It's a great time to be a Democrat in Eden Prairie and Southern Minnetonka. The convincing re-election of Rep. Maria Ruud in House District 42A by more than 1,800 votes helped the DFL easily take back the State Legislature. Local volunteers helped Amy Klobuchar sweep to victory in her U.S. Senate race and helped elect Lori Swanson, Mark Ritchie and Rebecca Otto to statewide office. First-time candidate Rob Boyd ran a spirited campaign in House District 42B and Carol Bomben was narrowly defeated in her effort to win the State Senate District 42 seat. But our work has only just begun. We are the local organization of Democrats, the DFL Senate District 42 party, and we are asking you to Get Informed, Get Connected and Get Active. This e-newsletter will provide helpful information, and be sure to visit our web site at www.dflsd42.org for ongoing news and info.

Eden Prairie Education Hearing is Monday
The Education Policy Committee of the Minnesota State Senate will be hosting a public forum on Monday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Eden Prairie School District Board Room, 8100 School Road, in Eden Prairie. Topics will include the Eden Prairie Q-Comp Program, the District Energy Efficiency Program and the District Equity Initiative. In addition to State Senators, Rep. Maria Ruud will also be participating.

Democratic Visions Show Airs Sundays, Wednesdays
Skip Humphrey, former Minnesota Attorney General and current president of AARP in Minnesota, was a recent guest on "Democratic Visions," the cable-access TV show produced by DFL Senate District 42 volunteers. The show airs on Channel 15 at 9 p.m. Sundays and 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Richfield. For more info or to volunteer, call 952-944-2861. To view some previous shows, go here.

MN House, Senate Offer Free Magazines
A great way to be informed about Minnesota politics is to read the non-partisan magazines of the House and Senate. The House publication, "Session Weekly," can be found on-line here. You can also sign up here to have a free hard copy delivered to your home. For the Senate publication, "Senate Briefly," go here.

Feb. 14: 3rd CD Central Committee Meeting
The February meeting of the DFL's 3rd Congressional District Central Commitee is scheduled for Wednesday, June, 14 at 7 p.m. at the Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard in Minnetonka. The 3rd CD Central Committee is made up of senate district chairs from throughout the congressional district, directors, state central committee members and others. All local Democrats are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. Your input is valued and you will be able to participate fully, with the exception of voting. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Minnetonka Community Center.

Feb. 15: Hopkins School Board Meeting
The Hopkins School Board meets at 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays at Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Go here for more information on the Hopins School Board and its meetings.

Feb. 15: Minnetonka School Board Meeting
The Minnetonka School Board meets at 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays at the Minnetonka District Service Center, 5621 County Road 101, Minnetonka. Go here for more info on the Minnetonka School Board and its meetings.

Feb. 20: Eden Prairie City Council Meeting
The Eden Prairie City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road. Council meetings are televised live on cable channel 16 and replayed on opposite Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and on Saturdays at 1 p.m. Citizens have the opportunity to speak before the Council during Open Forum from 6:30-7 p.m. You must sign up with the City Manager's office at 952-949-8412 by noon to speak during Open Forum. For more info on the Eden Prairie City Council, go here.

Feb. 20: Eden Prairie School Board Meeting
The Eden Prairie School Board usually meets the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m., but will be meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, because of the President's Day holiday. The Eden Prairie School Board meets at 8100 School Road in Eden Prairie. For more information on the School Board, go here.

Feb. 24: Town Hall with Rep. Maria Ruud
Rep. Maria Ruud will host a Town Hall meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd in Minnetonka.

Feb. 26: Minnetonka City Council Meeting
The Minnetonka City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, at the Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard. The Minnetonka City Council meets twice a month. See the calendar here for specific dates and go here to learn more about your Council members, meeting procedures and cable TV replays of meetings.

March 1: Hopkins School Board Meeting
7 p.m. Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Go here for more info.

March 1: Minnetonka School Board Meeting
7 p.m. Minnetonka District Service Center, 5621 County Road 101, Minnetonka. Go here for more info.

March 17: Town Hall with Rep. Maria Ruud
Rep. Maria Ruud will host a Town Hall meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the Eden Prairie Library, 565 Prairie Center Drive in Eden Prairie.

Volunteer On a Committee
We have many opportunities that can fit your talents and schedules. You'll have fun, meet other DFL supporters in your community and feel good about helping a great cause. Our committees include: affirmative action and outreach; candidate development and support; communications; events and fundraising; precinct organization; strategic planning and research; and technology. Go here for more info and to sign up.

Write a Letter to the Editor
Writing letters to the editor of our local papers is an important way we can support our DFL elected officials and promote progressive issues. Go here for more info.

Make a Contribution
It's easy to make a contribution to DFL Senate District 42 and it will only cost you five minutes of your time and a postage stamp. If this is your first contribution of 2007 to a state candidate or DFL organization, you can take advantage of the Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program and receive a refund of $50 per individual or $100 per couple. That's right, a refund. There is no catch or fine print. Think of it as a "loan" to help Democrats win because you'll get your money back from the state in 2-4 weeks. You can write your check to Senate District 42 DFL and mail it to 13012 Jane Lane, Minnetonka, MN, 55343. We'll provide you a receipt and easy-to-complete form to send to the state. Go here for more info.