Community

Free donuts or pastries! Now that we've got your attention, AARP Iowa members and guests are invited to free Coffee and Donut Days in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

AARP Iowa relies on its Grass Roots Election and Advocacy Team (GREAT) volunteers to be the boots on the ground across the state, telling lawmakers about legislation and policy concerns.

AARP Iowa is taking a road trip to the Charles City Challenge Whitewater Festival for a day on the Cedar River at Iowa's first whitewater park. Named "Outstanding Event" by Iowa Tourism, the festival is now in its eighth year features kayak and tube events on the water as well as fun on the shore in a beautiful setting! Activities include disc golf, public art, walking trails, vendors, food and more.

In life, we all get a bit rusty, eventually. One friend needs a hip replacement and another is recovering from neurosurgery on his lower back. I have had surgeries to repair each of my shoulders and am planning on getting other procedures to essentially repair what is malfunctioning due to wear and tear. In other words: I’m getting old. Aging into the sixties and beyond immerses nearly everyone into an expanding world of medical maintenance. Whether our friends, family or ourselves, repair of aging ‘systems’ is a reality for most people.

This past week, AARP Iowa hosted a live teletown hall on Public Measure A - the local option sales tax in Des Moines, which local residents will vote on at the polls next Tuesday, March 5.  AARP Iowa State Director Brad Anderson was joined on the call by Christine Hensley, former Des Moines City Council member and Joe Van Haalen, president of Des Moines Firefighters IAFF Local 4.

AARP is now accepting applications for the 2019 Community Challenge grant program to fund “quick-action” projects that spark change in local communities. The grant program, which is now in its third year, is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which aims to make communities great places to live for everyone.

Only 22 percent of Des Moines streets are rated in “good condition” by national standards, and the vast majority of city streets are on the verge of requiring major maintenance. This is one of the many data points that city residents will learn about over the next three weeks through an AARP Iowa postcard campaign, set to hit mailboxes today, which highlights how Public Measure “A,” the local option sales tax, will improve the city’s infrastructure.

In recent years, gift cards have taken off in popularity. Unfortunately, scammers have a keen interest in gift cards, too – only for them, they are being used to pry money from you as a form of payment in their latest con.

AARP Iowa is sponsoring two upcoming theatrical productions in the Des Moines area – The Lion in Winter, Feb. 22 – March 3, at Kum and Go Theater, and Catch Me If You Can, March 22 – April 14, at the Des Moines Playhouse.  AARP is offering discounted tickets for the run of both shows, as well as to other performances at each location for the 2018/2019 season.  In addition, a limited amount of free tickets will be available to a private screening/preview event of The Lion in Winter on Thursday, Feb. 21, and Catch Me If You Can on Thursday, March 21.

Scammers have come up with tactics that specifically target Veterans.  AARP wants to make sure you and the loved ones in your life have the resources to protect yourselves from the following scams.