Dear Friends,

I’ve got a big announcement to share: In my spare time, I’ve managed to learn and memorize all 21 Chopin Nocturnes!

Ed at the Chopin Museum in Paris, tinkering with a terribly out-of-tune piano that Chopin probably played.

Check out the first recording on my YouTube channel. The rest will be published over the next 12 weeks on Thursday mornings. Know in advance that: (1) I’m not a virtuoso, but I don’t suck; (2) the recordings include improvisations that might offend “serious” musicians; (3) there are classical guitar, Irish whistle, and vocals thrown in; and (4) I had more fun with B-roll than adults oughta have.

But wait, there’s more. You’re invited to a live performance combined with conversation about relocalizing food production. Kathy and I and others are hosting a series of house parties/events. The format is a 60-minute concert followed by 60 minutes of food talk. At the two events at our home, Kathy and I will serve “sips and nibbles.” We’re asking for free will donations for Birds & Bees Urban Farm and The Fallon Forum.

Let me know if you’re interested in hosting or sponsoring an event. Here are the first three, and we’ll need an RSVP for the two in our home due to limited space:

— Thursday, March 27, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at our home, 735 19th Street, Des Moines — RSVP HERE
— Saturday, April 12, 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Lisbon Public Library (Iowa, not Portugal)
— Thursday, April 24, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at our home, 735 19th Street, Des Moines — RSVP HERE

Meanwhile, check out THIS WEEK’S FULL PODCAST, or individual segments:

(01:08) A conversation with State Rep. Brent Siegrist (R-Council Bluffs);
(21:31) Decorah Power, with Joel Zook and Kristin Eggen;
(37:00) America faces a possible constitutional crisis, with Jeffrey Weiss;
(53:03) Threats to conservation and foreign aid spending put US farmers in a bind, with Kathy Byrnes.

Rep. Brent Siegrist in our studio. Me wearing the sweatshirt I wore to an event 27 years ago that Brent needled me about.

BRENT SIEGRIST and I served together for most of my 14 years at the Iowa Statehouse. On this week’s program, we discuss state and national policies and politics. See what you think of our dialogue, and let me know what questions I should’ve asked but didn’t.

DECORAH POWER is an initiative to establish a municipal electric utility in this northeast Iowa city of 7,500. Not surprisingly, the current utility monopoly, Alliant Energy, is fighting the proposal, which is on the ballot for a March 4 vote. You can learn more by listening to our conversation, or at decorahlocalpower.org.

CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS. For all of President Trump’s previous talk about protecting our “beloved Constitution,” many of his recent actions have constitutional scholars and federal judges crying foul. Jeffrey Weiss, a political science prof at Des Moines Area Community College, concurs. Already, district judges are ruling against several of his administration’s actions. The real test will come when these constitutional questions are brought before the US Supreme Court.

CANCELING USAID HURTS FARMERS. Among the many Trump administration actions that independent experts regard as unconstitutional, the decimation of USAID is at the top of the list. Here’s an excellent article in The Guardian on just how much life-threatening harm has already been done. Farmers are also among those affected by Trump’s actions on USAID and on conservation programs. Kathy Byrnes and I discuss that and share quotes from several Iowa farmers who’ve raised concerns.

Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. — Ed Fallon

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In addition to our PODCAST, listen to the Fallon Forum on these affiliates:

– KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, Iowa)
– KICI.LP 105.3 FM (Iowa City, Iowa)
– WHIV 102.3 FM (New Orleans, Louisiana)
– KPIP-LP, 94.7 FM (Fayette, Missouri)
– KCEI 90.1 FM (Taos, New Mexico)
– KRFP 90.3 FM (Moscow, Idaho)
– WGRN 94.1 FM (Columbus, Ohio)