Obama's Iowa visit: What you need to know

WHAT: President Barack Obama is speaking about health care reform at 1 p.m. today at the University of Iowa Field House, 225 South Grand Ave., Iowa City. Obama is coming to Iowa City because he introduced his health care reform ideas on May 29, 2007, at the UI's Medical and Education Research Facility while seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.

TIMING: Doors to the Field House open at 11 a.m. Air Force One is scheduled to arrive at The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids at 12:05 p.m. and will leave at 2:35.

FOLLOW IT: Up-to-date coverage of President Barack Obama's visit begins at 11:45 a.m. right here on GazetteOnline, including live videos, a live chat with Gazette columnist Todd Dorman, reaction and analysis. Help cover the visit as it happens via Twitter using the hashtag #icObama. And watch it live right here, on KCRG Local 9.2 or at KCRG.com

WILL THE INTERSTATE CLOSE?: Interstate 380 will remain open during the presidential motorcade to and from the airport, the Iowa State Patrol said.

PARKING: Officials suggest parking in downtown parking ramps, the UI Main Library Lot, the North Campus Ramp and the Iowa Memorial Union Ramp. Cambus will provide free shuttle service beginning at 10 a.m. on the south side of the Pentacrest.

HOW MANY ARE GOING? 3,000 tickets were available, with more than 16,000 requests.

COULDN'T GET A TICKET? The Johnson County Democrats will stage a march from the corner of Dubuque and College streets to the Field House. Meet at 10 a.m.

WANT TO PROTEST? The Johnson County Republicans will be meeting for a “Welcoming Rally” on the bridge that goes over Grand Avenue near Riverside Drive at 10 a.m.

POLICE PREPARATION: Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine says the Secret Service called on Friday and there have been meetings “at least a couple times a day since.” Twelve to 15 Iowa City officers and 23 Iowa State Patrol troopers are assigned to the security detail.

WHO PAYS? “They (Secret Service) always tell you can submit for reimbursement, but they kind of smile when they tell you that,” Hargadine says. “They kind of consider that part of the democratic process, when the president comes to town.”

LAST PRESIDENT TO VISIT EASTERN IOWA: George W. Bush on June 19, 2008 to survey flood damage in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

FIRST PRESIDENT TO VISIT EASTERN IOWA: Harry S. Truman of Sept. 18, 1948, on whistle-stop campaign including Iowa City and Oxford

OR WAS IT? Theodore Roosevelt's calender claims he gave a speech in Cedar Rapids on May 10, 1905, but local news accounts report his train passed through town without stopping.