01 Jul 2015

Central Iowa Building Trades volunteers complete handicapped pier, fishing house restorations at Lake Ahquabi State Park

By Jess Levens

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – As part of the Union Sportsmen's Alliance's (USA) Work Boots on the Ground conservation program, members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 81 and the Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) volunteered their time and trade skills to complete a large-scale restoration of a handicap-accessible fishing pier and fishing house at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Iowa June 6.

To complete the restoration, approximately 60 volunteers spent more than 800 man hours painting and staining the pier and fishing house, repairing the fishing house roof and replacing the old doors and windows. This project also included pouring a concrete pad and walkway at a picnic area and replacing the plumbing, lighting and wiring in the restroom facility. While the bulk of the materials were purchased by funds previously raised at the 2015 Iowa Conservation Dinner, the volunteers also used approximately $2,300 worth of donated materials.

"These projects are valuable to the park in many ways," said Park Manager Josh Shipman. "They help the staff maintain heavily-used facilities, such as our fishing pier, while providing years of future use for anglers and other park users. By having skilled union members do the work, we are saving lots of money and time that can then be devoted to other areas of the park, while ensuring the work is done properly and professionally."

The union volunteers are equally happy about the project, according to IUPAT District Council 81 Business Manager Robert Gilmore.

"The lakes, parks and campgrounds are used by all Iowans, and by volunteering to repair or restore them, we are giving back, not only to our families, but we are ensuring these resources can be enjoyed for many more generations of Iowans," said Gilmore. "When we complete projects in the community, it reinforces the understanding that conservation, public land use and clean water are important to every citizen. That allows us to build bridges and foster working relationships."

The Central Iowa BCTC also plans to demolish an unused building and haul away the rubble later in the year, pending permits.

Through the USA's Work Boots on the Ground program, union members volunteer their time and trade skills to projects that conserve wildlife habitats, educate future generations of sportsmen and women, improve public access to the outdoors and restore America's cherished parks. For more information about Work Boots on the Ground, email USA Conservation Manager Ty Brown at tyb@unionsportsmen.org or call him at 615-831-6751.

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01 Jul 2015

Judy Bradshaw named Director of Iowa Law Enforcement Academy

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced he has named current assistant director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Judy Bradshaw as the director of the academy effective tomorrow, July 1, 2015. Bradshaw, 56, was appointed as current director Arlen Ciechanowski retires from the Academy effective at close of business today.

"The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy serves the important role of training Iowa's peace officers and preparing them for their career of service," said Branstad. "I believe Judy Bradshaw possess the leadership, knowledge, temperament and communications skills to effectively lead the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy."

The ILEA was created by an act of the Iowa Legislature in 1967 with its purpose being to upgrade law enforcement to professional status. The specific goals were to maximize training opportunities for law enforcement officers, to coordinate training and to set standards for the law enforcement services.

"In interviewing Judy Bradshaw, I was impressed to learn more about her ability to bring individuals of diverse backgrounds together to better serve the community," said Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. "Judy Bradshaw's career of distinguished service and her years of law enforcement experience make her an ideal choice to lead the training of the next generation of Iowa peace officers."

The ILEA, in addition to maximizing training opportunities for all Iowa's peace officers, is responsible for providing basic and in-service training for all county and city jailers and Iowa telecommunication specialists.

"I appreciate the confidence Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds have placed in me as I transition into my new role of director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy," said Bradshaw. "Our role at the academy is to prepare men and women to protect Iowans and I look forward to the opportunity to assist in teaching future peace officers best practices to effectively serve their communities."

In her 35 years of law enforcement - most with the Des Moines Police Department - 27 years have been within management. She is a graduate of Ankeny High School and Drake University. She has a Master's Degree in Public Administration. For 10 years, Bradshaw taught Criminal Justice Studies at Grandview University and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).

The governor's appointment of Bradshaw is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation. For more information on ILEA, please visit https://ileatraining.org.

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01 Jul 2015

Monopoly Sculpture to Accompany Butter Cow at 2015 Iowa State Fair

By Mindy Williamson

DES MOINES, IA (06/30/2015)(readMedia)-- A stop in the Agriculture Building is a must do for most fairgoers and this year there will be some old favorites and new attractions. the world-famous Iowa State Fair Butter Cow will be featured alongside a sculpture celebrating the 80th anniversary of Monopoly, one of the world's most beloved family board games, at the 2015 Fair.

The classic fast-dealing property trading game was first commercially sold in the 1930s and has remained a popular game around the world. Monopoly is locally licensed in more than 103 countries and printed in more than 37 languages. In 2015, it will be sculpted entirely in butter by the talented Sarah Pratt and fairgoers can see their favorite Monopoly pieces come to life alongside Monopoly's iconic character, Rich Uncle Pennybags.

In addition to the two butter sculptures, It Takes An Iowan will debut nearby as an interactive exhibit focusing on Iowans as leaders in the ongoing effort of providing food for the nation and the world. Highlighting the advancement of technology to better produce food, as well as education and agriculture around the world, stop by It Takes An Iowan to learn how Iowans are leaders in areas such as agriculture, education, communication, legislation and much more.

Other great agriculture exhibits and demonstrations include giant pumpkins, jumbo fruits and vegetables, the Discovery Garden, daily stage presentations and more. All exhibits will be on display in the 111-year old John Deere Agriculture Building 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily during the Fair. Make sure to "Find A New Path" to the John Deere Agriculture Building's 40 degree cooler to see this year's butter sculptures and other great Agriculture exhibits during Fair Tour, August 13-23.

# # #

Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23, 2015. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.

01 Jul 2015

Rotary Club of Clinton to Celebrate a Century of Service

By Kellie Hillis

Clinton Area Residents Invited to Join in Celebration 

 

WHAT: The Rotary Club of Clinton will celebrate 100 years of service above self by serving the public a free picnic dinner open house at Eagle Point Park Lodge on July 1st.

 

WHO: The Rotary Club of Clinton

 

WHERE: Eagle Point Park Lodge

Eagle Point Park, Clinton, Iowa

 

WHEN: July 1, 2015
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
(Small ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m.)

WHY: The Rotary Club of Clinton, organized July 1, 1915, wants to celebrate 100 years of service by doing what they do best, giving back to the community.  As part of their centennial celebration, the community is invited to enjoy a free meal while they learn about how Rotary has served the area for the past 100 years.  Community members will also have the opportunity to learn more about the Rotary led Eagle Point Park Lodge renovation project.

The Rotary Club of Clinton is leading the campaign to raise $1 Million to renovate and improve the Eagle Point Park Lodge.  Information on the project and an update on the funds raised will be available at the centennial celebration.

01 Jul 2015

Red White and Boom - Schwiebert Park

By Laura Udy
Smooth Groove is a local Quad Cities Band that will be performing at the Red White and Boomat Schwiebert Park.  First Performance is from 7:00pm to 8:00pm and the second performancefrom 8:30 to 9:30.
Smooth Groove performers are as follows:  Ruben Sierra Vocals/Percussion, Dewey Lacefield Vocals/Bass, Robbie LeBlanc Vocals/Guitar, Hugh White Drums, Mick Clark Vocals and Laura Udy Vocals/Keyboards.
01 Jul 2015

Riviera Nights - Resort and Swimwear Fashion Show at L&D15

By Rick Martin

Saturday, July 18th, 2015

7:00 PM: Trunk Show and Refreshments

8:00 PM: Fashion Show

A taste of the French Riviera is coming to L&D15 on Saturday, July 18th when Leslie Friedman presents her latest resort and swimwear collection: Riviera Nights. "As a local designer, I wanted the collection to feature classic, yet glamorous pieces that marry French sophistication with Midwest practicality", says Friedman.

 

Leslie Friedman (né Buchanan) is the designer and creative force behind women's clothing label: Buchanan. She attended the University of Georgia and Parsons School of Design and has worked in almost every facet of the fashion industry from buying at an upscale boutique to department store management. Friedman claims that, "the core belief behind Buchanan is creating clothing that is comfortable without sacrificing style".?The company?strives to empower women by following what Friedman calls the?'Golden Rule of Fashion Design': "don't design anything you don't absolutely love".?The Buchanan label has been?in many fashion shows including Mercedes Benz Buffalo Fashion Week.

L&D15 brings a new style of retail to the Quad Cities, featuring clothing, accessories and

housewares created by local and international artists and designers. The store is located at 520

West 2nd Street in downtown Davenport. For more information, please visit www.landd15.com

01 Jul 2015

Davenport Public Library celebrates Eastern Avenue Branch's 5th anniversary

By Rick Martin

The Davenport Public Library is excited to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Eastern Avenue Branch's grand opening!  Join us on Saturday, July 11th from 2-4pm at our Eastern Avenue Branch (6000 Eastern Avenue) for a fun-filled afternoon.  We'll be serving refreshments, leading children in a party hat craft, dancing and taking photos with our mascot Libby the Library Dog, and much more fun!  For those who are looking for a behind-the-scenes peek at the library, we'll be leading tours that will highlight the library's environmentally-friendly LEED features, and a librarian will be on hand to tell you about all the things that we bet you didn't know you could do with your library card.

This FREE event is for people of all ages! For more information, call (563) 326-7832 or visit www.davenportlibrary.com.
29 Jun 2015

Iowa Public Television's Dan Wardell to Visit Davenport Public Library Wednesday, July 8 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

By Rick Martin

WHO: Dan Wardell, popular host of the IPTV KIDS Clubhouse, will travel to 71 local communities this summer as part of the annual Reading Road Trip.

WHAT: Now in its ninth year, IPTV's Reading Road Trip features an original, interactive story that is connected to this year's summer library reading theme: Every Hero Has a Story. Dan will take kids on an adventure filled with superheroes, supervillains, robots and more! Plus, every child attendee will be inducted into the IPTV superhero hall of fame and receive their very own superhero membership card! In addition, Dan will encourage kids to do something you might not expect from a television personality: turn the TV off, go outside and play, eat healthy snacks, use your imagination and read a good book.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 8 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. at the Davenport Public Library's Fairmount Street Branch (3000 N. Fairmount Street, Davenport IA 52804)

Learn more at Iptv.org/clubhouse.

For more information, please contact Susan Ramsey at 515.725.9703 or Susan.Ramsey@iptv.org.

# # #

29 Jun 2015

Gov. Branstad extends disaster proclamation for bird flu

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Second extension made by the governor is effective through July 31, 2015

 

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today announced that he is extending the State of Disaster Emergency in response to the avian flu outbreak through July 31, 2015. This is the second extension the governor has made to the original disaster proclamation. The governor's original disaster declaration was set to expire Sunday, May 31, 2015, but he extended it until July 1, 2015, on May 29, 2015. The latest disaster proclamation can be read here.

The extension comes less than two weeks after Branstad requested a Presidential Disaster Designation for four Iowa counties hit by the virus. In bipartisan fashion, members of Iowa's Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to President Obama encouraging him to grant the governor's request on June 19, 2015.

The proclamation of disaster emergency does the following:

1.          Activates the disaster response and recovery aspect of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department's (HSEMD) Iowa Emergency Response Plan.

2.          Authorizes the use and deployment of all available state resources, supplies, equipment, and materials as are deemed reasonably necessary by the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Iowa HSEMD in order to do the following:

A.      Track and monitor instances of confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza  throughout the state of Iowa and the country,

B.      Establish importation restrictions and prohibitions in respect to animals suspected of suffering from this disease,

C.      Rapidly detect any presumptive or confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza within Iowa's borders,

D.     Contain the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state through depopulation, disinfections, and disposal of livestock carcasses,

E.      Engage in detection activities, contact tracking, and other investigatory work to stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state, and

F.       Eliminate the disease in those disaster counties where it has been found and lessen the risk of this disease spreading to our state as a whole.

3.          Temporarily authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies and private contractors employed by the same to remove and/or dispose of live animals and animal carcasses on publicly or privately owned land when those live animals and/or carcasses threaten public health or safety.

4.          Authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa DOT, the Iowa DPS, the Iowa DNR, IDPH, other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies to implement stop movement and stop loading restrictions and other control zone measures as are reasonably deemed necessary, including establishing buffer zones, checkpoints, and cleaning and disinfecting operations at checkpoints and borders surrounding any quarantine areas established by the IDALS or at any other location in the state of Iowa, in order to stop the spread of this contagious disease.

5.          Authorizes state agencies to assist the IDALS in disinfection, depopulation, and livestock carcass disposal efforts.

6.          Temporarily waives restrictions to allow for the timely and efficient disposal of poultry carcasses.

7.      Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions pertaining to hours of service for commercial vehicle drivers hauling poultry carcasses infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza or while hauling loads otherwise related to the response to this disaster during its duration, subject to certain conditions outlined in the disaster proclamation.

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29 Jun 2015

The Classics at Brucemore Presents Our Town

By Tara Richards

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Classics at Brucemore with an outdoor performance of Our Town?July 9 - 11 and 16 - 18 at 8:00 p.m. Watch as Thornton Wilder's beloved American classic comes to life as Brucemore's scenic outdoor amphitheater becomes the backdrop of Grover's Corners. Audiences are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, and beverages to the show; the gates will open at 7:00 p.m.  Advance tickets are $15 for Brucemore Members and students and $20 for adults.  All tickets at the gate are $25.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.brucemore.org, by calling (319) 362-7375, or by visiting the Brucemore Store located in the Visitor Center.

One of the most iconic pieces of American theater, Our Town tells the story of two families living in the small town of Grover's Corner as they navigate the joys and difficulties of everyday life. With its universal themes of love, marriage, and death, Our Town has been translated into dozens of languages and is one of the most frequently performed plays in the world. The characters' experiences will resonate with audiences of diverse backgrounds. The show will feature original music commissioned from Cedar Rapids native Luke Gullickson, who will play along with the Grant Wallace Band in the show.

Audiences attend the Classics once and realize that what is in their picnic basket is nearly as important as what is onstage. From carryout pizza or deli-sandwiches to elaborate spreads of antipasto plates and roasted chicken, dining is taken to a new level with Brucemore's version of dinner and a show. Packing for a Classics picnic just became easier. Brucemore is partnering with The Early Bird to offer patrons the opportunity to have their picnic waiting for them at the show. Select one of three dining options, call Brucemore (319) 362-7375 to place an order, pick it up in the Visitor Center the night of the event, and enjoy the Classics experience. Picnics must be purchased at least 24 hours before the show date by calling (319) 362-7375. A "Classics Package" is also available, including a wine tote, two picnics, and a bottle of wine. A complete list of the picnic options can be found at www.brucemore.org.

Sponsored by Rockwell Collins and media sponsored by The Gazette and KCRG-TV9, Our Town features a cast of the area's finest actors. Nineteen return to the Classics stage, including Jason Alberty, David Bolt, Ben Charles, Leslie Charipar, Taylor Foster, Harrison Ginsberg, Lincoln Ginsberg, Megan Ginsberg, Steve Ginsberg, Larry Hansen, Scott Humeston, Jim Kern, Jessica Link, David Morton, Marty Norton, Rip Russell, Susan Streit, Cherryl Moon Thomason, and Rick Titus. Making their Classics debut are Alisa Gerhold and Anna Neumann, as well as members of the Grant Wallace Band?Chris Fischer-Lockhead, Luke Gullickson, and Ben Hjertmann. For additional information, please visit the Brucemore website, www.brucemore.org.

The Classics at Brucemore began as collaboration between Torchlight Theatrics and Brucemore in 1996, thus launching outdoor theater in Eastern Iowa. The Classics celebrates a rich history of quality live theater, from Greek tragedy to Shakespearean comedy and twentieth century American drama. Much more than a play performed outdoors, the Classics fully utilizes the natural amphitheater, incorporating the estate itself into the action; actors emerge from the woods, get dunked in the pond, and help themselves to the audience's picnics.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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