Democratic Visions TV programs air Sundays and Wednesdays on local cable stations.
Jim Hovland, Edina mayor and candidate for Third Congressional  District Representative, is the current guest on Democratic Visions through Feb. 3. He and host Tim O'Brien explore key issues and the solutions Mayor Hovland presents in his platform for transportation, climate, health care, the Iraq war, the current economic downturn and education challenges.

Democratic Visions is a 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 information or to volunteer, call 952-944-2861. To view some previous shows, go here.

Minn. 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 online here. You can also sign up here to have a free hard copy delivered to your home once this year's session starts. For the Senate publication, Senate Briefly, go here.

Next DFL meetings

Feb. 14: our monthly Senate District 42 meeting
(senate district central committee)
Time/Place: 7 p.m. every second Thursday of each month; Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka.
Who Attends: Senate District 42 Central Committee members, including the Executive Committee, local state central committee members, all precinct chairs and associate chairs. You are also welcome to attend. Your input is valuable and you will be able to participate fully except for voting.

Feb. 20: monthly 3rd Congressional District meeting (congressional district central committee)
Time/Place: 7 p.m., every third Wednesday of each month; Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka.
Who Attends: 3rd Congressional District Central Committee members, including congressional district senate district chairs, directors, state central committee members, others. You are also welcome to attend. Your input is valuable, and you will be able to participate fully except for voting.

Feb. 26: monthly Progressives on the Prairie (POP) DFL Links meeting
Time/Place: 6:30 p.m. meal, 7:00 p.m. meeting, every fourth Tuesday of each month; Davanni's Pizza and Hoagies, 8061 Flying Cloud Dr., Eden Prairie.
Who Attends: everyone interested in gathering with fellow progressives.

Feb. 27: SD 42's candidate debate for CD 3 candidates Terri Bonoff, Jim Hovland and Ashwin Madia.
Time/Place: 7 p.m., Heritage Rooms, Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie.

Next school board meetings

Eden Prairie School Board: Feb. 4 and 19 (Tuesday)
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Mondays; 8100 School Road, Eden Prairie. Go here for more information on the School Board, its meeting schedule and cable broadcasts of meetings.

Hopkins School Board: Feb. 7 and 21
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays; Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Go here for more information on the School Board and its meeting schedule. Go here for information on cable broadcasts of meetings.

Minnetonka School Board: Feb. 7
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays; Minnetonka District Service Center, 5621 County Road 101, Minnetonka. Go here for more information on the School Board, its meeting schedule and information on cable broadcasts of its meetings.

Next city council meetings

Eden Prairie City Council: Feb. 5 and 19
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month; Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road. Go here for more information on the Council, guidelines for speaking at meetings and cable broadcasts of meetings.

Minnetonka City Council: Feb. 11 and 25
Time/Place: 6:30 p.m.; Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard. The Minnetonka City Council meets twice a month. Go here for more information on Council members, the meeting schedule and meeting procedures. Go here for information on cable broadcasts of meetings.

Are you ready to vote?
Go here for great information on absentee voting, finding your legislative district, finding your polling place, how to register for voting, and what kinds of IDs are acceptable for registering to vote.

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 support and development; communications and technology; events; fundraising; precinct organization; and strategic planning and research. Go here for more information and to sign up.

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

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 9322 Overlook Trail, Eden Prairie, MN, 55347-2931. We'll provide you a receipt and easy-to-complete form to send to the state. Go here for more information.