There aren’t many political events during the second half of December, but there’s plenty going on during the next couple of weeks. Event details are after the jump. Post a comment or send me an e-mail (desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com) if you know of something I’ve left out.

If I can shake this cold I plan to attend the Culver-Judge holiday party this Saturday. Any other Bleeding Heartland readers going?

State Representative Chris Rants and Jonathan Narcisse have already started their debate series. You can view the schedule and download mp3s of the debates here.

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.

Iowa Organic Conference

More than 300 people from Iowa and surrounding states are expected to attend the Ninth Annual Iowa Organic Conference December 4-5 at Iowa State University in Ames. Jerry DeWitt, director of the Leopold Center and one of the people responsible for beginning the organic program at ISU more than a dozen years ago, will be the keynote speaker. Organic experts from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, California and Canada will present at 17 breakout sessions on Saturday in the Scheman Building. Friday evening activities will be at Seasons Café in the Maple-Willow-Larch Dining Complex and include a 7 p.m. presentation by award-winning journalist Melinda Hemmelgarn, “Food System Literacy: Road Map for True Sustainability.” Reduced registration is available for students by contacting Dan Cwach at dcwach@iastate.edu. Conference web site: http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mne…

A bunch of free seminars are happening in Des Moines. More information is at www.crossroadsiowa.com. Here are some highlights:

KEYNOTE PANEL: URBAN REVITALIZATION THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 4:00 – 6:00 PM, CENTRAL LIBRARY

The entertainment industry has taken the lead in transforming blighted urban areas into vibrant districts that support the economy and put their cities on the national map. Crossroads 2009 KEYNOTE PANEL showcases projects from 5 different cities in the Upper Midwest.

URBAN REVITALIZATION: TRANSFORMATION, THE ARCHITECTS’ PERSPECTIVE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 9:30 – 11:00 AM, CENTRAL LIBRARY BVH architects brings its decades of experience in entertainment development and ‘green’ planning to YOU with a survey of innovative projects its been a part of in the Upper Midwest.

CROSS GENRE: Office on the Road- Iowa Arts Council consulting for grantees

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE

The Iowa Arts Council will take its “Office on the Road” to Crossroads. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO visit one-on-one with Iowa Arts Council staff for 20-minute sessions about your specific questions or grant application. Pre-registration is encouraged and there will be limited time slot availability.

URBAN REVITALIZATION: GREEN AND MAIN

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, CENTRAL LIBRARY Chaden Halfhill, Founder of Green and Main, shows you how to revitalize your community by enhancing the long-term value of existing buildings using sustainable practices and green renovation standards.

CROSS GENRE: KEYS TO EFFECTIVE LOBBYING

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 4TH STREET THEATRE

David Adelman, Iowa’s premier entertainment lobbyist will conduct this seminar covering topics such as the legislative process and how lobbying makes a difference, when does your organization need a lobbyist, what does a lobbyist need to do an effective job for you, and how to effectively lobby a legislator as citizen.

REGISTRATION FOR FREE SEMINARS, TICKETS AND VIP RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE AT WWW.IOWATIX.COM.

Saturday, December 5:

The Culver-Judge campaign is holding its annual holiday party at the Val-Air Ballroom in West Des Moines (310 Ashworth) from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm. Tickets are just $35 for an individual, $10 for students and $50 for a family. You can buy tickets at the door for this event. Music by Faculty Lounge, Hors d’oeuvres, Desserts & Beverages available. Call 515-244-5151 or go to www.chetculver.com for more information.

From I’M for Iowa:

December 5 – Civil Rights and Guantanamo Bay (Des Moines)

League of Women Voters luncheon with speaker Angela Campbell, a local attorney who served as counsel to four detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay. Cost is $13. RSVP to Dorothy at (515) 225-9252 or dbmcginnis@mchsi.com.

From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:

The North Raccoon River watershed has been chosen as one of the four watersheds in Iowa to be eligible for a portion of the $320,000,000 Mississippi Basin Initiative funds for nitrogen reduction to be administered by the NRCS. Dave Brommel of NRCS-Iowa and Adam Kiel DNR liaison to the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers will be guests of the RRWA meeting this Saturday (12-5) at the DMACC West Campus from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Dave Brommel will show a power point about Secretary Vilsack’s initiative and Adam Kiel will explain his new job and demonstrate his mapping skills while showing us the HUC 12 watersheds that will be eligible for the NRCS grants. DMACC West is at 5959 West Grand Avenue in West Des Moines (take 35 S. to West Grand Ave. go west). We will gather in the auditorium. RRWA Christmas merchandise will be on sale from 8:30 to 11:30.

Sunday, December 6:

From I’M for Iowa:

December 6 – New Energy for Jasper County (Newton)

A presentation and discussion on climate, environment, energy independence and green-collar job growth at the Jasper County Community Center, 2401 1st Ave E (formerly Aldi’s) at 2:00 pm. Sponsored by Jasper County Democrats. Contact Dan Kelley at (641) 521-9260 or dankelley@mchsi.com.

Tuesday, December 8:

From Whiterock Conservancy:

Women Landowners Meeting

Tuesday, December 8th 8:45am – 2pm. Women who own or manage farmland in Western Iowa in or around Carroll County are invited to attend a free “Women Caring for the Land” meeting at Whiterock Conservancy’s brand new Bur Oak Visitor’s Center located on Highway 141, just east of Coon Rapids. This free event brings together women who are farm partners, sole owner-operators or inheritors of any farm size who want to improve soil and water conservation practices on their farmland. Lunch provided. Optional tour of Whiterock offered after the meeting.

One Iowa is holding a public forum about marriage equality in Calmar on the campus of Northern Iowa Community College, 7 pm to 9 pm. For more information, contact organize@oneiowa.org.

Wednesday, December 9:

From the Iowa Environmental Council:

Reducing Nutrient Export to the Gulf of Mexico

December 9-11, Des Moines

A workshop for managers, policy makers, and scientists, the purpose of the workshop is to explore science-based solutions for reducing sources of nutrient loads exported from the upper portion of the Mississippi River drainage system to the Gulf of Mexico. The focus is on the Missouri, Upper Mississippi River, Ohio, and Tennessee River Basins. For more information, go to  http://www.swcs.org/en/confere…

One Iowa is holding a public forum about marriage equality in Muscatine at Central Middle School, 901 Cedar St, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. For more information, contact organize@oneiowa.org.

Thursday, December 10:

Green Drinks will meet at the Mars Café, 2318 University Ave in the Drake neighborhood, 5:30 pm. Contact desmoinesgreendrinks@gmail.com.

One Iowa is holding three public forums on marriage equality: in Webster City at the All Cultures Equal Center, 1440 E. 2nd St, 6:30pm – 8:30pm; at the Newton Public Library, 100 N. 3rd Ave W in Newton, from 5:30pm – 7:30pm; and at the West Burlington Community High School, 408 W Van Weiss Blvd, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. For more information, contact organize@oneiowa.org.

Friday, December 11:

From Practical Farmers of Iowa:

Next Generation Retreat

December 11-12, Montour

If you are a beginning Farmer (<10 years experience) or a farmer in the planning stages, Practical Farmers of Iowa is inviting you to come together for a woodland retreat at Pilgrim Heights Camp & Retreat, 3005 E Avenue, in Montour, Iowa. The program will be led by the creators of the “Sustainable Decisions Tool for Farmers” from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina. Participants determine goals, assess resources, plan markets and draft vision statements with engaging individual and group activities. Leave “shovel-ready” with your farm plan. Network with experienced farmers and glean practical knowledge. Learn how to manage your farm for sustainability and prosperity with indicators in terms of economic return, family life quality, and environmental quality. Cost: $25 and a dish to share. For an informational flier go to: http://practicalfarmers.org/as… Please RSVP to: Luke Gran, Next Generation Coordinator, Practical Farmers of Iowa, (515) 232-5661, ext. 308, luke@practicalfarmers.org.

Saturday, December 12:

The Iowa Renewable Energy Association is organizing a Residential Wind Workshop

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Where: Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 E. Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA. Attendees will leave this workshop with the working knowledge to evaluate if residential wind is a realistic option to fill all or part of their residential energy needs. Learn how to size and select a wind turbine. Evaluate which turbine to purchase and learn how a turbine is installed. Visit www.irenew.org for more information.

From I’M for Iowa:

December 12 – Amnesty International Global Write-a-thon (West Des Moines)

The local Amnesty chapter is hosting this letter-writing event as part of a worldwide effort to send letters to government officials about human rights violations. Stop by and write one or more cards or letters at Borders Bookstore, 4100 University Avenue from 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm. Contact Dennis Steele at ubsteele@hotmail.com.

December 12 – Second Annual Winter Farmers’ Market (Carroll)

Community Market Cooperative celebrates its second year in business from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at 116 N Main St. The event features local producers, artists and bakers selling popcorn, wine, pottery, stained glass, baked goods, homemade jams & jellies, humanely raised pork products, grass-fed lamb, whole and cut chickens, eggs, winter squash and more. Visit http://www.communitymarketcoop…

Monday, December 14:

One Iowa is organizing a roundtable discussion on marriage equality in Iowa at 6:00 pm at the Des Moines Public Library, 1000 Locust. Panelists include Kathie Obradovich, Todd Dorman and David Redlawsk. Contact (515) 288-4019 or organize@oneiowa.org.

Wednesday, December 16:

From IowaPolitics.com:

The upcoming legislative session will be the topic of the next IowaPolitics.com forum at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16.  The event will be held at Drake University’s Levitt Hall in Old Main, 2507 University Ave. in Des Moines.  

Confirmed legislative panelists include:

* Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs)

* Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton)

* House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-Des Moines)

Additional panelists may be added.  IowaPolitics.com Des Moines Bureau Chief Lynn Campbell will moderate the program, and questions will be accepted from audience members. The event later will be broadcast on the Mediacom Connections channel statewide and will be available for On Demand viewing on Mediacom Channel 1.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and taping of the show will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Registration options:

– Online: http://www.esurveycentral.com/…

– E-mail: info@Iowapolitics.com  

– Phone: (515) 309-2906  

State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald is holding his 2010 Re-election campaign kickoff event at The Grand Piano Bistro, 506 E Grand in Des Moines from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. Please RSVP to Karen Austin at fitzgerald2010@mchsi.com or via phone 515-681-9998. Please make all checks* payable to “Iowans for Fitzgerald.”

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is having a fundraiser at the Star Bar, 2811 Ingersoll in Des Moines, from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M. Please make checks payable to McCarthy for Iowa #1385. If you cannot attend but would still like to make a donation please send your check to Representative McCarthy · 5220 SE 31st Court · Des Moines, IA 50320

*Direct questions and RSVP’s to Stephanie Abbott at 515.471.1954 or email Stephanie@advocacyiowa.com  

One Iowa is holding a public forum on marriage equality: at the Scott Community College, Student Life Center in Bettendorf, from 7pm – 9pm. For more information, contact organize@oneiowa.org.