Embrace the harvest season by exploring 26 acres and over 125 years of history during Brucemore's Autumn Landscape Hike?Thursday, September 18 at 5:30 p.m. Witness the subtle and spectacular dressings of the autumnal landscape highlighted by the dusky plum and rusty barn red colors of the season. Discover current landscape issues, the role of public use, and the seasonal chores required to preserve the historic grounds. See how planting choices with sensitivity to native species and seasonal display affect the overarching impact of a landscape design. Seek advice from Brucemore gardeners and ask questions on topics ranging from particular plantings to landscape designs. Admission is $15 per person and $12 per Brucemore member. Space is limited; purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org or by calling (319) 362-7375.

The Autumn Landscape Tour is part of Brucemore's Thursday Night Lineup. Every Thursday night, Brucemore will feature a different specialty tour focusing on topics for all interests, including arts and culture, Midwestern industry, gardening, landscape design, architecture, preservation, behind-the-scenes at Brucemore, and growing up in the early twentieth century. For more information on the Thursday Night Lineup, visit www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375.

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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Le Claire, Iowa, September 10, 2014 - Mississippi River Distilling Company is breaking ground on a new barrel storage warehouse and patio area in downtown LeClaire.  The nearly four year old distillery is increasing their footprint in order to age more of their popular Cody Road Bourbon and Cody Road Rye whiskies.

The project has been talked about since the distillery's inception in 2010.  "The city owned the land directly south of our building and the vision was always to have some sort of public plaza there." said Mississippi River Distilling Company owner Ryan Burchett.  "The idea was to break up the buildings and allow for river views from the highway.  But we never figured out the details on how it was to be developed because the empty lot to our south hasn't been developed yet."

Over the years, demand for the distillery's Cody Road whiskies has grown.  They now have distribution in 22 states and 3 foreign countries.  "We're thrilled that people want our whiskies.  But with more people buying it, we have to be putting more away in barrels to keep up with demand on down the road." Said Burchett.

As space got tight in the existing facility, owners say the perfect opportunity presented itself right beside them.  "We needed space and the city had an empty lot sitting next door."  Said owner Garrett Burchett.  "So we offered to purchase the lot and develop it in exchange for a public easement on top that would allow for visitors to access the plaza area as originally envisioned.  We gained over 1,400 square feet of barrel storage and a patio; the city gets the public area we all hoped for from the beginning."

LeClaire Mayor Bob Scannell says it is a win-win for everyone.  "From the City's perspective, we have a great business in LeClaire that continues to grow.  With this investment, the distillery gets stronger and we get a nice addition to our riverfront.  It's all done with private dollars and returns the land to the tax rolls. It's just great progress for all of us."

Burchett says the construction should be complete in about 6 weeks. "It's kind of like a big concrete garage, so it shouldn't take too long.  The top will be at street level and will be a large patio with public access from Highway 67.  Our tasting room will have a door out to the plaza as well.  Underneath will be a 57 by 25 foot barrel room."  The project is being handled by Friemel Construction of Bettendorf.

As this construction commences, LeClaire city officials are beginning to consider a separate brewery project to the north of the distillery.  The new Green Tree Brewing Company goes before the LeClaire Planning and Zoning committee on Thursday with hopes to break ground on the LeClaire riverfront later this fall.  "With everything going on in downtown LeClaire, we through this would be the perfect location for our new brewery."  said owner Richard Day.  "With the distillery next door, we think it will make the area even more of a destination and give LeClaire another first class attraction."

The brewery also plans construction of a similar plaza area just north of their building.  "The City has another 25 foot plaza area just north of our development." said Day.  "We're proposing to handle the construction exactly the same way as the distillery has.  We think it's a great solution for all involved."

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Grand Tasting Gala Tickets On Sale Now!

Our travelling team of judges has tasted the first competition dish of the
Dine Iowa Culinary Competition, and they can't wait for you to try it too!

Join us at the 2014 Grand Tasting Gala and taste Rastrelli's Restaurant Chefs Mike and Tristan's dish for yourself! In fact, try all 10 dishes from top chefs across the state then vote for your favorite dish to win People's Choice award. This is your chance to truly "Dine Iowa"
without even leaving the room.

2014 Dine Iowa Grand Tasting Gala
Capital Square - The Atrium
400 Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
$50 per person

Click here, visit www.restaurantiowa.com
or call 515-276-1454 to reserve your tickets today!

The Quad Cities Comic Book Convention will be held on Sunday October 5 at the Ramada Inn in Bettendorf, IA. The Ramada Inn is located at 3020 Utica Rd (I-74 @ Kimberly Rd / Spruce Hills Dr, IA Exit 2). It will be open to the public from 10 AM to 4 PM and admission for the public is free.

Dealers from three states specializing in comic books new and old, toys and related. Or if you have old comics lying around that you no longer want bring them by dealers are buying. For further information contact Alan at (309) 657-1599 or visit www.epguides.com/comics.

Vetting a Romantic Partner Can Be Tough - Especially When You're Already Committed

If you're single and in the market for romance, you probably know at least two things: Online dating is a viable and efficient way to find a potential partner, but dating sites cannot guarantee a perfect match.

While a third of all married couples started their romance online - including on social networks like Facebook, according to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, only 23 percent of those who went on a date through a match-making site say it resulted in a long-term relationship, according to the Pew Research Center.

"Really, that's not a bad success rate - I imagine it beats the club scene," says Kris Rotonda, founder and CEO of www.YouMustLoveDogsDating.com, a website devoted to singles who've already found their canine companions, but have yet to find true human love.

"Still, that's a lot of scrolling and dating before you find the right one. I think it's important to narrow the search by letting users start with what's most important to them."

Rotonda, who has four beloved dogs including one he's had since age 8, says his commitment to his furry family became a problem in his dating life. He's happy to report he has now found true love - she loves his dogs and they love her back.

What should you do if your dog doesn't appear to like the new love interest in your life?

•  So, you're dog reacted negatively to a girl or guy you really like ... Of course, how your dog reacts matters if you love your dog, but he or she may be picking up on something that's nonessential to the character of your date, who may be nervous, not used to dogs or simply wearing the wrong perfume or cologne that day. While dogs are very intuitive - and, you want your canine companion to get along with a potential long-term partner - realize that the chemistry can improve. Give it a little time and proactively look for ways to help your dog and your potential love interest relax and get to know each other.

•  Different reactions can have different meanings ... Did she bark for several minutes? Did he run and hide under the bed? If your dog barked in what sounded like a hostile or aggressive way, she's likely just trying to protect you. While you may have had plenty of time to get to know your date over long dinners, he or she may still be a stranger to your dog. If your dog ran and hid, he may be afraid. That doesn't necessarily mean that his fear reflects a real threat - something rotten about your new love interest. What else was going on at the time? If a plane was flying overhead or thunder rumbling outside, that may have been the source of anxiety. Don't try to pet or sweet talk your pet while he's in hiding as that will encourage the behavior. Instead, reward him when he emerges.

•  Mending fences between your canine and human companion ... When you are planning to re-introduce your dog to your date, start before they actually meet in person. This can be done by introducing the person's scent with an unwashed article of clothing. You can also add your scent to the clothing by rubbing it on your arm and then placing in a spot where your dog spends a great deal of time. This will help your dog get used to the person's scent over time and you are not introducing the person to your dog by invading all his senses at one time.

About Kris Rotonda

Kris Rotonda is the founder and CEO of www.YouMustLoveDogsDating.com, a website devoted to singles who've already found their canine companions, but have yet to find true human love. Rotonda, a competitive body builder and successful real estate agent, had experienced a number of unexpected challenges as a bachelor and dog owner and saw the need for a dating site geared toward like-minded dog lovers.

Encourages statewide replication of Joliet Community College program 

JOLIET – Sept. 9, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today celebrated a new partnership between Joliet Junior College (JJC) and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters that will help boost career readiness. Simon encouraged colleges around Illinois to consider similar partnerships in order to better prepare students to enter the workforce.

"This cooperative arrangement brings together the best of skills training by the carpenters and academic training by JJC," said Simon. "Combining these training programs provide a way for the carpenters union to be recognized for their training, and for individual carpenters to expand their opportunities. And the state is a winner as well, gaining a more able workforce."

Joliet Junior College president Dr. Debra S. Daniels and Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters President Frank Libby hosted the event at JJC Tuesday thanking Lt. Governor Simon for her support of the newly-launched program.

"Partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and other educational institutions are central to our mission," Joliet Junior College President Daniels said. "They are a valuable way to connect individuals with opportunities. This partnership truly exemplifies that."

"On behalf of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, I sincerely thank Lt. Governor Simon for her longstanding commitment and dedication to the carpenters," said President Libby. "She has helped to provide an opportunity to many individuals who may never have even dreamed of being able to attend college, let alone earn a degree."

Apprentices or journeymen now have a number of options available through JJC to translate their on-the-job training into college credits and certificates. Options include an associate's degree in general studies that incorporates apprenticeship program completion and on-the-job training, with 20 hours of JJC course credits. JJC also offers several construction management certificates that count on-the-job proficiency toward completion.

Several Illinois colleges, including City Colleges of Chicago, Triton College, the College of DuPage, the College of Lake County and Waubonsee Community College, have either begun similar programs or are currently in talks to launch them. JJC has had about 90 applicants this year.

Applicants have a wide variety of previously earned credits under their belts, from architects looking for career changes, to students with 160 college credits but no degree.

Previously, Simon visited the state's 48 community colleges and 12 public universities to see how the schools are working to improve completion rates and workforce development, and gather ideas on how the state can help schools overcome barriers to completion goals.

As the chair of the Joint Educational Leadership Committee, Simon is working to increase the proportion of working-age adults in Illinois with meaningful college degrees or certificates to 60 percent by 2025.

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Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement after a shooting today that occurred at the Jackson County Courthouse:

"I was deeply concerned by the shooting that occurred today at the Jackson County Courthouse, and my thoughts are with those who were injured in this incident. Reports I've read indicate that Buck Koos acted heroically protecting the lives of others. Buck has been a friend and mentor to me, and Carolyn and I are keeping him and his family in our prayers. We all owe him a debt of gratitude and I wish him a speedy recovery." 

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Nova Singers, led by award-winning conductor Dr. Laura L. Lane, is celebrating its 29th season of bringing the finest choral music to audiences in Galesburg and the Quad Cities.  This season includes some wonderful extras, in addition to the superb 20-voice ensemble that the region has come to know and love.  Nova opens the season on October 25th and 26th with Stories in Song, a fun program that explores choral works that tell stories.  Look for Eric Whitacre's playful Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, Dinerstein's emotionally powerful When David Heard, a thrilling Bollywood tune, and a song from the hit movie Frozen!  At A Nova Christmas in December, join the many families who have made celebrating the holidays with Nova Singers their annual tradition!  We'll sing new jazz arrangements of some of your favorite Christmas carols, an African carol with drums, and Kevin Memley's incomparable O Magnum Mysterium.  In February's Journeys & Transformations, Nova presents the world premiere of a new work based on Carl Sandburg's poetry by famed composer Abbie Betinis. Enjoy this thematic program that will take surprising journeys and explore different kinds of transformation, from Vaughan Williams' extraordinary Three Shakespeare Songs, to Rautavaara's dark and intense Suite de Lorca, to the pure joy of Talbot's Santiago. The season concludes in April with Lullabies & Folksongs; harpist, Erin Freund, joins us for gorgeous harmonies of Brahms and the nostalgia and charm of familiar English and American folksongs.  You will also love Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies featuring harp, guitar and marimba.

 

The full schedule of performances is as follows:

Stories in Song

Saturday, October 25, 7:30 p.m., Kresge Hall, Knox College, Galesburg
Sunday, October 26, 4:00 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport

A Nova Christmas
Friday, December 19, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport
Saturday, December 20, 7:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church, Galesburg

Journeys & Transformations
Saturday, February 14, 7:30 p.m., Kresge Hall, Knox College, Galesburg
Sunday, February 15, 4:00 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport

Lullabies & Folksongs, featuring Erin Freund, harp

Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., Kresge Hall, Knox College, Galesburg

Sunday, April 19, 4:00 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport

SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW - $60 for adults, $50 for seniors.

 

Subscribers to Nova's 2014-2015 Season receive four concerts at an excellent discount.

 

Individual concert tickets available at the door.  Adults $18, Seniors (65+) $15, Students Free.

Nova Singers, a professional vocal ensemble under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, hope to share this fantastic listening experience with you.  Nova Singers is known for bringing a wide variety of choral music to its audiences, and for the spirit and charm the singers impart to their music.  Dr. Lane has been serving the greater Galesburg and Quad-Cities communities for over twenty-five years, bringing her passion for music and expressive singing to audiences and singers alike.

For more information, call Nova Singers at 309-341-7038 or e-mail nova@knox.edu. Information is also available at www.novasingers.com.  Nova Singers' 29th season is partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and the Quad City Arts.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/09/2014)(readMedia)-- The Illinois State Military Museum is one of several historic sites in Springfield, Illinois, that will host "The Fiery trial: Civil Rights Stories by Candlelight." Historians will tell stories, by candlelight, about Illinois residents and civil rights events as part of the nation's "Civil War to Civil Rights" 150th commemoration.

WHO:

• The Illinois State Military Museum

WHAT:

• "The Fiery Trial: Civil Rights Stories by Candlelight"

• A stop on a candlelight tour of historic sites in Springfield, Illinois

• The men who mustered into the 29th U.S. Colored Troops Regiment in Quincy in 1863 faced numerous hurdles just to enlist. Learn of the success of these Illinois Soldiers in combat in Virginia at the Battle of the Crater, at the battle of Appomattox and finally in service in Texas. In addition, the museum will be open for self-guided tours.

WHEN:

• 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Sept. 13

WHERE:

• The Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Ill.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• Admission and parking are free

• The Illinois Militia dates back to colonial times, making significant contributions to the Revolutionary War period and the largest contribution of personnel to the Union during the Civil War.

ADDITIONAL TOUR LOCATIONS:

• Lincoln Home National Historic Site

• Elijah Iles House

• Lincoln Tomb and War Memorial State Historic Site

• Old State Capitol State Historic Site

• Dana-Thomas House Historic Site

• Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site

For additional information, please contact the Illinois State Military Museum at 217-761-3910.

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www.facebook.com/illinoisstatemilitarymuseum

Fall Frolic Tickets

Greetings!
It is not too late to join us for this very special event. Friday, September 19th we will be celebrating 20 years of GAHC with our Charter Members at the Outing Club with a German buffet, silent auction, cash bar, and historical presentation!

Rochelle Pennington Speaks on the World War I Christmas Truce!
This event boasts a historical presentation by renowned professional speaker and author Rochelle Pennington. She will be illustrating this topic with artifacts from this actual event from 1914, 100 years ago!

Tickets to the Fall Frolic $50 per person-
Call 563-322-8844 to get your ticket!

The proceeds from your ticket and silent auction bids will go to help GAHC's educational exhibitions and programming.
Thank you for your support!

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