I googled "depression in the age of" and the top completion should come as no surprise: Trump.  Looking at the list that followed I realized that none of us is alone in this feeling. The old adage "misery loves company" is the most worthless saying I've ever heard. It accepts misery as inevitable and I refuse to do that. It is time shake off any passive acceptance that plagues us. It is time to empower ourselves. It is also time for a little old-fashioned self-care, too. 

In an article from Psychology Today last year, How to Cope With Trump Anxiety, offers a productive list of actions:

1. Empower Yourself
2. Connect
3. Appreciate Your Ability to Cope
4. Get Physical
5. Write
6. Assign Probability and Plan
7. Retain Hope

At Grassroots North Shore, you can work on four of the seven actions.  We have spent the last 14 years helping people empower themselves to work for progressive change and solutions. If you feel alone, come to our annual picnic and connect with others. If you want to get physical, sign up to knock on doors. Doing something will help you to retain hope. And, always remember the word of Margaret Mead, " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

With the primaries over it is time to get to work.  We love this statement from UW-Milwaukee professor Mordecai Lee talking about grassroots political groups and how they could help counter money in politicals.  "They don’t particularly have a lot of money but they have volunteers, they have campaign energy, they have a kind of cohesive perspective on who they would like to see elected, who not elected and they give endorsement."  That is, indeed, Grassroots North Shore.

Therefore, this is the first  second of many requests for volunteers. We need first and foremost, people to knock on doors and talk face-to-face with voters. We know that these conversations are the most effective way to motivate voters.  We also need people to make calls and work in the office.  Please sign up and a member of the Campaign Committee will contact you.

Don't forget to rsvp for our annual picnic. In addition to great food, and motivating speakers, we will have Bluegrass from Linda and Poul Sandersen. It is impossible not to feel happy when listening to them and we need all of the happiness that we can find as commit to making a Blue Wave reality in Wisconsin and in D.C.

EVENTS

Wed August 22, 2018

Community Justice Council, 9:30 am - 11 am
Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. Martin Luther King Dr
Milwaukee Community Justice Council Meeting of the Whole. More information: http://milwaukee.gov/cjc and https://www.facebook.com/milwcjc/?fref=ts

Erica Flynn Fundraiser, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Organ Piper Pizza, 4353 S. 108th St., Greenfield             Fundraiser for Erica Flynn, candidate for State Representative in the 84th Assembly District. Special guest: Sen. Chris Larson.Donation levels:Suggested: $30. Benefactor: $50, Friend: $100, Sponsor: $500, Host: $1000   Online contributions: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/flynnfundraiser

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Julie Henszey Fundraiser, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
6604 Cedar St., Wauwatosa
Please bring friends and neighbors--all are welcome at the fundraiser for Julie Henszey, candidate for State Senate in District 5 (vs. Kooyenga), Appetizers and beverages will be provided. Suggested donation: $50. Please RSVP: 414-475-7111.

Drinking Liberally Glendale, 7 pm 
Bar Louie, 5750 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale
Drinking Liberally Glendale meets on the last Wednesday of the month. Come drink a beverage or two of your choice and talk about Liberal stuff.

Thurs August 23, 2018

Mental Health Board Meeting, 4:30 pm 
Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee
Milwaukee County Mental Health Board Meeting. Public Comment: Budget.  More information: http://county.milwaukee.gov/BehavioralHealthDivi7762/Mental-Health-Board.htm.

Fri August 24, 2018

Black August Friday Freedom Flick, Lumumba, 6:30 pm 
Peace Center, 1001 E Keefe Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53212
"Lumumba" is an extraordinary film for both cinematic and political reasons, and its affective and aesthetic power derives not only from its stunning indictment of international complicity in the assassination, but also, and primarily, from Peck's brilliant and deeply moving use of storytelling to depict a leader caught in the crossfire of colonial economic interests and African ethnic intrigues." -- Julia Watson, "Raoul Peck's *Lumumba*: A Film for Our Times," in Research in African Literatures, Indiana Univ. Press  Discussion afterwards facilitated by UWM Africology Prof. emeritus Patrick Bellegarde Smith, based on his notes in teaching on Patrice Lumumba, anti-colonial leader, Prime Minister of the (former Belgian) Congo, and then assassinated with western involvement.

Sat August 25, 2018

Community Brainstorming, 8 am - 11 am
St. Matthew CME Church, 2944 N. 9th St., Milwaukee
Community Brainstorming Conference Breakfast Forum Breakfast: 8 am, Program: 9 am All Are Invited, Come and Participate.  http://www.communitybrainstorming.org/.

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Varies. Find the week's location here.
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Sun August 26, 2017

Sunday Demonstration, 12 pm - 1 pm
Cutler Park, Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha
What are you most concerned about? Social justice, democracy, the environment? Join us for a silent demonstration. We meet at Cutler Park in Waukesha on the sidewalk along Wisconsin Avenue near the Public Library. Bring a sign or use one of ours. Sponsored by Grassroots Waukesha

Unite for Justice Rally,  noon
Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 N. 9th St., Milwaukee
Join in a national day of action to fight Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and demand that our representatives in Washington act NOW to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms. Roe v. Wade, voting rights, workers' rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and much more are all in grave danger if this Supreme Court nominee is confirmed. With so much at stake, we cannot back down. RSVP: https://act.moveon.org/event/unite-for-justice/search/

Mon August 27, 2018

Democratic Party Picnic, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Gordon Park Pavilion, 2828 N. Humboldt Blvd., Milwaukee
The Democratic Party will hold its annual picnic. Bring a dish for the potluck and enjoy some time together with like-minded people.

Wed August 29, 2018

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Sat September 1, 2018

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Varies. Find the week's location here.
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Mon September 3, 2018

Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Clarke Irish Pub, 314 W. Main St., Waukesha
Drinking Liberally Waukesha meets the first Monday of each month