We are currently gathering just inside and to the right of the street entrance to the Food Court at Southpark Mall every Saturday at 11am. instead of standing on the street corner during winter.  See the Peace and Justice page for more information. 

The Film: “The abUSed: The Postville Raid” and a discussion with director, Luis Argueta on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 6:30pm, Rogalski Center Ballroom, St Ambrose University.

Award-winning director, Luis Argueta, will present his documentary “abUSed: the Postville Raid”, which highlights the stories of those directly affected by one of the largest immigration raids in US history.

Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Quad Cities Interfaith, Ambrose Women for Social Justice, SAU Campus Ministry, SAU Women’s Studies Program, the Kokjohn Endowment, SAU MSW program, SAU Sociology and Criminal Justice program, SAU English Department,and SAU Modern Languages.

For more information, contact Katy Strzepek at 563-333-6113 or Margie Mejia-Caraballo at 390-235-3011. The Rogalski Center ballroom, 3rd floor Rogalski Center, located at the corner of Ripley and Lombard, one block west of Harrison St.

NOTE: This event will be held in place of the Fourth Thursday PACG Community Networking Night.

Dear friend of Progressive Action,

I hope that you saw your last PACG newsletter, with the announcement about the upcoming visit of Reverend Linda Hanna Walling, Executive Director of Faithful Reform in Health Care.  In case you missed it or need a reminder, the details are below.  I invite you, at the very least, to attend the public presentation next Thursday, October 27, which will serve as the monthly PACG community meeting.

National Speaker on the Affordable Care Act

Sponsors: The Health Care Reform Forum of Progressive Action for the Common Good, Churches United of the Quad-Cities, Congregation of the Humility of Mary, Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, St. Ambrose University, Genesis Health System

On Thursday, October 27 at 7 pm in the Rogalski Center, St. Ambrose University, Rev. Linda Hanna Walling, Executive Director of Faithful Reform in Health Care, will give a free public presentation,

“The Heart in Health Care Reform”

Linda will speak from a faith and values perspective about implementing the Affordable Care Act.

Rev. Walling, from Cleveland, Ohio, is a national faith leader in the campaign to secure universal health care coverage and an advocate for securing justice in health care.  She is a dynamic speaker who will use her commitment and vision to address the moral and economic health care issues in this country.  She is up to date on what is happening and what should happen to bring us closer in this country to creating a more just health care system.

And on Friday, October 28th, from 9 am to 2 pm at Edwards United Church of Christ, 3420 Jersey Ridge Rd., Davenport (parking at rear), Rev. Walling will conduct a training workshop, “Skills for Effective Advocacy for Justice in Health Care Reform.”
The workshop is designed for persons wishing to be trained as advocates in order to inform groups, particularly faith-based and community organizations, about the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.  The workshop is limited to the first 30 people. The registration fee of $30 covers the cost of materials and training; lunch is included.  Contact: Karen Metcalf at 563-355-0093 for more information and registration.

More information about Rev. Walling and Faithful Reform in Health Care can be found at their website: Faithfulreform.org.

A final note.  I recently saw the following advice to progressives from framing guru George Lakoff:  “Be positive about all things and state the moral basis of all suggestions.”  It is in that spirit that I urge you to attend one or both of the events with Rev. Walling.

(Read the full Lakoff piece here:)

Hope to see you next week!

Karen Metcalf
Facilitator, Health Care Reform Forum
Progressive Action for the Common Good

General Assembly & Rally – Saturday, Oct 22nd, 3 to 6pm in LeClaire Park, Davenport.

Sustaining & strengthening our Communities though Local Foods is the theme of the 2011 Earth Charter Summit.
Summit Date: Saturday, October 15th
9am-2pm at Augsutana College.

The Earth Charter Summit will include 4 breakout workshops, a keynote address and a Local Food Lunch. Breakout session topics will include:
-Farm to School
-Connecting Local Food to Buyers
-Seed Saving
-Growing Food & Justice

Keynote speaker is Jason Grimm, Food System Planner from Iowa Valley RC&D. A lunchtime talk will be presented by Garry Griffth, Director of Dining Augustana and Jim Johanson, Wesley Acres titled Growing Local Food Partnerships. Summit registration is from 9-9:30am in with coffee, tea and local fruit muffins.  The Summit will begin at 9:30am and end at 1:45pm.

Advanced registration is recommended as seating is limited.  Registration fee is $10/$5 for students/free for the unemployed, and includes a local foods lunch. To download the registration pdf: click here

Time to Move – Beyond Fossil Fuels
Saturday, September 24th

Advancing the Right to Health on a Sick Planet:
Redefining Security & the Role of Militarism In a Changing Climate
This Symposium brings together a national academic and scientific faculty, regional & national activist heroes, students, and the public to address Militarism on a Sick planet.
September 9 – 11, 2011
Lied Conference Center, Nebraska City, Nebraska
Web link to symposium

REGISTER NOW for the 5th Annual Earth Charter Summit - Strengthening & Sustaining our Communities through Local Foods
PACG members are invited to register for the Delicious, Local Lunch and Lunchtime talk only, if they wish.
Saturday, October 15^th 9am-2pm
at Augustana College, Student Center Rock Island, IL
Presented by Progressive Action for the Common Good-Local Foods Initiative

Building effective local food networks that create positive benefits for farmers and communities takes a lot of time, effort, leadership, and collaboration.

PACG Local Foods Initiative continues its work to help develop of a healthy, safe, sustainable, local food supply for the Quad Cities.  This summit will bring together producers, food buyers, consumers, community leaders, and organizations to address the excellent opportunity we have strengthen and sustain our community through local foods.

The Annual QC Earth Charter Summit will include 4 breakout workshops, a keynote address and a Local Food Lunch.  Breakout session topics will include; Farm to School, Connecting Local Food to Local Businesses, Seed Saving, and Growing Food & Justice.

Jason Grimm, Food System Planner from Iowa Valley RC&D will present the keynote Realizing the Potential for Local Foods to Strengthen and Sustain Our Communities.

Also a lunchtime talk will be presented by Garry Griffth, Director of Dining Augustana and Jim Johanson, Wesley Acres titled Growing Local Food Partnerships.

Summit registration is from 9-9:30am in with coffee, tea and local fruit muffins.  The Summit will begin at 9:30am and end at 1:45pm. Advanced registration is recommended as seating is limited.  Registration fee is $10/$5 for students/free for the unemployed, and includes a local foods lunch. To register email qcprogressiveaction@gmail.com or call 563-676-7580

Please join us, seating is limited.
See you there!
Rachel Griffiths & Mitch Tollerud
PACG Local Foods Initiative

Special Thanks to our Major Sponsors:
Congregation of the Humility of Mary
Augustana College
Radish magazine
___________________________________________________

EARTH CHARTER SUMMIT REGISTATION FORM
Summit Attendee Information

Name:

Company:

Address:

City/Sate:

Zip/Postal Code

Email:

Phone:

Registration Fees:
# of Adults at $10.00 each: _______
#of Students at $5.00 each: _______
Scholarships available for the unemployed and under-employed

Registration includes a local lunch.

Total Due: ____________

___Payment Enclosed

___Pay at the Door

Mail completed form and payment to:
PACG-Earth Charter Summit
1212 W. 3rd St. Suite 3D
Davenport, IA 52804
Make check payable to:  PACG
Or email registration info to: qcprogressiveaction@gmail.com
___________________________________________________

Earth Charter Summit Schedule

9:00-9:30am Registration
Coffee & Local Pastry

10:00am Welcome from
*PACG Local Foods Initiative
*Augustana College
*Congregation of the Humility of Mary

10:15am Keynote Address:
Realizing the Potential of Local Foods in Sustaining & Strengthening our Communities! Presenter:
Jason Grimm, Food System Planner
Iowa Valley RC&D
www.iacorridor-localfood.org

11:15am Break – Visit Exhibitors

11:30am Break-Out Workshops

• Farm to School Presenters Sherry Staub, Davenport Farm to School –Marty Schlitz Local Food Community Organizer
• Seed Saving Presenters: Cindy Heilmann, Heilmann Hawkeye Acres Organic Farm & Mitch Tollerud, Seed Savers
• Connecting Local Food to Buyers Facilitators:  Jason Grimm, Garry Griffith, Jim Johanson
• Growing Food & Justice Presenter: Sister Marilyn Schierbrock, Congregation of the Humility of Mary, founder of the Central Community Circle Garden & Food Pantry in west Davenport.

12:30 Lunch & Keynote:
Local Lunch prepared by Augustana Dining Service featuring local fare from Wesley Acres & Thurshwood Farms Lunchtime Keynote with Garry Griffth, Director of Dining Augustana and Jim Johanson, Wesley Acres titledGrowing Local Food Partnerships.

Event ends at 1:45pm

Special Thanks to our Major Supporters:
Congregation of the Humility of Mary
Augustana College
Radish magazine

Our current food system is broken. Join us to discuss what we can do to promote good, healthy, sustainable food in our community. EVERYONE is welcome and encouraged to attend – let’s get started!
DATE: Wednesday August 17th 6:30pm
LOCATION: Antonella’s Restaurant, 112 West 3rd Street,  Davenport, IA 52801
CONTACTS: Rachel Griffiths 309-721-3204 or Mitch Tollerud 563-445-1842

A Film and Discussion: Why are we still living with MAD? (Mutually Assured Destruction)
Tuesday, August 9, 6:30 pm
at The Canticle
841-13th Ave. No., Clinton, IA

Featuring Paul Deaton of Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility

Free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Clinton Franciscan Center for Active Nonviolence and Peacemaking