As always, post a comment or send me an e-mail (desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com) if you know of an event I’ve left out.
Monday, January 26:
The Iowa Environmental Council has organized a Legislative Reception at the Quality Inn, Rotunda Room, 929 3rd St., Des Moines from 5:00-7:00 pm. Come talk with members of the Iowa legislature about environmental issues that are important to you.
Tuesday, January 27:
From Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement:
BIG Rally & Lobby Day
Mark your calendars and plan to be at our Rally & Lobby Day at the State Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 27. We need you there to show our legislators that thousands of Iowans will be holding them accountable this legislative session to issues like local control, clean elections, homeowner protections and the rights of all workers.
Decisions made at the Statehouse impact us every day. This is our chance to put our issues at the top of the legislative agenda. Join with us today – click here for more information and REGISTER TODAY!
From the Center on Sustainable Communities:
Tuesday, January 27th
Green Home Interiors Seminar Hosted by COSC
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
DM Green Demo Home
1347 Forest Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50314The Center on Sustainable Communities is hosting an Interiors seminar on Tuesday, January 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm presented by Jeani Lee of Kitchen, Bath & Home and Jamie Malloy of Wells & Associates. This project is a collaboration between CHDC, COSC, and the City of Des Moines along with many supporting sponsors. Cost: $10, light refreshments will be served, $5 for COSC members. Please register by Friday, January 23rd by clicking here or by emailing info@icosc.com. See www.icosc.com and CHDC’s blog for more details.
Thursday, January 29:
From the Iowa Environmental Council’s e-mail newsletter:
Green Networking
Join us January 29 at the Gateway Market in Des Moines, at 5 p.m. Green Drinks of Des Moines has a lively mixture of people from academia, government and business. Come along and you’ll be made welcome. Just say, “Are you green?” and we will look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It’s a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network. These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. Green Drinks is the last Thursday of each month at Gateway Market on MLK & Woodland at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, January 30:
Congressman Bruce Braley is holding a town hall meeting on the economic stimulus at 10:00 am at the Grand River Center (meeting rooms 2 and 3), 500 Bell Street in Dubuque. Braley’s town hall meetings on the economy are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at http://braley.house.gov.
From Polk County Democrats:
The Ankeny Area Democrats and The Polk County Democrats Present An Inauguration Celebration Dinner At The Iowa State Historical Building
Friday, January 30, 2009
Catered by Baratta’s RestaurantSocial Hour begins at 6:00 PM
Dinner at 7:00 PMLive music through the Musician’s Union
Tickets $25 per personTickets include chicken / pasta dinner and sides, soft drinks, coffee, iced tea or water
Semi-formal attire encouraged, but not required
Tickets available by calling Tamyra at 515-285-1800 or Mary Oliver at 515-964-1227
Email polkdems@gmail.com or Ankenyareadems@msn.com
Saturday, January 31:
From Iowa Rivers Revival:
IRR is developing a River Stewards Program to address concerns about the public’s general disconnect from rivers. We have conducted a couple of brainstorming sessions in recent months and have envisioned River Rascals, a river steward program that will offer opportunities for youth to learn more about the importance of rivers and problems associated with them. We want to engage educators and anyone interested to help develop and implement a program for youth that focuses on river appreciation, recreation and stewardship. We invite you to the upcoming planning session to help make the vision a reality!
River Rascal Program Planning Session
Saturday, January 31, 2009, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Polk County Conservation Board’s Jester Park Lodge, 11407 NW Jester Park Drive, Granger, IA
Agenda: Provide ideas and feedback on draft program details, including curriculum, educators/presenters/partners/mentors, potential participants, venue options, and funding options
No cost (pizza and beverages will be brought in – small cash contribution welcome)
RSVP: rlehman@iowarivers.org or 515-202-7720
Tuesday, February 3:
One Iowa is organizing a forum on marriage equality at 7:00 pm in the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 834 Broad St. in Grinnell.
Wednesday, February 4:
From Iowa Rivers Revival:
Iowa Rivers Revival invites you to join us for a legislative reception to engage Iowa legislators about the importance of our rivers and how they provide many economic, environmental and recreational resources for our state. Come and share your river experiences. […]
Our first reception held in January 2008 was a great success – over 50 supporters, including bi-partisan representation from at least 15 Iowa legislators, attended the last-minute event. This reception provides an opportunity for Iowa’s political leaders to recognize that rivers have representation and an increasing base of support advocating on their behalf. The purpose of this reception is to raise awareness and to continue having conversations about the issues concerning Iowa’s rivers and our connections to rivers.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Noodle Zoo Café
E 6th & Locust, Des Moines
4:30 – 6:30 PM
No cost
RSVP: rlehman@iowarivers.org
From the Iowa Environmental Council:
The Iowa Recycling Association is sponsoring an Educators Conference on February 4, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, at Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines. Topics and Speakers include “Green Streets”: Jeff Geerts, Iowa Department of Economic Development; “Marketing Programs on a Budget”: Mark Signs, Trees Forever; “Character Counts”: Eric Martin, Character Counts; “Partnerships for Effective Education”: Mary Gillespey, Darven Kendell, Bev Wagner. Pre-registration is required. Registration fee is $30 before January 1, 2009 and $40 after January 1. A waste free lunch will be provided. Register online at http://www.iowarecycles.org/co… and send payment to: Iowa Recycling Association, PO Box 10954, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410. For more information contact: Bev Wagner, beverly.wagner@loras.edu or 563-588-7933.
Friday, February 6:
The Iowa Network for Community Agriculture is holding its 14th Annual Local Food Conference on February 6-7 in Clear Lake. The conference is an opportunity to connect the local food “dots” in North Iowa, expand your local food knowledge with dynamic workshops, and celebrate the capacity to sustain ourselves and our communities. Come meet and eat with other local food enthusiasts. Full conference information at http://www.growinca.org.
From the Iowa Environmental Council:
Savanna Workshops for Teachers and Naturalists
Join us for the workshop: Iowa’s Roadside Native Communities: Savanna, on Feb. 6-8, 2009 and Apr.24-25, 2009 at Baymont Inn, Coralville, IA. Learn how to help your students explore and improve Iowa Prairies/Savanna. For primary through Community College teachers and naturalists. Participants receive 2 UNI graduate credits, materials, meals and housing for only $180 due to grants. For more information please visit http://www.uni.edu/ceee/eii. Request a paper brochure at bollwinkel@uni.edu, or call 319-273-2783.