Events - mark your calendar

Several events are planned for the next two weeks. I hope you will join me at one or another or them.
Meet and Greet Liz Bauer
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Camp Ticonderoga
5725 Rochester Road
Troy, MI 48085

RSVP: Lindsay Calcatera at lindsaycalcatera@comcast.net

Meet and Greet Liz Bauer
Thursday, October 7, 2010 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Firm
231 South Washington
Lansing, MI 48933

RSVP: Lindsay Calcatera at lindsaycalcatera@comcast.net

Meet and Greet Liz Bauer
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Ernie's Kings Mill Restaurant
16655 19 Mile Road
Corner 19 Mile Road and Garfield Road
Clinton Twp. MI 48038

RSVP: Lindsay Calcatera at lindsaycalcatera@comcast.net

Reception to meet Liz Bauer
Hosted by: Michael Murray, Superintendent, Suttons Bay Public Schools and Ervin Brinker, CEO Summit Pointe CMHA
Monday, October 18, 2010 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Aerie Room 16th Floor
Grand Traverse Resort
100 Grand Traverse Village
Acme, MI 49610

This event follow the first day of activity of the CMH Conference.
RSVP: Lindsay Calcatera at lindsaycalcatera@comcast.net

Campaign 2010 Endorsements

As the campaign for re-election to the Michigan State Board of Education enters October, I want to share some of the wonderful support my campaign has been receiving. Specifically, endorsements from organizations who care about public education, educators and students. In alphabetical order they are:
AFL-CIO
AFT Michigan
Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus
Michigan Democratic Party Disability Caucus
Michigan Democratic Party Justice Caucus
Michigan Education Association
Michigan Nurses Association
Michigan Spanish Speaking Democrats

We will share more in a future update. Right now I am grateful to people who share my vision for high quality, equitable, public education services for learners in all their diversity.

Solidarity Forever

It has been a great Labor Day celebration. In Detroit, Labor Organizations paraded with horns blowing, bands playing, and people walking briskly.
Spirited marchers arrived at Hart Plaza from the north via Woodward Avenue and the northwest via Michigan Avenue. Thousands of people of all ages, from babes in strollers to retirees riding golf carts, participated. I walked with the American Federation of Teachers and School Support Professionals and the American Association of University Professors. It was exhilarating to be in the company of people who make Michigan work...joining together to celebrate what makes this country great: justice for all.

Justin D'Artists Troupe performs at Arts, Beats and Eats Festival in Royal Oak

Justin D'artists is a performance troupe formed at the Matrix Theatre Company with the generous support of a grant from Michigan Disability Rights Coalition and United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan. They perform with a giant puppet of Justin Dart who is often called the father of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the civil rights law for people with diabilities. Justin not only inspired advocacy for the Americans with Disabilities Act, he encouraged people with disabilities to be proud of who they are, to have courage, to persevere in the quest for justice and to "Lead On" with Love.

The performance by artists with disabilities with the Justin Dart puppet informed, inspired and entertained the audience and passers-by at the Festival. For me, it was memory-evoking as I had the privilege of working with Justin in the 1980s as we advocated passage of the ADA. It was signed into law July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. Twenty years later, much has been accomplished, yet much remains to be done. The spirit of Justin Dart inspires us still. His words echo, "I am with you. I love you. Lead On."

Michigan Education Association Endorses Bauer for State Board of Education

I am excited to tell you the Michigan Education Association (MEA) has endorsed my candidacy for the State Board of Education. MEA represents 157,000 teachers, faculty and education support staff throughout Michigan. In addition to serving the MEA members' employment goals, interests and needs; the Association advocates quality public education. The mission of the MEA is to ensure that the education of our students and the working environments of MEA members are of the highest quality. Specifically, and similar to my own vision and values, MEA supports development of successful empowered students, advances the principles of democracy, human and civil rights, meets needs of our global society, and improves the quality of life for all.
It is an honor to have the support of the MEA in my quest for re-election to the State Board of Education. I look forward to meeting and talking with MEA members as I campaign throughout Michigan.