Shoreline League of Democratic Women

The Shoreline League of Democratic Women will host a "Regional Energy Initiatives Forum" on Wednesday evening, November 4, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Clinton Library (Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike (Route 81), Clinton, CT.

Guest speaker Dean Plummer of the Madison Town Energy Committee will discuss current energy conservation initiatives and the potential use of Federal Stimulus funding earmarked for towns that work together on a regional basis to pursue energy savings programs. The Event is free to the public.

This educational event will provide an opportunity for local citizens to share ideas and learn more about the advantages of a localized approach to develop and implement effective energy practices along the Connecticut Shoreline. Attendees will also get an update on program offerings from the CT Clean Energy Fund and the CT Energy Efficiency Fund.

For more information, call (203) 887-2211 or email: sldworg@gmail.com. The SLDW seeks membership from the towns of Old Saybrook, Lyme, Old Lyme, Essex, Centerbrook, Ivoryton, Deep River, Chester, Killingworth, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and Branford.

See you there!
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Directions to the Clinton Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike (Route 81), Clinton, CT

Traveling on Interstate 1-95
1. Take EXIT 63 off of Interstate 1-95
2. The Library is located directly across the street from the Morgan School, and adjacent to the Clinton Crossing Mall.

The Shoreline League of Democratic Women invites you to a "Meet the Candidates Evening" featuring Democratic Gubernatorial hopefuls on Wednesday evening, October 7, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, at the Old Saybrook Democratic Headquarters (next to Thurstons women's apparel on the Stop and Shop side of the center), Old Saybrook Shopping Plaza, Route 1, Old Saybrook, CT. The event is free and open to the public. Many Thanks to the Old Saybrook DTC for co-hosting the event!

From 7pm to 7:30pm, attendees will have an opportunity to socialize and meet Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls running for CT Governor in 2010, including Connecticut's Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, State Rep. Gary Lebeau and Jim Amann, the former speaker of CT’s House of Representatives. At 7:30pm, these candidates will speak about their goals and positions for the state, and discuss why they are seeking a bid for the Democratic nomination.

Refreshments will be served. To RSVP, or for more
information, call (203) 887-2211 or email: sldworg@gmail.com. The SLDW draws membership from the towns of Old Saybrook, Essex, Lyme, Old Lyme, Essex, Centerbrook, Ivoryton, Deep River, Chester, Killingworth, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and Branford.

See you there!
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Directions to Old Saybrook Democratic Headquarters at the Old Saybrook Shopping Plaza on Route 1

Traveling North on I-95
1. Take EXIT 66 -- SPENCER PLAIN ROAD / CT-166 exit
2. At the end of the ramp, turn RIGHT onto SPENCER PLAIN RD / CT-166.
3. Turn LEFT onto BOSTON POST ROAD / Route 1 at the light.
4. Travel 1.9 miles along Route 1.
5. Turn LEFT onto ELM ST. You will see the Old Saybrook Shopping Plaza at this intersection (Walmart, Marshalls, Home Goods).
6. Do NOT turn into the parking lot on the FRONT side of the Plaza.
7. Travel on Elm Street another .1 miles, and turn RIGHT into the parking lot on the Stop and Shop side of the plaza, which is on the backside of the shopping center. The Old Saybrook Democratic
Headquarters is located _next to Thurstons (women's apparel). Come in the front door. The address of the building is 105 Elm Street, Old Saybrook, CT.

The SLDW cordially invites members and friends to attend our Kick-off Social for Democratic Women being held on Friday, September 18, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Surf Club in Madison, CT. Directions are below.

Come, enjoy a beverage and light refreshment, and help our organization ramp up for another busy year. There is sure to be plenty of sparkling conversation about the current political scene! Local and state Democratic leaders and elected officials will be present. Local representatives from the Connecticut legislature will give short presentations on:

* The recent State Budget fight - What we won; what we lost; what
will be the ongoing consequences of the Budget Bill.
* Susinet - What/ who it covers; what it means to CT citizens
whether currently insured or not; how it will support national
healthcare reform efforts.

Please pass on the word, and invite other Democratic women to come with you. We welcome registered Democratic women from our member towns of Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Lyme, Chester, Essex/Centerbrook/Ivoryton, Deep River and Killingworth.

See you there!

Betsy Hodgson, President
Shoreline League of Democratic Women
203-887-2211

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Directions to The Surf Club:
From I-95, take exit 61 and proceed south from the exit ramp. (Take a left, if you are traveling southbound. Take a right, if you are traveling northbound). At the 3rd light, turn right onto Boston Post Rd (Rt 1). Take the 2nd left onto West Wharf, and take the 1st right onto Surf Club Road. The gathering will be in the Main Room of the Surf Club House (1st building on left). There is parking to the right and the left of the building. For more information, please send email to sldworg@gmail.com or contact Betsy Hodgson at (203) 887-2211 or Gloria Star at (860) 664-3590.

On May 1, 2009, members and guests of the Shoreline League of Democratic Women will celebrate the year's accomplishments and honor women leaders at our annual banquet at the Clinton Country Club. There will be a silent auction and raffle to raise funds for our important community work.
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WHEN: Friday, May 1st, 2009
WHERE: Clinton Country Club, Route 148, Clinton, CT
TIME: Cocktails at 6:30 PM *, Dinner at 7:00 PM
Silent Auction and Raffle
COST: $35 per person

RSVP by Monday, April 27.
Call Gloria Star at 860-664-3590, or send an email to sldworg@gmail.com Please indicate your entree.
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Our Guest Speaker Extraordinare: Patricia Russo from the Yale Women’s Campaign School
Ms. Russo promises to share ideas that will inspire. “Be a “Vote” of confidence,” she says. “We are strong, we are confident, we are exhausted! Gorgeous women of the world…let’s unite…let’s strategize to get energized and lead the lives we deserve to lead. Radiantly, Boldly, Confidently!”
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GALA BANQUET MENU

Appetizers and Hors d’oeuvres
Garden Salad with choice of dressing
Rolls and Butter
Entrée (Choose One)Chicken Piccata or Grilled Salmon with Dill Beurre Blanc
Roasted Red Potatoes
Vegetable Medley
Dessert Tray
Coffee, Tea or Soft Drink
*Cash Bar
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ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Patricia Russo, First Vice-President of the
Women’s Campaign School at Yale University

Patricia Russo is a social activist and fund raising entrepreneur focused on improving the quality of life for women in Connecticut and the United States. For over twenty five years, she has held numerous leadership positions in public, private and not for profit sector arenas centered on women’s rights. She has also held leadership positions in federal, state and local political campaigns. Patricia serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Commissions for Women Foundation based in Washington, D.C. She is also Vice President of the Board of the Foundation for Connecticut Women, is on the Advisory Board of the Women’s Center of Fairfield County, and is a member of the Council of Women’s Health Research at Yale University and co chairs its Philanthropy and Communications Committee. Recently, she was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

The Shoreline League of Democratic Women will host a free-to-the-public program entitled "Smart Growth & Property Tax Reform" on Wednesday, March 4, 7:30 - 9pm, at the Guilford Free Library, 67 Park Street, in Guilford, CT. Members of the CT Legislative Taskforce on this issue will present the concept and lead a group discussion. The Forum participants are Senator Eileen Daily (33rd Senate District), State Rep. Deborah Heinrich (101st District), and State Rep. Brendan Sharkey (88th District). State Rep. Lonnie Reed (102nd District) will moderate the forum.

The Smart Growth & Property Tax Reform initiative seeks to build a coalition for change and to strengthen the working connections among shoreline elected officials and community leaders. The overall objective is to find better ways to fund our schools, invigorate businesses, help towns choose smart growth instead of sprawl, save energy, reduce traffic, protect the environment, preserve community character, and maximize mass transit opportunities.

Rep. Sharkey, chair of the House Smart Growth taskforce, is joined by Rep. Heinrich who also a member of the taskforce. Senator Daily is the past chair of the Senate Planning & Development Committee. Rep. Reed is a member of the House Planning & Development Committee, which will handle any legislation coming from the taskforce.

For the first time, the Shoreline Line League of Democratic Women will host a meeting of the Connecticut Federation of Democratic Women, our mother organization. On February 14th, a luncheon will be held at the lovely Old Lyme Inn, where we will meet with our sister Democrats from around the state. The event will run from 11:30am - 2pm. Lunch begins at noon. Mark your Calendars!

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
Our very special guest speaker will be Patricia Russo, First Vice-President of the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. (Biography is below)

RSVP REQUIRED
Please RSVP by February 6th to Gloria Star by calling 860-664-3590 or email:Gloriastar@comcast.net. Checks must made out to the Shoreline League of Democratic Women, and sent to Gloria Star, P.O. Box 311, Clinton, CT 06413. Checks must be received by February 6th.

LUNCHEON MENU at the OLD LYME INN
A lovely plated lunch will feature a Greens Salad with Grape Tomatoes; entree with starch and vegetable, rolls butter, dessert, and tea or coffee. Entree choices include: Chicken Breast Stuffed with Mozzarella and Spinach; Herb & Crumb Crusted Atlantic Cod. Vegetarian option is Eggplant Tower with Pasta.

PATRICIA RUSSO BIOGRAPHY
Patricia Russo is a social activist and fund raising entrepreneur focused on improving the quality of life for women in Connecticut and the United States. For over twenty five years she has held numerous leadership positions in public, private and not for profit sector arenas centered on women’s rights. She has also held leadership positions in federal, state and local political campaigns.

Currently, Patricia serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Commissions for Women Foundation based in Washington, D.C. She is also Vice President of the Board of the Foundation for Connecticut Women, is on the Advisory Board of the Women’s Center of Fairfield County, and is a member of the Council of Women’s Health Research at Yale University and co chairs its Philanthropy and Communications Committee. Recently, she was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

Join other SLDW members and guests for our first meeting of the New Year! On January 7th, at 7 PM, SLDW will meet in the Community Room of the Henry Carter Hull Public Library in Clinton. A light supper will be served, and you're invited to bring along something to share as pot luck.

ALL Members are encouraged to attend this gathering. The focus of the meeting will involve organizing our efforts for SLDW programs and public events to be held from February through May, 2009. We also have a few business items that need the attention of our membership.

Please join us from 7-9 PM on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. The Clinton Library is located at 10 Killingworth Turnpike (Route 81). From I-95, take Exit 63 , and travel North on Route 81.

Meanwhile, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from SLDW!

On Saturday, April 4, the SLDW hosted the 3rd annual Green Lifestyle Fair featuring exhibitors of Energy Alternatives and Home Products at the Clinton Town Hall. New to the Fair was a Recycling area, an expanded Organanic Farming, Cooking and Gardening area, and a Children's Green Learning Corner!

The event was Free to the Public! The Green Lifestyle Fair attracted more than 600 shoreline citizens, and offered valuable insight into real world energy alternatives, conservation and efficiency initiatives, and the most pressing challenges affecting our environment today.

Seven expert speakers gave expert presentations during the day. The speaker roster is posted on our home page. We had nearly 50 exhibitors at the event in these categories:

1) Alternative Energy - Solar, Wind, Fuel Cell, Geothermal, Biodiesel

2) Energy Efficiency & Building Materials

3) Hybrid Automobiles

4) Contractors, Consultants and Builders

5) Green Lifestyle

6) Locally & Organically Grown

7) Green Advocacy Groups

And More Eco-Friendly Representatives!

In the photo: Twins Ford and and Quinn Pender and sister Willow of Clinton, CT attended the 2008 Green Lifestyle Fair. Photo Courtesy of Deborah Rutty.