Political activity slows down a bit during the summer, but there are still plenty of things to do if you’re not spending hours a day training for RAGBRAI. Read all about it after the jump. As always, post a comment or send me an e-mail (desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com) if you know of something I’ve left out.

If you live in the first Congressional district, consider attending one of Bruce Braley’s town-hall meetings on health care reform in Dubuque,  Oelwein, Davenport and Waterloo (click “there’s more” for details). According to a statement from his office,

Braley will discuss the draft House health care reform bill, listen to constituents’ concerns, and take questions.  Braley is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the committee in charge of authoring healthcare reform legislation.

Braley’s town hall meetings on healthcare reform are free and open to the public.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to RSVP at: http://braley.house.gov/townhall.

Speaking of health care reform, Moveon.org is looking for people to help deliver petitions this Thursday, July 9, to the Iowa offices of Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley. Click here to sign up.

UPDATE: I added information about Governor Chet Culver’s upcoming appearances in eastern Iowa to highlight I-JOBS and Rebuild Iowa projects.

Monday, July 6:

Congressman Bruce Braley is holding two town-hall meetings on health care reform. The first is from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Jansen Music Hall, Clarke College, 1550 Clarke Drive in Dubuque. The second is from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Oelwein Middle School, 300 12th Avenue SE in Oelwein.

Governor Culver will be in Burlington to discuss infrastructure funding and the I-JOBS Initiative. Public Works Building, 3510 Division Street, 4 pm.

Tuesday, July 7:

This is the deadline for nominating conservationists for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation’s Hagie Heritage Award:

This annual award recognizes Iowans who “have demonstrated an extraordinary personal service and commitment to improving the quality of Iowa’s natural environment and who encourage others to do the same.” All nominees and their nominating organizations receive publicity. The winner also receives a $1000 check and hand-carved sculpture. The nomination process is simple: letters from two people (or more) that explain why this nominee deserves the award. The nomination deadline is July 7. Get award details, links to past winners and nomination tips.

Bruce Braley is holding another health care town-hall meeting from 9:30am to 10:30am at Adler Health Education Center, Genesis Hospital, East Campus, 1227 East Rusholme Street in Davenport.

Governor Culver will be at the Muscatine Fire Station at 11:30 am to recognize the $200,000 in improvements awarded to Muscatine under the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF). The Muscatine Fire Station is located at 1100 Oregon Street.

Culver will help formally celebrate the opening of NW Boulevard/Route 130 at 1 pm at the Machine Shed Restaurant, 7250 NW Boulevard in Davenport.

Culver will discuss job creation, infrastructure funding, and the I-JOBS Initiative during a meeting at 3:15 pm with civic leaders in Dubuque. Straka Johnson Architects, P.C., 3555 Digital Drive.

Thursday, July 9:

Moveon.org is looking for people to help deliver petitions to the Iowa offices of Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley. Click here to sign up to help.

Saturday, July 11:

From the Iowa Environmental Council’s electronic newsletter:

The Cedar Falls Annual Community Read for the Environment (ACRE) partners are hosting Chef Kurt Michael Friese, author of A Cook’s Journey, Slow Food in the Heartland, on Saturday, July 11, from 5:30 – 8:00 at Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657 Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls. Chef Friese will make a presentation about slow foods–which, he says, is food “raised with care, prepared with passion and served with love.”  Friese will also sign books purchased at University Book & Supply (UBS). Everyone is invited to this free ACRE potluck event, which includes children’s activities. Please bring a dish or two to share, tableware for your use, and a beverage. For information, please go to ACRE’s website, http://www.cedar-falls.lib.ia…. or call Patty Achey-Cutts at UBS at 319-266-7581 or Hartman Reserve Nature Center at 319-277-2187.

Fence Maintenance Day at Whiterock Conservancy

Many of our aged fence lines are in need of removal or repair. Come spend a day in the scenic Whiterock Valley and work alongside WRC staff and volunteers on Saturday, July 11th. Spend an hour or a day, your assistance will help us to make the landscape safer and more accessible to visitors. No experience necessary. Please wear outdoor work appropriate clothing and bring leather gloves. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Contact emily@whiterockconservancy.org for more info or directions.

The Raccoon River Watershed Association will hold its annual “Paddlefest in Adel” on Saturday, July 11 in Kinnick Feller Park. This year the event with feature canoe/kayak races from Perry to Adel. $100 prizes for winners in five categories. The opening ceremony, featuring Nate Hoogeveen, will begin 10:00 a.m. at Kinnick-Feller Park in Adel. The event will include a canoe and kayak show (bring your hand made wood and canvas boats and other unusual paddle craft), canoe and kayak races and float trips, music by Rob Lumbard, BBQ by Cafe in the Park, bird programs by Dr. James Pease, K ay Newman and Lee Searles, nature photography show, fly fishing demonstrations by Central Iowa Fly Fishers, displays by outdoor sports and environmental organizations. Go to the Paddlefest page on the RRWA website www.northraccoon.org for additional information.

Iowa Lakeside Lab Centennial Celebration

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory will be observing its centennial on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include a mix of historical and environmental activities, including walking tours, portrayals of historic Lakeside personalities, an exhibit on the Civilian Conservation Corps, water analysis demonstrations, and a virtual tour of the Iowa Great Lakes watershed. The David Rogers Big Bugs sculptures will be on display. “Bug Chef” David George Gordon will give cooking demonstrations. DNR Director Rich Leopold and University Hygienic Lab Director Chris Atchison will speak at 2:30.  For more information, go to http://www.continuetolearn.uio…

Cedar River Cleanup and Festival

Both land and water cleanup activities will concentrate on the Cedar River where it reaches Cedar Falls on July 11, with an emphasis on areas still recovering from the 2008 floods. A land-based crew will also be working the same day. No experience or canoes necessary, however both are always welcome. Visit www.crfgroup.org and click on “Get Involved” to reserve a canoe, make a contribution or simply let us know we’ll see you at the cleanup. An arts and music festival will be held from 1-7 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at Island Park in Cedar Falls. For more information visit www.crfgroup.org or call 319-610-7507.

Monday, July 13:

From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:

Water Policy and Politics-One Week Course

Iowa Lakeside Lab, near Milford, is offering a one-week course on Water Policy and Politics from July 13 to 17. The emphasis is on current legal and policy debates, but the course also reviews the history of water development and politics in the United States. The instructor is Dian Gottlob J.D., Ph.D. of the University of Iowa. Participants enroll through the University of Iowa but can also arrange to receive credit at Iowa State, UNI, or Drake. A non-credit option is available. The cost is $242 ($381 for graduate credit) plus a registration fee of $40; room and board are available at additional cost at Lakeside Lab. For more information please go to http://www.lakesidelab.org/ust…

Tuesday, July 14:

There will be a “Des Moines Bike Summit” with Bicycle Plan Public Input Meetings at the Downtown Des Moines Public Library, 1000 Grand Avenue, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 16:

Join Iowa Recycling Association noon to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, at the Des Moines Botanical Center, for an afternoon of networking, industry updates and a “Sustainability” panel discussion featuring Liz Christianson (Univ. of Iowa, Office of Sustainability), Adam Hammes (Urban Ambassadors), Bill Diesslin (ISU Council of Sustainability), and Sheila Samuelson (City of Dubuque). For more information and to rsvp:  www.iowarecycles.org or 515-265-1596.

Saturday, July 18:

Lambda Legal is sponsoring a Family Potluck & Parents’ Day Celebration from 4 pm to 7 pm. This gathering for LGBT parents and their children will take place at Evelyn Davis Park, South Shelter, 1400 Forest Ave, Des Moines. Please RSVP to mfender@lambdalegal.org or call (646) 752-5932.

Sunday, July 19:

Bruce Braley is holding another health care town-hall meeting from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Barrett Forum, Allen College, 1990 Heath Street in Waterloo.