Bacon, Bacon, Bacon

Do you have a bacon dish on your menu or sell a bacon-related product?  Or anything bacon-related?  We want to know!  Send them to David Breisch at dbreisch@visitquadcities.com

Behind the Scenes

Our other new video series idea is to feature some places from behind the scenes where the public is not normally allowed to go.  Does your business have something cool that fits the bill?  Send them to David Breisch at dbreisch@visitquadcities.com

Nationwide "Fuel Your Community" campaign to help save lives

PEORIA, Ill. (Sept. 29, 2014) - During October, Suburban Propane is joining the American Red Cross to raise awareness of the constant need for blood and platelet donations with the first nationwide "Fuel Your Community" campaign. All presenting blood and platelet donors at Red Cross blood drives and donation centers during October will be eligible to win one $5,000 Visa gift card as part of the campaign, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

While the October "Fuel Your Community" campaign is the first nationwide effort, it's the sixth time Suburban Propane and the Red Cross have partnered to raise awareness since 2012. Most recently, in June, Suburban Propane helped to collect more than 750 blood donations as part of an 11-state partnership from Maine to South Carolina. During the October campaign, Suburban Propane will sponsor an advertising campaign to raise greater awareness for the constant need for blood and platelet donations, and its employees will volunteer at blood drives and give blood or platelets themselves.

"Suburban Propane chose to support the Red Cross because of the impact it makes in people's lives every day," said Mark Wienberg, Suburban's Chief Operating Officer. "Some of our employees have been directly affected by the need for donated blood and they inspire us to make a difference in the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with the Red Cross in our first nationwide effort."

From Kristine Smith, a mother receiving blood after the birth of her son, to Janet Nitchman standing by her husband's side while he receives transfusions after a liver transplant, the Red Cross has touched the lives of many Suburban Propane employees. "I am appreciative of all blood donors out there, they really do save lives," said Smith.

"The support of Suburban Propane is welcomed and tremendously appreciated as the Red Cross aims to maintain sufficient blood supplies for hospital patients all year long," said Shelly Heiden CEO, Heart of America Blood Services Region. "We hope this campaign encourages more people to give the gift of life."

To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). For more information about the campaign, visit redcrossblood.org/suburbanpropane.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About Suburban Propane

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE:SPH) is a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban serves the energy needs of more than 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through more than 750 locations in 41 states.

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Since moving from Brooklyn to Davenport a little more than a year, David Balluff and Lopeti Etu have searched long and hard to find the perfect space for their eclectic hand-made clothing and hat (and other stuff) store.

A brief residency in cramped quarters at Bucktown came to an end awhile ago, and the pair have been busy fulfilling mail order requests in their apartment since. But they finally found what they were looking for in The Market building on W. 2nd Street.

"It's a great location for us, with gigantic windows and close to the Farmers' Market, the Figge, the bike trail and other things going on down here," said Balluff, who manufactures organic cotton and bamboo silkscreen shirts, dresses, sarongs, onsies, tank tops and other fine products under the name General Assembly.

His partner, Lopeti Etu, creates hand-blocked hats of all sorts, under the brand Lopeti Etu Millinery.

Both of their complete lines of products, as well as those of other local and far-flung original designers, will be housed at the new L&D 15 limited edition clothing, accessories and housewares shop.

Balluff said the fact the building was known as the New York Hat Company in the 1910s, made it seem like the perfect home for he and Lopeti's vision.

"We're bringing back not only hat manufacturing, but we were recently in New York ourselves," he said.

Etu and Balluff plan to reach out to artists and designers both locally and internationally, including open calls for artists/makers and other creatives to present new products. That will happen closer to the studio's opening.

"We're trying to build something that gives back to the community," Balluff said. "Our target market isn't young or old, rich or poor. It's people who appreciate things made by hand."

He calls this "retail 2.0" - meaning L&D 15 won't be just a place to shop, but a living workshop and community gathering space.

Part of their interior work that includes renovating floors and painting. They are using lumber from Davenport Public Works' urban wood utilization program. They plan to open sometime in November.