The second impeachment trial for he-who-shall-no-longer-be-named has begun. It's going to be a speedy affair and may not include witnesses. You can watch the whole thing online at the New York Times online and no doubt at other news outlets both online and on TV.

But we have matters closer to home to engage in. Most immediately, those who want to work on criminal justice reform in Wisconsin should attend the Criminal Justice Reform Issues Team meeting on Thursday, February 11, at 1pm. When you sign up, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. The next day — Friday, February 12, at 1:00pm — the Criminal Justice Reform Team will meet with the staff of our newest Assembly Representative, Deb Andraca. Sign up for that meeting also!

And while we're reliving our horror at what transpired in our nation's capital on January 6, 2021, we should also be rejoicing together for what took place all over our country and here in Wisconsin on November 3, 2020, and then again in Georgia on January 5, 2021: we need to celebrate the fruits of our hard work right here in the North Shore of Milwaukee and in Ozaukee County. Although we cannot get together to hug and sing and shout, we can and will Zoom as we Celebrate Our Success — Sunday, February 28, at 7pm. Sign up to join the Grassroots North Shore annual meeting that we are calling "Your Efforts Made a Difference." We'll have a few speeches, of course, and we'll conduct a little business, but we'll also have music and laughter, featuring some local and not so local talent. It's bound to be a grand evening.

And as a reward for Wisconsin's exemplary behavior in the last presidential election, apparently President Biden will visit us, along with Anderson Cooper, for a town hall event on Tuesday, February 16, which, as it happens, is also our spring primary day! (It will be held at Pabst Hall, as I understand it, and that's all the information I have at this time.) Early in-person voting is happening now and of course the polls will be open on Election Day from 7am until 8pm. You can consult our Elections 2021 page to find some information about early voting locations, days, and times. And also information about contacting your town, village, or city hall to find out any information we've been unable to provide. You can also visit myvote.wi.gov to get a sample ballot for your own location and to find your polling place. At this point, with the US mails as uncertain as they have been, we do not recommend requesting an absentee ballot for the February primary, but you may want to do so for the April 6 election.

Probably the most important race on the primary ballot is the one for Superintendent of Public Instruction. For an outstanding account of why this election is so important, read Alan Borsuk's "The race to become state schools superintendent may draw modest interest, but overlooking it would be a mistake" from the Journal Sentinel on Feb. 5. For information on the candidates, visit our "Candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction" page. We have provided you with a candidate statement in answer to our Grassroots North Shore questionnaire as well as links to their websites and Facebook pages.

EVENTS

Tue Feb 9, 2021

On the Issues: Future of the GOP, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Online
"On The Issues" will present a virtual conversation with Wisconsin GOP Chairman Andrew Hitt and former Republican Congressman Reid Ribble that may be of interest to Democrats who wish to understand the opposition. Click on the words “Watch Now” on the following webpage starting anytime after 12:15 p.m. on February 9 to view the program.

Who Are Your Legislators?, 5pm - 6pm
Zoom
Spend an hour learning from various elected officials about their roles and responsibilities. What responsibilities fall on your alderperson? Your assembly person? Your congress member? Your state senator? Your Governor? Become empowered and learn how to contact them and hold them responsible. Hosted by Wisdom for Justice. Registration.

Drinking Liberally Grafton/Mequon, 6:30pm - 8pm
Zoom
Brittany Vulich and Dan Stern are psyched to kick off the next season of Drinking Liberally Grafton: Ask An Atheist with Dan Barker, co-president of The Freedom From Religion Foundation. In addition to his work at FFRF, Dan is co-host of "Freethought Radio", co-founder of "The Clergy Project" and author of several books. Learn more about The Freedom From Religion Foundation.

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
Online
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 usually meets every month on the second Tuesday. Check the following link for information on whether a meeting will occur. More information.

Wed Feb 10, 2021

WJI Virtual Salon with Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky, 12pm - 1pm
Virtual
Karofsky was elected to the court in April. Before that, she was a Dane County circuit judge. She also has served as the executive director of the Office of Crime Victim Services for the state Department of Justice and worked as an assistant state attorney general. There is lots to talk about. Her first not-even-a-year on the state's highest court has brought some high- profile cases, including ones involving campaigns and coronavirus. The event is free. The February Salon is sponsored by attorney and WJI Board member Tim Burns. Thank you, Tim! Register.

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.

Grass Roots South Shore Virtual Meeting, 6pm - 8pm
Online
Check the link to see if Grass Roots South Shore will have a virtual meeting. More information.

The School to Prison Pipeline, 6:30pm - 8pm
Zoom
Join hosts Carl Fields & Kelly Mahoney of EXPO as they discuss juvenile justice in Wisconsin with the experts: Arelia Bautista, FREE MKE Leader; Christal Arroyo, FREE MKE Organizer; Brandi Grayson, Urban Triage (Invited); David Bowen, WI State Representative; Dominee Meeks, WAYJ; Jerome Dillard, EXPO Statewide Director; Ramiah Whiteside, EXPO; and Sharlen Moore, Youth Justice Wisconsin. Registration.

Thu Feb 11, 2021

On the Issues: Process of Redistricting, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Online
"On The Issues" will present a virtual conversation with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Washington Bureau Chief Craig Gilbert and with John Johnson, research fellow at the Marquette Law School, on how redistricting will unfold in the coming months, the debate over how best to draw new maps, and the challenge of creating more competitive districts.Click on the words “Watch Now” on the following webpage starting anytime after 12:15 p.m. on February 11 to view the program.

GRNS Criminal Justice Issue Team, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Zoom
Join the Criminal Justice Reform Team to make a difference in Wisconsin's criminal justice system. This organizational meeting will feature Dan O'Keefe and Paul Geenen providing an update of the criminal justice reform activities undertaken to date and discussion of how to develop bipartisan support for criminal justice legislation for the current state budget cycle. The group will hold meetings with key legislators from both parties to show support for the legislation needed to begin reforming our system. RSVP for the Zoom link.

Drinking Liberally West Allis, 6:30pm - 9pm

For information on whether the event will take place, check here.

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.

MICAH's Black History Month event - Building a Healthy Community, 7pm - 8:30pm
Virtual
Rabbi Rachel is the current Secretary for MICAH, and Cantor Perper will be part of the program. Please support Congregation Shalom's efforts as part of MICAH. Register.

Employment Barriers and Diversity, 7pm - 7pm
Zoom
Maria E. Flores, Outreach and Education Manager, EEOC, will give the third of eight presentations on the history and societal impact of race in America: "Employment Barriers Faced by Diverse Communities." Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. Registration.

Supt of Schools Forum: Children of Color, 7pm - 8:30pm
Online
Virtual DPI State Superintendent Candidate Forum: What’s at Stake For Black & Brown Communities. Learn how the State DPI Superintendent candidates intend to address these issues for Black and Brown children across the state. More information and registration (required).

Fri Feb 12, 2021

GRNS Criminal Justice Reform, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Zoom
The Criminal Justice Reform Team will meet at the Zoom office of our newly elected Representative, Deb Andraca. We will be discussing legislation for criminal justice reform we hope will pass in this legislative session. Everyone is invited to sit in and offer viewpoints. Residents in Rep. Andraca's district (Assembly District 23) are particularly invited to take part to offer congratulations and our support. The meeting will end within one hour. RSVP for Zoom information!

Sat Feb 13, 2021

UN Association of MKE, 10am - 12pm
TBA
This meeting seems to be suspended for the time being. More information.

Hunger in MKE and the World, 10am - 11:30am
Zoom
A panel of local and international experts and activists will share what is important to know about hunger in Milwaukee and the World and what local and global organizations are doing to diminish food insecurity. You will hear specifics about how Milwaukee and distant places like Yemen are facing a desperate food insecurity crisis. Sponsored by The United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee. More information and registration (required).

Restoring Trust in Voting, 10am - 11:30am
Online
What can be done to convince the 40% of Americans who believe the election was stolen from President Drumpf that our elections are secure? Professor David Canon, Ph.D. of UW Madison, will talk about the myth of systemic voter fraud and the reality of the integrity of the voting process. The program is free, with a suggested donation of $10 in lieu of a registration fee. Presented by the League of Women Voters of Beloit and of Janesville. A link to the event will be sent after you register. Registration.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Martin Luther King Drive & North Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Feb 15, 2021

Fair Maps WI Coalition, 5:30pm - 7pm
Online
Fair Maps WI Coalition (FMC) convenes a panel to talk about Fair Maps in the 6th CD. Sign up.

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 RSVP. RSVP for Zoom meeting.

Tue Feb 16, 2021

Spring Primary Election, 7am - 8pm
At your polling place
See what's on your ballot and find your polling place at myvote.wi.gov. And be sure to vote!

Drinking Liberally Wauwatosa, 6:30pm - 9pm
Suspended
More information.

Wed Feb 17, 2021

Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Suspended
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, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Online
For information on the latest Laughing Liberally offerings go here.

Southwest Region Dems Meeting, 7pm - 7pm
TBA
Southwest Dems (Region 5) cover Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee (Southwest), West Allis, West Milwaukee. For information on when a meeting may be held check here or contact [email protected]

Thu Feb 18, 2021

Educational Debt to Our Children, 7pm - 7pm
Zoom
Dr. Demond Means, consultant to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, will give the fourth of eight presentations on the history and societal impact of race in America: "The Educational Debt We Owe to All of Our Children." Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. Registration.

Sat Feb 20, 2021

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
92nd Street & North Avenue, Wauwatosa
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

FMC Training, 3pm - 4:30pm
Zoom
Fair Map Coalition’s Carlene Bechen provides training for folks who want to presentoral testimony at the People's Map Commission hearing on the 25th. Sign up link to follow.