CCRW Hot Flash

November 2009

President's Message

The CCRW Fall Social Event with the Governor and First Lady was a huge success. Over 100 people attended to enjoy an impressive selection of hors d'oeuvres and desserts prepared by club members.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize and give a special thanks to the following people for their work on the event: Angie Webb, Staci Ignell, Janet Stevens, Rita Jensen, Stephanie Madsen, Peggy Petropulos, PeggyAnn McConnichie, Shirley Penrose, Brenda Hewitt, Paulette Simpson, Budd Simpson, Kelly Pusich, Denny Dewitt, Patsy Dewitt, Kelly Pusich, Tammy Ignell, Suzanne Forsling, Donna Collins, Kevin Jardell, Colleen Jardell, Laraine Derr, Kristine Harder, Martha Penrose, Sandy King, Ron King, Renda Heimbigner, Brian Heimbigner, Bonnie Gruening, Kendra Kloster, Eileen Henderson, Tom Henderson, Jennifer Henderson, Nick Henderson, Joyce Vick, Jody Vick, and Erica Simpson.

The event raised over $2400, which will be used to help Republicans win in the upcoming 2010 elections.

A program that caught my attention at the recent National Federation of Republican Women convention was the Caring for America project.

The NFRW started the program in 1999 to show that Republican women are caring, responsible members of their community who are willing to provide help and assistance where needed. An additional goal of the Caring for America program is to attract new members, retain current members, provide positive public relations and register new Republicans by working in the community.

At the convention 212 clubs received a Certificate of Appreciation and Recognition for participating in the program. My goal is that CCRW be among the clubs honored at the AFRW 2011 Biennial Meeting.

Participation in the program requires maintaining a record of club members' time spent in community service. The reporting period will begin this coming January and end June 1, 2011.

Our current club projects - sending care packages and phone cards to the troops, collecting formal wear for returning soldiers, donating food and clothing to local charities - meet the criteria of the program.

The chair of the Caring for America Committee will be responsible for coming up with other activities that our club can support and ensure that time spent is recorded. Please contact me if you are interested in chairing this new committee.

Once again CCRW members will decorate the Governor's House for Christmas. Many hands are needed so please sign up to help on Friday or Saturday, November 13-14. If you want to work at the Christmas Open House on Tuesday, December 8th be sure and respond when the call for volunteers is sent out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ginger Johnson
Phone - 364-2315
Email

CCRW monthly meeting - Prospector
November 9, Monday
11:45 (doors open) - 1 p.m.
$15 for lunch

Program:

Speaker: Dr. Matthew Cronin

Topic:
"Polar Bears and Other Endangered Species Act Issues"

Email RSVP or call Patsy @ 789-2626

Support Our Troops
Thank you all for giving of your time to help out the troops. Capital City Republican Women recently packed 40 boxes to send to Alaska National Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Club members and shoppers at A & P and Safeway donated items for the boxes. Supporting Alaska's National Guard troops has been a project of Capital City Republican Women since 2003.

Pictured left to right: Florence Nikles (Rotary Swiss Exchange Student), Tiffany Holt (Family Assistance Center), Susan Bell, Rita Jensen, Wayne Jensen, Lorene Palmer, Renda Heimbigner, Jodie Pessolano, Ginger Johnson, Shirley Penrose, Eileen Henderson, Nancy Manly, Donna Collins, John Manly, Patsy Dewitt, Kristy Tibbles, Kaelin Tibbles.

Legislative Update from Rep. Cathy Munoz

Recently the State of Alaska filed the appeal brief with the Ninth Circuit of Appeals regarding the EIS decision on the Juneau Access project. Assistant Attorney General Sean Lynch did an outstanding job presenting the state's position. A copy of the brief can be accessed from my website www.cathymunoz.com under the most recent blog entry.

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan, the official blueprint for upcoming construction projects, includes Juneau Access with a projected construction start of 2013.

Last week I had the pleasure to attend a "Women In the Right House" fundraiser in Anchorage. Reps Charisse Millett, Peggy Wilson, Nancy Dahlstrom, Anna Fairclough, former Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux and myself participated.

There are a number of very important races up north with outstanding Republican women candidates. Gabrielle LeDoux, www.VoteLeDoux.com, is challenging incumbent Democrat Pete Petersen, and Mia Costello, mia@gci.net, is challenging Democrat Bob Buch. Both of these districts favor Republicans so we are very hopeful. Picking up a couple of Republican seats in the House would greatly strengthen our majority position.

Last Friday I attended the memorial service of Rep. Richard Foster in Nome. Many current and former legislators, Governor William Sheffield and the entire community of Nome packed the Recreational Center for an afternoon of moving tributes to this great man..

A pro-development Democrat, Richard for years caucused with the Republicans. His oldest son, a current Council member in Nome, is one of the 3 democrat nominees being considered to fill the vacancy. The Democrats are putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the nominees to stay in the minority. Somehow I don't think Richard would have approved. We are going to miss him. He truly was an inspiration, and a great advocate for the people of his region.

Sincerely,

Cathy Signature

Member Spotlight - Rita Jensen

I grew up on a farm in Dakota City, Nebraska. My two sisters and I attended country school and helped on the farm. I was active in our Lutheran church and in 4-H with such projects as raising and showing cattle, cooking, and sewing. My dad grew corn and soybeans, fed cattle for market and raised purebred Angus cattle. Mom, a homemaker, helped operate the farm. She was active in the Republican Party so as a child I sometimes was involved in a campaign; one in particular I remember was for Barry Goldwater. My parents believed in strong family values; that hard work was necessary to achieve goals and that individuals should take responsibility for their actions.

It was after graduating from college that my high school sweetheart, Wayne, and I married and moved to Alaska. We moved to Juneau in 1973 after Wayne was offered a six month temporary job with an architectural firm. I was employed by the Department of Labor as a personnel assistant as well as working for several years helping people find employment. At times it was difficult to see how some people were less than enthusiastic about creating a great work history for themselves, rather just seemed to want to get by. I always felt that no matter what job a person had that they should do the best work possible.

We totally fell in love with Alaska. Our days were filled with hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and berry picking. We still enjoy all of these activities. We had some real adventures such as skiing across Admiralty Island with six friends. I also enjoy reading, playing the piano, and cooking. While definitely not a gourmet, I really have fun looking for new recipes or making old favorites.

I became interested in accounting and after working for the Department of Labor, I went to work for a CPA for three years while taking courses in accounting at the University of Alaska. In 1982 I took some time off to study and was asked by Wayne's firm, (at the time Ackley/Jensen and now Jensen Yorba Lott, Inc.) to help with some accounting that the current bookkeeper did not have time to finish. As it is said the rest is history and I have been working there either full or part time ever since. Our daughter Courtney blessed our lives in 1984 and my job was perfect for me as a new mom to adjust my schedule to our family's new member.

I have been a member of CCRW for many years and appreciate the opportunity to meet new friends and to support the values of the Republican Party including those of free enterprise; smaller, more efficient government; lower taxes; strong families and an individual's freedom to succeed. The current times do not allow us to stand back and not take action against policies which could jeopardize the freedom we all cherish

Women in Red Membership Tea

Please join
Capital City Republican Women for our annual Women in Red Membership Tea
Sunday December 6, 2009 2:00 p.m.
Treadwell Room, Baranof Hotel

Admission to our annual tea is
payment of 2010 dues - $35 -
that includes membership in
Capital City Republican Women,
the Alaska Federation of Republican Women and
the National Federation of Republican Women.

We encourage you to wear something Red
- a sweater, skirt, hat, dress or shoes -
informal is just fine!
You are also invited to bring something Red
for our silent auction.

Guest of Honor
First Lady Sandy Parnell

Non-member guests may attend for $20

RSVP is appreciated

Call Patsy at 789-2626 or CCRW email

Editor - Paulette Simpson Layout - Patsy DeWitt

In This Issue

President's Message

CCRW Monthly Meeting

Support Our Troops

Rep. Cathy Munoz

Member Spotlight

Women In Red Tea

Newest members

Thank You

November Notables

CCRW is decorating the
Governor's Residence
November 13 & 14
for the Holidays

If you can help contact Ginger Johnson at 321-3319 or gingersnap@gci.net

ngratulations to CCRW member, Holly Johnson, President of Wings Airways, who was named by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Journal of Commerce as one of the 2010 "Alaska's Top Forty Under 40 ."

Calendar

November 9, Monday

CCRW monthly meeting - Prospector
11:45 (doors open) - 1 p.m.
$15 for lunch

November 10, Tuesday

Capital City Republicans District Meeting

7 am at Donna's in the Airport Mall

Please join us to plan for the 2010 Republican State Convention and other exciting upcoming events in the Capital City!

For information please call Ben Brown at 364 4682

November 11, Wednesday,

Veteran's Day Observance

Centennial Hall
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
11:00 am (sharp)

Featured Speaker: Rear Admiral Chris Colvin USCG
Master of Ceremonies: Tim Armstrong

November 13 & 14

Governor's Residence
Christmas Decorating
If you can help contact
Ginger Johnson at 321-3319 or gingersnap@gci.net