22 Apr 2015

Don Wooten presents Introducing Jazz to the Curious

By G A H C
Sunday, April 26th 2pm

Calling all Music Lovers! Bone up on your Jazz knowledge before the Bix fest!

Don Wooten presents Introducing Jazz to the Curious!

The venerable Don Wooten will be at the German American Heritage Center to speak on a topic near and dear to him: Jazz! He will be touching on major trends, improvised and arranged jazz, dissonance and syncopation, as well as bands and solo performers.

22 Apr 2015

Kaitlin Clevenger elected to executive office in the Iowa State University Event Management Club

By Carole Custer

AMES, IA (04/21/2015)(readMedia)-- Kaitlin Clevenger has been elected to serve as secretary in the Iowa State University Event Management Club during the 2015-2016 academic year. Clevenger, of Davenport, Iowa (52803), is a junior studying event management in the College of Human Sciences and the apparel, events, and hospitality management department.

The Event Management Club is a student-run organization committed to professional and personal development for students interested in the events industry.

22 Apr 2015

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR XSTREAM CLEANUP 2015!

By Davenport Parks & Recreation

QUAD-CITIES–The date is set and planning is underway for Xstream Cleanup, the Quad-Cities' annual, volunteer-based cleanup of area waterways.

The cleanup will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015. Online registration will open by July 1 at www.xstreamcleanup.org.

Event organizers are looking for new cleanup sites and encourage members of the community to make suggestions. If a site is dirty, litter-ridden or host to illegal dumping, organizers want to hear about it. To make a suggestion, send an e-mail to info@xstreamcleanup.org or call (563) 468-4218.

New this year, Xstream Cleanup volunteers will receive BPA-free water bottles instead of event-themed T-shirts.

"By providing reusable water bottles, we're making a small but deliberate change," says event chair Curtis Lundy. "Our goal is to keep our hard-working volunteers hydrated without using cases of bottled water, which generate unnecessary trash. We also want to provide a meaningful token of gratitude. Ideally, each time our volunteers sip from an Xstream Cleanup water bottle, they will make the connection between the work they do and the quality of the water in our community. That's what this event is all about."

Xstream Cleanup began in 2004 as a small-scale cleanup of Duck Creek. Over the years, the event has removed almost 1 million pounds of trash from area waterways. The event attracts about 1,300 volunteers who clean up over 40 sites around the Quad-Cities each year. Volunteers clean up debris and remove invasive species: plants that spread aggressively, choking out native species that provide food and homes for wildlife. The cleanup is now in its twelfth year.

For more information about Xstream Cleanup, visit www.xstreamcleanup.org. "Like" Xstream Cleanup on Facebook for updates as the event approaches.

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22 Apr 2015

Prescribed Burn Planned at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

By Adam Prato

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will burn approximately 30-40 acres of the 81-acre tallgrass prairie located on the site.  The staff plans to conduct the prescribed fire sometime between late April and the end of May.  According to Mike Wilson, Chief Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, "Weather conditions and safety considerations will determine the exact date and time of the fire."

Park personnel last burned the prairie in the spring of 2011, when specially trained National Park Service fire crews burned nearly a third of the prairie. National Park Service staff follows a scientific prescription for prairie burning called a "burn plan."  The burn plan describes the objectives of the fire, the fuel available in the prairie, the size and location of the prescribed burn, and the precise conditions for the fire.  Safety considerations and smoke control play important roles in the burn plan.  Although, the prescribed fire crew will employ methods that minimize the amount of smoke produced, anyone suffering from asthma, emphysema, or lung disease, and living within one mile of the National Historic Site should contact the park at 319-643-2541. If they leave their name, address, and telephone number, park staff will notify them in advance of the fire.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

22 Apr 2015

3 Ways To Look At Death Differently

By Ginny Grimsley
Fear & Close-mindedness Are Arguably The Real Tragedy Of Death, Says Franciscan Renaissance Man

There are those who just know how they'll react if and when they have to confront their own mortality. They will freely admit that they'll be petrified, and others are confident that they won't be scared at all.

"Perhaps they're right, or perhaps they're projecting how they think they're supposed to feel; in my case, neither fear nor bravery were the dominant notes, but rather one of spiritual and intellectual curiosity and edification," says Ron Walter, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, successful businessman and advocate of ecumenical Franciscan spirituality.

"I recently  had to face my own mortality once again as I dealt with effects of multiple myeloma and ensuing chemotherapy treatment. The encounter led me to a spiritual trek through philosophy, theology and science. In our evolutionary world, I suggest a view of death for we humans as yet another transition into a new form of being."

How does someone become so circumspect when facing death? Walter, author of "Theory of Everything: Franciscan Faith and Reason," (RonaldWalter.com), offers guidance.

•  Allow your spiritual intuitions to unfold. Most people have some kind of belief system on spiritual matters, which may remain untested for years and even decades. Whether you're a devout Catholic, Orthodox Jew, secular Buddhist or one of the growing numbers of "spiritual but not religious," facing death forces a renewed and often harsh look at one's true beliefs. As fallible as the mind can be, it is often attuned to signals emergent from deeper truth when faced with significant circumstances. Do not ignore those signals.

•  Appearances are often misleading. Are reason and faith at odds? How do we really know what will happen to us in death? We might find a clue in death as many of the faithful have in life. Many see the universe entailing a nearly infinite sequence of random events, leading to phenomena such as life on Earth. Most others, however, see a rhyme and reason beyond apparent chaos. Likewise, the apparent silence of death may be just that - apparent. For the spirit experiencing death, a new and unfathomable life may be emerging.

•  Obsessed with one religion, denomination or knowledge base? Death's proposition may have you looking elsewhere. "I find Franciscan theology and spirituality as well positioned to integrate other fields of knowledge and spirituality," Walter says. "While others prefer specific spiritual traditions, I hope they are not blind to the possibilities posed by other traditions. I believe every religion possesses only a  glimpse of God, and disciplines such as science and philosophy capture some of God's content and significance."

"When we hear 'death,' we're conditioned to tremble within," Walter says. "But when we see it for its deeper truth - involving the transformation of body, mind and spirit, recognizing the interchangeability of matter and energy - I think most of us can come away from the inevitable with greater equanimity."

About Ron Walter

Ron Walter (RonaldWalter.com) is an author, commentator and guest speaker with expertise in human spirituality, business management and military leadership. A retired corporate executive with more than 20 years active military service, Colonel Walter currently serves on Boards of Directors for the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Vesuvius Press Inc. in Phoenix. He is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM). "Theory of Everything: Franciscan Faith and Reason," recounts Walter's spiritual awakening following chemotherapy in the winter of 2012/2013. It explores the natures of God, humanity and the cosmos from the perspectives of noted philosophers, theologians and scientists. A major conclusion of the book is that finite beings emerge within Trinitarian relations of divine Love.

22 Apr 2015

Iowa Caucus Consortium Launches Statewide Messaging, Community & Visitor Engagement Plan

By Tiffany Tauscheck
DES MOINES, IA - An Iowa Caucus Consortium has been created to highlight Iowa's first in the nation Caucus status and provide the media, candidates and visitors a meaningful, positive experience while showcasing the state and region. Additionally, the consortium will engage in political dialogue and drive meaningful conversation with residents during the political cycle through hosting Caucus-related events. The consortium is made up of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Economic Development Authority, The Des Moines Register and Drake University in partnership with the Iowa Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Iowa.

To market and support consortium efforts, a new website has been created, IowaCaucus.org, as well as a Twitter account at @IAcaucus2016 using the hashtag #iacaucus.

"The community's collaboration in hosting local, regional, national and international media during the Iowa Caucuses is key," says Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Creating consistent messaging for the region and working together to provide an incredible experience for the media and visitors will help us leverage the opportunity as a marketing tool to strengthen Greater Des Moines as a visitor destination."

The consortium plans to host Caucus-related events including a potential Candidate Series and Issues Forum. Additionally, the consortium will create an advisory committee of engaged local politicos with potential opportunities for young professionals. In 2016, the media filing center will be managed by the Iowa Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Iowa.

"The Iowa Caucuses place our state at the epicenter of the political world and provide us an incredible opportunity to showcase Greater Des Moines to a national and global audience," adds Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. "Through this partnership, we are able to further maximize our regional economic development marketing efforts to promote Central Iowa as a great place to build a business, a career and a future."

"In addition to celebrating agriculture, Iowa's advanced manufacturing, biosciences and financial services are key industries for this national platform," says Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. "As the first state in the nation to host a major electoral event, Iowa is well positioned to capitalize on the opportunity to showcase our state's economic vitality across these multiple industries."

The new website provides local resources like a candidate tracker and voter information. Plus, media resources include credentialing for Caucus events, suggested shoot locations, photo and b-roll requests, pro tips from The Des Moines Register for covering the Iowa Caucuses and late night dining options. Candidate resources include a Caucus events calendar, intern opportunities for Drake University students, restaurants and hotels information.

The 2008 Iowa Caucuses (dual party) brought 2,500 media and $25 million in visitor spending as economic impact to Greater Des Moines. The 2012 Caucuses (single party) brought 1,500 media and $17 million in visitor spending as economic impact to Greater Des Moines.

For more information on the Iowa Caucuses, visit IowaCaucus.org and follow @IAcaucus2016 on Twitter.

22 Apr 2015

People in the Midwest unhappy with the way businesses answer the phone

By Jennifer Lever

April 21, 2015 - Less than a third of people in America's Midwest are satisfied with the way businesses handle their phone calls, new research has revealed.

The countrywide study of 2,234 consumers, conducted by audio branding specialist PH Media Group, discovered just 32 per cent of respondents are pleased with companies' phone manner.

22 Apr 2015

Free Brucemore Mansion Tours

By Tara Richards

Celebrate Preservation Month at Brucemore with free guided tours of the 21 room mansion on Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Follow a guide on a tour of the 21-room mansion and investigate the art, furnishings, technology, architecture, surrounding landscape, and stories preserved at Brucemore. Tours will begin approximately every 15 minutes with the last tour beginning at 3:00 p.m.  Free tour weekend is sponsored by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Company.

Three families owned the Brucemore estate between 1884 and 1981?the Sinclairs, the Douglases, and the Halls. They were business and community leaders during a century of evolution in the Midwest. Caroline Sinclair, widow of pioneer industrialist, T.M. Sinclair and mother of six, hired architects Josselyn and Taylor to build the mansion for $55,000 in 1884. In 1906, George Bruce Douglas, of the Quaker Oats and Douglas and Company fortunes, acquired the home with his wife Irene, transforming the property into a country estate they named Brucemore. In 1937, their daughter, Margaret, inherited Brucemore with her husband, Howard Hall, founder of Iowa Manufacturing and Iowa Steel and Ironworks. The Halls added flair to the estate with famous guests, including Presidents Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman and their exotic pet lion. The Queen Anne architecture, 1925 Grant Wood Porch, 1929 Skinner pipe organ, and 1930s Grizzly Bar and Tahitian Room reflect the vibrant history of remarkable people.  The changes they made to their estate, the impact they had on their community, and the stories they left behind shape our understanding of modern Cedar Rapids, eastern Iowa, and the American Midwest.

The National Trust created Preservation Month in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts around the country, and has since grown into an annual celebration for local communities to honor their past and help build their future. Brucemore will offer other Preservation Month activities in May, including:

  • A Time of Service: Brucemore the World Wars exhibit - Daily (Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.)
  • Hired Help Tour - May 7, 5:30 p.m.
  • Brucemore Summer Plant Sale - May 9, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Nooks and Crannies Tour - May 21, 5:30 p.m.
  • Brucemore in Bloom Tour - May 28, 5:30 p.m.

For more information about Preservation Month activities during May and throughout the year, visit Brucemore's website at www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375. Visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation website at www.preservationnation.org for more information about Preservation Month.

About Brucemore

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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22 Apr 2015

Restorative Justice Initiative Meeting

By Quad Cities Interfaith

Join us in our first meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities May 7th at 6:30 pm!

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior, identifying disparities in the judicial system and supporting returning citizens back into the community.

After paying the price for their crime, many returning citizens go on to face job discrimination, loss of voting rights, and, very often, poverty.
Quad Cities Interfaith wants to break this crippling cycle. Join us for our first Restorative Justice issue session to discuss options of how to create quantitative change in our community on these issues.

Upcoming Conference to Address  Iowan's Racial  Disparity in Sentencing: 
"Mobilizing to End Mass Incarceration: An Action  Conference."
Saturday, May 2, 2015. Gerard Hall, Allen College of Nursing. Waterloo, IA. 8:30 am - 4:00pm.
Keynote speaker David Liners is the Executive Director of our sister Gamaliel affiliate, WISDOM ( Wisconsin) who will speak on their 11X15 Campaign to reduce incarceration rates in WI. . The conference will expand our knowledge about mass incarceration, restorative justice, and, most importantly, what we can DO.

22 Apr 2015

Wednesday May 6th is Gamaliel of Illinois Legislative Day

By Quad Cities Interfaith
Legislative Day for Gamaliel for Illinois and QCI is Wednesday May 6th - QCI leaders from the Jobs Task Force will be going to Springfield to meet with our local elected officials, members of the Latino and African American Legislative Caucus, and a meeting with Illinois DOT.   We will carpool to be in Springfield by 10:00 am and will return to the QCA by 6:00 pm.  Call 563-322-4910 to reserve your space.

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