HRC TO HOST MINN., N.C., AND VA. CAMP EQUALITY TRAIN ACTIVISTS FOR ELECTION 08
by: Rachel Balick, OIA Newswire

This Weekend Human Rights Campaign to Host Minn., N.C., and Va. “Camp Equality,” Train Activists for Election 2008
Participants to be equipped with key campaign skills for races across the state

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, will hold campaign trainings in St. Paul, Minn., Charlotte, N.C., and Crystal City, Va., as part of a national program to help elect fair-minded candidates and defeat discriminatory ballot measures. The program – called Camp Equality – will train nearly 1,500 people in 18 cities to work on political campaigns. The Camp Equality trainings will take place in Charlotte and Crystal City on September 6-7 and in St. Paul on September 6. Those interested in participating in Camp Equality are encouraged to apply online: www.hrc.org/campequality

“We are searching for talented and committed supporters of equality who are engaged in the political process and eager to build the skills necessary to win,” said National Field Director Marty Rouse. “By maintaining a visible presence on campaigns, we’re ensuring that the fight for equality remains a priority in this election cycle and beyond.”

Camp Equality builds on the Human Rights Campaign’s successful Campaign College, which brings 40 college students to Washington, D.C. every summer for intensive campaign training. Camp Equality takes that model out to the country, training individuals in their own communities and providing them with information about opportunities to engage in competitive political campaigns. By recruiting and training supporters of equality, HRC is bringing more people into the political process, training them to help fair-minded candidates achieve victory, and building support for equality across the country.

From mobilizing the GLBT community, recruiting and training a cadre of grassroots political advocates to staff and assist political campaigns on the ground, and strategically targeting “high-impact” races, the Human Rights Campaign is gearing up to make sure that issues of equality for the GLBT community are discussed in ’08 on our terms – not used as a divisive wedge by anti-gay forces on the right.

In 2006, the Human Rights Campaign flexed its political muscle in unprecedented and strategic ways that helped alter the political dynamic in key races across the country. HRC’s influence was felt in key victories for strong pro-equality candidates like Florida’s Ron Klein, Arizona’s Gabrielle Giffords and Pennsylvania’s Bob Casey.

Through an expanded field team and an unprecedented focus on state-level activity, the Human Rights Campaign helped ensure victory for 211 endorsed candidates, offering up a stinging defeat for some of the most anti-gay politicians in the country, including Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa. Because of these efforts, HRC was ranked the second most successful political organization in the country by National Journal (“Reversal of Fortune”, National Journal, 11/11/06).

St. Paul, Minn.
WHAT: Camp Equality Training by Human Rights Campaign

WHO: Human Rights Campaign, Stonewall DFL, the Progressive Majority, and America Votes Minnesota

WHEN: Saturday, September 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Time is for media purposes only)

WHERE: Minnesota Humanities Center in the Library. 987 Ivy Ave East, St. Paul, MN 55106 (Location is for media purposes only)

Charlotte, N.C.
WHAT: Camp Equality Training by Human Rights Campaign

WHO: Human Rights Campaign, Equality North Carolina

WHEN: Saturday, September 6 from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., andSunday, September 7, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Time is for media purposes only)

WHERE: UNC – Charlotte, Fretwell Hall Rooms 106 & 122, Charlotte, NC 28223 (Location is for media purposes only)

Crystal City, Va.

WHAT: Camp Equality Training by Human Rights Campaign

WHO: Human Rights Campaign

WHEN: Saturday, September 6 from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., andSunday, September 7, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Time is for media purposes only)

WHERE: Holiday Inn National Airport, 2650 Jefferson David Highway, Arlington, VA 22202 (Location is for media purposes only)

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. [9/4/08]

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – August 8, 2008 – AccuWeather.com reports unusually cool, dry air spreading across the eastern half of the country this weekend will make it feel more like September than early August.

Conditions forecast for this weekend from the Great Lakes to the Deep South can be described simply as splendid. Cool, dry Canadian air will spread behind a cold front today that will plunge almost to the Gulf Coast.



The absence of humidity will be a welcome relief across the Southeast, where steamy conditions are the rule in mid-summer. Daytime heating will result in near normal temperatures; however, the dry air will make it feel much more comfortable.



The big difference will be felt at night, when it is going to feel more like late September. Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet says overnight, low temperatures "will be in the 50s as far south as western South Carolina and the mountains of Tennessee."



Kocet adds, "It's going to be even colder tonight around the lower Great Lakes. Lows in the rural areas of western New York and Pennsylvania could dip into the 40s."

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – July 22, 2008 – The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports Tropical Storm Dolly is nearing hurricane strength as it moves through the western Gulf of Mexico toward landfall early on Wednesday near the Texas - Mexico border. The gathering storm has raised concerns in the oil and agriculture industries.



The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports Tropical Storm Dolly is expected to reach hurricane strength today as it moves over the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a strong possibility it could reach Category 2 strength, with winds of 100 mph, before making landfall early on Wednesday near the mouth of the Rio Grande River.

Exxon Mobil spokeswoman Margaret Ross tells AccuWeather.com nonessential personnel have been evacuated from company facilities expected to be in the path of the storm. She adds there has been minimal impact on production.

Royal Dutch Shell on Sunday and Monday evacuated about 185 people from its operations in the western part of the Gulf. Meanwhile, the U.S. Minerals Management Service has activated its Continuity of Operations Plan team to monitor activities in the Gulf until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat.

Landfall Concerns

The strength of the storm by landfall will depend on its forward speed. On Monday, Dolly entered the Gulf at around 18 mph. Today, it has slowed to near 12 mph as it moves west-northwest across the Gulf.

“We are concerned that Dolly has the potential to cause damaging winds and life-threatening, widespread flooding across South Texas and northern Mexico. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are likely across the region with locally heavier amounts possible,” said AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologists Alex Sosnowski and Ken Clark.

The Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning from the U.S. border to Rio San Fernando and a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch from Rio San Fernando to the U.S. border, while a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch are in effect south of Rio San Fernando to La Pesca. Anyone along the Gulf Coast, especially in the areas under hurricane warnings, should take immediate steps to protect life and property.



Hurricane-force winds will pound the coast of South Texas, while tropical storm-force winds will extend into the mid to upper Rio Grande Valley. In addition, a coastal storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normal tide levels can be expected, with the strongest surf striking the coast to the north of the eye.