I heard there was a fantastic turnout over the weekend at Capital City Pridefest. If you were there, share your stories and impressions in this thread. We didn’t get downtown–instead, we hit the Blank Park Zoo on Saturday (loved the “Birdman” visiting show). We enjoyed “Sample Sunday” at three of my favorite farms the next day. As a bonus, I helped a turtle cross a country road–I was afraid it would get hit by a car if we left it to creep along.
After the jump I’ve posted details about a bunch of events coming up this week, including LGBT Pride events in Omaha, Iowa City and Davenport this weekend.
I want to highlight the fundraiser for Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids on June 18. It’s a great cause, and whether or not you can come on Thursday, I highly recommend scheduling a visit if you’ve never seen the conservancy.
Democratic politicians and candidates, please let me know about any noteworthy events (desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com), so I can include them on my weekly calendars. For instance, State Representative Elesha Gayman is having a fundraiser in Des Moines on June 16.
I learned recently that Bruce Stone is hosting a new liberal talk radio show in Des Moines; it airs weekdays from 6 to 7 pm on Macsworldlive.com. Here’s the link for tuning in live, and here is the link for the archive of programs.
Tuesday, June 16:
From IowaPolitics.com:
Experts on the flood recovery will discuss efforts of the past year at the next IowaPolitics.com forum to be held at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, JUNE 16 at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel, 1800 50th Street.
IowaPolitics.com Des Moines Bureau Chief Lynn Campbell will moderate the program and questions will be accepted from audience members. The event later will be broadcast on the Mediacom Connections channel statewide and will be available for On Demand viewing on Mediacom Channel 1.
The forum is part of an ongoing series sponsored by Mediacom and Walmart.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m and taping of the show will be from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Registration options:
– Online: http://www.esurveycentral.com/…
– E-mail: info@iowapolitics.com
– Phone: (515)-309-2941IowaPolitics.com is an independent, nonpartisan electronic news service offering a free Web site at www.IowaPolitics.com and paid subscriber products. For more information, contact Jim Greer at greer@iowapolitics.com or (515) 309-2941.
Representative Elesha Gayman hails from the Quad Cities area, but she is holding a fundraiser in Des Moines:
Join me this Tuesday after work for a summer fundraiser! Sure we aren’t having to work 24 hours a day like an election year but we still have work to do! Come mix and mingle with me and other legislators and help me raise funds to continue to serve people in the 84th House district.
The event is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16th at Tumea and Sons in Des Moines (1501 SE 1st ST).
Checks can be made payable to Elesha Gayman for Iowa or contributions can be made with a credit or debit card online at www.eleshagayman.com.
I wouldn’t be able to serve our great state with out your help and support! I hope to see you tomorrow!
Reservations are due for the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa’s Crossroads lunch on Friday (see below). Please call (515-279-8715) or email (events@interfaithallianceiowa.org) to reserve a spot.
Thursday, June 18:
There’s a benefit for Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids from 6-9 pm:
All the way from Pittsburgh, PA, Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers will be teaming up with Whiterock Conservancy and the town of Coon Rapids, IA to play some authentic American roots music that combines folk, bluegrass and country. So bring your family for a night of good music and celebration at Riverside Park. Free will donations are encouraged. Proceeds benefit Whiterock Conservancy’s restoration efforts in the Middle Raccoon River Watershed. Visit www.whiterockconservancy.org for more information.
In the event of rain on Thursday, Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers will be performing at the River House Barn, across from Whiterock Conservancy’s Main Campground, at 1313 Fig Ave.
Questions about the Event? Call Emily (712) 304-4578. Click here for directions.
Friday, June 19:
The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is hosting its monthly Crossroads luncheon from 11:45 – 1 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines (42nd Street & Ingersoll Ave). The lunch costs $9, and reservations are required. Please call (515-279-8715) or email (events@interfaithallianceiowa.org) by Tuesday, June 16. This month’s speaker is Lori Rinehart, Executive Director of GeezLouise! (Growth, Education and Empowerment Zone) is a feminist agency working with women of all ages. Her topic:
Feminism is for everybody!
Feminism is political, economic and social equality between women and men. Feminism means women and men have access to the political process and their voices are heard. It is especially important that we teach and model this to our young women and men.
What is the faith community’s role to make sure this happens?
From the Iowa Environmental Council:
“Embracing Iowa Dirt” is a workshop focused on the design, construction and management of sustainable, natural trails. It will be held Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Indianola. Cost is $15 and includes lunch and materials. Open to the public, join Iowa’s city, county and state land managers for a discussion led by the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and supported the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on best practices in natural trails. Online registration for the event is open at http://www.iowadirt.org now. In short, this workshop is for anyone who wants to learn about design, construction and management of dirt trails. For more information, contact Ryan Hanser, 515.229.3737, http://www.centraliowatrails.org.
From the Center on Sustainable Communities:
COSC will be hosting a series of workshops starting Friday, June 19, at the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home in Valley Junction. There will be an on-site workshop at every phase of construction to illustrate affordable sustainable steps that can be taken in new home construction. The West Des Moines Affordable Green Demo Home is located at 927 Maple St. in West Des Moines. Visit our website for the tentative schedule and curriculum, and sign up early to reserve your spot! www.icosc.com
Also on June 19th, there will be a PRIDE Patio Party at 6 pm at the Sheraton Hotel, 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City.
Saturday, June 20:
Omaha Pridefest
Lewis & Clark Landing
515 N. Riverfront Dr, Omaha, NE
Iowa City/Cedar Rapids Corridor Pride
Upper City Park, Shelter 3
200 W Park Rd, Iowa City
From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:
Summer Solstice Celebration and Prairie Seed Harvest
June 20, Western Iowa
Celebrate the longest day of the year. Spend time in the native prairie of the Loess prairie seed in season, 9am – 3 pm, at Country Homestead B&B, in Turin, Iowa. Following prairie seed harvest will be a potluck cookout over a cedar cadaver campfire. Beverage and whole-grain bread, and grass-fed organic beef burgers will be provided. Bring something to put in the potluck. Around the mealtime those gathered will acknowledge the place of the Summer Solstice among the seasons and do some sharing of reflections-over the ways we find ourselves affirming life these days, the abiding concerns we have over the future of the planet, and the ways in which we might make a concerted effort to be instruments of healing. If you have a musical instrument and/or a favorite song to sing, bring it along. If you want to be certain that your grass-fed burger is here for you, be sure to respond and reserve a spot. For more information, address and directions: chbnb@netins.net.
Hampton, Iowa is hosting “Junk It in June” on June 20th, 9 am to 3 pm. Included are demonstrations of how to use safer, non-toxic materials in your home. Why not visit Franklin County, have a great day enjoying your visit, see how you can save money, save your health and home? There will be a large Farmer’s Market that day – and we take great pride in our homegrown farm products! Any questions, email: Deb Brown 641-458-1114, deb@debworks.com. Also visit Deb Brown’s website at www.debthinksgreen.com. Watch the Hampton Iowa Blogspot for more details of Junk It in June: http://readhampton.blogspot.com/.
Also from the Iowa Environmental Council:
Project AWARE 2009
June 20-27, Cedar River
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for adventuresome volunteers to take part in the seventh annual Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition) river cleanup event. This year’s expedition, scheduled for June 20-27, is expected to bring hundreds of volunteers to the Cedar River to clean it up from Center Point to Muscatine, a distance of nearly 80 miles. Volunteers participate by floating the river in a kayak or canoe and cleaning up river trash along the way. While the expedition lasts an entire week, volunteers may stay and help for as little or as long as they like. Project AWARE is an initiative of the DNR’s IOWATER and Iowa Water Trails Programs. For more information on this event and to download the registration materials, please visit www.iowaprojectaware.com or contact Project AWARE by email at iowater@iowater.net or phone Jackie Gautsch at (319) 335-1761.
BioBlitz
June 20-21, Allamakee County
Join other biophiles for a special weekend of discovery and help INHF celebrate its 30th anniversary at our fourth and probably final BioBlitz at Heritage Valley, a beautiful natural area in northeast Iowa. Novices, Generalists and Specialists are welcome. Register before June 15 for BioBlitz 2009. June 20-21 (1 p.m. Saturday- 1 p.m. Sunday). Extended event for science professionals is offered June 19-20 immediately preceding the regular event (1 p.m. Friday through 11 a.m., Saturday). Please read the detailed information available from the BioBlitz 2009 section the INHF website, at http://www.inhf.org/bioblitz-2… Registration required. Space will be limited. For more information, e-mail Marlene Ehresman mehresman@inhf.org, or call 515-288-1846.
Sunday, June 21:
BioBlitz at Heritage Valley continues in Allamakee County.
Meanwhile, in Okoboji:
The Friends of Lakeside Lab are sponsoring “Lakeside Launch, A Cruise for the Good Earth” on Sunday June 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. Participants will tour West Okoboji Lake on the Queen II excursion boat to raise money for water quality monitoring, environmental education, and student scholarships. The event includes live music, water-quality games, live and silent auctions, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a full bar including special “Lakeside Libations.” To register or for more information, call Don Brown at 712-332-2604 or Peter van der Linden at 712-337-3669 ext 5.
From One Iowa:
June 21, 2009 2:00-4:00 PM
Interfaith & Affirming Churches Picnic
LeClaire Park, Beiderbeck Dr, Davenport, IAJune 21, 2009 4:00 PM
Colors Across the River for Equality (CARE)
Centennial Bridge over Mississippi River
Join 500 LGBT and ally Quad Citians as they hold 1000 PRIDE flags across the bridge. Participation in the event is free and you can keep your rainbow PRIDE flag for just $5. Contact Rich Hendricks with questions at richdhendricks@msn.com