IOWA FOCUS: Dams, Blogs, Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

REPORT ON AMERICA'S DAMS: This might be of interest to those suffering from the Midwest floods. On June 8th, 2008, NPR ran a report on the decline of America's flood control dams (you can listen with Openplayer, I think). There has been a jump of 33% in the number of dams that are considered unsafe. Consider that as you ponder the impact of these floods.

The Publisher of Culture Kitchen, Liza Sabater, has a piece on the floods through the eyes of Iowans.

And here's a discussion about funding the cost Iowa has suffered from these floods.

And Iowa State Representative Elesha Gayman (D-Davenport) reports that assistance is now available for Iowans affected by the floods (with info on who to call).


IOWA ACT BLUE SITE: donate to help elect Democrats in Iowa.

BLOGGING IOWA:

Bleeding Heartland is a community blog for Democrats and progressives in the state of Iowa.

Blog for Iowa is a progressive source of information in Iowa.

The Deprogrammer is an antidote to the misinformation of mainstream media, based in the Quad Cities.


Let me introduce you to a candidate running for Conrgess in Iowa. Becky Greenwald is running against Tom Latham (R) in the IA-04 district.

Let me quote from her website:

"In Tom Latham, we have a congressman who has continually opposed women’s reproductive rights and has given a green light and a blank check to George Bush’s war in Iraq.

Together, we will make a difference for those struggling to get by on the minimum wage.

We will make a difference for those who cannot afford access to quality healthcare.

We will make a difference for those brave men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and facing life with an injury and the scars of war.

We will make a difference when we repeal the unfunded mandate known as No Child Left Behind.

We will make a difference when we invest in homegrown energy alternatives which lessen our dependence on foreign oil, clean up our environment, and put Iowans to work at high-paying jobs which can’t be outsourced and can be unionized. "

You can help out Becky either by donating through my Act Blue Site or by volunteering for her campaign if you live in her area.


Peace Vigils:

Weekly Anti-War Vigil at Nollen Plaza
Every Thursday
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Nollen Plaza, 3rd and Locust Des Moines, IA
Contact: Wendy Vasquez
Please join us for this weekly witness against the war.
For more information, contact Wendy Vasquez at 515-771-8656.

Women for Peace Knitters
Supporting the peaceful arts of knitting and crocheting. This group meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 am at Prairiewoods, 120 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha. (Group also meets fourth Tuesdays each month at Marion Public Library, 7-8:30 pm., Marion.) For more information call 377-3252.

Cedar Rapids Peace Vigil
Women for Peace, Iowa, meet each Saturday at noon at the corner of 1st Avenue and Collins Road.


And for those who are focused on combining fun and politics, here are the local Drinking Liberally groups in Iowa:

Ames, Iowa
* Every Friday, 5:00 pm onward
* Legends American Grill, 200 Stanton Ave, 7th Floor (in Campustown)
* The group will meet in the large accessible party room left of the elevators unless it is booked by a larger group. We will then be in the Sky Box. Ask a waiter for our location.
* Hosted by Jan Bauer and Brent Wynja, ames (at) drinkingliberally.org

Des Moines
* Every Thursday, 8:00 p.m. onward
* The Lift, 222 4th St (between Court Ave and Walnut)
* Hosted by Amanda Mittlestadt, Tricia Kell, Cassie Samspon and Matt Jesson, desmoines (at) drinkingliberally.org

West Des Moines
* Third Friday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
* Tonic, 5535 George M Mills Civic Pky (within West Glen Towncenter)
* Hosted by Cassie Sampson, Mikael Brown and Jenny Irlmeier, wdsm (at) drinkingliberally.org

Eating Liberally
* Second Monday of each month, 6:00-7:30 pm
* Continental Wine Bar, 428 E Locust St
* Hosted by Marcus Walsh and Tricia Kell, desmoines (at) eatingliberally.org

Iowa City, Iowa
* Every Thursday, 8:00 pm onward
* The Mill Restaurant, 120 E Burlington St