All Categories - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Stop Big Oil regarding Plastics - Of Interest to Our Communigy

3/3/2026

The Fight to Stop Big Oil Pumping Billions More into Plastics

Sisters of St. Francis

Plastic production has doubled in the past 20 years and is projected to double or even triple again soon. In her new book, "Plastic Inc: Big Oil, Big Money and the Plan to Trash Our Future," environmental journalist, Beth Gardiner, reports that petrochemicals—used largely to make plastic—are expected to drive future oil demand growth. As energy markets shift away from fossil fuels, oil companies are relying on plastics to sustain drilling and profits, a strategy she warns poses a serious threat to the climate. Read the full article here.

Read the Sisters of St. Francis latest Action Alert Digest here and sign up to receive their informative weekly email.

PACG Book Club "From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond" April 2026

2/21/2026

From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America by Dave Markward
Wednesdays, March 25th and April 22nd at 6:00 pm

Moline Public Library
3210 41st St
Moline, IL (map)

Our April book will be From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America by Dave Markward. Dave grew up in Dubuque and spent time in the Quad Cities. His local connections make the book especially relevant.

We will be doing this book together with the Rooting Out Poverty book club of Project Now. They will host a discussion of this book at their Wednesday, March 25th meeting. I encourage PACG Book Club readers to attend that discussion, as I will be traveling the week of April when we typically have our discussion.

On Wednesday, April 22nd Dave Markward, the author of the book, will be at the Rooting Out Poverty book club to meet with readers. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town. But you should not miss this opportunity to meet the author and discuss his work.

Alta Price (she/her)

Read more about the book at Goodreads:

"Embark on a transformative journey with Dave Markward as he transitions from an upbringing in an almost exclusively white community to a life enriched by diversity in From Dubuque to Selma and My Journey to Understand Racism in America."

"Intertwining Dave's personal growth with significant historical events and figures, this remarkable memoir delves into the heart of America's racial divides. Through thought-provoking questions at the start of each chapter, Dave challenges readers to assess their own understanding of racism and their progress to understand and value diversity. His heartfelt narration and candid reflections on his experiences make this journey relatable, inspiring, and deeply enlightening."

"From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond is more than just a memoir - it's a call to action. It urges readers to step beyond their comfort zones, to educate themselves, and foster compassion. It emphasizes the crucial role of education in combating racism, promoting inclusivity, and shaping a more equitable world."

"This book is a must-read for those yearning to understand the complex fabric of American racism and seeking inspiration to effect change. Whether you're an educator, student, or simply someone who values social justice, Dave's journey is a testament to the power of learning, reflection, and the human spirit. Let it guide you on your path to racial enlightenment and unity."

QC Civic Conversation on Immigration - After Action Report

2/21/2026

**QC Civic Conversation with Peter Kvisto on Immigration Fact, Fiction, and Solutions - After Action Report**

Over 80 people attended the 4th Quad Cities Civic Conversation event, co-sponsored by PACG, One Human Family, Quad Cities Interfaith and Iowa Citizens Action Network. Dr. Peter Kivisto, retired Augustana professor of Social Thought, informed the audience about various facts about immigration and immigrants in our country, revealing the contributions that the immigrant population brings to the country. He also discussed the needs and challenges for positive legislation and policy going forward. A question and answer session ended the event. The audience was very engaged and learn a lot about the state of immigration today.

If you missed the event, you can view it at Vince Thomas’ YouTube channel where he posts for Community News & Views which airs on Public Access TV Channel 11 Mediacom in the Quad Cities area of Rock Island-Moline, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. Here is a link to the video: Pete Kivisto, Sociologist on Immigration Fact, Fiction and Solutions.

Allison Ambrose

March 2026 Green Drinks-Iowa State Legislative Update

2/17/2026

March Green Drinks - Iowa State Legislative Update
Thursday, March 5th at 5:00 pm via Zoom

Ken Croken, the Iowa House District 97 Representative, will join us at our March Green Drinks. Ken is a standing member of the House Environmental Protection Committee. He will speak to us about legislative priorities and can bring our concerns to the legislators.

R.S.V.P. for a link to join the meeting by scanning the QR code on the flyer or go here.

This meeting will be recorded. All registrants will receive a link and passcode to access the recording the day after the meeting.

Susan Leuthauser (she/her)

PACG Book Club - "The Mighty Red" March, 2026

2/15/2026

The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
Monday, March 16th at 5:15 pm

Edwards Congregational UCC
3420 Jersey Ridge Rd
Davenport, IA (map)

PACG Book Club

For March we will return to our regular third Monday meeting day and time. And, with the nice weather, I think we can meet in person at Edwards rather than on Zoom.

We will read and discuss The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich. We've read and enjoyed several of her books (The Round House and The Night Watchman) in the past years. Although the previous reads included social justice themes involving Native Americans, this book is more about environmental and economic issues. Like any of her books, it promises to be a good read!

Our next book will be From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America by Dave Markward. Although this is our April book, you need to finish it by March 25th to participate in our joint discussion with the Rooting Out Poverty Book Club. Read more at our PACG blog post.

Contact me for the link if you want to come via Zoom.

Alta Price (she/her)

Read more about the book at Goodreads:

"In Argus, North Dakota, a collection of people revolve around a fraught wedding."

"Gary Geist, a terrified young man set to inherit two farms, is desperate to marry Kismet Poe, an impulsive, lapsed Goth who can't read her future but seems to resolve his."

"Hugo, a gentle red-haired, home-schooled giant, is also in love with Kismet. He’s determined to steal her and is eager to be a home wrecker."

"Kismet's mother, Crystal, hauls sugar beets for Gary's family, and on her nightly runs, tunes into the darkness of late-night radio, sees visions of guardian angels, and worries for the future, her daughter’s and her own."

"Human time, deep time, Red River time, the half-life of herbicides and pesticides, and the elegance of time represented in fracking core samples from unimaginable depths, is set against the speed of climate change, the depletion of natural resources, and the sudden economic meltdown of 2008-2009. How much does a dress cost? A used car? A package of cinnamon rolls? Can you see the shape of your soul in the everchanging clouds? Your personal salvation in the giant expanse of sky? These are the questions the people of the Red River Valley of the North wrestle with every day."

"The Mighty Red is a novel of tender humor, disturbance, and hallucinatory mourning. It is about on-the-job pains and immeasurable satisfactions, a turbulent landscape, and eating the native weeds growing in your backyard. It is about ordinary people who dream, grow up, fall in love, struggle, endure tragedy, carry bitter secrets; men and women both complicated and contradictory, flawed and decent, lonely and hopeful. It is about a starkly beautiful prairie community whose members must cope with devastating consequences as powerful forces upend them. As with every book this great modern master writes, The Mighty Red is about our tattered bond with the earth, and about love in all of its absurdity and splendor."

"A new novel by Louise Erdrich is a major literary event; gorgeous and heartrending, The Mighty Red is a triumph."

Action Alert to Protect Care for Trans Youth

2/11/2026

Help Protect Care for Trans Youth Action Alert!

Gender Equity Forum

The federal government has proposed new rules that would effectively ban care for trans youth at hospitals across the country. We’re asking our community to make public comments in opposition to the proposed rules. The deadline for public comment is Tuesday, February 17.

You can get help submitting your comments here or here.

Relevant links:

RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz announce moves to ban gender-affirming care for young people

How To Submit Public Comments To Oppose Proposed Rules Restricting Transgender Health Care Access

Human Rights Campaign - Protect Trans Youth Healthcare

David Anderson (he/him)

QCCC Series - Immigration

2/3/2026

Immigration: Fact, Fiction and Solutions
Friday, February 13th at 1:30 pm

Rock Island Library
Watts-Midtown Branch
2715 39th St., Rock Island, IL (map)

Quad Cities Civic Conversations

You won't want to miss this opportunity to hear Augustana College's recognized expert on immigration, Peter Kivisto, PhD, explain some of the myths, problems and solutions regarding the current immigration situation in our country.

PACG is honored to co-sponsor this event along with One Human Family QCA, Iowa Citizens Action Network, and Quad Cities Interfaith as part of our quarterly Quad Cities Civic Conversations series.

Although the event is free, we would appreciate it if you would register at: QCCCImmigration.

Contact Allison Ambrose if you have any questions, and we sincerely hope you can join us for this very interesting and informative event.

Allison Ambrose

Public School Strong - Action Alert

2/1/2026

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement -
Public School Strong

PACG encourages Iowans who care about our public schools to join this movement to promote, protect and strengthen our schools. Read more at the ICCI website.

Take action now to encourage your school board to:
1. fully fund our public schools through State Supplemental Aid at a 5% increase (adjusted for inflation) and
2. phase out private school vouchers.

Sign a petition to be delivered to your school board here.

Alta Price (she/her)

2026 Rooting Out Poverty Book Club

2/1/2026

Rooting Out Poverty Book Club 2026 Schedule
4th Wednesdays

Moline Public Library
3210 41st ST
Moline, IL (map)

Project Now runs a book club at the Moline Public Library on the 4th Wednesday of the month. They read and discuss a book and then have a community forum related to the topic at the next meeting. They don't have a website with this information, but as a meeting nears they will send you an email. Contact Project Now at [email protected] to sign up for their emails.

Alta Price (she/her)

2026_rooting_out_poverty_book_club.pdf
File Size:	3411 kb
File Type:	pdf

February 2026 Green Drinks-Soil and Your Health

1/20/2026

February Green Drinks - How Does Soil Health Impact Your Immune Function?
Thursday, February 5th at 5:00 pm via Zoom

Environmental Forum

Join us on Thursday, February 5th, and find out how soil health impacts your health. Our speakers, Dr. Wil Spencer and Pat Miletich from Soil Saviors will show you how to revitalize your soil without using toxic chemicals like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

For a link to join the meeting, scan the QR code on the flyer, or register online.

This meeting will be recorded, all registrants will receive a link and passcode to access the recording afterwards.

Susan Leuthauser (she/her)