Who else is looking forward to the Iowa State Fair, which runs from August 13-23?
If you’re looking for something useful to do in August, I’ve got lots of event details after the jump. As always, post a comment or send an e-mail to desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com if you know of something I’ve left out. You can volunteer for Curt Hanson’s campaign in Iowa House district 90 any weekend this month.
Please submit a comment to preserve public input on CAFO permits by Thursday, August 6. The Sierra Club’s Iowa chapter has made it easy for people to send comments to the right DNR official as well as all the members of the Environmental Protection Commission.
UPDATE: Added some public events featuring Democratic members of Congress. Don’t let right-wing astroturf mobs dominate all of this month’s town-hall meetings.
Wednesday, August 5:
There’s a public input meeting to discuss bike lanes on Ingersoll Avenue (Des Moines) at 5:30 pm at Central Presbyterian Church, 3829 Grand Avenue. Contact Scott at biker@bikeiowa.com or Lea at aellea1@yahoo.com.
Thursday, August 6:
From I’M for Iowa:
August 6 – Drinking Liberally (Des Moines)
Every Thursday starting at 8:00 pm at AJ’s at 419 E. Court. Join local Democrats for conversation and libations. Contact desmoines@drinkingliberally.org.From Hiroshima to a World Without Nuclear Weapons (Des Moines)
Join us in telling Congress to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We will also welcome Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, a leading member of “Mayors for Peace.” Meet at the Japanese bell, west of the Iowa Judicial building on the south side of Court Avenue across from the State Capitol. The rain site will be Calvary Baptist Church, 606 E. 9th St. Please bring lawn chairs. For more information, contact Jeffrey Weiss at (515) 274-4851, (x 16) or JWeiss@afsc.org.
Friday, August 7:
Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-03) will host a Small Business Forum in Chariton with local business owners and representatives from the Small Business Administration. 1:30 pm, Chariton City Hall, 115 S. Main Street.
There’s a Khrushchev in Iowa event at the Des Moines Public Library from noon to 1 pm. “Cold Warriors: Kennedy and Khrushchev,” will focus on the relationship that defined a generation: two personalities who changed the Cold War, prevented a nuclear war and symbolized their respective cultures. It will be led by international affairs scholar Gordon Goldstein, who is the International Security Advisor to the Strategic Planning Unit of the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General. Goldstein, a Huffington Post columnist, has had his articles appear in The New York Times, Newsweek and The Washington Post. For more information on this series, contact Christina Sibouih at christina.sibouih@iciu.org or 515-282-8269 x 15.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa is holding a 75th anniversary party on Friday, August 7 in Arnolds Park (Okoboji area). Click here for event details and to RSVP by August 6.
Saturday, August 8:
From the Iowa Environmental Council’s newsletter:
Volunteers Needed to Prepare Lower Wapsipinicon for River Cleanup Project
August 8 and 9, Clinton County
The Lower Wapsipinicon River Cleanup Project (LWRCP) supports the soon-to-be-opened Lower Wapsipinicon Water Trail. With this in mind, we are in need of some special assistance with clearing water trail – we want to run the river cleanup through these areas if we can get them opened up in time-before August 21. On August 8 and 9- we need volunteers to come for a 2-day channel clearing. You can come for one or both days. During LWRCP on August 23rd – We need volunteers on that Sunday to help with more water trail clearing work in the Wapsi Backwaters to open up Lost Lakes and Two Hooks areas. To sign up or for more information email Melisa Jacobsen at coordinator@lowerwapsicleanup.org or call 309-737-9016. For info regarding the August 21-23 clean up, go to http://www.lowerwapsicleanup.o…
I’m taking my kids to this event at Whiterock Conservancy, near Coon Rapids off Highway 141. It’s running from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday:
A Biodiversity Blitz, or “Bio-Blitz,” is a snapshot assessment of the various organisms that live in a specific place. During the 24-hour BioBlitz at Whiterock Conservancy, teams led by biologists and staffed by natural history novices and enthusiasts will explore 4,300 acres of Whiterock-managed lands in the Middle Raccoon River Valley and document diversity through recording every species encountered. The Whiterock BioBlitz is open to all members of the public to come and explore Iowa’s largest land gift and most unexplored treasures, and to help us document diversity! For more information and to register, visit http://www.whiterockconservanc…
From I’M for Iowa:
Yes We Can – Ban All Nuclear Testing (Des Moines)
Supporters of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty will meet at the Central Library, 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact Jeffrey Weiss at (515)274-4851 (x16) or JWeiss@afsc.org.
Monday, August 10:
From I’M for Iowa:
August 10 – House Party with State Rep Chuck Isenhart (Des Moines)
Meet the newly-elected state rep from Dubuque at the home of John & Cyndi Pederson, 1075 44th Street from 5:00 – 7:30 pm. The event will feature food and drink grown by Iowa farmers, comments (at 6:15) by Attorney General Tom Miller and former State Rep Bob Osterhaus, and a chance to learn about Chuck’s “Campaign for the Common Good.” Donations to Chuck’s campaign appreciated but not required. Contact Chuck at goodcampaign@aol.com or (563) 557-1261.August 10 – Planning meeting for Oct. 24th climate change event (Des Moines)
In the Des Moines area, planning for the October 24th national day of action on climate change is moving forward. The next meeting is 6:30 pm at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue. Contact jandjmcalister@hotmail.com.
Thursday, August 13:
From Moore for City Council:
You are invited to meet the candidate at an open house for Skip Moore
Candidate for Des Moines City Council At-LargeHosted by Kathrine & Ralph Caracciolo, Connie & Isabella Marturello, Vincent Scavo & Joe Henry
Thursday, August 13th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PMFood & beverages provided
At the home of Joe Henry
2463 E. Highview Drive, Des MoinesPlease RSVP to Skip Moore or Mitch Henry at 729-2926 or email Moore4council@aol.com
Friday, August 14:
The Polk County Democrats are holding their 10th annual women’s event at the home of Roxanne Conlin, 2900 Southern Hills Circle, Des Moines, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Special Invited Guest: Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan. Please call to RSVP at 515-285-1800.
Saturday, August 15:
Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) has four town-hall meetings scheduled:
9:30 AM Cedar Rapids
343 Cedar Hall, Kirkwood Community College
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW12:00 PM Mount Pleasant
Civic Center
307 East Monroe Street2:00 PM Fort Madison
City Hall Council Chambers
811 Avenue E3:30 PM Burlington
City Hall Council Chambers
400 Washington Street
From the Iowa Environmental Council:
8th Annual River Run Garbage Grab
August 15, Des Moines area
Help clean up the Des Moines River Water Trail in Polk County, 9am – 4:30pm, with special guest Chad Pregracke (Living Lands & Waters). Got a boat? Clean up a section of river from Cottonwood Recreation Area to Yellow Banks County Park. Like to walk? Clean up a section of trail form Cotttonwood Recreation Area to Downtown Des Moines. Starting at 6pm food and live music will be provided to volunteers at Simon Estes Ampitheatre. For more information and to register, go to www.riverstewards.org
Amory Lovins to Speak at Green Wave Festival
August 15, Okoboji
The Second-Annual Green Wave Festival will be held on August 15th and 16th in Okoboji, IA. On Saturday, the 15th, at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts from 10:30-4:30 come learn from environmental leaders on many issues that are facing our region, nation, and globe. Co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute and recently named one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Influential People Amory Lovins, and Director of the Iowa DNR Rich Leopold will be keynote speakers. Tickets $24 for adult and $18 for students and are available at www.samicenter.org. Please visit www.greenwavefest.com for more information on the two day event. If you have questions or are interested in a booth or being a sponsor, contact Charles Vigdal at the Dickinson County Conservation Board, 712-336-6352 ext 2212, cvigdal@co.dickinson.ia.us. All proceeds will benefit the Dickinson County Nature Center.
Tuesday, August 18:
Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) is holding a town-hall meeting on health care reform at 2 pm in the Jackson County Regional Health Center (Please use South Entrance off Vermont Street when entering the facility) 700 W. Grove Street, Maquoketa.
It’s the last day to register for the Iowa Environmental Council’s September 25 annual meeting at the early bird discounted rate. For more details, go to http://www.iaenvironment.org.
Wednesday, August 19:
Congressman Braley has two public events planned:
10:00am Fayette Congress on Your Corner (one-on-one meetings with Rep. Braley)
Upper Iowa University
Garbee Hall, Fayette/Upper Iowa Room
605 Washington St
Fayette, Iowa1:30pm Buchanan County Healthcare Town Hall
Independence Library
805 1st Street E
Independence, Iowa
Friday, August 21:
Dig IN begins in Decorah. It’s a weekend festival with lots of eco-friendly events. Visit www.digindecorah.com/.
The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa’s Crossroads luncheon will focus on “Healthcare for All.” Lunch is from 11:45 – 1:00 at Plymouth Congregational Church (42nd and Ingersoll). The speaker is Carrie Fitzgerald, Senior Health Policy Associate with Child & Family Policy Center, who will lead a discussion about the recent healthcare legislation passed by the Iowa Legislature. Cost is $9. RSVP by August 18th to (515) 279-8715 or events@interfaithallianceiowa.org.
From the Iowa Environmental Council:
Lower Wapsipinicon River Cleanup Project
August 21-23, Clinton County
Clean up Lower Wapsi River from McCausland to Rock Creek Marina, and areas of backwater/watershed. Ages 10 and up (with adult) are welcome. There will be free primitive camping in a designated area at Rock Creek Marina & Campground on the 21st and 22nd, free use of canoe equipment for the cleanup with your registration, catered meals available Saturday and Sunday and educational programs from Clinton County Conservation Board. You need to register by August 10 for one day or both to guarantee catered meals and T-shirt, but you may register up to the day prior to the event. Registration form and details at http://www.lowerwapsicleanup.org. For more information, contact Jackie Gautsch at j.gautsch@hotmail.com or 608-797-5343.
Saturday, August 22:
Congressman Loebsack has more town-hall meetings scheduled:
10:00 AM Iowa City
Public Library
123 S. Linn St.11:45 AM Tipton
Cedar County Extension
107 Cedar Street2:00 PM Muscatine
City Hall Council Chambers
215 Sycamore Street4:00 PM Columbus Junction
City Hall Council Chambers
232 2nd Street
From the Iowa Environmental Council:
The sixth annual Xstream Cleanup will take place Saturday, August 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cleanups are scheduled in Bettendorf, Davenport, Durant and LeClaire, Iowa and East Moline, Hampton, Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, Illinois. Xstream Cleanup is a Quad City-wide cleanup of creeks, drainage ways, and sections of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers. For more information, or to volunteer visit www.xstreamcleanup.org or call 563-468-4218.
Sunday, August 23:
The Environmental Law and Policy Center, Repower Iowa and Iowa Interfaith Power and Light are hosting the first Iowa Activist Training in downtown Des Moines. Participants will learn about messaging and earned media strategies, grassroots campaign planning and tactics and other elements of successful environmental activism. To learn more, visit www.iowaglobalwarming.org. If you would like to register, please contact Andrew Snow at asnow@elpc.org.