Hy-Vee executives decided not to sponsor one of this year’s largest Iowa Democratic events, a few months after the grocery store chain’s political action committee made a $25,000 donation to the Republican Party of Iowa in connection with a fundraiser headlined by President Donald Trump.
State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad’s tribute to his friend Jonathan Narcisse. -promoted by desmoinesdem
Jonathan Narcisse, advocate, media presence, and publisher of several newspapers, including “The Bystander,” Iowa’s most enduring publication geared towards an African American audience, died last Saturday, February 17. He was 54–young, but not unusual for a black man in America.
He was also my former campaign manager, business associate, peer, and friend. So I write this with sadness in my heart for the loss Iowa experiences as a result of his death, and with joy in my soul that he is no longer in pain.
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 50314
The 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 Restaurant
Social Hour begins at 6:00 PM
Dinner at 7:00 PM
Live music through the Musician’s Union
Tickets $25 per person
Tickets 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:
Continue Reading...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.
Send me an e-mail (desmoinesdem AT yahoo.com) or post a comment if you know of another event that should be added to this calendar.
Sunday, January 18:
From Blog for Iowa (click the link for more details):
On Sunday, January 18, the Iowa City Environmental Film Festival and Sierra Club will sponsor a screening of Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars. The film portrays how Texans formed unlikely coalitions to fight the construction of nineteen coal-fired power plants being fast-tracked by the state’s governor, Rick Perry. The film, narrated by Robert Redford, has received numerous awards.
Representatives from two groups instrumental in challenging the construction of the two plants in Iowa will lead a discussion following the film. Mike Carberry, Sierra Club, will be joined by Carrie LeSeur, founder and Executive Director of Plains Justice, to talk about what is being done and what Iowans can do to stop construction of the coal-fired power plants. Plains Justice, a public interest law center, was founded in 2006 in part in response to the Waterloo, Iowa Coal Plant Proposal, which has now been withdrawn.
[…] Sunday, January 18th at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., Room A at 3:00 PM.
The screening is free and open to the public.
Monday, January 19:
From Polk County Democrats:
From Vern Naffier
Come to the Pre-Inauguration Celebration
Friends: Join me Monday night at 7 pm at the State Historical Building for an inspiring event celebrating Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Barack Obama’s inauguration, and the beginning of an era of peace, reconciliation, and social justice throughout the world. See announcement below.
RENEWING AMERICA’S PROMISE
Rebirthing King – Rebirthing America
A pre-inauguration celebration
State Historical Building
600 East Locust
Des Moines
January 19, 2009
7-8 pm
Come join the effort to reclaim the dream of America free from racism, militarism, and materialism. Come join the candlelight march for Martin’s memory and Barack’s beginning.
The Iowa Obama Presidential Inauguration Committee invites you to bring items for the DMARC Food Pantry.
Sponsored by the King Birthday Celebration Planning Committee
Tuesday, January 20:
George W. Bush’s presidency will finally end as Barack Obama takes the oath of office. What are you doing to celebrate? There must be many parties going on all over this state.
Urban Dreams Presents
Brown, Black & The Blues People’s Ball
Celebrating the Inauguration of
President Barack Obama
Together through the diversity of our community
Jnauary 20, 2009
8:00 PM until…
Hotel Fort Des Moines
1000 Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
$25 / person
Dress to Impress
Featuring Musica Latina, Soul and the Blues
A nonpartisan event open to the whole community
for more information please call 515-288-4742
The Brown, Black & The Blues People’s Ball is brought to you by
Project V.O.T.E. (Voting Opportunities Through Education).
PLease call Hotel Fort Des Moines at 515-243-1181 if interested in room reservations.
From 1000 Friends of Iowa:
There will be a Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Public Input Meeting in the DMAMPO Meeting Room, Merle Hay Center, 6200 Aurora Avenue, Suite 300W, Urbandale, IA. Click here for more details about what’s on the agenda and why you should care.
Friday, January 23:
For bicycling advocates and enthusiasts:
Iowa Bicycle Summit
January 23-24, Des Moines
Iowa Bicycle Summit will be held in Des Moines at the Holiday Inn, Downtown, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday’s session features Steve Durrant from Portland, Oregon, a registered landscape architect and planner with over 30 years experience helping communities become better places to live. A Friday Bike Night fundraiser will feature a presentation by mountain-biking legend Gary Fisher at a dinner and silent auction. Saturday is geared for grassroots bicyclists who want to better their communities. Sessions include Safe Routes to Schools, Bike to Work Week, legislative issues and more. Primary sponsors are the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Participation is limited. Find out more or register at the Iowa Bicycle Summit webpage, http://www.iowabicyclecoalitio…
From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:
Winter Solstice Workshop: No Child Left Inside
January 23-25, Honey Creek State Park
The Iowa Conservation Education Coalition’s annual Environmental Education Workshop, Winter Solstice, will be held on January 23-25, 2009. The workshop title is No Child Left Inside. Winter Solstice will be held at the Honey Creek State Park Resort on Lake Rathbun. This new resort features motel rooms, a restaurant, an indoor water park, and most important for ICEC, a wonderful conference center. Our keynote speakers include: Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder; Connie Mutel, author of The Emerald Horizon: The History of Nature in Iowa; and Jim Pease and Susan O’Brien author of Environmental Literacy in Iowa. For questions about the workshop, please contact Gail Barels at gail.barels@linncounty.org or Heather Niec at adminicec@hotmail.com.
Saturday, January 24:
For those who enjoy public art:
Design a Dragonfly on Ice at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
January 24, West Lake Okoboji
Filmmaker Chad Branham will design this year’s Artslive’s People Project on Saturday, January 24, on the ice in Miller’s Bay, beginning at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. This ephemeral art project will line people up on the ice on West Lake Okoboji, in the shape of a giant 100 foot dragonfly. This design will take over 225 people to complete. Once everyone is in place the dragonfly will be photographed from an airplane by Judy Hemphill. Due to limited parking at Lakeside, participants are asked to gather at Peace Corner, at the corner of Highways 9 and 86, at 12:30 pm, and take a shuttle bus to the project site at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. People are encouraged to dress warmly and, if possible, in bright primary colors. To sign up to participate, or for more information about participating in this year’s ArtsLive People’s Project, contact Jen Johnson at (712)332-6502 or jen@activeokoboji.org, or visit artslive.com.
Tuesday, January 27:
From Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement:
Jan. 27, 2009BIG 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!
Friday, January 30:
From Polk County Democrats:
Continue Reading...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 Restaurant
Social Hour begins at 6:00 PM
Dinner at 7:00 PM
Live music through the Musician’s Union
Tickets $25 per person
Tickets 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
I’m not planning to post an event calendar this week, because there’s not much going on politically. However, I received this e-mail from the Polk County Democrats and want to help them publicize this event:
Special Invitation to Democratic Friends of Kathleen O’Leary
********
Meet Up & “Gap Fundraiser” to enable Kathleen & escort to accept Inaugural seating reserved for
The 3rd District Presidential Elector
*******
WHERE: Mars Café – 2318 University, Des Moines
WHEN: Tues., December 30th, 5 – 7 p.m.
*******
Share Holiday Cheer & Help Friends Support Kathleen’s Effort to continue Representing 3rd District Democrats
RSVP (not needed)
Can’t come but want to help? Call or e-mail:
Max Knauer mrk@dwx.com (515) 771-4949
I don’t know Kathleen personally, but I plan to help her take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Speaking of inauguration festivities, use this thread to talk about your plans to celebrate. I know some people who were involved in Joe Biden’s campaign are throwing a party in Des Moines.
Obamafoodorama provides the recipe for Abraham Lincoln’s favorite cake and suggests this would be a good dessert to serve at inauguration parties. Obama will be sworn in on the same bible Lincoln used in 1861.
Continue Reading...