SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
April 29, 2012
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/1/12 In this edition: *May Day *Cinco de Mayo *Dems Hall of Fame *Farmer’s Markets *Project Green *City of Literature News *Burg Book *Did You Know? *May Day In much of the world, May Day is a worker’s holiday. It used to be a holiday here, too, until an unreasonable fear of communism clouded our collective national judgment. May Day used to commemorate the Haymarket Incident. For those of you unfamiliar, the following is lifted largely from Wikipedia: The Haymarket affair occurred during the course of a three-day strike that involved common laborers, artisans, merchants, and immigrants. Following an incident in which police opened fire and killed four strikers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. plant, a rally was called for the following day at Haymarket Square. The event remained peaceful, yet towards the end of the rally, as police moved in to disperse the event, an unknown assailant threw a bomb into the crowd of police. The bomb and resulting police riot left at least a dozen people dead, including seven policemen. A sensational show trial ensued in which eight defendants were openly tried for their political beliefs, and not necessarily for any involvement in the bombing. The trial led to the eventual public hanging of four anarchists. In the following years, memory of the "Haymarket martyrs" was remembered with various May Day job actions and demonstrations. So, on this May Day, I plan on tipping back a cold beverage in honor of the people who gave us the weekend! *Cinco De Mayo Happy Cinco de Mayo! The US is rapidly growing browner and speaking more Spanish. I welcome this diversity, and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating it all year long! *Dems Hall of Fame The Johnson County Democrats are proud to announce the 2012 inductees into our Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees are Jeanette Carter, Mary Larew, Nick Johnson & Mary Vasey, and J. Patrick White. Honorees are chosen on the basis of their longstanding history of service to the county Democratic Party. The winners will be honored at our annual Hall of Fame Event, Saturday, May 5th at the Coralville Marriott. The evening will begin with a social hour at 7pm, followed by a dessert buffet and the award ceremony. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Tickets for the event are $25 ($15 for seniors and students), and sponsorships are available at $100, $250 and $500. For more information or to sponsor the event, please contact Johnson County Democrats Fundraising Chair Liz Etchells at 319-541-9672 or Elizabeth.Etchells@gmail.com. *Farmer’s Markets Area farmer’s markets are opening for the year. A list is below; please let me know if I have missed any. Iowa City: Downtown- May 2-Oct. 31, Wed. 5-7 pm, and Sat. 7:30-Noon. Chauncey Swan Ramp on East Washington St. www.icgov.org/farmersmarket Iowa City: Sycamore Mall- May 4-Oct 26, Tuesdays 3-6:30 pm. Hwy 6 & Sycamore St., West end of parking lot. Coralville: May 3 –October 7, Mon. & Thursdays 5-8 pm, Aquatic Center Parking Lot 1513 5th St. North Liberty: May 9-October 24, Sundays 1 to 4PM North Parking lot, North Liberty Recreation Center. *Project Green The 43rd annual Project Green Garden Fair is Saturday, May 5, from 9 am to 11:30 am at Carver Hawkeye Arena. Project GREEN was organized in 1968 with the goal of enhancing and beautifying green spaces, parks, major entryways, roadsides, riverfronts, and median parkways on state, county, and city properties within the boundaries of Iowa City, and including all public school grounds within the Iowa City Community School District. Project GREEN also supports Johnson County's efforts to educate its citizens about native prairie restoration and offers assistance in reestablishing areas of native Iowa prairie. The plant sale funds most of Project Green’s work; please support this sale! *City of Literature News The City of Literature has a new leader! John Kenyon steps in as Interim Executive Director beginning May 14, replacing Jeanette Pilak, who resigned in late April. John has most recently served as Editor of the Corridor Business Journal. He is a longtime Johnson County resident, a member of the Iowa City Public Library Board of Directors, and a darn good guy. John has a lot of work ahead of him, but I am confident that he is up to the task. If you have comments, questions, or concerns regarding the City of Literature, please give John a call. *Burg Book I just purchased “The Burg: A Writer’s Diner” by Marybeth Slonneger. It hit the spot like a Goosetown Omelet! Dozens of local authors and celebrities take turns telling stories of Iowa City’s most storied restaurant. In case you did not know, the Burg is one of my favorite haunts. The place really is special, and deserved a book years ago – this was long overdue! A reading featuring several of the authors will take place at Prairie Lights at 7pm on Tuesday, May 8. Marybeth pulls together decades worth of photos and stories; I absolutely loved it! Pick yours up at the Burg or Prairie Lights. *DID YOU KNOW? Contrary to widespread popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico—which is actually celebrated on September 16. Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website- www.johnson-county.com. "Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents. These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned. If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line. If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you! ---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 9:33 AM
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