The Mid-Cities Democrats are teaming up with our friends in the Transport Workers Union and Occupy Fort Worth on a Food Drive to benefit the senior citizens at Bluebonnet Villa in Bedford.  Many seniors there are living on very low incomes, and many of them depend on Meals on Wheels for one meal a day.  For some, this is their only meal of the day.

We are asking that you bring non-perishable food items to the MCD meeting Thursday night.  We will collect all the items and deliver them to a community leader at Bluebonnet Villa for distribution along with a Valentine Day greeting to the residents from MCD, TWU and Occupy Fort Worth.

Here are some suggested food items: Mac and Cheese Boxed Dinners, Spaghetti Boxed Dinners, Packaged Rice or Noodle Dinners, Dinty Moore Packaged Dinners, Hamburger Helper Dinners, Noodles, Rice, Baked Beans, Canned potatoes, Soups, Tunafish, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Canned Fruit, Cereal, Tea Bags, Instant Coffee, Hot Chocolate Packages, Sugar (1 lb boxes), Juice, Cookies, Bread (Bread is really inexpensive from the Bread Stores), Toilet Paper, and Paper Towels.

Thanks for your generosity to our neighbors who need a little help.

The Mid-Cities Democrats ended 2011 with a record 147 members, which shows a renewed interest in local politics.  Tip O’Neal was right: All politics is local.  It all begins here.

There are many political challenges here in Tarrant County, and a lot depends on decisions coming down from the federal court in Washington DC and the Supreme Court.  We should have a clearer idea of what the district boundary lines are within the next few weeks.  There is an excellent blog by Dallas attorney Michael Li, who has been following the court proceedings closely.  Check out his blog www.txredistricting.org for explanations of new developments.

No matter what the final outcome of the courts’ decisions, there will be a lot of work for Texas Democrats in Tarrant County.  We invite YOU to join The Mid-Cities Democrats to help make a difference right here, right now.  Click on JOIN (above) to download the membership form and send it in today.  There is no time like the present to start making a difference in local politics.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Friday, December 9, 2011

By Anna M. Tinsley and Aman Batheja

atinsley@star-telegram.com,

The nation’s highest court late Friday temporarily blocked the interim court-drawn maps for Texas’ legislative and congressional districts, throwing the state’s primaries into even greater turmoil.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an emergency challenge by Texas Republicans to determine which maps should be used in next year’s elections, setting Jan. 9 as the date it will hear arguments.

Local Republicans cheered the Supreme Court’s move.

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/09/3584380/texas-redistricting-is-again-in.html#ixzz1g8mUeXYX

We hope to see all our MCD friends and their guests at the Mid-Cities Democrats Holiday Party on December 10th from 6:30PM to 10:00PM at the home of Rick and Vickey Ward, 477 Shade Tree Circle, Hurst TX 76054 (map).  MCD will provide turkeys and ham.  Please bring your favorite side dish or dessert.

Not a MCD Member?  No problem.  Membership is $20.00.  You can join that night; we can even take credit card payments at the party.  Or, you can download the 2012 Membership Form (just click JOIN above) and mail your check to Mid-Cities Democrats, P O Box 271, Bedford TX 76095-0271.  Or, you can pay online (just click on DONATE above).

We want to take this opportunity to wish all people of good will a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season.  We’re looking forward to having YOU onboard for a very exciting 2012 Election year.

The MCD meeting will be one week early on Thursday, November 17th due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

We will meet at Los Jimadores Tequila Factory, 3314 Harwood Road, Bedford 76021 (map) this Thursday, November 17th at 7PM.  Please come early to eat; the meeting starts at 7PM.

Guest Speaker: Linda Dill, member of the Transport Workers Union Working Women’s Committee.

Please be aware that the RECALL GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER Petition Drive starts in Wisconsin this Tuesday.  If your heart is with the workers in Wisconsin, please consider making a financial contribution to the Wisconsin AFL-CIO to finance this petition drive.  Make check payable to Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Defense Fund, 6333 W. Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee WI 53213. On memo line put “Stand with Wisconsin”.  Here is a link to their website.

Come join us early Saturday morning for good food and good fellowship with other Tarrant County Democrats.  The Mid-Cities Democrats will be flippin’ flapjacks at the Party office 8:00AM-10:30AM to benefit the TCDP.   The menu will include pancakes, fruit, coffee, orange juice and milk.  Bring the kids and come on down to 2806 Race Street, Fort Worth (map).

Suggested minimum donation: $5.00