Events coming up this weekend and next week

Remember, the off-year Iowa caucuses are this Saturday, January 23, at 1 pm. Democrats can click here and enter your zip code to find your caucus location. Polk County Democratic Party executive director Tamyra Harrison explained the benefits of attending an off-year caucus here.

Some non-profit advocacy organizations have drafted resolutions for supporters to offer at their precinct caucuses. If adopted, these resolutions will be forwarded to the county platform committee. For example, 1000 Friends of Iowa is encouraging supporters to offer this resolution on responsible land use.

I noticed some job listings and other helpful information in the Iowa Environmental Council’s electronic newsletter.

Value Chain Partnerships, an “Iowa-based network for food and agriculture working groups,” has a new website: www.valuechains.org.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is hiring “a Policy Advocate to work in our Des Moines office to promote clean energy, clean water and conservation projects in Iowa. […] For more information, visit http://elpc.org/category/jobs#… or email Andrew Snow at asnow@elpc.org. Application Deadline is Jan. 30, 2010.

Plains Justice is hiring “a Resource Director who will report to the CEO and work co-operatively with the Board, attorneys and other staff and volunteers to raise, manage and evaluate effective use of financial resources. Demonstrated fundraising success required. […] Contact info@plainsjustice.org for detailed job description. No phone calls please.”

There’s a position open for an “Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Coordinator,” who “will work in Spirit Lake, Iowa, to manage and coordinate the implementation of the objectives of a water quality conservation project and activities, conservation planning and application of practices, information and education and other related activities essential to the district and NRCS.” Application Deadline: January 26, 2010. For a complete job description, salary, hiring requirements, and how to apply, go to http://cleanwateralliance.net/…

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is hiring someone to support its Upper Mississippi River project. “Successful candidates will have relevant academic training in the natural, agricultural or social sciences and experience in environmental advocacy. The position is located in Ames, Iowa. A strong commitment to natural resource conservation, environmental protection, and public health is essential. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to employment@ewg.org.  For more information and a job description visit http://www.ewg.org/jobs.”

Calling high school seniors: Keep Iowa Beautiful is offering up to four $500 scholarships. “Students across Iowa enrolling in an Iowa college or university to major in community enhancement or environmental areas of study are eligible. Students can download the application on-line at http://www.keepiowabeautiful.c… Deadline for application: must be postmarked by February 1, 2010. Please contact the KIB office at 515-323-6507 with any questions.”

Details about events coming up in the next ten days are after the jump.

Thursday, January 21:

From I’M for Iowa:

SW Iowa Food & Farm Initiative meeting (Council Bluffs)

Everyone is invited to this planning meeting to build a regional food system to link production, processing, distribution and consumption to improve local health, food security and economic development. It’s at Iowa Western Community College’s Entrepreneurial Center, 21915 Cessna Ave from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. RSVP by January 5th to Bahia Barry at (712) 482-3029 or Bahia.Barry@rcdnet.net.

The Natural Diversity of Ecuador (Sioux City)

Professor Bill Heyborne of Morningside College will speak in the Gleeson Room at the Aalfs Public Library, 6th & Pierce at 7:00 pm. This free event is sponsored by the local chapter of the Sierra Club.

Friday, January 22:

Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin continues her statewide tour:

4:30 PM ROXANNE FOR MUSCATINE COUNTY MEETING Location: Muscatine Community College – Student Center Main Lobby 152 Colorado Street Muscatine, IA 52761

6:15 PM ROXANNE FOR LOUISA COUNTY MEETING Location: Wapello Ambulance Barn 400 U.S. 61 Wapello, IA 52653

Saturday, January 23:

The Iowa caucuses begin at 1 pm.

Iowa Rivers Revival is holding its 2nd River Congress at the Story County Conservation Board headquarters, 56461 180th St in Ames, from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. No Cost. RSVP to Rosalyn Lehman at (515) 202-7720 or rlehman@iowarivers.org.

Senate candidate Tom Fiegen will attend the Blackhawk County Precinct Caucus at 1 p.m. at the UAW Local 838 Union Hall, 2615 Washington St, Waterloo, IA.

Roxanne Conlin has the following events scheduled:

8:15 AM ROXANNE FOR WAPELLO COUNTY MEETING Location: Lucky Rooster Coffee 207 2nd Street Ottumwa, IA 5 2501

10:00 AM JEFFERSON COUNTY CAUCUS VISIT Location: Fairfield Middle School 404 West Filmore. Avenue Fairfield, IA 52556

11:30 AM HENRY COUNTY CAUCUS VISIT Location: Salem Community Center 201 S Main Street Salem, IA 52649

1:00 PM DES MOINES COUNTY CAUCUS VISIT Location: Southeastern Community College 1500 W Agency Rd West Burlington, IA 52655

3:00 PM ROXANNE FOR LEE COUNTY MEETING Location: Public Library 1920 Avenue E Fort Madison, IA

5:30 PM ROXANNE FOR VAN BUREN COUNTY MEETING Location: Keosauqua Senior Dining Center 801 Front Street Keosauqua, IA 52565

7:30 PM ROXANNE FOR DAVIS COUNTY MEETING Location: Southfork Restaurant 905 South Washington Street Bloomfield, IA 52537

Sunday, January 24:

Roxanne Conlin has the following events scheduled:

12:15 PM ROXANNE FOR APPANOOSE COUNTY MEETING Location: 18-80 Club 308 North 12th Street Centerville, IA 52544

2:00 PM ROXANNE FOR WAYNE COUNTY MEETING Location: Breadeaux Pizza 115 West Jackson Street Corydon, IA 50060

4:00 PM ROXANNE FOR DECATUR COUNTY MEETING Location: Linden Street Coffee House 104 South Linden Street Lamoni, IA 50140

5:30 PM ROXANNE FOR CLARKE COUNTY MEETING Location: Southern Hills Winery 1400 West Clay Street Osceola, IA 50213

7:30 PM ROXANNE FOR LUCAS COUNTY MEETING Location: Hardees 2002 Court Avenue Chariton, IA 50049

Tuesday, January 26:

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is holding its “Showdown at the Statehouse Rally & Lobby Day” from 10 am to 4 pm. The event begins at the Wallace Building at 502 E 9th Street before marching to the Capitol. Visit http://www.iowacci.org/calenda… for more information, buses from across the state and to register, or contact IowaCCI AT iowacci.org.

From I’M for Iowa:

January 26 – “The Real Dirt on Farmer John” (Ames)

Showing of the second film in the Global Cinema Film Series in the auditorium at the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave at 7:00 pm. Contact Suzanne Hull at suzanne@unaiowa.org.

January 26 – Whole Farm Soil Planning (Your Home or Office)

Join Practical Farmers of Iowa from 7:00 – 8:30 pm for this on-line “webinar.” This session is led by Amber Anderson-Mba on how to use the on-line Web Soil Survey to access valuable soils information for your farm, and to learn the best place to plant perennials, annuals and building structures. To register, visit www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar or contact Sally Worley at (515) 232-5661 or sally@practicalfarmers.org.

Thursday, January 28:

The Women Food & Agriculture Network holds its 2010 annual conference on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 28 and 29 at King’s Pointe Resort in Storm Lake, IA. Mention IWINR/WFAN when you call to make your reservations: 866-552-5960, or you may reserve a room on their website. Click here to view the brochure and registration form.  

Green Drinks takes place at the Gateway Market Cafe, Woodland and ML King in Des Moines, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Contact desmoinesgreendrinks AT gmail.com.

Friday, January 29:

From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:

2010 Iowa Bicycle Summit

Join us Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30, 8:30am – 4:30pm at the Holiday Inn Downtown at Mercy Campus, 1050 6th Avenue, in Des Moines. AGENDA; REGISTRATION – Electronic  or Mail-in

The 2010 Iowa Bicycle Summit is sponsored by the Iowa DOT and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. The Friday Bicycle Facility Design Workshop will feature information on urban non-motorized transportation, urban trails, waterfront redevelopment, open space planning, and community revitalization. The Saturday Workshop is geared towards grassroots bicyclists who want to better their communities. The full session is $155, but just Saturday is $25. http://www.iowabicyclecoalitio…

Saturday, January 30:

Senate candidate Tom Fiegen will be at the Story County Democrats Soup Supper. Reception begins at 4 pm at Iowa House Historic Inn, 405 Hayward Ave. in Ames, followed by Supper at 5 p.m. at Collegiate United Methodist Church, 2622 Lincoln Way.

From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:

Come be ‘part of the art’ at the third annual People’s Art Project at the Iowa Great Lakes, at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 30. Artist Chad Branham will design the hundred-foot cardinal on the ice in Miller’s Bay at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. This ephemeral art project will line up people on the ice in the shape of a cardinal-a local favorite. His design will take over 100 people to complete. Once everyone is in place the cardinal will be photographed from an airplane by Judy Hemphill. Participants are asked to meet at Peace Corner at 11:00 a.m.(northwest corner of Highways 9 and 71) to ride a bus to the project site at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. People are encouraged to dress warmly and, if possible, to dress in red. “Even if you don’t have a red coat, you can bring a red towel and throw it over your shoulders.” said Branham, “Just come and have fun. And if you can whistle like a cardinal, you will get to be in the beak.” For information about participating in this year’s ArtsLive People’s Project go to their website at ARTSLIVE.org or call Jane Shuttleworth at 712/337-3669, Ext 7. The photo will be taken at noon, so that people can participate in more of the Winter Game activities.

Hope for the Hungry: Feeding Greater Des Moines

January 30, Urbandale

Get inspired, ask questions, connect with others, and take action at your child’s schools, at your church, in your neighborhood, at your local food pantry, with your service organization, or in your own backyard. Iowan keynote speakers include author, Debra Landwehr Engle, and landscape architect and Olmstead Scholar, Jason Grimm. Other panelists and workshop leaders sharing resources will be representing: the City of Des Moines, Food Bank of Iowa, Farm to School, Table to Table, Master Gardeners, Des Moines Area Religious Council, and more. The first 30 to register get a FREE gift from Yes! Magazine from their “Food for Everyone” issue #49. Registration is limited to the first 100 due to space. Hosted by Food & Faith: A Call to Action and Urban Ambassadors. Register online at IowaTix.com for only $15 (plus fees) or $20 at the door. Email adam@urbanambassadors.org, or call (515) 491-0706. Visit www.UrbanFoodDSM.ning.com for schedule, speaker bios, and available workshops.

Meaningful Work: The Writer as Citizen – Terry Tempest Williams and Rick Bass

Sat., Jan 30, 2010, 4 p.m., Ames ISU, Sun Room, Memorial Union. Join symposium keynotes Terry Tempest Williams and Rick Bass in a conversation about the role of literature in environmental and community activism. Terry Tempest Williams is a conservationist, advocate for free speech, and author of Refuge. Her most recent book is Finding Beauty in a Broken World. Rick Bass is the author of twenty books, including the autobiographical Why I Came West and the short story collection The Lives of Rocks. He lives in the Yaak Valley in the northern Rockies, where he has been active in protecting the land from roads and logging. The discussion will be moderated by Dean Bakopoulos, an assistant professor in the MFA Program in Creative Writing and Environment.

Finding Beauty in a Broken World-Terry Tempest Williams

Sat., Jan 30, 8 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union, ISU. Terry Tempest Williams is a conservationist, advocate for free speech, and author of Refuge, a classic in environmental literature. She has been called “a citizen writer,” a writer who speaks and speaks out on behalf of an ethical stance toward life. She has testified before Congress on women’s health issues, camped in the remote regions of Utah and Alaska wildernesses and worked as “a barefoot artist” in Rwanda. Williams publications include An Unspoken Hunger: Stories from the Field; Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert; and The Open Space of Democracy. Williams’s many awards and achievements include a Guggenheim Fellowship in creative nonfiction, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, the Robert Marshall Award from The Wilderness Society, and the Wallace Stegner Award from the Center for the American West.

Sunday, January 31:

From I’M for Iowa:

Start Your Own Diversified Farm (Marshalltown)

This course will be taught at Marshalltown Community College running from January 31 through April 18, Sundays from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. It’s in both Spanish and English and child care is provided. Cost is $390 and scholarships are available. Contact Claudia Prado-Meza at kaya.dasha@gmail.com.

From the Iowa Environmental Council newsletter:

The Lives of Rocks: Field Notes on Finding Home-Rick Bass

Sunday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m., Sun room, ISU memorial union. Author and environmentalist Rick Bass is the author of twenty books. His first short story collection, The Watch, set in Texas, won the PEN/Nelson Algren Award; and his 2002 collection, The Hermit’s Story, was a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year. The recipient of a Pushcart Prize and an O. Henry Award, Bass started writing short stories during his lunch breaks while working as a gas and oil geologist in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1987 he moved to the Yaak Valley in the northern Rockies, where he has been active in protecting the land from roads and logging and serves on the board of the Yaak Valley Forest Council and Round River Conservation Studies.

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