IOWA FOCUS: Blogs, Alternative Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Groups and Events

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

LeftyBlogs Iowa is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across Iowa.


Some Stories of Interest:

A Republican for Transportation Secretary and more reaction to Obama's cabinet picks: Sounds like a pro-Amtrak and pro-public transit Republican may just be a good idea for Transportation Sec.

If Blagojevich Is Against it, Your State Rep. Should Be For It....Campaign Finance Reform

Gov. Culver cuts spending across the board by 1.5 percent...this is better than the 8% cuts in things like healthcare that my Governor in NY is proposing!

Tom Vilsack as Barack Obama's secretary of agriculture.

Grassley vulnerable to Vilsack challenge

Diebold Whistleblower: Karl Rove Involved in Election Rigging

Braley to Start a Populist Caucus in the U.S. House

Cedar Rapids forum highlights plight of same-sex couples in Iowa...and on a related note: Attorneys Conclude Iowa Supreme Court Arguments in Gay Marriage Case...and even more on this: Iowa Supreme Court & the Case for Equal Marriage Rights

New Report Exposes Subsidies to Factory Farms

The insurance issue gets worse: 5% of Iowa's Children Without Health Insurance.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources should strictly limit pollutants from proposed coal plant...and on a related note: Methyl mercury and coal fired power plants in Iowa

From Daily Kos comes this preview of Iowa Politics 2010:

It's possible that incumbent Republican Sen. Charles Grassley could get his first serious opposition in years. He had been considered pretty safe, but following a big win in Iowa, Democrats smell blood.

Former Governor Tom Vilsack could take him on, as could second-term Rep. Bruce Braley or Lt. Gov. Patty Judge.

Alternatively, Grassley might retire, a scenario which could lead Republican Rep. Tom Latham - who holds a slightly Democratic-leaning district - to run for the seat.

Democratic Governor Chet Culver appears well positioned for reelection, though that will depend largely on the quality of his opposition.

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