August 1, 2015

Fellow Passenger Rail Advocates,

We were very pleased to get confirmation from Mr. Jim Mathews, the new President of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, that he will be making a special trip from Washington DC to OUR Washington to meet and speak with us at All Aboard Washington’s Annual Picnic Meeting on Saturday August 8. Jim is a enthusiastic speaker, and is doing a superb job in NARP’s DC HQ, and importantly, is “outreaching” to the entire country, as is demonstrated by his coming here for a visit on August 8.

This year’s Picnic Meeting will be at Lacey’s Rainier View Park, a bit over one road mile NW of Centennial Amtrak Station. We encourage travel to our Picnic by Amtrak trains for those out of Thurston county. Local AAWA members will meet the trains and shuttle you to/from the Picnic. Picnic times will be approx. 11AM to 4 PM. Jim Mathews’ presentation will be early in the day( +-1 PM ) to allow those of you with other obligations to depart early, if you must.

The Picnic is a potluck, but AAWA will supply burgers, hot dogs and (soft) beverages. For those unable to bring a potluck item., a modest contribution is accepted. It would be good to have a fair idea of attendance to know how much AAWA food needs to be purchased.

Elected officials from the Thurston county area, members of the Legislative Rail Caucus, WSDOT-rail people, representatives from Talgo, Amtrak, BNSF, rail labor, and other potentially interested people are invited, as well as all AAWA, AORTA, and NARP members from WA and OR.

Car shuttles will be provided from the Olympia-Lacey Amtrak Station. Contact Lloyd Flem (360 943-8333 or [email protected]) if you need transportation from the station to the park.