With only four weeks to go, Grassroots North Shore is putting the pedal to the metal. And you should too. The polls are looking good but we all know we cannot entirely rely on them. So what are you prepared to do? Here are some suggestions:

• For some inspiration, watch Grassroots North Shore's Sweet Sixteen presentation with John Nichols, associate editor of the CapTimes and National Affairs correspondent for The Nation.
  
  
• Call Dems in the North Shore to urge them to vote early.
  
  
• Volunteer with the Ozaukee Dems to make calls for Neal Plotkin (running to defeat Alberta Darling in the 8th state Senate District) and Deb Andraca (running to defeat Jim Ott in the 23rd Assembly District), and other phone banks on the Oz Dems calendar.
  
  
• Call with the Democratic Party from now until election day:
  • Saturday, 10/10;
  • Sunday, 10/11;
  • All weekdays.

You'll find other opportunities to contribute your energies to worthy candidates and causes in the events listing.

The latest forecast for the electoral college from fivethirtyeight.com predicts that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will win 83 out of 100 times in the 40,000 simulations the site runs frequently. It's based on both state and national polls and is a pretty reliable guide to where things stand right now. The chances of a Biden/Harris win have been increasing steadily over the past week. So I'm cautiously optimistic. The site has Wisconsin at 52.6% for Biden and 46.5% for Drumpf. The margin is a mere 6.1% but the really important piece of data is that Biden is well over the 50% mark!

RealClearPolitics has the national polling at +9.2% for Biden and the Senate going BLUE if its state-by-state projections pan out. Although we should not rely on polls and relax, you might want to bookmark these two sites. RealClearPolitics runs a bit to the right while fivethirtyeight.com tries to hew to the objective, statistical probabilities. Between the two, you are likely to get a fairly clear picture of the state of the race.

Finally, the results of the first debate between the disgrace of a president and former VP Biden are in. Daily Kos has the story.

Now get busy. We can win this election and take back the Senate. But we need all hands on deck.

EVENTS

Tue Oct 6, 2020

Neal Plotkin Phone Bank, 6pm - 8pm
Phone calls
Join other supporters of Neal Plotkin for State Senate in helping to reach out to voters in the 8th District in the critical final days of the campaign. All are welcome! There will be a brief training before each event. Sign up.

Virtual Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom
Drinking Liberally MKE will get together on Zoom. Zoom link. More information.

Wed Oct 7, 2020

LaTonya Johnson's Winning in November and Voter Turnout, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Zoom
She will have both the Governor and State Treasurer appearing as specials guests and would love to see you there! This will be a great way to hear from two of Wisconsin's leaders on the ways to get voters engaged with less than 40 days until the election. Beating Trump is our top priority and the first step in that victory is securing Wisconsin for Democrats up and down the ticket. RSVP and contribute to receive your Zoom link.

Suspended: Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Bounce Milwaukee is closed, including delivery and carryout, until the COVID-19 spread in our area is under control. More information.

Info: Laughing Liberally MKE, 8:30pm - 9:30pm
Podcast
On the first and third Wednesday of every month, host Matthew Filipowicz and a different Laughing Liberally MKE comedian will discuss and joke about a news story, and talk a bit about the craft of comedy. The podcasts will be available on the website. More information.

Thu Oct 8, 2020

Midwest Polling Summit, 12pm - 1pm
Online
WisPolitics.com will stage the free, online 2nd Annual Midwest PollingSummit on October 8th and 9th. Day 1 will feature a look at top election issues with Pew Research Center’s director of political research, Carroll Doherty. AARP pollster Amy Levin will talk about her swing state polling, including Wisconsin. More information and registration.

Neal Plotkin Phone Bank, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Phone calls
Virtual phone bank to help bring Neal Plotkin to victory in the 8th Senate District! There will be a brief training before each shift, no experience necessary! Sign up.

Palzewicz on Healthcare, 6pm - 6:15pm
Online
Tom Palzewicz, candidate for Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District, will speak on healthcare. Tune in to find out how your next congressman will solve these issues in Washington D.C. Sign up.

Info: Drinking Liberally West Allis, 6:30pm - 9pm
TBA
For information on whether the event will take place, check here.

Fri Oct 9, 2020

BLOC Jeopardy, 12pm - 2pm
Online
Join BLOC Ambassadors as they compete so see which teams are the most knowledgeable when it comes to civics, politics and history! Gaffes, laughs, and learning will no doubt ensue. Live on Facebook every Friday in October from 12pm to 2pm.

Midwest Polling Summit, 12pm - 1pm
Online
WisPolitics.com will stage the free, online 2nd Annual Midwest Polling Summit on October 8th and 9th. Day 2 will feature a panel of five scholars and experts looking at key elements of the presidential horse race in the Midwest and the country. More information and registration.

Sat Oct 10, 2020

UN Assn of MKE, 10am - 12pm
Suspended
This meeting is suspended for the time being. More information.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Michigan Street & Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace is resuming their presence with careful precautions (more information). Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun Oct 11, 2020

MKE Dems Virtual Awards Gala, 6:30pm - 8pm
Online
The Virtual Annual Milwaukee Democratic Party Awards Gala (postponed from March) will feature, in addition to the award winners, these speakers: Mayor Tom Barrett, County Executive David Crowley, Representative Gwen Moore, Governor Tony Evers, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, DNC Chair Tom Perez, and Kamala Harris! Make your contribution by Wednesday, October 7 in order to receive the email information for joining this online event. Purchase a ticket.

Mon Oct 12, 2020

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

Tue Oct 13, 2020

Neal Plotkin Phone Bank, 6pm - 8pm
Phone calls
Join other supporters of Neal Plotkin for State Senate in helping to reach out to voters in the 8th District in the critical final days of the campaign. All are welcome! There will be a brief training before each event. Sign up.

Drinking Liberally Grafton/Mequon, 6:30pm - 8pm
Zoom
The next monthly meeting of Drinking Liberally Grafton is Tuesday, October 13 @6:30 PM with the founder of Break the Silence in the Burbs and Co-Host of Drinking Liberally Grafton, Brittany Vulich. Join this Zoom meeting for a discussion on the suburbs' role in the Black Lives Matter movement, ending systemic racism, and combating white supremacy.

Virtual Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom
Drinking Liberally MKE will get together on Zoom. More information.

350 Milwaukee Virtual Meeting, 7pm - 8:30pm
Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee
350 Milwaukee is part of 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.

Candidates, 7pm - 8pm Meet MKE Area Dem
Online
Join Tom Palzewicz (Congressional District 5), Neal Plotkin (Senate District 8), Robyn Vining (Assembly District 14), Jessica Katzenmeyer (Assembly District 15), Sara Rodriguez (Assembly District 13) and Emily Siegrist (Assembly District 24) for this virtual event. Sign up.

Wed Oct 14, 2020

Palzewicz / Godlewski Town Hall, 6pm - 6:30pm
Online
Join Tom Palzewicz, candidate for Congress in the Fifth Congressional District, as he talks with State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. They will discuss how Tom will support women when he is in Washington. Sign up for links.

Suspended: Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Bounce Milwaukee is closed, including delivery and carryout, until the COVID-19 spread in our area is under control. More information.

Thu Oct 15, 2020

Neal Plotkin Phone Bank, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Phone calls
Virtual phone bank to help bring Neal Plotkin to victory in the 8th Senate District! There will be a brief training before each shift, no experience necessary! Sign up.

Fri Oct 16, 2020

BLOC Jeopardy, 12pm - 2pm
Online
Join BLOC Ambassadors as they compete so see which teams are the most knowledgeable when it comes to civics, politics and history! Gaffes, laughs, and learning will no doubt ensue. Live on Facebook every Friday in October from 12pm to 2pm.

Sat Oct 17, 2020

Emily Siegrist Mequon Lit Drop, 10am - 2pm
Fiddleheads Parking Lot, 10530 N Port Washington Rd., Mequon
Canvass or lit drop for Emily Siegrist, candidate for Assembly in District 24 and get the news out about the strong race she is running! RSVP.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
TBA
Stand for Peace is resuming their presence with careful precautions (more information http://unamilwaukee.weebly.com/stand-for-peace.html). Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun Oct 18, 2020

Emily Siegrist Mequon Lit Drop, 10am - 2pm
Fiddleheads Parking Lot, 10530 N Port Washington Rd., Mequon
Canvass or lit drop for Emily Siegrist, candidate for Assembly in District 24 and get the news out about the strong race she is running! RSVP.

United Nations 75th Anniversary, 1pm - 2:30pm
Online or phone
The United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee will host its annual Celebration for the United Nations, this year for the 75th Anniversary of the UN. The event will include a keynote speech by Sheldon Lubar, prominent Milwaukee businessman, philanthropist, and world traveler. Event link. Download app for gotomeetiing.

Mon Oct 19, 2020

Milwaukee Dems Virtual Meeting, 6pm - 8pm
Zoom
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. Information about how to access the meeting will be sent after registration. RSVP.