The big event in central Iowa the last weekend in June is the Des Moines Arts Festival downtown, which runs Friday through Sunday. The festival is fantastic for art lovers, but I prefer the “other art show,” which takes place Saturday and Sunday in the Varied Industries Building at the State Fairgrounds. That show is more like a craft fair and has lots of affordable art, jewelry, woodworking and clothing. I like buying blank note cards created by Iowa painters and photographers. Both art shows have craft activities for kids.
Follow me after the jump for the rest of the calendar for the coming week. As always, post a comment or send me an e-mail if you know of an event I’ve left out. Iowa Democrats, please let me know about your planned public events, including fundraisers, canvassing, news conferences, and open houses. Send an e-mail with event details to desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com.
Friday, June 25
There’s a Young Professionals for Roxanne Conlin event at The Continental in the East Village (E. Locust between 4th and 5th in Des Moines) from 5:30-7:00 pm. Suggested contribution of $35, though all contributions are greatly appreciated. Please RSVP to Jordan at 515-697-3729 or at rsvp@roxanneforiowa.com.
There’s a “trivia contest” going on during a fundraiser for Selden Spencer, Democratic candidate for Iowa House district 10, at 7 pm at the Stone Brooke Clubhouse, 3816 Fletcher Blvd. in Ames. Join Selden for a night of trivia in Ames, Friday, June 25th (after Drinking Liberally).
Saturday, June 26
Statewide, the Iowa Democratic Party is kicking off its coordinated campaign. Check with your county Democrats to see what events are planned for your area, and look on this page of the IDP’s site. Here are a few events I know about:
State Senator Staci Appel’s campaign is seeking volunteers to help with door-knocking in Norwalk, starting at 11 am and ending at 4:30 pm. Click here for details and to RSVP.
Johnson County Democrats are having an open house at their new HQ, 36 Sturgis Corner Drive, from 6 to 8 pm.
Polk County Democrats are having an Open House and Day of Action at the Coordinated Campaign Headquarters, 6100 Thornton Ave., Des Moines Suite 270 (first street south of Park Ave when traveling south on 63rd from I-235). They are looking for volunteers to top by at any time during the day from 10 am to 6 pm.
Story County Democrats are having an open house at their new campaign headquarters, 415 Clark Avenue–between City Hall and the Hy Vee Drug Store. Beginning at 10 am, they are holding a “mailing party” to prepare invitations for Rep. Lisa Heddens’ Bastille Day Fundraiser. Then the open house runs all day until 6 pm. They are doing canvassing and phone bank shifts from 11AM to 2PM and from 3PM to 6PM.
From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:
Oelwein Area Clean-up – Volunteers Needed
The City of Oelwein and P.L.E.A.S.E. in conjunction with the Fayette County Solid Waste Commission and Buchanan County Conservation Commission are sponsoring a one day clean up of Otter Creek, Lake Oelwein, and the Fontana Park impoundment on June 26, 2010. There will be some “charismatic mega trash” left over from the E5 tornado and land based projects available for people not wanting to canoe but help out. Volunteers are needed. A limited number of paddle craft are available to reserve or you may bring your own craft. Lunch will be provided. Meeting time is 8:00 a.m. at Lake Oelwein. Questions and boat reservations may be directed to Nathan Lein at 319.283.1212.
Sunday, June 27
State Senator Rich Olive is holding a fundraiser from 12:30pm – 3:00pm at the Prairie Moon Winery, 3801 West 190th Street in Ames.
Suggested Contribution levels:
Chardonney ($100)
Cabernet Sauvignon ($50)
Pinot Noir ($25)
Please come, eat, drink & be merry!
For more information contact 515.733.2151 or www.richoliveforsenate.com
State Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell’s summer fundraiser runs from 3:00pm – 5:00pm at the Matt and Erin Rosacker home, 2200 Timberland Road in Ames. Guest Speaker: Former Lt. Governor Sally Pederson. Enjoy: Fun & Friends, Door Prizes, Great Food & Beverages, Music by Keith McCaulley, Guitarist
Admission:
Any Donation at the Door OR
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
Rose–$100, Petunia–$75, Daisy–$50, Violet–$25
Please make check payable to:
Citizens for Wessel-Kroeschell
Mail to:
Citizens for Wessel-Kroeschell
c/o Terry Besser, Treasurer
2036 Pinehurst Drive
Ames, IA 50010
Monday, June 28
From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:
Governor’s Conference on Environmental Education
June 28, Moravia
To be held at Honey Creek Resort State Park. You can register online at:
http://bit.ly/cSWTwY. The conference brochure can be found at: http://bit.ly/9VLoxs.
Tuesday, June 29
Sustainable Community Planning Workshop
1000 Friends of Iowa in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Health and Iowans Fit for Life invites you to attend a one day workshop titled “Sustainable Planning – The Concept and Experience in Iowa” on June 29 at the Holiday Inn – Mercy Campus in Des Moines. Dan Burden returns to Iowa as the keynote speaker for this exciting event! The cost is $85 per registrant. The objectives for the event are to define sustainable planning in Iowa, visit existing smart planning areas and opportune areas and engage leaders and citizens in sustainable planning discussions. For additional information and to register visit www.1000friendsofiowa.org. Space is limited so reserve your spot soon!
Wednesday, June 30
From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:
Environmental Management Systems Group Workshop
June 30, Amana Colonies
If you are interested in greenhouse gas reduction, energy efficiency, or Environmental Management Systems, join us on June 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clarion Inn Amana Colonies. Cost is $28 and includes lunch. Iowa DNR Pollution Prevention Services has brought together experts from IDNR Air Quality, EPA Region 7 and our team, as well as the Iowa Waste Reduction Center and the Iowa Department of Economic Development’s Business Assistance Team to provide a forum for EMS information, resources and networking. This workshop seeks to establish an on-going EMS Industry Group to provide information and support to Iowa organizations interested in sustaining or developing an EMS. Future workgroup meetings will provide information on various topics to build continuous improvement, reduce your impacts and save your facility money. The agenda, flyer and registration form are located at http://www.iowadnr.gov/waste/p… .
There’s a free seminar, “Anatomy of Iowa Floods: Preparing for the Future” from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Waverly-Shell Rock High School Auditorium in Waverly. Agenda:
See how changing trends in rainfall and water run-off impact Iowa
Find out how your community can reduce future flood damage
See how urban and rural Iowans work together to reduce flood impacts
Learn why Cedar Falls is leading the nation in floodplain management
See how the Iowa Flood Center works to minimize future flood damage
Learn how new disaster-related state laws can help Iowans
Presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.
Following each seminar, refreshments will be served and free copies of the book “A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008” will be available (quantities limited).
The events are hosted by the University of Iowa’s Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research, Rebuild Iowa Office, UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa League of Cities, and the Iowa State Association of Counties.