State Legislators will hold a Legislative Forum Saturday, February 27 from 10:30 AM to noon at the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, 800 23rd Street in Bettendorf.

Opponents of marriage equality will attend this forum. They have been using fear and misinformation to intimidate the audience and our elected officials. We are asking supporters to attend, wear blue, and stand with us in solidarity for the freedom to marry. If you can attend the forum, please email your name and contact information to craig@oneiowa.org I will be attending and will bring limited edition buttons for all of our supporters.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland (wearing pink) and AFSCME (wearing green) will be attending the forums as well to stand with us for marriage equality and to show support for women’s and laborer’s rights. Please join us on February 27th!

It seems that every week, we’re hearing about another outrageous example of Private Military Contractors, especially Blackwater, (or Xe, as they now call themselves). Last week we were shocked to hear about allegations of how Blackwater billed the government for prostitution. Two weeks ago The Nation highlighted the heartbreaking story of Blackwater’s youngest victim, a 9 year old who was shot by Blackwater guards. He was one of 17 victims that day in Nisour square.

As of mid-2009, the United States employed over 22,000 hired guns in Iraq and Afghanistan. And that number keeps going up. Our reliance on private, for-profit companies for the business of waging war is extremely dangerous. It’s time we move to eliminate the use of these unaccountable and controversial mercenaries. Please join us as we try to eliminate private security contractors!

Peace activist Cindy Sheehan will speak in Des Moines and participate in the Iowa Component of the Peaceable Assembly Campaign-Nonviolent Direct Action against War Funding.

When: Sunday, February 21st and Monday the 22nd

Where: Drake University Olmsted Center, Chet Guinn’s Fire House and the Des Moines Offices of Senators Grassley and Harkin

The Peaceable Assembly Campaign, www.peaceableassemblycampaign.org, is a national campaign seeking an end to the U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and an end to U.S. support of the continued occupation of the Palestinian territories. For more information contact Brian Terrell, terrellcpm@yahoo.com ph. 641.785.2321 OR Elton Davis, elton_davis@excite.com ph. 515.771.9322

Mark the date – Social Justice Movie on February 19th, 2010!

The film, FOOD, INC. will be shown at 7:00pm in the Davenport Unitarian Church, 3707 Eastern Ave., downstairs in the lounge.
About the film: http://www.foodincmovie.com/

The Corporate Reform forum of Progressive Action for the Common Good and other partner organizations invite you to attend a PUBLIC RALLY in PROTEST of the recent Supreme Court decision that money = free speech.

> READ OUR EULOGY FOR DEMOCRACY

On President’s Day, February 15th, at noon, in front of the Federal Courthouse in Davenport, citizens will address, and demand justice, from our nine Supreme Court justices. Democracy requires vigilance and toil… if we don’t pay attention, we’ll be owned by big oil.  As if that’s not already the case, we now can be certain who will win the next race… it won’t be Obama or even Joe Biden, it will be Exxon, Monsanto and Pfizer! Do we as a culture really want to see, the end of our democracy?  If not, I suggest we all do what we can, to reinforce the brotherhood of man.  To stand with each other against corporate might, to say “hell no, you won’t win this fight!”  And lo and behold, we’ll begin to see, a rising consensus upon the land that a corporation does not equal a man.

Please RSVP and share this event with everyone you know. The flyer is attached – please print it and post it at your neighborhood books store, coffee shop, library, YMCA, union hall, community center, university, store windows, and anywhere else you can think of that will reach as many people as possible. See you the 15th!

Tickets are now on sale for the Buy Fresh Buy Local, Local Foods Valentine’s Breakfast to be held on Saturday, February 13th from 9-11am at Nan’s Piano Bar in the Freight House complex 421 W. River Drive, Davenport, IA.

This is a local foods breakfast prepared and sponsored by the Quad City Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local. Local ingredients from area Buy Fresh Buy local farmers will be used to create a delicious breakfast menu. Stuffed French toast, crepes, egg strata, roasted potatoes, steel-cut oatmeal and more will be served buffet style. Dishes will be prepared with local Eggs, Bacon, Ham, Potatoes, Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Honey and more. Vegetarian dishes will also be available. A delectable Buy Fresh Buy Local pastry table will complete this charming Valentines breakfast!

Tickets to the Buy Fresh Buy Local Valentine’s Breakfast are $12.50 each. All proceeds benefit the Quad Cities Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local. Seating is limited through advanced ticket sales.

Tickets are available at the Buy Fresh Buy Local booth at the Freight House Farmers market on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm or through Phil Crandall or call 309-799-7420 or go to www.bfblqc.org

This event will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2010 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Starlight Ballroom; Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds

The Benefit will feature live music from the Southern Cross Band, as well as dancing, a cash bar, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the ticket sales and auction will benefit Blue Ridge Rescue and HARPS. for mor informayion, contact: Jane Goettsch @ 563-508-3942 or info@qcheartsforhorses.com

The Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society (HARPS) is based in Barrington, IL and is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of neglected and abused hooved animals. Check out their website for more information: www.harpsonline.org.

Blue Ridge Rescue in Blue Grass, Iowa rescues horses and retrains them to give them a new chance at life and adoption. Check out their website at www.blueridgerescue.org.

Please join us!