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COVID-19 Update: We continue to monitor the novel coronavirus pandemic. Board member, Dr. Alta Price, MD, asks that we follow CDC guidelines regarding mask-wearing. Fully-vaccinated people at out-of-doors events are not required to wear masks, but may choose to do so.
Events listed on our website and calendar will clearly state whether they will be in-person, via Zoom or phone-in.
Our Office Manager, Julie, can set up Zoom meetings on behalf of members or affiliates. Contact her via pacgoffice@gmail.com, her cell (563-508-2209) or the PACG Office (563-676-7580).
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Note: Although we schedule the WEU for Tuesday morning delivery, submissions to the WEU are due by noon on the Sunday before publication.
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Picnic Update
(first published 08/24/2021)
A Message from the Board
As you know, the PACG Board has been considering CDC guidance regarding the pandemic when making decisions about how we hold meetings and events. At this time, we believe it is still safe for us to have our Picnic and Pie Auction out-of-doors, as planned. However, the severity of the Delta Covid variant has left us in unique and uncertain times. As a result of our desire to protect the most vulnerable of our members, the Board has decided unanimously that vaccinations will be required to attend this year's picnic.
Dr. Alta Price, M.D., recently spoke to the Scott County Health Department about our Picnic & Pie Auction plans. She described our situation and told them that we are requiring attendees to be vaccinated. Given the size of the event and that it is out-of-doors, they were not concerned about viral transmission. Although they haven’t had problems locally with events such as ours, they said that outdoor transmission of the Delta variant is possible in prolonged, crowded, large events, such as concerts.
For those who are concerned, we encourage you to wear a mask and bring a chair to use for increased social distancing. Removing your mask to eat may not feel safe to some attendees, so consider bringing a food container to take your meal home to eat later.
We believe this is the correct - albeit conservative - decision, and will allow those in attendance an extra level of reassurance. Thank you for your understanding.
Allison Ambrose
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Register Now for Our
9th Annual Picnic and Pie Auction
Sunday, September 12th at 12:00 noon
Fejervary Park (Shelter # 1)
1759 W. 12th St.
Davenport, Iowa (map)
(first published 08/03/2021)
We are back LIVE for our Annual Picnic and Pie Auction with some exciting new, family-friendly activities in the works!
Please register here: https://pacg.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=516&.
Allison Ambrose
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Closing of the Rock Island County Recycling Centers
Tuesday, September 21st at 1:00 pm
1504 3rd Avenue
Rock Island, IL Room 320 (map)
(first published 08/17/2021)
Environmental Forum
News Release: Appeal to Rock Island County Waste Management Agency to keep drop-off sites.
Attend August and September Board meetings to share your concerns.
(Rock Island, IL) – Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG) announces a call to action in response to the closure of recycling drop-off centers!
Please join PACG representatives in attending the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA) Board meetings on both Tuesday, August 17th and Tuesday, September 21st at 1:00 pm at the Rock Island County Office Building at 1504 3rd Avenue, Room 302, Rock Island, IL 61201.
The RICWMA Board has announced that they are closing the recycling drop-off centers on September 30th. Their press release, reported by the QC Times and Argus/Dispatch on July 8th, stated that this decision was based on a budgetary shortfall due to decreased revenue in solid waste tonnage attributed to businesses being closed during the pandemic. They did not explain why other options were not pursued, nor did they obtain public input for this decision.
Many Rock Island County residents have no curbside recycling option, and discontinuing this program will create a massive increase in waste sent to our county landfill. A great deal of the material will include plastics, which do not degrade for hundreds of years. This is not an equitable arrangement for the county’s citizens, and we would like them to explore alternative solutions. If you share these concerns, please join PACG in asking the RICWMA Board to reconsider this plan.
Shirley Johnson
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September Environmental Celebration - World Clean Up Day
Saturday, September 18th
(first published 08/31/2021)
Environmental Forum
World Clean Up Day is an annual global social action program aimed at combating solid waste and marine debris. Since the origin of this event in 2008, 180 countries and over 50 million volunteers have participated in clean up events. There is beauty in cooperation and collaboration, and by the simple act of cleaning, we can bind groups together throughout the planet. There are a number of local clean up events happening throughout the year, many of them organized by Xtreme Clean-up, through each city’s park services, or by state or county parks. What if everyone picked up one bag of litter? It doesn’t have to be an organized event. You can participate in an informal clean up yourself, or with family or friends. In these days of COVID, it’s a perfect activity to do with your own safe pod of people.
Take Action Steps:
Lori McCollum
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Juvenile Justice Coalition Meeting Via Zoom - Updated - Canceled
Friday, September 3rd at 4:00 pm
Online
(first published 08/24/2021)
Juvenile Justice Coalition
The Juvenile Justice Coalition meeting scheduled for September 3rd has been canceled due to the Labor Day weekend. The next Juvenile Justice Coalition meeting will be Friday, September 17th at 4 pm.
Contact Michael Guster for a Zoom link.
Michael Guster
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September Green Drinks
Tuesday, September 7th at 5:00 pm
Online
(first published 08/24/2021)
Environmental Forum
Join us on Tuesday, September 7th from 5 to 7 pm and learn about the Conservation Program at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. Jared McGovern, Curator of the Conservation Program, will introduce us to his new Take Conservation Action through Advocacy, Research and Engagement (CAARE) initiatives,
Please register for September Green Drinks
Susan Leuthauser
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Interested in health care issues? Attend our Health Care Reform Forum Meeting
Wednesday, September 8th at 2:30 pm
Online only
(first published 08/17/2021)
Health Care Reform Forum
Due to the spike in the Covid Delta variant, this meeting will be held via Zoom only.
The Health Care Reform Forum will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 8th at 2:30 pm. We continue to discuss lowering drug prices, access to affordable care, Covid, and national and community solutions to help cure societal ailments.
Contact Julie Ross for a Zoom link.
Julie Ross
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PACG Environmental Forum Meeting via Zoom
Monday, September 13th at 6:30 pm
Online
(first published 08/24/2021)
Environmental Forum
Note: This month's meeting is on the second Monday, not the first. This change is only for the month of September.
Meeting Topics include:
- QC Plastics-Free / Straw-Free subgroup of the Earth Coalition
- Climate Resolution: Cities of Rock Island, Silvis, and Bettendorf
Monthly ‘Take Action’ Calendar:
- World Clean-Up Month (September)
- World Food Month (October)
Please register for the Environmental Forum meeting.
Shirley Johnson
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Civil Rights Forum Meeting via Zoom
Monday, September 13th at 5:00 pm
Online
(first published 08/31/2021)
Civil Rights Forum
Join us at our monthly Civil Rights Forum meeting to discuss ongoing activities involving racial justice, helping all youth thrive in the Quad Cities, and addressing immigration issues.
Other civil rights issues can be included if you have the time and passion to work on them. We welcome your suggestions and offers to help!
Alta Price (click on my name for the Zoom link to the meeting)
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Adolescence, Race and Trauma Community Meeting via Zoom
Monday, September 13th at 6:30 pm
Online
(first published 08/24/2021)
Juvenile Justice Coalition
Inspired by Professor Kristin Henning’s “Race, Adolescence and Trauma” webinar, a group of interested people continue to gather to discuss issues and actions to make our community a more just, equitable, and caring place for our youth. Please join us at our fourth meeting. Youth are especially encouraged to attend. We are a vibrant group and welcome your participation.
Due to the rise of the Delta Covid variant, we are switching from in-person to a virtual meeting. Please contact me for a Zoom link.
Julie Ross
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Podcast: “If It Ever Happens, Run.”
Online
(first published 08/31/2021)
From the podcast description at This Criminal: “What I recall most is the way that she grabbed my wrist and, shaking a bit, she said over and over again, ‘If it happens, run. Don’t let that happen to you. Run. If it ever happens, run.'
"It was years before Cynthia Brown understood what her great-grandmother, Athalia Howe, was talking about.
"Athalia Howe grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina in the late 1890s. At the time, Wilmington was called 'the freest town in the country' for Black people, and by 1898, Black men had become integral in Wilmington’s government. White Supremacists in the state were determined to stop them, by 'ballot or bullet or both.'"
Listen here: https://thisiscriminal.com/episode-158-if-it-ever-happens-run-2-12-21/
Julie Ross
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"What Does It Mean To Be Latino? The 'Light-Skinned Privilege' Edition"
Online
(first published 08/24/2021)
From the NPR description of this podcast: “Maria Garcia and Maria Hinojosa are both Mexican American, both mestiza, and both relatively light-skinned. But Maria Hinojosa strongly identifies as a woman of color, whereas Maria Garcia has stopped doing so. So in this episode, we're asking: How did they arrive at such different places? To find out, listen to our latest installment in this series about what it means to be Latino.“
https://www.npr.org/2021/06/21/1008735322/what-does-it-mean-to-be-latino-the-light-skinned-privilege-edition
Julie Ross
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Inequality in Evictions
Online
(first published 08/10/2021)
NPR Report: “Corporate Landlord Evicts Black Renters At Far Higher Rates Than Whites, Report Finds”
https://www.npr.org/2021/06/03/1001404416/corporate-landlord-evicts-black-renters-at-far-higher-rates-than-whites-report-f
Julie Ross
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Racial Equality Now! Rally
Saturdays from 12:00 noon - 12:30 pm
The Slumberland/Party City Corner of
John Deere RD & 16th ST
Moline, IL (across from South Park Mall) (map)
(first published 06/16/2020)
Note: We will continue to gather every Saturday unless there is lightning from an active thunderstorm.
Civil Rights Forum
Join us every Saturday to stand up for the rights of Black People, specifically, and all People of Color in the United States of America! The purpose of this local Racial Equality Now! Rally is to support the current movement for racial equality and justice that has spread across this country, and to ensure that it keeps going for as long as it takes to see real and meaningful progress toward racial equality in America.
The half-hour you spend with us is empowering and unifying.
If you join us on Saturday, please wear a mask and expect to participate in social distancing. (Note: We were all vaccinated and stood closer for just a few minutes while taking this photo.)
Although I made a few extra signs, please bring some of your own if you can. Ideas for signs include “Honk for Justice,” Honk for Equality,” “Black Lives Matter,” “I Can’t Breathe!,” “Let’s Talk!,” “No Hate in Our State,” or “No More Deaths,” and many others.
There is always parking in the adjoining Slumberland/Party City/Enterprise parking lot, so please bring a friend and join us to help promote racial justice and equality for all People of Color! If you can’t make it this Saturday, join us on Saturdays as often as you can. Together we can make a difference!
Caryn Unsicker
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The Prairie Retreat
September - Various Dates
2664 145th Ave, Wheatland, Iowa (map)
(first published 08/17/2021)
The Prairie Retreat
Wednesday, September 8th at 10:00 am - Cosmic Walk on The Prairie
We will follow the two-mile Cosmic Walk featuring stone markers telling the story of the universe. An easy day of walking mown paths through beautiful fields of prairie grass and timber bordered by the Wapsipinicon River. A break for lunch, then time to explore, walk the labyrinth or just relax in the shade. Leader: Lisa Martin Fee: $30 with lunch included.
Please bring a water bottle and wear appropriate shoes and clothing for walking. This is rain or shine unless we have severe storms, so come prepared.
Register at: https://www.chmiowa.org/news-and-events/calendar/event/338
Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 pm - Stargazing: Beauty of Autumn Skies
We will learn about the stars and constellations that are seen in the autumn sky, and point out the planets Jupiter and Saturn, that appear in the evening sky, as well as our own Moon. We will use the telescope to look at the moons of Jupiter, the ring of Saturn, and craters on the Moon. The current state of our knowledge of these objects will be described. Leader: Steve Spangler Fee: $20
register at: https://www.chmiowa.org/news-and-events/calendar/event/339
Saturday, September 25th at 9:30 am - The Shamanic Journey
Drumming allows us to travel to find answers to our concerns and welcome what needs to come into our life. We will go down the rabbit hole and find our power animals. Bring an eye cover, rattle or drum, a notebook or journal, blanket to sit on and a 2-foot long stick for outdoors. Leader: Kathleen Collins Fee: $40 includes lunch.
Register at: https://www.chmiowa.org/news-and-events/calendar/event/343
Claudia Scharf
563-336-8414
olpretreat@gmail.com
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First Annual Monarch Fun Run, Third Annual Monarch Fest
Saturday, September 11th at 8:00 am
Wapsi River Environmental Education Center
31555 52nd Avenue, Dixon, Iowa 52745 (map)
(first published 07/27/2021)
Wapsi River Environmental Education Center
The 1st Annual Monarch Migration Fun Run will be held from 9 to noon on a 3-mile self-timed trails, with two waves, at 9 and 10:30 am. Registration closes on September 10th, and includes a t-shirt.
Go to: http://getmeregistered.com/MonarchMigrationFunRun or call 563-328-3286.
The Monarch Festival is from 1 to 4:30 pm, with a rain date for September 18th. There will be kids activities, a monarch presentation at 1, a prairie hike at 2:15, and monarch tagging at 3:30 This event is free but registration is required.
Call 563-328-3286.
Check out their website or Facebook page for more details.
Lori McCollum
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2021 QC Environmental Film Series at the Figge Art Museum - Kiss the Ground
Sunday, September 12th at 2:00 pm
Figge Art Museum
225 W 2nd St
Davenport, IA 52801 (map)
(first published 08/31/2021)
Joyce and Tony Singh Family Foundation, River Action and Nahant Marsh
Purchase Tickets Online
Read more about this film series here: http://riveraction.org/filmseries
Lori McCollum
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Pond Management Workshop
Friday, September 17th at 8:00 am to noon
Pride Lake, Scott County Park
270th Street
Park View, IA
Exit #129 from HWY 61 (map)
(first published 08/24/2021)
Partners in Scott County Watershed
Join PSCW for a morning of training in fish management, water quality and wetland habitat. Free to the public. Registration at BIT.LY/PSCWworkshop or at info@partnersinscottcountywatersheds.org.
Lori McCollum
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