Events This Week: September 2-9

It's Labor Day, which to some in Johnson County is suddenly controversial. The centerpiece of Labor Day is the Iowa City Federation of Labor picnic at Upper City park. Event starts at noon and goes till we feel like it. Gubernatorial candidate Tyler Olson plans to stop by about 2:30.

Burgers, brats, veggie options and beverages provided. Please bring a dish to share. Political speeches and a good time guaranteed. Free to all Friends of Labor. 

If you're reading this blog, "Political speeches" are your idea of "a good time guaranteed." Then you'll also love the Bob Dvorsky birthday party at Coralville's Morrison Park on Friday, 5 to 7. Tyler Olson is the main speaker. Suggested contributions: Student-$10, Family-$50, and individual-$25.

Bruce Braley will be speaking at the Iowa Memorial Union in room 348, the Illinois room, Tuesday at 3:30 pm.

More school board forums this week: Tuesday 9/3 6:30-8 by ICEA and Press Citizen at Coralville Library; Thursday 9/5 6:30 -8:30 at Hills Community Center.

By this time next week we'll have those newspaper endorsements out; the deadline for letters to the editor is Thursday. The "Save Hoover Committee" is backing Phil Hemingway, Gregg Geerdes, and Sara Barron, but deems Tuyet Dorau, Chris Lynch and Jim Tate acceptable. Again, this would be THE election where ranked choice voting would be really interesting. This group clearly has a 123, a 456, and a 789.

Rod Sullivan, meanwhile, is going with Karla Cook, Sara Barron, and Jim Tate, and the Iowa City Federation of Labor is backing Cook and Tate, and the Dvorskys are with Lynch, Dorau and Barron. I ignored my own advice and failed to take my signs in Saturday night. Now they're gone.

Early voting continues all week 7:45 to 5:30 at the auditor's office. Also continuing all week: city council filing for all cities except Iowa City and U Heights.

Both parties have central committee meetings. Democrats meet Thursday at 7 PM at the Iowa City Public Library, and Republicans meet a week from today (Monday 9/9) at 2010 Keokuk Street. There's a 6 PM dinner ($5 a head) and the meeting is at 7.

City council candidate Rockne Cole is having a "Potluck In The Park" on Saturday at 5. It's billed as "a kid-friendly event," so perhaps it's geared for those who DON'T think "Political speeches" are "a good time guaranteed." (Frankly, "kid friendly" rarely gets more than lip service and that's a mistake.) Creekside Park, 1858 7th Ave Court, Iowa City.