Today’s Zoom call (noon central time) is about a fundraiser and ‘uprising of love’ for a tie-dye wearing, aging hippie by the name of Byron (Stuart), who has become as iconic as many of the legendary musicians who’ve come to his tiny town of Pomeroy, to perform.
With the power vested in the elected municipality officials to maintain public safety, Byron’s building has been deemed uninhabitable. He has until April 9 to fix it or move.
It might be an understatement to say the bar owner does not have the personal resources to comply with said edict, so a group of devoted fans have to come to the rescue.
Dave Hearn, Fort Dodge, is a part of a 22-person committee, including many notable musicians, coming together for a concert to raise funds. About 150 tickets have been sold, and since other aging hippies are likely known for procrastinating, it is expected many more will be sold before the event, Sunday, March 3, Phillips Auditorium, Fort Dodge.
Be there, or be square.
More about this story: KCCI TV
https://www.stormlake.com/articles/we-need-an-uprising-of-love-for-byron/
https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2024-01-23/pomeroy-community-rallies-around-beloved-music-venue
https://www.stormlake.com/articles/friends-of-byron-organize-around-his-cause/?fbclid=IwAR04fXQu9zBXy_nvxh7p2oX5CK6BcBySwGNImmznZiT2n1htaSNVN1mr_nI
https://www.stormlake.com/articles/april-9-2024-the-day-the-music-dies/
https://www.iowapublicradio.org/studioone/news/2024-02-21/iowa-roots-musicians-to-rally-for-byrons
https://www.kcci.com/article/pomeroy-iowa-bar-byrons-at-risk-of-closing/46857056
Question:
Do you subscribe to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup? I compile the columns posted the previous week, and when I completed the task at 4:30 a.m. yesterday, I scanned the content one last time before hitting ‘publish’ and became overwhelmed by the collective commentary. The 37 links included serve as a mirror for much of Iowa. Topics included this week: An EA sports video game without one women represented; the Iowa Legislature ignoring the request of Iowa blood banks, Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Grassley’s lack of taking ownership in spreading the repudiated Russian misinformation about a member of the Biden family, sports stories you won’t read elsewhere, restaurant reviews, and so much more from all corners of the state — Sioux Center to Davenport.
Seriously. This collaborative is outstanding. We have a Pulitzer winner, former newspaper executives, columnists, and authors. We have former professors of creative writing, and recently began promoting a Letters From Iowans column where readers can submit essays.
Check it out:
Do you know an emerging writer or songwriter?
Please tell them about the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat.
Julie: This isn't about today as I am already busy. But it is about a suggestion and wonder if you know about Andrea Frantz who is professor of digital media at Buena Vista University in
Storm Lake and executive director for the Society for Collegiate Journalists. She had an interesting OP ED in DMReg on 2-22. titled "Student Journalist Deliver Cause for Optimism".
It was interesting and who can't use a little optimism in this Gov and Legislature, etc. Barb Madden-Bittle