By Sarah Zambon on 09/03/2012 12:29 PM
Sarah Zambon (pictured above; second to left) is serving as an 11th District delegate this week at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. The Henderson County attorney will be guest blogging about her experience as a delegate this week for Xpress. This post will be updated with her dispatches as they come in. Photo courtesy of Sarah Zambon.[h=2]Sept. 3: Convention-palooza[/h]A few years ago I went to Lollapalooza in Chicago and I was a little overwhelmed. There were six stages with lots of great bands, lots of organizations and plenty of fascinating people — what's a girl from Western North Carolina to do? How do you choose? After three days of concert-going, I learned some important lessons: 1) prioritize; 2) chill out — it's not the end of the world if I miss something; and 3) don't burn out.These are the lessons I carry with me to Charlotte North Carolina this week for the Democratic National Convention. There are hundreds of events over the course of the week, with lots of options for participants — from musical acts to policy lectures to art exhibits and films. Every day, there are lots of social events delegates are invited to, and this is all on top of caucuses and the actual convention. A lot of people I know are going to try to do Everything, but for me my priorities are clear 1) incredible speakers like Jimmy Carter, Elizabeth Warren, and Bill Clinton; 2) musical acts; 3) events focused on progressive women's issues like EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood, and NARAL.
Yesterday started the convention with Welcome Parties for all the state delegations. States were grouped together and held events all over Charlotte. North Carolina's event was at the Nascar Hall of Fame and was shared with South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. The event featured food from each state, including barbecue, shrimp and grits, and bread pudding. The most inspired thing at the event was a macaroni-and-cheese bar, which is probably the most amazing thing I have seen since the waffle bar in college. Several distinguished speakers rallied the delegates, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, Representative Mel Watt and Rep. Jim Clyburn from South Carolina.
Today was our delegate breakfast where we pick up our daily credentials and then later is Carolinafest, which is a street fair that is open to the public. Janelle Monae, Jeff Bridges and James Taylor are all scheduled to perform. But before I head over there, I have to go around town to pick up tickets for events throughout the rest of the week. There are also caucuses and social events throughout the day sponsored by various groups.
It is kind of an amazing thing, though, being surrounded by active Democrats who love Obama. The Delegates have a lot of spirit, otherwise we wouldn't be here. To be with so many people who share a vision for this country and what we could be if we got beyond our differences is truly inspiring. All these people in their own way trying to make the United States a little better.
Want more information about the DNC, especially the role young women play in this election? Have a question or comment? Follow me on Twitter @Sarabellah.
Xpress is aggregating tweets below from Zambon and others at the DNC using the hashtag, #avldnc
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[h=2]Subscribe to XpressMail. Free Sneak Peek. Every Week.[/h]
Want to know what's coming out in Xpress this week before the paper even hits the stands? We've got your free sneak peek, along with deals available in XpressMail, our weekly email newsletter. (It's the best we can do without time travel.)
Sarah Zambon (pictured above; second to left) is serving as an 11th District delegate this week at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. The Henderson County attorney will be guest blogging about her experience as a delegate this week for Xpress. This post will be updated with her dispatches as they come in. Photo courtesy of Sarah Zambon.[h=2]Sept. 3: Convention-palooza[/h]A few years ago I went to Lollapalooza in Chicago and I was a little overwhelmed. There were six stages with lots of great bands, lots of organizations and plenty of fascinating people — what's a girl from Western North Carolina to do? How do you choose? After three days of concert-going, I learned some important lessons: 1) prioritize; 2) chill out — it's not the end of the world if I miss something; and 3) don't burn out.These are the lessons I carry with me to Charlotte North Carolina this week for the Democratic National Convention. There are hundreds of events over the course of the week, with lots of options for participants — from musical acts to policy lectures to art exhibits and films. Every day, there are lots of social events delegates are invited to, and this is all on top of caucuses and the actual convention. A lot of people I know are going to try to do Everything, but for me my priorities are clear 1) incredible speakers like Jimmy Carter, Elizabeth Warren, and Bill Clinton; 2) musical acts; 3) events focused on progressive women's issues like EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood, and NARAL.
Yesterday started the convention with Welcome Parties for all the state delegations. States were grouped together and held events all over Charlotte. North Carolina's event was at the Nascar Hall of Fame and was shared with South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. The event featured food from each state, including barbecue, shrimp and grits, and bread pudding. The most inspired thing at the event was a macaroni-and-cheese bar, which is probably the most amazing thing I have seen since the waffle bar in college. Several distinguished speakers rallied the delegates, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, Representative Mel Watt and Rep. Jim Clyburn from South Carolina.
Today was our delegate breakfast where we pick up our daily credentials and then later is Carolinafest, which is a street fair that is open to the public. Janelle Monae, Jeff Bridges and James Taylor are all scheduled to perform. But before I head over there, I have to go around town to pick up tickets for events throughout the rest of the week. There are also caucuses and social events throughout the day sponsored by various groups.
It is kind of an amazing thing, though, being surrounded by active Democrats who love Obama. The Delegates have a lot of spirit, otherwise we wouldn't be here. To be with so many people who share a vision for this country and what we could be if we got beyond our differences is truly inspiring. All these people in their own way trying to make the United States a little better.
Want more information about the DNC, especially the role young women play in this election? Have a question or comment? Follow me on Twitter @Sarabellah.
Xpress is aggregating tweets below from Zambon and others at the DNC using the hashtag, #avldnc
Read more articles in:
Opinion News politics & election Opinion
[h=2]Subscribe to XpressMail. Free Sneak Peek. Every Week.[/h]
Want to know what's coming out in Xpress this week before the paper even hits the stands? We've got your free sneak peek, along with deals available in XpressMail, our weekly email newsletter. (It's the best we can do without time travel.)