The Iowa Advocacy Board it looking for volunteers for Court Appointed Special Advocate Program.   If you have a heart for children, especially those who’ve been through a difficult or abusive situation and are now in the court system, being a CASA may just be for you.   Your sole purpose would be to look out for what is in the best interest of the child. 

The CASA program provides training and direction and they only ask for a few hours every month devoted to finding out what would be best for the child.  If you would like more information on becoming a CASA call Renee Else at 319-833-3314.

Posted: August 12th, 2009 under Helping Others.
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Three Reverend Riders, 100 days, 13,000 miles, 65 cities, one mission….fight world hunger.  Rev. Fred Soltow, Rev. David Twedt, and Rev. Ron Schlak will ride through Eastern Iowa with stops in Postville, Waverly, and Iowa City.

The goal of the Tour de Revs is to encourage contributions to support ELCA World Hunger activities. They  are seeking funds from individuals, congregations, and Synods to support the ELCA in meeting the $25 Million annual goal set in 1999. Along the way, the Team will also encourage folks to set personal health and wellness goals.

The trio will visit camp Noah in Postville at noon today (August 5).  At 3:00 p.m., the pastors will arrive in Plainfield and then bike to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waverly.

Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Youth Organization will sponsor a family event at 5:00 p.m., featuring volleyball, an inflatable jumping house, games, and a dunk tank!  Hot dogs, chips, and smores will also be available until 6:00 p.m.

Thursday morning the pastors will eat breakfast in Parkersburg before heading off to Iowa City.

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For more information visit the Tour de Revs website at www.TourdeRevs.org.

Posted: August 5th, 2009 under Encouragement, Helping Others, Uncategorized.
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Baby Shower

First Five! Health & Resource Fair ~ Give-a-Way Event

Registration is going on now for the seventh annual community baby shower and health and resource fair.  This year’s event will take place Thursday, September 24^thfrom 1 – 6 pm at The Salvation Army.  The Army is located at 1000 C Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids.

The event is a partnership between The Salvation Army and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP).  Both agencies will continue taking registrations through August 31st.

Donations of new and gently used baby and toddler items are needed for distribution to families in need.  Examples of donation items include toys, clothing, blankets, crib sheets, bathing and feeding supplies, strollers, high chairs, pack-n-plays, diapers, wipes and other baby gear.  Donations can be dropped off to:
The Salvation Army
Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Now through Friday, September 11^th

Marion & Cedar Rapids Wal-Mart Locations
Friday, August 7^th Saturday, August 8^th
9 am – 6 pm                        8 am – 8 pm

Friday, August 14^th Saturday, August 15^th
9 am – 6 pm                            8 am – 8 pm

Participants will be able to “shop” for the items they need during the event distribution.  The fair is also designed to be a resource for families with valuable on-site services including vision, dental and developmental screenings for infants and toddlers.  Area businesses, social service agencies, health affiliates and others will have also informational booths.  Participants can use the time to visit with representatives and learn about the many different kinds of community services that are available for their families and children.

Volunteers are also needed for donation collection, set-up prior to the event and support the day of the event.  For more information on these volunteer opportunities, how to register and donation needs, visit The Salvation Army website at tsacedarrapids.org or call The Army at 319-364-9131.

Hear Brent and Julia’s conversation with Lindsay Hand, Director of Social Services at the Cedar Rapids Salvation Army.

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Posted: August 5th, 2009 under Baby Shower, Salvation Army.
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Our thanks to Pastor Versemann from St. John Lutheran Church in Waverly for joining us on the show today to talk about this weekends Creation Seminar in Waverly.

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For more event details and directions visit our community calendar page.

Posted: August 5th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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 From the day each of my girls were born, I’ve been mentally preparing myself for them to go out into the world some day; even if it meant another country.  I still have at least twelve years to work on this. 

Unexpectantly, I didn’t think this would be something that I would experience in the reverse.  Here I am, a grown woman with a family and kids and my parents are moving to China.  Yes, China, the country.  Known for its Great Wall, religious unrest, proximity to North Korea, famous for noodles, beautiful music, art and architecture.   Obviously I have a very basic understanding of China.  My Italian/Irish engineer dad may have less, my true American professor mom more.  Still who would have thought…China?

This is a great opportunity for them.  So why am I fighting the urge to race to DE, grab my mom’s or dad’s ankle and forcing them to wiggle and squirm away beforeboarding the plane.  Strangely, this is both difficult and exciting for the whole family.  Thinking of ways to stay in touch has helped and incredibly technology is becoming almost limitless.

Thank you so much for your thoughts, words of encouragement, and suggestions on the show today.  If you missed them, here is a list of the cool ideas you told us about today.

Video Services Available

• Skype.  Free.  Person to person video conversations.
• Instant Messenger.  Free.  Person to person video conversations.
• Oovoo.  Free.  Like Skype, but Oovoo let’s you video chat with up to 5 other people.
• Google.  Free.  Person to person video conversations.
• Global Verge.  Monthly fee.  Wireless computer/video phone.

Other Ideas

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Pikcal.  Photo Sharing Website.

Posted: August 4th, 2009 under Cool Sites.
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