Dear Friends,

We’ve got thirteen hours of talk radio to fill this week – mostly issues and politics, of course. But in honor of St. Patrick, Ed tells true tales of his time in Ireland, including stories of mythical fairies who managed to delay for two years a reforestation project on his family’s farm. Seriously. Ed swears he’s not making this up.

Monday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm, we talk about politics, and expose what appears to be a sneaky effort in the 65th House District in Des Moines to keep Wayne Ford’s retirement a secret so party insiders can hand-pick a successor. We also talk about the Des Moines Register’s love affair with Senator Grassley, Jonathan Narcisse’s love affair with himself, and Iowa Senate Republicans’ burning love for coal.

Monday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, we talk about the recent national workshop in Ankeny on competition in agriculture. George Naylor, a Greene County farmer, was one of the there, and he joins us to talk about the issues addressed – and those not addressed.

Tuesday, 1:00 4:00 pm, we talk about Iowa floods past, present and future. What’s up with the alleged mismanagement of funds in Cedar Rapids’ flood relief efforts? Why is the levy designed to protect the Birdland neighborhood in Des Moines still unfinished?

And since no discussion of natural disasters would be complete without religious extremists weighing in, we’ll pose the tongue-in-cheek rhetorical question: Are these floods a sign that God hates Iowa? For good measure, we’ll also discuss the recent assertion by the Iowa Family Policy Council that second-hand smoke is not as serious a health risk as second-hand homosexuality. Seriously. We’re not making this up either.

Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, David Osterberg with the Iowa Policy Project joins us to talk about opportunities for wind energy in Iowa.

Wednesday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm, we talk about immigration reform, including the latest developments in the ICN raid at Postville. This being St. Patrick’s Day, and Ed being only a little Irish, Ed will talk about the discrimination his Irish grandparents faced as immigrants in the 1920s and ‘30s. We’ll also talk about the challenges immigrants to Iowa face today.

Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in a departure from the usual political and issue focus of The Fallon Forum, Ed shares stories from his time in Ireland in the 1960s and ‘70s. And he’ll also tell a few of his favorite Irish jokes, if Lynn and FCC rules let him.

Thursday 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Tim Fink with Iowa Interfaith Power and Light joins us to talk about climate change.

So, pour yourself a hot cup of tea, a glass of wine, or on Wednesday a pint of Guinness and join us for the fusion of politics and civility at 98.3 WOW-FM and on-line at www.983wowfm.com. Call (515) 312-0983 or (866) 908-TALK to participate in the conversation, and if you miss the show, you can hear it as a podcast at http://983wowfm.com/blog.asp?id=36183.

Thanks!

Ed & Lynn Fallon


EVENTS

March 15, 16, 17 – Multi-Neighborhood Workshop on Conflict Resolution (DM)
This free three-day workshop is at Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting House, 4211 Grand Ave, 8:30–4:00. This is an experience-based workshop where you’ll connect with others, laugh, share and listen while learning ways to reduce conflict in your world, your family, at work and on our streets. For more info and to register, contact Cheryl Sutton at (515) 360-0031 or [log in to unmask]

March 16 – Honoring Rachel Corrie’s Memory (Worldwide)
Rachel Corrie was a young woman with Iowa connections who was passionate about peace and justice. She was killed while working against the occupation of Palestine. This is a Facebook event organized in her honor, asking people to change their Facebook profile picture to a picture of Rachel this day.

March 20 – Vernal Equinox Celebration: Reclaim An Oak Savannah (Turin)
At Country Homestead B&B, 22133 Larpenteur Rd, 9:00–3:00 pm, volunteer to protect the Loess Hills from encroaching exotic species. Bring snippers, a bow saw, brush cutters, and/or a chain saw. Chili and drink provided. RSVP to David & Lin Zahrt at [log in to unmask]

March 20 – Sierra Club Annual Dinner (Cedar Rapids)
It’s at Clark Alumni House, Coe College, 5:30–8:00 pm. Key-note speaker is Kamyar Enshayan, professor of environmental studies at the UNI, director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Education, and a member of the Cedar Falls City Council.  His talk is entitled, "A New Vision for the Cedar River Watershed."  Tickets are $30.  Contact Mike Wyrick at (319) 393-8948 or [log in to unmask]

March 26 – Sustainable Local Community Development Discussion (Sioux City)
The Diocese of Sioux City’s Peace and Justice Commission invites the public to this meeting featuring Dr. John Ikerd, professor emeritus of agricultural economics at the University of Missouri, Columbia. It’s 6:30–9:00 pm at St. Boniface Church, 5th & Omaha Street. Contact Anne Marie Cox at (515) 237-5057.

March 27-28 - Natural Living Expo (Des Moines)
Learn about sustainable practices and healthy lifestyle choices. The Expo offers classes and vendors about green building design, sustainable agriculture, urban farming, non-toxic cleaning products, massage and more. Over 150 exhibitors. Free. Contact Angela Clark at [log in to unmask]

March 28 – Palm Sunday Procession for Peace (Des Moines)
Gather at the Capitol West Mall at 2:30 pm. Process down Grand Avenue at 3:00, with a celebration for peace to follow at 3:45 at First United Methodist Church, 1001 Pleasant St. This ecumenical service is one of a series organized over the last several years by the Des Moines Area Ecumenical Committee for Peace. Contact Eloise Cranke at [log in to unmask]

March 29 – Day of Climate Action (Des Moines)
The University of Iowa’s Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Campus Compact, will hold this lobbying event for students to travel to Des Moines to meet with legislators. Students will discuss climate issues and present posters about sustainability work on campuses across Iowa. Transportation for Iowa City and Cedar Rapids students provided. Contact Abbie Gruwell at (319) 430-9876 or [log in to unmask]

March 29–April 3 – “Tomando Control de su Salud” Training (Des Moines)
This training is designed to give volunteers the ability to teach Latinos with chronic health problems how to deal with a wide range of health and dietary issues. Open to people fluent in both English and Spanish. At Des Moines University, 3200 Grand Ave,  Munroe Building, Room 101, 8:30–4:30. Contact Liza Sharp at (515) 725-3342 or [log in to unmask]

March 27-28 - Natural Living Expo (Des Moines)
Learn about sustainable practices and healthy lifestyle choices. The Expo offers classes and vendors about green building design, sustainable agriculture, urban farming, non-toxic cleaning products, massage and more. Over 150 exhibitors. Free. Contact Angela Clark at [log in to unmask]

April 10 – 40th Anniversary of Earth Day Concert (Sioux City)
Six bands. All ages welcome. Family activities. At Morningside College Outdoor Performance Space (Eppley Auditorium in case of bad weather). Sponsored by Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Friends of Stone Park, Woodbury Co. Conservation Foundation and others. Details at http://iowa.sierraclub.org/nwig/outings.html.

April 14 – Nature's Instructions are Written in Grasslands Lecture (Sioux City)
A lecture by Missoula-based environmental writer Richard Manning (author of “Grassland” and “Rewilding the West: Restoration in a Prairie Landscape”). At St. Francis Center, Briar Cliff University. Event coordinated by BCU’s Center for Prairie Studies. Free and open to the public. Contact Gerald Iversen at [log in to unmask]

April 15 – Julia Butterfly Hill talk (Sioux City)
More than ten years ago, Julia Butterfly Hill lived in a giant California redwood tree for 738 days to prevent loggers from cutting it down. She is now an environmental activist, writer and poet. Her talk and dinner are at Morningside College from 5:30 – 7:00 pm in Roadman Hall Formal Dining Room. There is a charge. Contact Gerald Iversen at [log in to unmask]

May 17-21 – Bike To Work Week (Iowa)
This event continues to grow each year. In 2009, 716 employers, 114 cities, and 2,395 commuters (22% first-timers) participated. Approximately 63,188 commuting miles were pledged, 3,510 gallons of gas saved, and $7,336.83 saved in fuel costs. Contact Mark Wyatt at (515) 309-2867 or [log in to unmask]