A competitive state convention is an interesting state convention

All Democratic Party gatherings tend to draw bigger crowds during presidential election years. That is especially true when the race is a hot tamale, as it is this year.

Cheyenne expects a good turn-out for this weekend's Democratic State Convention at Little America. Bernie Sanders won April's Wyoming caucus but ended up with the same number of delegates as Hillary Clinton. And Clinton snagged the super-delegates, giving her an 11-7 edge while finishing with less than 50 percent of the caucus vote. You may have seen this mentioned during Saturday Night Live's opening skit over the weekend. It's also been a topic of conversation online and on CBS and ABC. Some commentators have posited that Wyoming's Democratic Convention may have the same uproar as experienced in Nevada. You may recall that Sanders' supporters disrupted the proceedings at that state's Dem convention.

A bit of dissension is good for the health of the party. A lot off dissension say, the kind the GOP is experiencing this year, may not be so good for the Repubs (pause here for laughter). Some Sanders supporters are new to party politics. These newbies register high on the enthusiasm scale but very low on  knowledge about how things work. You can't really call yourself a Democrat until you get involved in the party and attend years worth of boring meetings just to get your teeth kicked during every election. You also need to get out there and support Dems running for legislative seats, city council, school board, etc. I have yet to run for office but have worked for many worthy candidates, many of whom lost to not-so-worthy Repubs in the general election. Lee Filer lost his House seat in 2014 to right-wing kook Harlan Edmonds -- Lee is back to run again this year. Ken McCauley lost in my district in 2012, and you'd have to look high and low for someone more qualified.  Same goes for Kathleen Petersen in 2014. I've also walked neighborhoods for Mary Throne and Jim Byrd and Ken Esquibel. They won, and continue to do so. Ken is running for the senate this year and has his work cut out for him.

Chris and I will spend our Friday night date night volunteering at Friday night's welcoming reception. Come to think of it, we'll be volunteering Saturday night as well. Yes, we lead boring lives. But it's great to be around people energized by the political system, no matter its flaws.

Come on out tomorrow night and see what's up with Democrats across the state. You may get to meet a Democrat from Niobrara County, where Dems are seldom seen and are in danger of becoming endangered species much like the sage grouse and the jackalope.

Here's the party invitation, filled with exclamation marks to show you how damn enthusiastic we all are:

Laramie County Democrats are thrilled to welcome ALL Wyoming Democrats to the state capital as we host the Friday night welcome reception for our state convention! We are honored to host and we've got an amazing reception planned for your Friday night arrival! Join us at Cheyenne's Historic Depot Museum as we celebrate Wyoming Democratic values! The reception is from 6:30-10 p.m. Your $20 admission includes hors d'oeuvres, your first drink, music, unlimited fun, and so much more! You'll have a chance to meet elected officials, new candidates, national delegate hopefuls, and folks who are excited to turn Wyoming Blue! National Delegate Candidates, this is your opportunity to campaign!  Come, bring your swag, mingle, network, meet Democrats from all over the state. This event is open to the public so please invite your friends! All proceeds benefit Democrats running for office!

To get more info on the Laramie County Dems, go to our Facebook page. Go here for the Laramie County Democrats  Grassroots Coalition, the FUN-draising arm of the county Dems. Also check out the Wyoming Dems web site.

Democrats hold legislative reception Feb. 19 in Cheyenne

The Laramie County Democrats holds its annual legislative reception on Friday, Feb. 19, at The Suite Bistro, 1901 Central Ave., Cheyenne, from 6 p.m.-whenever.

Here's more info from the LarCoDems web site:

It's time for our favorite tradition: our annual Legislative Reception! All our Laramie County Legislators have been invited and the event is a fun and informative annual tradition. $15 get you in the door, your first drink and light appetizers. Hear important updates about the legislative session, meet our local legislators and have a great time catching up with your fellow Democrats on the 2016 legislative session. Could there be some announcements about who's running for the House and Senate? Don't miss this amazing tradition. 

No better way to get the inside scoop on the legislature by attending this reception and hearing from eyewitness Democrats. Some of what they report will amaze you, possibly make you feel a little queasy.

Wyoming Democrats hold annual legislative reception Feb. 15

The Wyoming Democratic Party will hold its annual legislative reception on on Friday, February 15, 6:30-9 p.m. at party headquarters, 1909 Warren Ave. in Cheyenne. Please plan on joining your friends and legislators for the reception. Learn about ongoing legislative events and bills that have already passed or died during this session. Please bring a snack to share if you are able.  Contact Linda Stowers for more information at 307-220-1219. 

Wyoming Dems open new HQ in Cheyenne

From the Wyoming Democratic Party: 

The Wyoming Democratic Party has moved its headquarters and staff from Casper to Cheyenne. For the first time in a decade, Party HQ will be just a few blocks from the Capital, ready to support our Democratic Legislators. To celebrate the move, come for a chili cookoff, see our new website, meet staff, candidates and friends for an afternoon of fun! Beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, 1909 Warren Ave.

BTW, I've seen to the test site of the WDP's new web presence. A vast improvement, with actual up-to-date material and a place for us prog-bloggers to sound off. Come to the party tomorrow and check it out.

Reception Feb. 22 for "New West Art at the Hynds" in downtown Cheyenne

New West Art Show at the Hynds 1602 Capitol Avenue Cheyenne. Featuring the work of 15 artists. Rachael Eastman,Don Hendricksen,Terry Kreuzer,Phillippa K. Lack, Edward Marron, Mike McIntosh, Lynn Newman, Sally Newman, Connie Norman,Do Palma, Win Ratz, Jennifer Rife, Kevin Robinett, Georgia Rowswell, Laurel Shelley-Ruess . Public reception this Wednesday February 22 from 5:30 till 7:30. FMI: 630-4077

Laramie County Democrats hold reception for new state director Jan. 30

From Linda Stowers:

The Laramie County Democrats will be meeting on Monday, January 30, at the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Union Hall, 810 Fremont, Cheyenne. There will be a reception at 6 p.m. for the new Executive Director of the State Party, Robin Van Ausdall, with the 7 p.m. business meeting to follow. Everyone welcomed.

"Sustainability and the Arts" exhibit reception Sept. 20 at UW

Wyoming Democrats launch weekend with legislative reception at Deselms Fine Art in Cheyenne

Schmooze with legislators, contribute to a good cause and view fine art on Friday, Feb. 25, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Wyoming Democrats annual legislative reception at Deselms Fine Art. You can ask your Dem legislators for their first-hand experiences with some of the wacky Republican-sponsored bills that have come down the pike this year.

A $10 donation is requested.

FMI: 1-800-739-3367 or info@wyomingdemocrats.com

Deselms Fine Art is a great place for Democrats to meet. It's a place that invokes art and creativity and historic development and creative community, all solid progressive issues. Wyoming Democrats took a shellacking in the last election but it had nothing to do with the validity of the candidates and their platforms -- not to mention hard work. It was a surge of regressive politics funded by corporate money and Tea Party wackiness and Fox "News" scare tactics and a nationwide recession caused by Wall Street greed-mongers.

Now get out there Friday evening and have fun!

Democrats hold Legislative Reception Feb. 25 at Deselms Fine Art in Cheyenne

The Wyoming Democratic Party and the Laramie County Democrats will hold a Legislative Reception on Friday, February 25, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Deselms Fine Art and Custom Framing on 17th Street in Cheyenne (the old Whipple House).

Meet your Democratic legislators and celebrate political diversity in The Equality State. View some fine art, too, at Harvey's spacious new place..

For more information, please contact Linda Stowers at 307-634-0768.

Support your Wyoming artists and galleries

On the local arts scene:

You're invited to "Wyoming Views" opening reception on Thursday, Sept. 24, 8-9:30 p.m., at Clay Paper Scissors, 1506 Thomes Ave., Suite B, in downtown Cheyenne. The show features Laramie artists Joe Arnold, Wendy Bredehoft, Linda Lillegraven and Susan Moldenhauer.

To see more details and RSVP, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163942570714