The April 5 election is just three weeks from today. Early in-person voting (generally in your municipal clerk's office) begins a week from today. And Grassroots North Shore needs your help RIGHT NOW. We're helping to turn out the vote in contested elections with two races in particular: the Appeals Court District 2, in Ozaukee County, and the school board for Fox Point-Bayside. We're calling strong Democrats who sometimes miss a midterm or local election. Please help us out. Email Norma Gilson to volunteer. She has a script and the call lists. You can work from home on your own time and leave messages!

I know everyone hates calling and being called! But I wouldn't ask if it weren't important to make sure the right candidates win. I've come to appreciate how critical our court system is. Ditto school boards. Recent history shows that we cannot afford to shrug about local elections. Our state is in crisis and we must do everything we can to help bring it back to the forward-leaning place it once was — and can be again. So sign up and let Norma know whether you want to reach Dems in Ozaukee or in Fox Point and Bayside.

If you just can't face phoning, here's another way you can help with the election on April 5. The Wisconsin Democratic Party's Voter Protection Team is in its final week of recruiting poll observers. "Poll observers choose part-day or full-day shifts ..., and they communicate with our team about any problems voters may face in casting their ballot. Poll observers are crucial to ensuring everything goes smoothly on Election Day."

The situation in Ukraine seems dire, but reformed neocon Francis Fukuyama thinks Russia will lose the war. And then "Putin will not survive the defeat of his army. He gets support because he is perceived to be a strongman; what does he have to offer once he demonstrates incompetence and is stripped of his coercive power?" You can help Ukrainians with a small donation to one of the charities helping both inside the country and with the millions of refugees streaming out of it. Daily Kos is sponsoring the page on Act Blue that let's you choose to split a donation to six charities: World Central Kitchen, International Rescue Committee, Razom for Ukraine, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Americares Foundation, and Save the Children's Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. Or you can give to the individual charities. The page provides a brief explanation of what each group does.

In an interesting bit of news about the insurrectionists, the Washington Post is reporting that “Fearing political violence in 2024, judges sentence Jan. 6 defendants to probation through the next election.” The first paragraph basically says it all: "U.S. judges including those appointed by Republican presidents are increasingly sentencing defendants who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the Capitol to three-year terms of court supervision, fearing they could be misled into committing political violence in the 2024 presidential election."

In lighter news, Randy Rainbow fans will be thrilled with his new offering: "You're a Karen" tearing into Marjory Taylor Greene and Lauren Bobart. Have some fun on this Ides of March Day! You'll find more delightful Randy Rainbow performances on YouTube.

And now on to the events. It's fuller than last week's. So there's sure to be something you can attend.

EVENTS

Tuesday, March 15

Liz Sumner Fundraiser, 5:30 – 6:30pm
Bonobo American Bistro, 4518 N Oakland Ave, Shorewood
Liz Sumner will have a fundraiser for re-election as County Supervisor in District 1. Levels of support: $25, $50, $100 and $250. More information. (Redistricting has changed the outline of District 1: a map of the new borders can be seen here.)

Ozaukee Dems Phone and Text Bank, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Online
Help us reach out to dem friendly voters via text and phone to remind them how important the April 5 election is. Email [email protected] to register.

Conspiracy Culture Book Discussion, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Zoom
Journalist and author Kelly Weill will talk about her new book, Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything. Powered by Facebook and YouTube algorithms, the Flat Earth movement is growing. Registration.

Wednesday, March 16

Fair Courts and Judicial Elections Webinar, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Online
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin will present the first webinar in its Fair Courts series: "Understanding Wisconsin’s Courts & Judicial Elections." This webinar is an introduction to the structure and function of Wisconsin's courts, and the importance of voting and engaging in judicial elections. For those who cannot join the live event, a recording will be available on the LWVWI website and YouTube page.The speakers will be retired appellate judge Paul Higginbotham and Professor Jolly Emrey, Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at UW-Whitewater. Joy Cardin will moderate the discussion. Registration.

Johnson/Donovan Mayoral Forum, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Turner Hall, 1040 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee and virtual
Milwaukee mayoral candidates Cavalier Johnson and Bob Donovan will answer questions from a panel of journalists. Seating for in-person attendance will be limited. The forum will also be livestreamed on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Facebook page and on its YouTube channel. Registration to attend in person.

Shorewood Village Candidate Forum, 7pm - 8pm
Hubbard Park Lodge and Streaming Online
Livestream of the event: the event can be watched live at this link at the time of the meeting.

Saturday, March 19

Ozaukee County Dems GOTV, 10am - 6pm
Online
Help engage voters in Ozaukee County to vote in the April 5 election. Email [email protected] to register.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Howard Avenue & Howell Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sunday, March 20

Ozaukee County Dems GOTV, 10am - 6pm
Online
Help engage voters in Ozaukee County to vote in the April 5 election. Email [email protected] to register.

Whose Democracy Is It Anyway?, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Online
An evening of improv, laughs, and saving American democracy. Hear from comedians Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, Dave Foley, Gary A. Williams, Greg Proops, and more. Chip in to help defeat Ron Johnson this year. The event will be live-steamed at 7:00pm. Event link will be sent after donation. RSVP.

Monday, March 21

Chris Larson Campaign Kickoff, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Enlightened Brewing Company, 2020 S. Allis St., Milwaukee
Sen. Chris Larson will have a kickoff fundraiser for his re-election. Contribution levels: Host $1,000, Sponsor $500, Ally $250, Advocate $100, Friend $50. RSVP.

Tuesday, March 22

Ozaukee Dems Phone and Text Bank, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Online
Help us reach out to dem friendly voters via text and phone to remind them how important the April 5 election is. Email [email protected] to register.

Wednesday, March 23

Josh Kaul Fundraiser/Environment, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Zoom
Attorney General Josh Kaul will have a virtual conversation on environmental issues with Wisconsin Conservation Voters Executive Director Kerry Schumann. Sponsorship levels: Host: $2500, Co-Host: $1000, Sponsor: $500, Supporter: $250, Friend: $100 Suggested donation: $25. RSVP.

Thursday, March 24

Mental Health Board Meeting, 9am - 9am
Teleconference
This is a teleconference meeting (see Agenda for details). Public Comment: none. More information.

Saturday, March 26

Ozaukee County Dems GOTV, 10am - 6pm
Online
Help engage voters in Ozaukee County to vote in the April 5 election. Email [email protected] to register.

4th CD Convention, 12:00 – 3:00pm
Zoom
The annual convention of the 4th Congressional District Democrats will be virtual. Delegates and guests may attend. Members with a current paid membership with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and who are registered with their county party can be a delegate to the 4th Congressional District Convention and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention. You can pay your membership fees and join the Democratic Party of Wisconsin online prior to the start of the convention. Delegates to these two conventions elect officers of both bodies and help determine the direction of our state and National Democratic Party through passage of resolutions, rules, constitutional, and bylaw changes. Registration.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 – 1:00pm
92nd Street & North Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sunday, March 27

Ozaukee County Dems GOTV, 10am - 6pm
Online
Help engage voters in Ozaukee County to vote in the April 5 election. Email [email protected] to register.

DPMC Gala Awards Dinner, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago Street, Milwaukee
Please join us for the Milwaukee County annual awards dinner. Honorees to be recognized at the 2022 dinner: Democrat of the Year (in 2020): Timothy Posnanski; Elected Official of the Year (in 2020): George Christianson; Rising Star (in 2020): Megan Holbrook; Lifetime Achievement: Greg Walz-Chojnacki. In addition, we will give a special award to the late Jeremy Levinson: Defender of Democracy. Attendees must provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 72 hours of the event. Please RSVP names and dietary needs by Friday March 18th to [email protected]. More Information and Registration.