The Color of Yellow

School Yellow: Des Moines public schools start on Thursday, August 23, 2007, but some private and suburban schools are already in session. When driving, remember that school zones are 25 miles per hour (mph). Personally, I think that is too fast. Most communities where I’ve lived have school-zone speed limits of 20 or even 15 mph.. (Here’s a hint: Drive a couple miles below the posted speed limits. In downtown Des Moines this will help you to hit all green lights and it will be easier to slow down for school zones.) Please give crossing guards respect. That means bringing your vehicle, including bicycles, to a complete stop when people enter cross walks.

If you come upon a yellow school bus with its amber lights flashing, you have to slow to at least 20 mph. This state law applies whether you are approaching from the rear or from the front. If the school bus has its red lights flashing or if the Stop arm is out, you must stop at least 15 feet from the bus and wait until the lights are not flashing red and the Stop arm is raised. The only exception is if you are on a road where there are at least 2 lanes in each direction and you are approaching the bus from the opposite direction.

Around Des Moines has heard of two forums for candidates seeking to be on the Des Moines school board. One will be on Monday, August 27, at 7:00 p.m. at Park Fair Mall’s Senior Center (at Euclid and 2nd Avenue). It is hosted by the Northeast Neighbors Association. Another will be held on Thursday, August 30, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church (at East University and McCormick) and is hosted by the African American Leadership Coalition.

Peace Yellow: Iraq Summer will be wrapping up its activities in Des Moines on Saturday, August 25, at 10:00 a.m. Iraq Summer is creating a yellow ribbon in support of troops. You can be a part of it by wearing a yellow shirt and going to the west steps of the state Capitol (at East Grand and East 12th). Photographers will take pictures of the human ribbon to send to elected officials to encourage them to support U.S. troops by ending the war in Iraq. Non-perishable items will also be collected to send in a care package to the troops.

Rose Yellow: A yellow rose was the symbol of suffragists and their political supporters whose efforts gave women the right to vote in 1920 when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by the Tennessee legislature. Help celebrate by joining Friends of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women at a Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, August 25, at the State Historical Building (at East Locust and East 6). You also are invited to attend a meeting of the Commission that will be held on the 25th at the Hotel Fort Des Moines (at Walnut and 10th Streets) at 2:30 p.m. (The Commission is planning a public hearing in October to help determine what its 2008 legislative agenda should be.)

Watercolor Yellow: What should the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs set as 2008 legislative and budget priorities to help improve your community? That is the question for a cultural constituent meeting to be held on Thursday, August 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the State Historical Building (at East Locust and East 6). RSVP to Lavon.Grimes@iowa.gov or via phone at (515) 281-8741.

Guest Writer: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.