Yesterday I attended the first ever Iowa Code Camp in Iowa City, Iowa.  This was the first code camp I had ever attended and that fact withstanding, I don't know how the event could have gone any better, it was absolutely flawless.  There were well over 125 attendees and waiting list to boot.

I attended sessions on Java/Hibernate, Inversion of Control, Mocking and .NET Performance Tuning. I enjoyed Derik Whittaker's talk on mocking as it's something I've been into for the last few months.

Talking to other attendees it was very obvious that others enjoyed themselves as well.  The feeling was that the materials presented were things we can take into work tomorrow.  And that is what a code camp is all about.

Thanks to Chris, Javier, Greg S. Greg W and the many others who helped make yesterday a success, you guys set up a wonderful event!

While much of the political discussion last week surrounded Iowa and it's first in the nation caucus there was a small, yet important election that was rarely covered.  As the CNNs and Fox News shows and other non-stop cable news channels have since packed their vans and are now focusing on "Super Tuesday" and whether Barack can bet Hillary, there was a much (much) smaller battle that recently took place in the frozen corn fields of Iowa that barely received any coverage.

This last Monday, after many campaign promises, debates, town hall meetings, and baby kissing, Iowa voted their conscience electing me to serve as the new Cedar Rapids Ineta president for 2008, proving once again that negative campaigning and accepting money from lobbyists does not resonate with the ethical voters of Iowa.

To those of you who voted for me and supported me during this tough campaign season, thank you.  To my wife who has been at my side during the arduous process, the late night strategy sessions, and the countless debate preparations, thank you.  To my loyal volunteers who stood in battle with me for a cause that we truly believe in, thank you.

It is truly an honor to server you in 2008 and I look forward to it.

Tim Barcz

CRIneta President