The first snow has come and gone. The second is on its way. The leftover Halloween candy has been banished from the house. And on Sunday, we had our extra hour of sleep. But the best part of the past week was the One Year to Win Weekend of Action on 11/2 and 11/3. Grassroots North Shore hosted a canvass from our office on Saturday and Shirley Horowitz hosted one from her house on Sunday. All across the state, activists were out knocking on doors and listening to voters' concerns. The statewide goal was to visit 50,000 houses. And according to Ben Wikler, "In fact, we knocked more Wisconsin doors this weekend then we did the entire year in 2015 or 2017! " The national polls show Democrats in great shape; the battleground states, including Wisconsin, not so much.

So, we cannot simply pat ourselves on the back and go back to sleep for the winter. In Wisconsin, we have FIVE elections in our 2020 future: February 18 (the nonpartisan primary election), April 7 (the nonpartisan election and presidential primary), May 12 (the special election to fill the 7th Congressional District seat), August 11 (the partisan primary), and finally November 3 (the partisan general election). The February 18 and April 7 elections will determine the make-up of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. We have a chance to achieve more balance by electing a progressive justice this year. If we do that AND if we elect another progressive justice in 2022, we can have a court that is less inclined to support whatever Walker, Fitzgerald, and Vos did! So it's vital that we plan now for robust voter outreach and Get Out the Vote operations this winter and spring. Mark your calendars now and plan to give the election effort a few hours of your time.

Although our plans are not yet set, we realize that outdoor activities like canvassing can be difficult in our inclement winters. So we have to think of other ways to reach prospective voters. Even though we may not need you to bundle up and knock doors, we will need you to call, text, and write postcards and emails instead. We will also need to use Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter, and any other social media platform our voters employ. And you can help with that effort too. Again, plan now to work hard in January, February, March and April. You don't have to do everything, but you do need to do something!

Another presidential primary debate is right around the corner ‐ on November 20. We have one debate watch party set up, at the home of Eric Taylor (6330 N. Lake Drive), in Whitefish Bay. Another is likely to be held in Mequon, at Ferrante's Restaurant. And we're working on a third in Shorewood. The Milwaukee County Dems are hosting one at Bounce Milwaukee (2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee). By next week's newsletter I'll have links to event pages for full information. But again, mark your calendars now. The November 20 debate is the fifth of 12 scheduled by the Democratic National Committee and will run from 8pm - 10pm CST. So far, nine candidates have qualified: Biden, Warren, Sanders, Harris, Klobuchar, Buttigieg, Booker, Yang, and Steyer. Candidates will have until midnight on November 13 to make the cutoff.

EVENTS

Tue Nov 5, 2019

Brett Blomme Campaign Fundraiser, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Casablanca, 728 E. Brady St., Milwaukee
Kickoff fundraiser for the campaign of Brett Blomme, community activist and former public defender, for Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Sponsorship levels: $1,000 $500 $250 $100 Suggested contribution: $50. RSVP: call 414-301-2362 or email.

Wed Nov 6, 2019

c3/c4 Compliance Seminar, 10:30am - 2:30pm
MALC, 633 S. Hawley Rd, Yatchak Hall, Milwaukee
This event for Wisconsin Voices or America Votes organizations will cover how to comply with c3 and c4 regulations regarding elections. More information and registration.

Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
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.

Putting Govt in Its Place/ Author Event, 7pm - 7pm
Boswell Book Co., 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee
In Putting Government in Its Place: The Case for a New Deal 3.0, Milwaukee author and public policy advisor David Riemer tells the story of the house that FDR built and considers how the New Deal, since the1970’s, has faltered in the face of international competition and new tech’s disruptions. Cosponsored by Community Advocates Public PolicyInstitute in Milwaukee. Riemer explains the major gaps, flaws, and mistakes of the New Deal settlement and spells out fundamental, sweeping changes needed to revive it.

Thu Nov 7, 2019

We Are The 80%: Rally for Strong Gun Laws, 1pm
The Capitol Bldg, Madison
Rally near the Forward Statue/State Street entrance of the Capitol Building. We have a line-up of inspiring speakers, including advocates and survivors who are passionate about gun violence prevention. Note: The rally is outside, so dress warmly! At 1:30pm, gather in the Capitol's rotunda so the legislators need to come face-to-face with us -- the 80% -- as they enter and exit the chambers. At 2pm, the Special Session begins. To let us know that you'll be there, sign up.

DPMC Issues Committee Meeting, 4:30pm - 4:30pm
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
NOTE: NEW DAY. The Democratic Party's Issues Committee holds its meeting on the first Thursday of each month. All Democrats are welcome to participate.

Leadership for Community, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
All People’s Church 2600 N. 2nd St., Milwaukee
An interactive, community-building leadership development series on the basic concepts, attitudes and disciplines needed to build strong, effective organizations capable of making real change. This program is for members of MICAH, people interested in MICAH, people who are new to organizing, people with experience looking for a refresher and new energy, and people who are curious about organizing. There is no cost, but please sign up only if you anticipate being able to participate in at least three of the four sessions: October 10, 17, 31, November 7 (MICAH public meeting on October 24). Registration.

Fri Nov 8, 2019

Suppressed: Right to Vote / Film, 6:30pm - 6:30pm
Community House, 2866 N. 54th St., Milwaukee
This documentary, “Suppressed: The Right to Vote,” covers what happened to suppress the vote in Georgia's midterm election and how that can affect the 2020 elections. Doors open at 6:00. Admission is free but a donation is appreciated.

Endless War: Film, 7pm - 7pm
Peace Center, 1001 Keefe Ave., Milwaukee
The film "Endless War, Getting Out of Afghanistan" will be shown, sponsored by Friends Committee on National Legislation, co-sponsored by Peace Action of WI.

Sat Nov 9, 2019

Fair Maps Summit, 8am - 5pm
Hotel Marshfield, 2700 S. Central Ave., Marshfield
The Fair Maps for Wisconsin Summit is a non-partisan statewide event with the goal of educating and empowering activists to inform voters about gerrymandering and get legislators and candidates for the legislature on the record for supporting fair maps legislation -- an independent process to draw legislative district maps. The focus for the summit is to create regional grassroots groups with the skills, relationships, resources and coordination needed to accomplish this goal. Much more information and registration. Hotel Marshfield is making rooms available at $99 through October 18. Lunch meal counts must be finalized by October 26.

BLOC People's Assembly, 12pm - 2pm
TBA
BLOC invites the community to provide feedback in the drafting of its policy platform for 2020. The platform will be drafted during the November 2 and November 9 meetings, and ratified on December 7. More info.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
16th Street & National Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Warren Organizing/East Side, 2:30pm - 4pm
East Branch Library, 2320 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee
A community event supporting Elizabeth Warren for President. Gather to brainstorm and grow the East Side for Warren leadership team! RSVP.

Mon Nov 11, 2019

Grass Roots South Shore Meeting, 6pm - 8pm
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr. , Cudahy Calendar: Social
Grass Roots South Shore holds its monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Armistice Day Program, 7pm - 8:30pm
Central United Methodist Church, 639 N. 25th St., Milwaukee
An event to reclaim Armistice Day--celebrating peace, not militarism, with speakers on veterans' healthcare and nuclear disarmament. All are welcome. Sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Peace Action, and numerous other groups. More info. Or contact Art Heitzer.

Tue Nov 12, 2019

Drinking Liberally Grafton/Mequon, 6:30pm - 8pm
Water Street Brewery, 1251 Gateway Dr. Grafton
Our speaker this month is Linnea Staton, Regional Director March For Our Lives and Local Students. Drinking Liberally Grafton is a destination to meet friends, stay up-to-date on local progressive politics and get inspired to action.

Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Art Bar, 722 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee
Now, more than ever, Drinking Liberally is a space to gather, support each other, and form the progressive community we need. Come share a pint with your fellow progressives! Drinking Liberally MKE meets on the second Tuesday of every month, hosted by Matt Filipowicz.

350 Milwaukee Meeting, 7pm - 8:30pm
Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee
350.ORG is the global organization building a grassroots movement in 188 countries to address global warming and solve the climate crisis. 350 Milwaukee meets every month on the second Tuesday. More information.

Wed Nov 13, 2019

DNC Convention Luncheon Event, 11:45am - 1:30pm
Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
Liz Gilbert, president of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention, will be the featured speaker at a Newsmaker Luncheon, hosted jointly by the Milwaukee Press Club and WisPolitics.com. She will take questions from a panel of journalists and from the audience at the luncheon. Milwaukee Press Club members $20; Nonmembers $25; Students $15. Registration.

Grass Roots South Shore, 6pm - 8pm
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr., Cudahy
(Note change in day of meeting) Grass Roots South Shore meets on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
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.

Thu Nov 14, 2019

Liberate Milwaukee Fundraiser, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
America's Black Holocaust Museum, 401 W North Ave, Milwaukee
Please RSVP and join the African American Roundtable and others for a time of celebration, reflection, and forward-thinking as we create an opportunity for our community to financially support coalition-building/organizing, police transformation, and violence prevention work.

Drinking Liberally West Allis, 6:30pm - 9pm
Studz Pub Sports Bar & Grill, 6833 W. National Ave., West Allis
Drinking Liberally West Allis meets on the second Thursday of the month. Free discussions and fellowship. Good food and specials available.

Fri Nov 15, 2019

Jill Karofsky Campaign Fundraiser, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
home of Megan Holbrook and Eric Vogel, 2405 E Wyoming Pl, Milwaukee
Fundraiser for Jill Karofsky, candidate in the primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, hosted by Megan Holbrook. Sponsorship levels at: $1000, $500, $250, and $100. A suggested donation for attending is $50.

Sat Nov 16, 2019

NAACP Monthly Meeting, 11:30am - 1pm
2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee
Monthly membership meeting of NAACP Milwaukee Branch. The meeting is held in the basement conference room.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Martin Luther King Drive & Locust Street, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Laughing Liberally Milwaukee, 8pm - 10pm
Comedy Sportz Theater, 420 S. 1st St., Milwaukee
Laughing Liberally Milwaukee presents a night of progressive political comedy. In addition to some of the finest progressive comedians Milwaukee has to offer, each Laughing Liberally Milwaukee will feature a special interview with a local political figure, journalist or activist. This month's guests are Karen Kirsch and Rafael Smith from Citizen Action Of Wisconsin, who will discuss the fight for health care for all. Advance tickets ($8).

Mon Nov 18, 2019

Milwaukee Dems Meeting, 6pm - 6pm
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
Election of party officers will will take place during this meeting. You must arrive by 6:15 to register to vote. See the complete election rules. Milwaukee County Democrats meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited.