.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Name:
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

I am a research biologist in NYC. Married with two kids living in Brooklyn.

Google
  • Help end world hunger
  • Friday, March 06, 2009

    IOWA FOCUS: Blogs, Food Co-ops, 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 Independent

    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.

    Iowa Liberal


    Some Stories of Interest:

    Helping Families Save Their Homes Act Passes, While GOP Demands All Democrats Be Just Like Their Pals The Blue Dogs

    Meanwhile, Republicans lead on earmarks as well as on whining about earmarks: Latham, King lead Iowa delegation in spending bill earmarks. Hypocrisy seems to be the number one Republican value.

    And meanwhile, Republican Steve King Likes Pay Raises for Himself. So he hates American workers, homeowners and farmers, but loves earmarks and pay raises for himself.

    Alliant Drops Plans for Marshalltown Coal Plant. Excellent! There is no such thing as clean coal, only outdated, polluting technology from a corrupt coal industry (PDF).

    Pig Farms in Iowa. When I lived in Japan I noticed on a hot day there was a stench in the area where I lived. Turned out there was a small pig farm in the neighborhood. I can only imagine how bad it gets when it's factory farming. On a related note, a vastly underutilized energy resource is the very thing that makes those pig farms so stinky: Bio-Town or Turd-Town; Reynolds, Indiana

    Energy Infrastructure: this is an issue we need to really focus on.

    RNC committee member asks for Steele’s resignation. Funny how Republicans didn't seem to mind Steele's corruption, but they can't stand the fact that he is a moderate.

    Health care expansion moves forward in Iowa Senate. Democrats in office mean better healthcare!

    Iowa Gets $600 million for Education from Stimulus Bill. Democrats in office mean better education!

    McDonald's Hates American Heroes

    Ethics Complaint Filed Against Iowa House Agriculture Committee Chair Citing Conflict Of Interest

    Gas tax increase may be unavoidable

    Ask Senator Grassley Today Why He Voted Against 37,000 Jobs For Iowa

    Education for the 21st Century in Iowa

    Iowa House and Senate approve sustainable funding amendment

    Iowans Applaud Legislature For Protecting Consumers

    Gas tax increase best way to revamp roads

    Bank of America: taking taxpayer money while screwing taxpayers. Recently I got charged excess fees from Bank of America. Seems they don't want my business anymore! Some good alternatives are local community banks, TD Bank, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and Suntrust.

    President Obama’s Rural Policy

    IOWA FOOD CO-OPS

    It took nearly 7 years living within a few blocks of one of the biggest food co-ops in America before Joy and I joined it. We were definitely reluctant. But, in the end the lack of good produce and the decline of our local supermarkets led to us joining. And the result is a slighly more inconvenient shopping trip each week, but much healthier, higher quality and cheaper food. I recommend joining a co-op if there is one nearby. You will save money and eat healthier. So I will list some local food co-ops in Iowa:

    Wheatsfield Cooperative Grocery
    413 Douglas Avenue
    Ames, Iowa 50010
    Phone: (515) 232-4094
    FAX: (515) 233-0040
    shop@wheatsfield.coop
    http://www.wheatsfield.coop

    Our mission is to serve our members, employees, and the Central Iowa community by offering the highest quality local, natural and certified organic foods, related products and services in ways that best promote the health of the individual, the community, and the earth while honoring the cooperative tradition.

    New Pioneer Bakehouse and New Pioneer Co-op
    498 1st Avenue
    Coralville, Iowa 52241
    Phone: (319) 358-5513
    FAX: (319) 358-5514
    newpi@inav.net
    http://www.newpi.com/

    22 South Van Buren Street
    Iowa City, Iowa 52240
    Phone: (319) 338-9441
    FAX: (319) 338-0635
    jangerer@newpi.com
    http://www.newpi.com/

    New Pioneer is a member-owned grocery specializing in natural foods, local foods, and other healthy products for your active lifestyle. Come to the Co-op to hang out with your friends and get to know your neighbors, to learn more about your food from our friendly, expert staff, and to pick up hard-to-find gourmet items.

    Explore New Pi to find the area’s best locally-grown produce, artisanal cheeses and breads, hand-selected wines, and mouthwatering cakes and pastries, just for starters. Everyone is welcome to shop the Co-op and become a part of our shared vision of a cleaner, healthier world. Eat smart and have fun doing it when you shop your Co-op!

    They have an extensive list of classes events as well.


    Alternative Energy and Sustainable Agriculture:

    Iowa State University - 2009: Third National Conference on Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education

    July 15-17 | Ames, Iowa

    In planning stages. More info will be posted here, or email the organizers for more info.

    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

    0 Comments:

    Post a Comment

    << Home