I’m looking forward to the Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner this weekend. It will be live-streamed for those who can’t be there in person. The Iowa branch of Organizing for America is having a grand opening on Saturday as well, right before the JJ dinner.

Details for those and other events are after the jump. Post a comment or send me an e-mail (desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com) if you know if something I’ve left out.

Linn County Dems: Don’t forget that November 24 is the special election in Iowa House district 33.

One more “save the date”: the Culver-Judge campaign’s holiday party will be on Saturday, December 5 at the Val-Air Ballroom in West Des Moines from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm. Tickets are just $35 for an individual, $10 for students and $50 for a family. Call 515-244-5151 or go to www.chetculver.com for more information.

Thursday, November 19:

From the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa:

Whether you (and your congregation) are:

o       fully supportive of marriage equality

o       unsure, but you are willing to have a conversation and learn more

I hope that you are planning to attend the Faithful Voices Statewide Conference on Marriage Equality on Thursday, November 19.  We need your Faithful Voice there!

Ask someone from your congregation or your community — clergy, colleague, lay people, or friend — to attend with you!

The Faithful Voices Conference is for those who are fully supportive of marriage equality.  Truthfully, what happened in Maine can happen in Iowa .  Our state Supreme Court wrote an amazing document that equally upholds the marriage rights of all people.  Simultaneously, the ruling fully supports the religious rights of Iowans and all religious institutions.  However, we know the ruling can be overturned in a future vote.

Maine teaches us that we must continue to educate and fight in Iowa .  We must be prepared and organized.  The progressive faith community must balance the voice of those who oppose marriage equality on religious grounds!  We must know the issue and learn how to best advocate for our beliefs.  It is with civil conversation, an organized alliance, and a passion for justice that we will defend the rights that have been rightfully given to all people.

The Faithful Voices Conference is also for those who are unsure but are willing to have an open, honest conversation in your community of faith.  Perhaps you just don’t know how to do that without causing division and conflict.  You will see on the workshop list there is plenty of opportunity to address these needs as well.

Register at www.FaithfulVoices.org

o       Or, print the registration form (attached) and mail it to us with the fee.

o       Or, call our office at 515-279-8715.

From the Center on Sustainable Communities:

Center on Sustainable Communities’ Evergreen Party

Join us at West End Architectural Salvage in Downtown Des Moines on Thursday, Nov 19. Show your support for sustainable building in Iowa. Join Center on Sustainable Communities for live entertainment, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and raffles at our seasonal fundraiser!! Featuring musicians Roxi Copland and Chris Ranallo. For details, visit www.icosc.com/evergreen.htm.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is holding the second annual “Bingo-licious” event from 5:30 pm to 8 pm at The Garden, 112 SE 4th St in Des Moines. Bingo is from 6-8 pm. There is a suggested donation of $25. Call Julie at (515) 235-0406 or register here.

Friday, November 20:

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is holding a rally outside the Federal Office Building (3rd and Walnut in downtown Des Moines) from 11 am to 2 pm to urge members of Congress not to restrict access to abortion in the new health care reform bill. Experts believe the language in the Stupak amendment, including in the House version of health care reform, would eliminate “coverage of medically indicated abortions over time for all women.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance (Des Moines)

Rally on the west steps of the State Capitol at 5:15 pm to support equality for Iowa’s transgender community, and to recognize those who’ve been killed because of their sexual identity. Contact Sandy Vopalka at thecenterdm@gmail.com or (515) 537-3126.

Saturday, November 21:

Seminar for women candidates (Cedar Falls)

This free seminar is called “Pie in the Sky? No!!” It’s about developing campaign web pages and blogs for Democratic women candidates and those who work on their campaigns. It’s from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at the Cedar Falls Public Library. The speaker is Lynda Waddington of Cedar Rapids, founder of the blog essentialestrogen.com and veteran of many political campaigns. It’s sponsored by DAWN (Democratic Activist Womens Network). Contact Jo Ann Zimmerman at (515) 225-1136 or atzzzzz@aol.com.

The Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner features Vice President Joe Biden, who is always an entertaining speaker. Click here for tickets. The event is at the Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines. Reception 5:30 pm, dinner 6:45 pm. To watch the live-stream, click here, beginning at 6:30 pm.

All the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate will speak at an “afterglow” reception following the dinner. Bob Krause will speak first, followed by Roxanne Conlin and Tom Fiegen. Conlin is also hosting a free reception before the dinner at 5:30 pm on the First Floor of Hy-Vee Hall.

From Organizing for America:

You’re invited to the grand opening of Organizing for America’s Iowa Headquarters in Des Moines this Saturday. Join us to celebrate our new office, recognize what we’ve accomplished together, and learn about how you can get more involved.

With the House’s passage of health insurance reform, we took a huge step toward passing real reform this year. But now we have to step up our efforts as we move forward — building support for the President’s plan, spreading the facts, and bringing new voices into this debate.

What: OFA Iowa Office Grand Opening

Where: OFA Iowa HQ

621 E. 2nd St

Des Moines, IA 50309

When: Saturday, November 21st

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

http://iowa.barackobama.com/Io…

The open house will be prior to the Jefferson Jackson Dinner, and those that are attending the dinner are welcome to stop by before they head over to the Hyvee Center right across the river from the office.

One Iowa and Lambda Legal are holding a “family summit”:

On Saturday, November 21 in Des Moines, One Iowa is pleased to join Lambda Legal in sponsoring Around the Table: Iowa’s First Annual Summit of LGBT Families & Allies. The first statewide gathering of its kind in Iowa, the event will bring together families, allies and family advocacy professionals to discuss supporting healthy families and protecting equality. With your ideas, we’ve prepared a diverse offering of workshops relevant to families and allies with different needs and interests.

Please register for the Iowa Family Summit today.

We’re committed to making the summit family friendly. Child care will be provided and our partners at COLAGE will facilitate learning & fun for youth 9-17 years old. The Family Equality Council will also be hosting a special family dinner gathering on Friday, November 20th.

We face a critical challenge in Iowa’s long history of civil rights. Opponents may try to chip away at our rights, but together we can support healthy families and protect civil marriage equality in America’s heartland.

For more information, email Matt Fender or call 515-288-4019. We look forward to seeing you!

From I’M for Iowa:

November 21 – Upper Midwest Global Poverty Conference (Decorah)

It’s in the Franklin Olin Building at Luther College, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. The keynote speaker is Wall Street Journal reporter Roger Thurow, author of “Enough: Why the Worlds Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty.” Contact Libby Crimmings at (202) 731-4388 or libby.crimmings@one.org.

Sunday, November 22:

From I’M for Iowa:

November 22 – “Breaking Bread and Barriers” (Decorah)

A community potluck and town meeting from 12:00 noon – 1:45 pm at Decorah High School. Speakers will respond to issues raised by the 2008 ICE raid in Postville, and will share their immigration stories from Norway, Korea and Guatemala. Sponsored by the Decorah Area Faith Coalition and the Decorah Human Rights Commission. Contact Michael Blevins at michael.blev@gmail.com.

Monday, November 23:

The Fairness Fund PAC is holding a fundraiser for State Senator Staci Appel:

Please join us to help support Senator Appel and protect equality in Iowa!

Reception for Senator Staci Appel

Hosted by Janet & Mark Rosenbury

November 23 – 6:00 – 8:00 PM

928 Glen Oaks Terrace, West Des Moines

RSVP: amanda@oneiowa.org or 515-288-4019

Checks Payable: Appel for Senate (c/o Fairness Fund PAC, 500 East Locust #300, Des Moines 50309)

Online: https://secure.actblue.com/con…

Tuesday, November 24:

Special election day in Iowa House district 33 (Linn County). Remind your friends and family to vote, and if you’re in the area, see if Kirsten Running-Marquardt’s campaign can use your volunteer help. It’s a Democratic-leaning district, but we can’t afford to get out-hustled.

Monday, November 30:

From I’M for Iowa:

November 30 – Global Cinema Film Series (Ames)

The Ames Chapter of the Iowa United Nations Association in conjunction with Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS) invites you to this event at 7:00 pm at the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave. Viewing of the film, “We Feed the World,” is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a discussion facilitated by IRIS. Contact Suzanne Hull at suzanne@unaiowa.org.

Tuesday, December 1:

Many communities will hold runoff local elections. Get out and vote! In Windsor Heights, I plan to vote to re-elect Flo Hunter and Carole Tillotson to the City Council.

One Iowa is having a public forum in Sioux City from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Wilbur Aalfs Library’s Gleeson Room, 529 Pierce St.

There will be a “Rally To Stop Climate Change” at the Federal Building, 210 Walnut St in Des Moines at 12:00 noon. Come ask Senators Harkin and Grassley to work to ensure that international leaders take action in Copenhagen to address climate change. Contact Matt Denner at (515) 577-7861 or matt@1sky.org.

From the Iowa Environmental Council’s newsletter:

Day of Sustainability in the Iowa City Area – Workshops & Reception

Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC) and RDG Planning & Design has scheduled a full day of sustainable building events – please join us for any or all. Registration required through COSC by contacting Leslie Berckes at Leslie@icosc.com or 515-707-2787. Location: North Ridge Pavilion, 2250 Holiday Road, Coralville. FREE thanks to funding from IDED & HUD. Schedule includes Green Roofs in an Urban Environment and Restorative Design-Infiltration Based Stormwater Management. For details and registration information click on links or go to http://www.icosc.com.

* * * * * * * * * *

Thursday, December 3:

One Iowa is having a public forum in Waterloo from 6:30pm  to 8:30pm at the Waterloo Public Library, 415 Commercial St.

Friday, December 4:

From the Iowa Environmental Council’s newsletter:

Iowa Fiscal Policy Summit

Location: Botanical Center in Des Moines. Join us for a one-day fiscal policy summit, hosted by the Iowa Fiscal Partnership to examine and respond to the balance problem built into Iowa’s existing revenue and budget practices. National and state experts will offer their perspectives on addressing the Iowa’s budget deficit, and IFP staff will present information on a variety of possible reforms to create a more sustainable budget for all Iowans. This free event will provide information about our state’s current fiscal situation and will help you talk with policy makers about solutions to addressing the budget deficit without cutting into more public services. For more information, contact lfrench@iowapolicyproject.org.