Please post a comment if you know of any noteworthy event I’ve left out.
Democrats, please let me know about your upcoming meet-and-greets, fundraisers, town hall meetings or candidate forums by e-mailing desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com.
Monday, May 19:
Ed Fallon will appear on Iowa Public Radio (WOI 640 AM) between 10:00 – 11:00 am. He will be interviewed by Jeneane Beck and will take questions from callers.
Fallon will hold an event at Gateway West Park, 14th and Locust in downtown Des Moines at 3:00 PM. The event will kick off Fallon’s blitz of 12 counties the next day for his ‘New Energy for Iowa Tour.’ At the event, and during the tour, Fallon will announce a major new Congressional proposal he plans to champion if elected to Congress that will greatly benefit both Iowa’s environment and rural economy.
The Iowa Global Warming Campaign, Sierra Club and I-Renew are hosting a free film screening of “Global Warming: the Signs and the Science,” a film that uses expert dialogues on global warming to talk about how we can reverse its course. After the film, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a discussion about the film and related issues. Refreshments provided. The “Every Day is Earth Day” event will take place from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Dubuque Public Library, 360 W. 11th St. @ Locust St. Dubuque.
Tuesday, May 20:
Barack and Michelle Obama are holding a rally at E. 6th Street and E. Locust Street in Des Moines, IA (on the west side of the capitol). Doors open at 7:30 pm. **Public Entrance at E. 6th Street and Grand Avenue** The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. To RSVP please visit http://www.barackobama.com/.
Also on May 20, Ed Fallon is doing events in all 12 counties of Iowa’s third Congressional district:
7 am to 7:25 am
Knoxville Courthouse/Bandstand
214 E. Main St., Knoxville8:00 am to 8:25 am
Chariton Courthouse Lawn (NE Corner)
916 Braden St., Chariton9:00 am to 9:25 am
Albia Courthouse/Bandstand
10 Benton Ave. E., Albia10:00 am to 10:25 am
Oskaloosa Town-square Bandstand
106 S. 1st St., Oskaloosa11:00 am to 11:25 am
Sigourney Courthouse/Bandstand
101 S. Main St., Sigourney12:15 pm to 12:40 pm
Marengo City Hall/Gazebo
152 E. Main St., Marengo1:15 pm to 1:40 pm
Vinton Courthouse Lawn
111 E. 4th St., Vinton2:45 pm to 3:10 pm
Grundy Center Courthouse/Bandstand
706 G. Ave., Grundy Center4:00 pm to 4:25 pm
Toledo Courthouse/Bandstand
100 W. High St., Toledo5:00 pm to 5:25 pm
Grinnell
Saint’s Rest Café
919 Broad St., Grinnell6:00 pm to 6:20 pm
Newton
Uncle Nancy’s Coffee
114 N. 2nd Ave W., NewtonFor his final event of the day, Ed will attend the Obama rally in Des Moines.
Windsor Heights Mayor Jerry Sullivan, Democratic candidate for House district 59, is having a meet the candidate event hosted by Clive Mayor Les Aasheim from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Clive Aquatic Center, 1801 NW 114th St in Clive.
One Iowa is holding a volunteer workshop at 6 pm. This is one of seven volunteer workshops to be held over the next month. These workshops will be a chance for you to sign up for shifts at Pride this June! There will be a quick overview and training session to let you know about what the different volunteer needs and roles will be, where to check in and check out during Pride, and how this process will work. Immediately following will be a chance for you to ask any questions you may have and to sign up for volunteer shifts.
To sign up for the May 20 volunteer workshop, RSVP here: http://eqfed.org/oneiowa/event…
Wednesday, May 21:
The spring 2008 Polk County Water Quality Snapshot is the fifth year of sampling water quality in rivers and streams in Polk County. Organized by the Iowa Environmental Council and Des Moines Water Works, the snapshot is conducted twice a year in the spring and fall. This year over 30 volunteers will help test over 70 sites on rivers, streams and lakes throughout the county. On Wednesday, May 21, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., volunteers will gather at the Izaak Walton League, at 4343 George Flagg Parkway, for a quick refresher course on water quality testing. At 9:30 groups of volunteers will leave with testing equipment, maps and directions to testing sites. Testing will be completed by 2 p.m. Wednesday.
John Scarpino, Candidate for Polk County Supervisor, District 2, is holding a campaign kickoff reception from 6 pm to 8 pm at Traditions Restaurant, 1509 S Ankeny Blvd in Ankeny. RSVP to Rick Singleton at 515-967-4245 or email Scarpino4Super@aol.com
Jerry Sullivan is holding a special event from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Walnut Creek Inn, 1258 8th St in West Des Moines. Please RSVP to Mike McCall at mmcall AT iowademocrats.org. Suggested donation $25 (host and sponsor levels higher).
Thursday, May 22:
One Iowa is holding another volunteer workshop (see explanation above) at 6 pm. To RSVP for this one, click here: http://eqfed.org/oneiowa/event…
Friday, May 23:
Free concert of Belin Quartet (classical string ensemble) beginning shortly after noon in Nollen Plaza, 3rd and Locust, downtown Des Moines.
Saturday, May 24:
This is the deadline to register to vote if you want to vote by mail in the June 3 primary. (If you are voting in person, you can register on the same day as the primary, but you will need to bring ID and proof of your address, such as a utility bill.)
Whiterock Conservancy and the Iowa Natural History Association are holding a weekend “BioBlitz”:
Whiterock BioBlitz 2008
1:00pm May 24-1:00pm May 25
Please join Whiterock Conservancy and Iowa Natural History Association for the Whiterock BioBlitz, a full day of exploration and learning!
A Biodiversity Blitz, or “Bio-Blitz” consists of a rapid assessment of what lives in a specific area at a given point in time. During the 24-hour BioBlitz at Whiterock Conservancy, teams led by biologists and staffed by novices and enthusiasts will explore the huge 4,300-acre Whiterock Conservancy-managed landscape and document every single species they find. BioBlitz participants will take part in the forays, using the “more eyes will find more species” approach. At the end of the 24-hour period, a comprehensive inventory of Whiterock’s plants, birds, insects, fungi, fishes, lichens, bryophytes, mammals, snails, amphibians, and reptiles will be closer to complete. The Whiterock BioBlitz is open to all members of the public to come explore Iowa’s largest land gift and one of Iowa’s newest and most unexplored treasures. Families with children are welcome as long as kids are willing to walk and parents can concurrently keep a skilled eye on both offspring and butterflies, reptiles, mollusks, etc.
CRITICAL INFO
Registration: Form attached-please fill out and return to Whiterock Conservancy
Headquarters: Whiterock Conservancy Campground
Time Frame: 1:00 pm. May 24 – 1:00 pm May 25
Accommodations: FREE TENT CAMPING (Bring camping gear)
Meals: FREE FOOD (Bring reusable silverware, plates, and cups)
What to Bring: Sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothes, tent camping gear, reusable water bottles, binoculars, camera, flashlight.
Directions: From Coon Rapids, drive 2.2 miles east on Highway 141. Turn south onto Fig Avenue and drive 2.3 miles. The campground is located on the left before you cross over the Middle Raccoon River.
Questions: Please don’t hesitate to email or call Elizabeth Hill with questions regarding the Whiterock BioBlitz.