Subject: We Interrupt this Election....
From: Carla Ohringer Engle <[email-masked]>
To: Carla Ohringer Engle <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:30:22 -0400

BREAKING:  Mike Lux is being honored with an Academy Award
Mr. Humble, low-key Lux, behind-the-scenes man himself is going to take center stage to receive an "Academy Award" from the Midwest Academy. This is one of the top honors in progressive politics, and he's sharing the stage with three other amazing honorees that work tirelessly everyday to improve American lives while simultaneously building our progressive movement, Julian Bond,  Damon Silvers, and Jotaka Eaddy.
You have known Mike for a long time, and likely have heard a story or two from his organizing days in Iowa, but like Mike, the Midwest Academy is true to its name and has that famous Midwest humbleness -  So for those of you who are unfamiliar with the organization, the Midwest Academy specializes in training the grassroots organizers and progressive leaders of tomorrow. Throughout the political arena from the loudest and most impactful local community organizations, and national direct action organizations like the NAACP, National Council of La Raza, the League of Conservation Voters, NOW, United States Student Association, labor unions, and others to local, state and Federal legislative offices Academy graduates can be found fighting for progressive causes.
The Academy might be modest, but its impact is broad and immense, which is obvious when you look at who has been touched by its work - its honorees and alumni include members of Congress such as Jan Schakowsky, Barney Frank, and Keith Ellison, labor leaders such as NEA Executive Director John Stocks and SEIU Chief of Staff Jon Youngdahl, and large organizations themselves such as Planned Parenthood and the Sierra Club.
Hopefully you can join us in person as Mike is honored on Monday evening, December 4th  at Eatonville Restaurant, 2121 14th St, NW - honestly, he's going to need some good friends there to give him to take some jabs at him as everyone else showers him with praise, he's not accustomed to being the center of attention like this - although maybe he should be.
Please consider officially helping to host this event or taking out a congratulatory ad in the their book for Mike (and/or for any of the talented honorees),
I've attached the sponsorship form with more details or you can contact Alicia Dailey ([email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>) who is taking questions and RSVPs.
Finally, I'm writing to you today, not only as a proud business partner, who is thrilled for Mike, and the honorees, but also as a friend of the Midwest Academy -  an amazing organization. Heather Booth, its founder, and Jackie Kendall, its former longtime president, have both been personal inspirations and mentors to me for the past 20 years.  Now they both serve as board members, and have trusted the organization into good hands for the future.  I'm hoping that you'll not only support Mike by attending the event, but that you choose to go a step further and get to know the Midwest Academy as well.
Before to returning to our regularly scheduled days....please take a moment to support Mike<http://www.midwestacademy.com/midwest-academy-awards-2012>.
Thank you.
All my best,
Carla

Carla Ohringer Engle
Co-Founder, Democracy Partners
President, Progressive Strategies
1250 Eye Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20005
202-628-7771 work