Time is flying. We have only 3.5 days to finish calling women who are strong Democrats in the North Shore to help elect Jill Underly as the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The importance of this position is often overlooked. And because there are no other truly high profile races on Milwaukee County ballots in the election on April 6, a lot of the women we are calling are simply unaware of the race and of how crucial it is to vote in this election. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction — Governor Evers's former position! — sets vital policies for the state's educational system, overseeing school libraries, teacher qualifications and the like. Dr. Underly has strong qualifications for this role. And we especially note that she opposes expanding the role of vouchers and siphoning more money from public education. Please spend a couple of hours today, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday contacting women and encouraging them to vote. You can download the Grassroots North Shore version of the script here and access the phone bank if you already have an ActionID from last year's election efforts. For assistance with creating an ActionID, download these simple instructions. These are easy calls to make: all the people on the list are strong Democrats. And we are leaving messages. So make a difference and participate in this vital election.

The Wisconsin Democratic Party is hosting Get Out the Vote shifts for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (Election Day). I urge you to sign up for one or more of their shifts also. Like the phone bank Grassroots North Shore is running through Friday, April 2, these phone banks allow you to work from the safety and privacy of your own home. But unlike our own phone bank, the Dems have set up shifts with specific start and end times and you will "show up" at a Virtual Staging Location where you can attend an orientation session before you begin calling. So this is another way you can contribute the election effort this spring!

While we're on the local political beat, I want to call your attention to two requests from the Ozaukee County Democrats. They're looking for 20 people to sign up for shifts to staff the Ozaukee County Fair, July 28 - August 1. They need your commitment by March 31 (tomorrow)! So do the right thing. Otherwise, the Democrats won't be at the Fair! Click here. Our Oz supporters might also be interested in joining a virtual community organizing discussion with the new Regional Organizing Director, Ayden Romer. There will be a Zoom meeting at 7pm on April 2 to discuss the progress that we’ve made as a county, what we and the state party can do to improve, and workshopping next steps for after the April 6 election. Sign up.

Here's some hopeful news about COVID-19. Although we are witnessing an uptick in new infections, rates of hospitalizations, and deaths from the disease, we may be within sight of achieving something like "herd immunity" if vaccination rates hold — but we still have a ways to go. Dr. Walensky, the Director of the CDC, warned about a fourth surge that seems to be imminent. She warned that she has a feeling of "impending doom" as case loads begin to accelerate again. So the good news is that the vaccines effectively protect people from becoming infected and thus from transmitting the disease to those not yet vaccinated. But the cautious news is that we must still practice mitigation strategies like masking and social distancing for another couple of months. That's not so hard, now, is it.

If you have a strong stomach, you can watch the trial of Derek Chauvin live on the New York Times site. All the major news outlets are of course covering the trial with reporting and analysis aplenty. In somewhat less blanketed coverage, the defamation suit Summer Zervos brought against Donald Trump has been allowed to move forward, the highest court in New York State has ruled today. As the Times reports, "The case could yield the first deposition of Mr. Trump since he took office in January 2017, compelling him to testify about his behavior during the period of time in 2007 and 2008 when he and Ms. Zervos were in contact, as well as during his first campaign." Keep an eye on this one. We may yet get a cheery dose of schadenfreude.

Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy Passover, Easter, or just a wonderful spring.

EVENTS

Tue Mar 30, 2021

Badger Bounceback: Transportation & Infrastructure, 6pm - 6pm
Zoom / YouTube
Badger Bounceback will be a series of online programs for Wisconsinites to discuss and provide feedback on Gov. Evers' agenda with the goal of working together to help pass a bold, bipartisan budget that will help our state bounce back from COVID-19 to better than we were before this pandemic hit. This third session will examine fixing our roads and bridges, investing in transit and transportation alternatives, expanding access to broadband, and supporting local communities and government. More information and Registration. Schedule for the series.

Thu Apr 1, 2021

Newsmakers: DPI Superintendent Candidates, 12pm - 1pm
Online
Deborah Kerr and Jill Underly, who are seeking to become superintendent of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction, will be the featured guests at a virtual event presented by a partnership between the Milwaukee Press Club, and WisPolitics.com. A link will be sent on the morning of the event to view it live. Registration (required).

Fri Apr 2, 2021

Ozaukee County Organizing Discussion, 7pm
Zoom
Join on us on Friday, April 2, for a virtual community organizing discussion with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Our new Regional Organizing Director, Ayden Romer, will be hosting a Zoom call at 7 p.m. where we will discuss the progress that we’ve made as a county, what we and the state party can do to improve, and workshopping next steps for after the April 6 election. This is a fantastic opportunity to provide the state party with constructive feedback on what we can do to get over the line and turn Ozaukee blue. Please contact Dan Larsen at (262) 501-1789 or [email protected] if you are able to attend. And here's the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91015510787?pwd=Yjl3ekpzYm4ybG9Gelp1eWdicm52Zz09. See you on April 2!

Sat Apr 3, 2021

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
TBA
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Apr 5, 2021

Virtual Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30pm - 6:30pm
TBA
Drinking Liberally Waukesha may be held virtually with Zoom. Check for updates.

Tue Apr 6, 2021

Spring General Election, 7am - 8pm
At Polling Places
To find your polling place, consult vote411.org.

Drinking Liberally Grafton, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
ZOOM
John DeDakis is a former White House correspondent, former Senior Copy Editor for CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer", and current novelist and educator. All of his novels are set against the backdrop of journalism and weave in current events such as the MeToo movement and "fake news". In fact, his latest novel, "Fake", earned Honorable Mention for the Reviewers Choice Award and was a Finalist for Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion Award. For more info about John, visit his website:www.johndedakis.com. Democracy is a social endeavor. Did you see the video of Trump leaving Washington for the last time on Air Force One? The Marine Band didn't play "Hail to the Chief". The send-off music was "YMCA" by the Village People. Why? Because it's fun. Keeping social groups together requires its members get some immediate gratification as they work for a larger goal. Please join us to catch up with old friends and please invite some new friends to join us.

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

Wed Apr 7, 2021

Info: Laughing Liberally MKE, 8:30pm - 9:30pm
TBA
For information on the latest Laughing Liberally offerings go here.

Thu Apr 8, 2021

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

ACLU Action: Student Debt, 7pm - 7pm
Zoom
The ACLU recently launched its Systemic Equality agenda, a multi-year racial justice agenda seeking to address America's legacy of racism and systemic discrimination. This session of the Systemic Equality Action Series will discuss student debt. RSVP. More information.

Sat Apr 10, 2021

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
TBA
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Apr 12, 2021

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.