free ERA buttons for supporters and we'll hopefully be able to witness Senate passage in the Senate gallery. The end time of this event is listed as 3:00 p.m., but it could be earlier, depending on when it is brought up for a vote.

Virginia residents may want to come early to lobby their legislators in both the House and Senate. This is a building year for gaining ratification of the ERA, and you can really make a difference for the prospects of the Equal Rights Amendment by being present this Monday and demonstrating your support. Only three more states are needed for ratification of this long overdue amendment!

You can also help by contacting Virginia legislators to encourage their support for the ERA bill, SJ 357. You can find the way to contact them by clicking on this link:
http://legis.virginia.gov/1_cit_guide/contacting_my.html

Please help us get the word out by sharing this message with your friends.

Parking Information: There is a public parking lot at 5th and Broad and limited parking at St. Paul's Episcopal Church 815 East Grace Street.

Click this link to RSVP

Sincerely,

Stephen Spitz and Andrea Miller
PDA Virginia Co-Chairs
http://www.pdava.org

Monday, February 7 "Saving Social Security," A Town Hall

The Montgomery County chapter of the National Organization for Women
presents: "Saving Social Security," A Town Hall.

National NOW President Terry O'Neill and other experts will present on
the topic, and explain ways we can help.

Time: Monday, February 7th 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Wheaton Regional Library
Meeting Room downstairs
11701 Georgia Ave, Wheaton MD 20902

NOW is working with a wide coalition to protect Social Security. "With
the new Congress, there is a serious possibility that proposals to slash
Social Security benefits may go forward." See: http://www.NOW.org/

$10 for $25 worth of groceries at KosherMart

Today's deal is $10 for $25 worth of groceries at KosherMart (Boiling Brook Rd in Rockville).
I just bought 2 groupons so I'll get $50 in groceries for $20!
Use this link to buy: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5869424

Today's Groupon: for $10, you get $25 worth of groceries at KosherMart in Rockville. Use this link to buy: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5869424

Packed with produce, dairy, kosher foods, and Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ingredients, KosherMart ensures larders are stocked with affordable goods. Tomatoes ($.0.99 per lb.), Sabra Babaganoush (17-ounces, $5.49 each), and Ungar's Regular Gefilte Fish (22-ounces, $5.49 each) keep refrigerators happily humming mealtime melodies, while imported Israeli products including olive oils and cookies keep forlorn cupboards company. Kosher cheeses and wines add a sophisticated touch to dinner gatherings and a lively punch to afternoon coffee breaks. This greengrocer’s grotto also hosts a full glatt kosher butchery and a deli, dishing out fresh baked wares, soups, and sandwiches, as well as homemade Mediterranean and Middle Eastern salads for grazing on the go.

Reviews

An Examiner featured Kosher Mart, noting its gluten-free selection. Use this link to buy: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5869424

$10 for $25 worth of groceries

Today's deal is $10 for $25 worth of groceries at KosherMart (Boiling Brook Rd in Rockville).
I just bought 2 groupons so I'll get $50 in groceries for $20!
Use this link to buy: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5869424

Today's Groupon: for $10, you get $25 worth of groceries at KosherMart in Rockville. Use this link to buy: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5869424

Packed with produce, dairy, kosher foods, and Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ingredients, KosherMart ensures larders are stocked with affordable goods. Tomatoes ($.0.99 per lb.), Sabra Babaganoush (17-ounces, $5.49 each), and Ungar's Regular Gefilte Fish (22-ounces, $5.49 each) keep refrigerators happily humming mealtime melodies, while imported Israeli products including olive oils and cookies keep forlorn cupboards company. Kosher cheeses and wines add a sophisticated touch to dinner gatherings and a lively punch to afternoon coffee breaks. This greengrocer’s grotto also hosts a full glatt kosher butchery and a deli, dishing out fresh baked wares, soups, and sandwiches, as well as homemade Mediterranean and Middle Eastern salads for grazing on the go.

Reviews

An Examiner featured Kosher Mart, noting its gluten-free selection. Use this link to buy: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5869424

Help Make Health Care Progress THIS WEEK and afterward

From Healthcare-NOW! of Maryland, a member of the Progressive Working Group:

The Maryland Health Security Act (state single-payer) has been introduced again this year in both houses of the Maryland General Assembly. The prime sponsors are Senator Paul Pinsky and Delegate Jill Carter. If you have time to help "walk the bill" in Annapolis, this week or next week, please contact Eric Naumburg (enaumburg@hotmail.com / 443-562-6562) or Margaret Flowers (mdpnhp@gmail.com / 410-591-0892). Walking the bill means collecting co-sponsors; the senate bill needs to be dropped by 2/4/11 and the house bill needs to be dropped by 2/11/11, so that they will have hearings. Please contact Mike Hersh mike@mikehersh.com to carpool from Montgomery County to Annapolis.

Fund raising for the economic impact study has been going well. We will be beginning the negotiations with the Lewin Group needed to finalize the form and price of the study in the coming weeks. A committee has been meeting to discuss the details of what to include.

There are two upcoming events this month that we encourage everyone to attend/participate.

Healthcare Now Public Forum and Annual Meeting February 15th
Guest Speakers: Bekah Mandell and Sandra Schlosser
VERMONT HEALTH CARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT CAMPAIGN; ALSO FEATURING MUSIC BY: the SILVERBACKS
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE CENTER: 4 East University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21218
Ample Free Parking!

-  and -

Lobby Day for Single-Payer in Annapolis Wednesday, February 23 at 9:30 AM
We have reserved Lawyer’s Mall in front of the State House, State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401

The rally will start at 9:30 AM. Come show support for the Maryland Health Security Act (state single-payer). We want a good turnout. Speakers will include representatives from the Coalition for Health Security and legislators. After the rally, we will distribute lobbying materials and give a briefing on lobbying. There will be experienced people to lead the lobbying. Transportation will be arranged as needed; please contact us if you want a ride.

Contact Eric Naumburg enaumburg@hotmail.com / 443-562-6562 and Margaret Flowers mdpnhp@gmail.com / 410-591-0892 for further information and to co-ordinate our efforts.

Thank you,
Healthcare-NOW! of Maryland

Whistle-Blower/Hero Wendell Potter in Baltimore NEXT TUESDAY!

Insurance Company Whistle-Blower, Healthcare Hero Wendell Potter will discuss his book "Deadly Spin" in Baltimore NEXT TUESDAY!

6:30 pm Tuesday, February 8th discussion & book signing
Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21209 (410) 377-2966

Since Wendell Potter walked away as head of communications at CIGNA in May of 2008, he has worked tirelessly as an outspoken critic of corporate PR from America’s health insurance industry. It is a PR juggernaut that is bankrolled by millions of dollars, rivaling lobbying budgets and underwriting many “non-partisan” and “grassroots” organizations. Deadly Spin is not just an exposé of health insurers but a stark warning that corporate spin is distorting our democracy.

Join us to remember a dear friend

Some sad news to share with you. Our dear friend Larry Engman passed
away recently.

We've long known and loved Larry as a staunch progressive, who shared
his lifetime of experiences and expertise in domestic and foreign
policy. We'll be paying tribute to Larry and sharing memories with his
wife, and most valuable progressive Rosie Engman at our meeting tomorrow
evening, and getting down to some progressive planning and organizing. I
think Larry would want it that way.

7 - 9 PM Tuesday February 1 at the Saigonese Restaurant 11232 Grandview
Ave, Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902.
Google Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902
Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)

The family has asked that people make contributions to Maryland CASE:
http://www.mdcase.org/ in lieu of flowers or gifts.

You can view Larry's obituary and leave a message here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=larry-b-engman&pid=148174452