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

OBAMA'S IOWA NEWSPAPER ENDORSEMENTS: (as of Oct. 20th, according to Editor and Publisher):

Mason City Globe Gazette
The Storm Lake Times
The Hawk Eye (Burlington)


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

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."

Here is footage of other of an Iraq Veteran confronting Rep. Tom Latham on the war:



Here is one of Becky Greenwald's latest ads:



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.


I also want to re-introduce one of our big winners in 2006, Elesha Gayman of Davenport who represents the 84th State House district. Elesha is a sometime reader of this newsletter and someone I pegged early as a winner. Elesha is in her first term in the House of Representatives and is Vice Chair of the Health & Human Services Budget Subcommittee. She also serves on the Agriculture, Appropriations, Education, and Public Safety Committees. In addition to her work in the Iowa House she serves as vice chair of Health and Human Services Committee on the National Council of State Legislatures. She worked as the Eastern Iowa Political Director for Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential Caucus Campaign and continues to do free lance political consulting work. She is running for re-election to continue her hard work.

Elesha is endorsed by the Iowa Federation of Labor, SEIU, People for the American Way, SEIU...and once again, myself. My father was born in Davenport and my great-grandfather was a founder of the only recently defunct Kunkel Sporting Goods store. It feels good to know that my father's home district is represented by Elesha Gayman.


BLOGGING IOWA:

Bleeding Heartland is a community blog for Democrats and progressives in the state of Iowa. I find this a very good source of Iowa news.

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

Iowa Liberal

Progressive Populist: The Independent Journal from the Heartland


Some Stories of Interest:

Methyl mercury and coal fired power plants in Iowa

Iowa State Sen. Seymour (R) Arrested For Solicitation

America's lost landscape: The Tallgrass prairie as a possible answer to the 2008 Iowa Flood

Expanding the Majority: John Beard in House District 16

Johnson County Ballot: Say YES to Conservation on November 4th

Yes, we can meet our baseload needs with clean, renewable energy

From Iowa State Rep. Elesha Gayman's newsletter:

"JUMPSTART IOWA" PROGRAMS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Governor Chet Culver announced that Iowans affected by this year's devastating storms, tornadoes, and floods can now apply for the Jumpstart Iowa Small Business Assistance Program and/or the Jumpstart Housing Program. The Governor encouraged all Iowans who may be eligible for assistance through Jump-start Iowa to apply.

Financial assistance is available to Iowans for housing and business recovery. Iowans who are interested in the programs are encouraged to call 1-866-849-0323, or visit www.jumpstart.iowa.gov. for more information. In addition to filling out and submitting the applications online, Iowans can also visit their local Councils of Government (COG), or city government if they live in Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City or Waterloo. For the complete list of COG and city offices, please visit the Jumpstart Iowa Web site. The City of Cedar Rapids has asked that affected residents living within city limits call 211.

The Jumpstart Iowa Small Business Assistance Program provides $20 million in forgivable loans to small business owners, who must reopen within 12 months from the time their Jumpstart applications are approved. The funds will help pay down 25% of a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan from the federal government or up to $50,000. A business would not have to have received a loan, just be approved for one. An additional $5,000 is allowed for the purchasing of energy-efficient equipment. To qualify, business owners must have received a disaster loan from the Small Business Administration or a federal or state-chartered financial institution.

Jumpstart Housing Funds Available

The Jumpstart Iowa Housing Assistance Program provides $20 million for homeowners affected by this year’s severe weather. The program includes forgivable loans for down payment assistance, and for rehabilitation or repair assistance for families whose primary residence was destroyed or severely damaged. Iowans can also receive up to $1,000 a month for 12 months in mortgage assistance pending government buyout action. The maximum award is a $50,000 loan, plus an additional $10,000 for energy efficient appliances, all of which will be forgiven if the homeowner stays in the house for 10 years.

Iowa's good statehouse candidates


Alternative Energy and Sustainable Agriculture:

The Leopold Center is a research and education center with statewide programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. It was established under the Groundwater Protection Act of 1987 with a three-fold mission:

*to conduct research into the negative impacts of agricultural practices;
*to assist in developing alternative practices; and
*to work with ISU Extension to inform the public of Leopold Center findings.

In 2002, a vision statement was adopted: The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture explores and cultivates alternatives that secure healthier people and landscapes in Iowa and the nation.

Sustainable Farming Connection: Where farmers find and share information

Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization -- founded in 1943 -- that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based conservation practice, programs, and policy. SWCS has over 5,000 members around the world. They include researchers, administrators, planners, policymakers, technical advisors, teachers, students, farmers, and ranchers. Our members come from nearly every academic discipline and many different public, private, and nonprofit institutions


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 StBlg