Use this as an open thread to talk about Barack Obama’s town hall meeting in Cedar Rapids today:
Economic Security Town Hall with Barack Obama
Coe College
Moray L. Eby Fieldhouse
1220 1st Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402THURSDAY, JULY 31ST, 2008
Doors Open: 9:30 AM
Program Begins: 11:30 AMThe event is free and open to the public. However, tickets are required.
Also, here are some other events coming up.
Thursday, July 31:
It’s the last day to contribute to Barack Obama’s campaign for a chance to win a trip to the Democratic National Convention in Denver:
https://donate.barackobama.com…
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is also giving away a trip to Denver. Donate before midnight on July 31 for a chance to win:
http://dccc.org/blog/archives/…
One Iowa and Green Drinks are co-hosting a Happy Hour from 5 to 7 pm at the Hillside Condo Penthouse, 1902 Woodland Ave in Des Moines, suite 300 (the building next to the Gateway Market). Suggested donation $20, but no one is turned away. Please RSVP at oneiowa.org.
From Polk County Democrats:
You are cordially invited to attend a wine and cheese reception for John Scarpino, Democratic Candidate for Polk County Supervisor, at the home of Ray and Karen Blase, 913 NE 34th Street, Ankeny, July 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M.
From the Rebuild Iowa Commission:
First ‘Speak Up Iowa!’ Public Listening Session Will Also Be Held at
Kirkwood Community College Thursday 4-7 p.m.Press Release from Rebuild Iowa Office
Subject: REBUILD IOWA ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD IN CEDAR RAPIDS
THIS THURSDAYFirst ‘Speak Up Iowa!’ Public Listening Session Will Also Be Held at
Kirkwood Community CollegeOn Thursday, the Rebuild Iowa Office will hold its second Rebuild Iowa
Advisory Commission (RIAC) meeting at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar
Rapids to discuss the state’s recovery and rebuilding efforts following this
year’s severe storms and flooding. In addition, the public will have the
opportunity to give their input on the recovery process at the first “Speak
Up Iowa!” public listening session, which will also be held Thursday.The “Speak Up Iowa!” listening sessions initiate dialogue on the major
issues facing the State and provide an opportunity for official public and
community involvement, with specific focus on gaining input for the RIO
45-day Report due September 2, 2008. The session will include nine booths,
each representing one of the nine task force areas. At these booths,
residents will have the opportunity to voice their ideas and desires
regarding the long-term recovery of their communities.THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008
WHAT: Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission to hold its second meeting to discuss
the state’s disaster and rebuilding efforts.WHERE: Emergency Operations Center
(located in the Community Training and Response Center)
Kirkwood Community College Campus
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
(A map of the campus is available at
www.kirkwood.edu/maincampus.)
WHEN: 2 to 5 p.m.THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008
WHAT: Rebuild Iowa Office holds first “Speak Up Iowa!” public listening
session.WHERE: Iowa Hall, Rooms A through D
Kirkwood Community College Campus
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
(A map of the campus is available at www.kirkwood.edu/maincampus.)WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m.
From 1000 Friends of Iowa:
Johnson County Conservation Board Holding Public Meetings on Land Conservation
A series of informational meetings will be held to receive input from the public on the Johnson County Conservation Board’s proposed $20 million Conservation Bond Issue Ballot Measure for land protection. The measure will be put before the voters of Johnson County on the November 4, 2008, General Election Ballot. Conservation Board members and staff will be on hand to give an overview of the proposal and Mark Ackelson, President of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, will facilitate the meetings.
According to the Johnson County Conservation Board’s newsletter, The Conservation Connection:
* “Local organizations and individuals struggle to preserve some natural lands. The Johnson County Conservation Board, which has the mandated responsibility, has responded by making a serious commitment to find ways to protect more remaining vestiges of unique natural areas before they are destroyed by the relentless march of development.”
Two of these public meetings have already occurred, and there are two left.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 pm
North Liberty Recreation Center
Classroom C
520 West Cherry Street
North LibertyWednesday, August 27, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Solon Public Library
Meeting Room
320 West Main Street
SolonTo learn more about the proposal before the meetings, check out the JCCB’s newsletter article at
http://www.johnson-county.com/…
Questions about the meetings should be directed to Harry Graves, Director, Johnson County Conservation Board at 319-645-2315 or email hgraves@co.johnson.ia.us.
It’s a rare opportunity to vote on a topic such as this Conservation Bond Issue. Only through the involvement of committed citizens will governments be able to implement strategies that protect natural areas from development. Your ears, eyes, and voices are critical!
Friday, August 1:
From the Polk County Democrats:
The Festa Italiana is going on this weekend. We will be manning a booth on Friday and Saturday this year. The hours we need volunteers are:Friday, August 1 5p – 7p or 7p – 9p
Saturday, August 2 2p – 4p, 4p – 6p, and 6p – 9p
Please let me know if you are available to help out.
Thanks!
Tamyra Harrison
Executive Director
Polk County Democrats
515-285-1800
Saturday, August 2:
From Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa:
Volunteer OpportunityDes Moines Farmer’s Market
Court Avenue Area
Des Moines
Saturday, August 2nd
8am-12pm
Click Here to Volunteer!
Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa and the Healthy Families project will be at the Des Moines Farmer’s Market this Saturday, August 2nd.
We need your help!
Volunteers will represent the Planned Parenthood mission, and help educate people about the need to reduce unintended pregnancies in Iowa. Of course we’ll be handing out lots of goodies as well!
Past Farmer’s market volunteers have had a lot of fun, and say it’s one of the best volunteer opportunities available.
“This was the first time I’ve ever volunteered for Planned Parenthood and it was so much fun! I felt like I really made a difference!” – Judy, volunteer at past Des Moines Farmer’s Markets.
Help educate the public and have fun too. Any time you can give is much appreciated: work for a couple of hours, or the whole time. Shifts are available from 8am – 12pm.
Thanks for all that you do for Planned Parenthood!
E-mail Chelsea Hammond to volunteer (chammond AT ppgi.org) or call (515) 235-0415
From the Sierra Club e-mail loop:
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – A Priceless Gift
A Presentation and Storytelling
about a very Special PlaceWhen: Saturday August 2nd, 2008, at 10:00 am
Where: Urbandale Public Library, Meeting Room A/B
3520 86th Street Urbandale, Iowa 50322The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of America’s premier wilderness
areas. The coastal plain of the Refuge has been threatened by oil drilling
many times in its 50 year history. Today, threats from Big Oil are greater
than they have been for over two decades. Come learn about the history,
it’s values, and how you can help protect this national treasure.This is a story, as well, of indigenous concerns, and about raising the
voices of those urging our government to recognize the rights of indigenous
peoples.For more information contact: Lois Norrgard 952-881-7282 lois@alaskawild.org
Presented by:
Sarah James, a Neetsaii Gwich’in Athabascan Indian from Arctic Village,
Alaska, raised in the traditional nomadic way. Sarah was one of the first
recipients of the Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World Award and
a co-recipient of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her work
with the Gwich’in Steering Committee to protect the calving and nursery
grounds of the Porcupine River Caribou Herd. The Porcupine Caribou Herd has
sustained the Gwich’in for over twenty thousand years.Lois Norrgard, the Upper Midwest Field staff for the Alaska Wilderness
League. She has worked for the League and Alaska Coalition for the past
three years, continuing to raise awareness about the values and threats
facing our beautiful wild lands in Alaska.Some places are just too special to destroy for a short term gain – the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of these places