Three nationally known politicians will visit Pottawattamie County in the next few weeks to promote Republican Party candidates in this November’s general election. The Omaha World-Herald reports on Wednesday (July 30th), Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will visit the Pottawattamie County Republican Party’s headquarters at 231 S. Main St. in Council Bluffs with doors opening at 9:45 a.m. Speakers start at 10:30. Communications Director Mary Jones urges people to reserve a spot by calling (515) 421-4576 (or email her at marykat47@hotmail.com).

Several musicians with ties to Pilger, Nebraska have organized a benefit show for the tiny town that was struck by two EF4 tornadoes last month. Clint Meyer, an associate professor of biology at Simpson College in Indianola (Iowa), grew up in Pilger. He saw the pictures and videos of the damage done on June 16 and went back to his hometown a couple days later to volunteer with cleanup efforts.

“To be there and notice the scale and the depth of it all, it wasn’t just the row of houses you see in the picture – but the row behind it and the row behind that, several blocks completely destroyed” Meyer said. “There was no way to get a sense of that with just the pictures, so it was a pretty shocking experience to see it.” Two people, including a five-year-old girl, were killed, and 16 more were critically injured. Over half of the buildings and homes in Pilger were destroyed or severely damaged.

“It will never be the same as it was, of course, but the hope is that there will still be a town there that can start finding whatever that new normal is,” Meyer said. “I think the hope is to try and raise awareness that even though the volunteers are gone, there is still a need there.” Meyer plays guitar and sings in the central Iowa based band Monday Mourners. He wrote a song about Pilger, titled “(The Town) Too Tough To Die,” which he plans to premiere at the benefit concert.

Monday Mourners and three bands from Omaha will play the benefit show for the town of Pilger this Wednesday (July 30) at The Waiting Room in Omaha. The show will start at 8 p.m. and there’s a cover charge of $8.

View aerial footage of the damage in Pilger (from the NE State Patrol) at the link below:

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vs3EdtV-kwg

(Radio Iowa)

It’s said to be a key factor in creating healthier and more livable communities, and the walkability of Iowa towns and cities is taking center stage this week. Residents, elected officials and municipal leaders will gather Wednesday and Thursday in Des Moines to learn how to improve walkability. Connie Eastman, associate state director of community outreach for AARP Iowa, says walkability benefits all, including those older adults who want to age in place.

“Access to safe streets for all people of all ages to walk, bike or use assistive devices to get from their home, school, shops and recreation can make a big impact, and help them stay where they want to stay as they get older – in their home and in their community,” she stresses.

This week’s walkability events are free and open to the public and will be led by national expert Dan Burden, who’s been called one of the most important civic innovators in the world. Eastman says there are a number of ways that Iowa communities can improve walkability, including many projects as simple as painting a crosswalk at an intersection or adding a curb cut to a sidewalk.

“To help people access that sidewalk, that’s a good thing for a senior who may be using a cane or a walker, a mom who uses a stroller, or a kid who’s on a bicycle,” she explains. “So, by improving streets and helping people be more active, it will in turn improve their health.”

(Iowa News Service)