The Tennessee Democratic Party and Organizing for America have put together a kickoff event to begin the push for health care reform in Tennessee tomorrow, Saturday, June 27th, from 8am to 4pm, at Farmer’s Market.

Citizens, advocates, parents, medical professionals, educators, and students will join together to work towards improving the health of the community through fitness, education, and nutrition. More importantly, however, is the opportunity to raise awareness about the urgent need for health reform.

The day will begin with a 1.5 mile walk, followed by a panel discussion featuring health care experts, health care providers, and ordinary Tennesseans discussing their struggles with the current system.

The day will conclude with a Health Care Fair where there will be free preventative health screenings, nutrition consulting, patient education and assistance materials. All events are free and open to the media.

The panel at the event will include Chris Link, a small business owner in Nashville who was forced to lay off employees because he could not afford to cover their health insurance. President Obama recently cited Mr. Link’s story in a speech to the American Medical Association as evidence of how the broken health care system is hobbling our economy. Also appearing on the panel are Landon Gibbs, a former White House Aide under George W. Bush, now Executive Director of SHOUTAmerica, a nonprofit youth-mobilization initiative, Dr. Adrian Samuels, Professor of Health Administration and Science at Tennessee State University, Bonnie Pilon, Senior Associate Dean at Vanderbilt School of Nursing, and Dr. James S. Powers, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University.

Community Walk: 8am to 9:30am
Expert Health Panel: 9:30am to 11am
Health Care Fair & Second Harvest Food Drive: 11 am to 4pm

If you can volunteer, contact Julia Mitchell – julialyn@gmail.com

Other events in TN:

MEMPHIS: Crusade to End Infant Mortality. “Memphis has the highest infant mortality rate among the nation’s 60 largest cities. Our local rate is twice the rate of the national average. Because we believe every baby deserves an opportunity to make it to their first birthday and beyond, we are going to do something about this alarming issue.”

SEWANEE: Sick Around America. “Join us to view the Frontline documentary “Sick Around America”. Following the film, there will be opportunity for dialogue and feedback from the group about health care reform. You will also have an opportunity to share your own personal health care story and information will be available about health care services in our area. Health care reform matters – please join us!”

COOKEVILLE: Give Blood for Health Care. “Blood Assurance is in critical need of type O positive and O negative blood donors. Anyone able to volunteer to donate blood is urged to do so as soon as possible.”

Visit BarackObama.com to find the service event closest to you.

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Summary: Guests include Stephen Fotopulos, Executive Director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Pastor Enoch Fuzz, event chair of The Music City USA President’s Inauguration Day Charity Ball, and Ken Whitehouse, Nashville Post state political reporter.

Part 1 – 1 Day, 3 Hours, 52 minutes, and 12 Seconds – It truly is The Best Week Ever!â„¢ and not only because our BackwardsBush.com Countdown keychain is almost obsolete. All the hope, friendly good-fellowship, giving, celebration, and participatory democracy in the air is making us woozy – but totally in a good way! Visit USAservice.org, pic2009.com, NashvilleForAllofUs.org, VolunteerNashville.com, thenashvillefreepress.com, and Nashville.gov/vote. [18.6 MB 11:36 download MP3]

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Part 2 – Interview with Rev. Enoch Fuzz. Rev. Fuzz is the Senior Pastor of the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church and one of the chairs of The Music City USA President’s Inauguration Day Charity Ball–the first ever in Nashville–which will be held Tuesday night, 1/20/09, at 7 pm, at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. (Tickets still available at volunteernashville.com). Rev. Fuzz has plans not just tomorrow night but for our future as well and he joins a growing list of impressive Nashvillians who will help lead us out of the past. [21.6 MB 13:28 download MP3]

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Part 3 – Interview with Stephen Fotopolus. Stephen is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and has some very enlightening thoughts on the immigrant community in Nashville and the effects the English Only referendum will have on all of us. If you’re not sure how to vote, we’re positive that Stephen’s measured and well-thought out ideas will help you decide. [37.5 MB 23:25 download MP3]

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Part 4 – Against/Against on Thursday, January 22 – We’ve devoted a lot of air time to the vote against the English Only referendum and we’re not going to stop now with only three days before the election. Learn why Councilman Eric Crafton made the New York Times print a retraction, why he bailed on a locally televised TV debate against David Briley, and why he’s hiding the referendum’s funding source (hint: it’s because they’re not based in Nashville and have serious credibility problems). Seriously, it’s enough to put a serious damper on The Best Week Ever!â„¢ [28.2MB 17:37 download MP3]

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Part 5 – Ken Whitehouse, State Political Correspondent – The Oscar Madison of Tennessee political reporting (not sure if he’s messy, lives with a man, or likes sports – but he does wear a baseball cap!) joins us to give us the play by play of last week’s opening day shenanigans in the General Assembly. Is newly minted Speaker of the House Kent Williams really the devil? Will he stay a Republican? What happened while House Republicans prematurely celebrated their victory? And what about those pesky constitutional officers? [36.6MB 22:50 download MP3]

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Part 6 – 1 Day, 2 Hours, 11 Minutes, and 18 Seconds – More fun with Ken and one last plea to get out and vote Against/Against on Thursday. Do it to honor the memory of Dr. King, to celebrate the inauguration of Hope and Change, and to ensure that when we wake up on Friday, this really was The Best Week Ever!â„¢ [23.5MB 14:41 download MP3]

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Bumpers
Independence Day – Martina McBride
Last Splash – The Breeders
I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
American Land – Bruce Springsteen
This Land is Your Land – Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Fanfare for the Common Man – Aaron Copeland

Guest Playlist
Punk Rock from Whitehouse – A Playlist by Ken Whitehouse

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