Any interest in an Iowa Meetup?

[Wapsie B]

I've been to two gatherings in Minnesota and had a real nice time at both. There seems to be a lot of DUers in Iowa and I was wondering if there was ever any discussion about meeting for some dinner or a picnic?

[DU9598]

1. Sure

Des Moines here. Email me.

[justgamma]

2. Just let me know where and when.

I'm near the QuadCities.

[rurallib]

3. QC area here also

Would be very interested. Have some other DUers in our small town who'd love to come I am sure.

[Bluzmann57]

4. Yes

If the time and place are right. It'd be nice to see and talk to Iowa DUers. I'm in Davenport. Keep in touch if you want to. Thanks.

[Blue Gardener]

5. Since we have Des Moines and Quad Cities

How about an Iowa City or Cedar Rapids meetup?

[Bluzmann57]

6. CR would be a good place

I know some cool eating and drinking establishments up there which might be ideal. A few good parks up that way too. Is Brucemore available to the general public for stuff like this? On second thought, it may be too big.

[rurallib]

9. i'd vote for Iowa City

Party town. Since I don't do bars much I don't know of a place to recommend.

[HuskiesHowls]

7. I'm near Des Moines, too...

and I think CR would be a good place to meet.

[Debi]

8. Black Hawk County here

I could probably talk my husband in to travelling for a gathering.

[IA_Seth]

10. Cedar Rapids Location

Just an idea...The Linn County Democrats are hosting a fund raiser picnic on July-16 in Marion. Dennis Kucinich will be speaking. The info I have is below:

"The LCDCC invites you to join Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich as he speaks about the war at our annual Picnic Fundraiser. Other speakers featured as well. Games and contests for adults and kids begin at 4:00 pm. The English Pavilion begins serving food at 6:00 pm. Speakers begin at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $5 - visit www.linncountydems.org for details."

I must admit that I am not a huge fan of Kucinich as far as a candidate for President, but he is intelligent and can give a good speech. We would be more than happy to have you all attend, and it's only $5!

[Bluzmann57]

11. Thank you for the info

Cannot guarantee that I'll be there as I work until 5 PM on Saturdays, but I'll certainly try. Obviously, I'll be late. Hope others can make it. Sounds like a good time. And a keg of Root Beer? Yum.

[IA_Seth]

14. More Info

As of last night, I believe all but 1 of the Democratic candidates for Governor planned on attending this picnic, and the turnout was expected to be huge.

[MaggieSwanson]

22. Speakers are scheduled to begin at 7...

Most of the Democratic Gubernatorial candidates will be in attendance, as well as a plethora of state and local candidates. I think that's a great idea, IA_Seth! ;)

[Hobarticus]

12. Dubuque, here...I'd be up for that. n/t

[leQ]

13. mason city here, but i'd be up for one

i go to iowa city a lot and can pretty much schedule when i need to be there. which makes waterloo/cr also a possibility.

i'm not familiar with either of those towns, and iowa city's downtown is about all i know there.

i'm headin to mpls this weekend for my birthday/gayday celeb. anybody else goin up?

[pstans]

15. Marshalltown

I live in Marshalltown and would be able to make it to Iowa City or Cedar Rapids.

I was considering attending the Kucinich picnic in CR and am excited to hear that the Gov. candidates will be there.

[yellowdog]

16. Dubuque here, and I could go for that.

nt

[NeoTraitors]

17. I live in North English.

I would love to get together with my fellow Iowa DUers. It should be more than just a meet-up though. We should make plans to do something constructive too.

My idea is to have a big fundraiser for Iowa Dems. It could be a game and fish cookout. Everybody could bring in what they hunted or caught as well as a side dish. Vegetarians could bring in dishes made from their own garden.

Just an idea.

[proiowadem]

18. Iowa City is the best place.

But I'll drive to the red side if need be.

[LincolnMcGrath]

19. I would like to Attend

Depends on the date.

[Ophelia Rising]

20. Cedar Rapids or Iowa City

would be great. I'm from CR and spend a lot of time in Iowa City and there are some great spots in both places to have a get-together. I am planning on making the Linn County Dem picnic in Marion as well....I'm excited to hear from some of the possible candidates for governor, and of cource, Dennis K.

[rurallib]

21. Will someone have a "DU" sign at the Kucinich event?

That we can gather under? In Marion..

[MaggieSwanson]

23. I'll make one! n/t

[pstans]

24. What were the gatherings in Minnesota like?

Where were they held? Bar, someone's house? How many people were in attendance? That might help people come up with other ideas after the Linn County Democratic Picnic coming up.

[Wapsie B]

25. The first one I went to

was in a Chinese restaraunt and the last one was in an Irish Pub. I think there were around 20 at each one. Someone just reserved tables with a general idea as to how many say they'd come. Then it's just a matter of showing up and socializing.

[pstans]

26. DU'ers could meet at a Bar/Restaurant before the picnic

We could all meet before the picnic starts, at like 3 or 3:30 or later at a Restaurant/Bar for a little DU Happy Hour and then drive over to the picnic together. That way we won't be searching through the crowd looking for each other and we could socialize. Just a thought. I don't know the area around Marion, so I would not be able to make a suggestion for a place.

[Wapsie B]

27. I wouldn't either.

It's been quite awhile since I lived in that area. I'm sure the bars have changed since I've been there.

[MaggieSwanson]

28. The closest bar

Would be at the Best Western Hotel lounge. It's just a block or so away - easy walking distance.

[pstans]

29. So what are the plans for Saturday?

I just found out that I have relatives coming to town on Saturday and they are expecting to stay with me. I might be able to make it Saturday, but are their official plans or is it just go there and look for the DU sign?

[pstans]

30. Linn County Dems Picnic says it is sold out

I check their website this morning to get information on the picnic tonight and it said it was sold out. Guess I should have ordered tickets before hand. Just passing it along to anyone who thought about going, but didn't have tickets.

[Inspired]

31. I would love a meetup

By the way....this is my 100th post! I know most DU'ers have thousands but I'll take my 100. It's a start.

I'm in West Des Moines....who else is in Des Moines? Is anyone else a member of the John Edwards/One America Committee meetup?

I'll travel anywhere in the state....just let me know where.

[Bluzmann57]

32. Hi there fellow Iowan!

Welcome to DU. I'm in Davenport and would love a meetup but the dates and days are limited as my boss expects me to be there at work. Imagine the nerve! Next thing you know, they might actually expect me to work. Anyway, all of Ioweans need to figure out a way to make a meetup happen. Cedar Rapids/Iowa City seems to be the area of choice for aforementioned meetup. So that's a start. Did caucus for Edwards but not a member of the John Edwards/One America meetup, although I am on a mailing list. Anyway, enough mindless babbling, lets see if we can make a meetup happen.