Parking is going to be a nightmare in downtown Des Moines this weekend, with the Des Moines Arts Festival running in the Western Gateway Park Friday through Sunday, and the Iowa Democratic Party holding its Hall of Fame dinner on Friday night and state convention on Saturday.
If you can’t bike or bus your way to these events, consider carpooling with friends to reduce the number of parking spaces you’ll need to find.
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom opened its 30th Triennial Congress at Simpson College in Indianola on Wednesday:
The time is NOW for WILPF to take its measure, to listen and learn from each other so we can shout out and stand up for the common good. Democracy requires us to serve in the interests of those who cannot speak, cannot stand up. Our 30th Triennial Congress provides a platform of all of us to form cohesive and effective voices in a time of greatest need.
The time is NOW. The place is the Heartland. Iowa is a microcosm of the local, national and the global issues that concern so many of us in WILPF. The Des Moines branch wants YOU to join US in educating and agitating in June (and the rest of year) for a better world, a more peaceful world, a world where women are respected, a world where children are sheltered, a world with no boundaries, no apathy, and no way but up.
Much more detail about that event can be found here:
I am only putting the highlights of the weekend’s events on this calendar, but WILPF has a lot more planned.
Thursday, June 26:
The Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, Iowa Global Warming Campaign, and Center on Sustainable Communities are proud to have Stephen Hren, one of the co-authors of The Carbon Free Home, at East Village Books, 510 E. Locust St. in Des Moines from 5:30-7:30 pm. There will be a discussion of the book followed by a question and answer session and ‘meet and greet’. There is no admission charge to attendees. Sponsoring groups will be on hand to answer questions about global warming, green building, and other related issues.
Friday, June 27:
The Iowa Democratic Party’s Hall of Fame dinner will be at the Polk County Convention Center in downtown Des Moines, beginning at 6 pm. More information is here:
The Des Moines Arts Festival opens in the Western Gateway Park of downtown Des Moines. More information about the weekend’s events is here:
http://www.desmoinesartsfestiv…
As part of the WILPF Congress at Simpson College in Indianola, Amy Goodman will deliver the keynote address at 7:30 pm on “Independent Media in a Time of War.” Amy Goodman is a syndicated columnist, author and the host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program airing on 700 radio and television stations in North America. book signing after the event
Saturday, June 28:
The Iowa Democratic Party State Convention is going on all day at Hy-Vee Hall, 730 3rd Street in Des Moines.
The Story County Democrats are hosting a fundraiser for Becky Greenwald, Democratic candidate in the 4th Congressional district. The event is at the Prairie Moon Winery located at 3801 W 190th St in Ames. It starts at 5PM. There is no set amount to donate in order to attend.
Go here to view the schedule of events at the Des Moines Arts Festival:
http://www.desmoinesartsfestiv…
If you like art that you can buy as well as enjoy looking at, you might want to check out the “other art show” at the State Fairgrounds (Varied Industries Building), which runs on Saturday and Sunday. It’s more like a big craft fair, with many affordable items. I like buying note cards with paintings or photographs by Midwest artists.
It’s “tribute night” at the WILPF Congress in Indianola from 6:00 – 9:00pm. “Moving Forward” – The Great Hall Public Invited to Join us for a cocktail hour followed by a Formal Dinner
Welcome, Moderator: Pat O’Brien
Presenter of James Cheney Freedom Prize: Pastor David Lewis
Recipient: Chris Morin and Sha’an Mouliet Presenter of first annual Des Moines Branch, WILPF Strong Feisty Woman Award: Sue Dinsdale
Recipient: Peg Mullen
Introduction of Speaker: Marybeth Riley Gardam
FRAN KORTEN, publisher & executive director of YES! Magazine Over many years and several countries, Korten has “helped bring about substantial policy and institutional reform by creating common agendas among visionary leaders from the governmental, nongovernmental, and academic sectors.” *possibility of signing her magazine after the event
Sunday, June 29:
Go here to view the schedule of events at the Des Moines Arts Festival:
http://www.desmoinesartsfestiv…
As I said above, I also recommend the “other art show” at the fairgrounds.