Shoreline League of Democratic Women

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.