Environmental Advocate Shares Affordable Gadgets
that Shrink Your Footprint - and Your Bills

Just as intended, the 44th annual celebration of Earth Day on April 22 will be surrounded by talk of our environment, our impact on it and what we can do to better live in harmony with it.

"We're seeing more and more people who realize that, if each of us does what we can every day,  collectively, we can have a tremendous impact," says Lynda Chervil, a thought leader and green technology advocate whose new book, "Fool's Return," (http://lyndachervil.com/), mirrors real-life efforts to develop sustainable energy sources.

"All the people carrying reusable grocery sacks, people who've quit the plastic water bottle habit, folks heating their pools or houses with solar panels - that's what we should be celebrating this Earth Day."

This year's March Gallup Environment poll found that 42 percent of Americans believe the outlook for the environment has improved, up from only 26 percent in 2008.

Chervil, who studies the science behind green technology, says environmental awareness has ramped up production of affordable goods that can shrink individuals' carbon footprints. She shares four devices she says would make a nice gift for Mother Earth on her day:

•  HybridLight Solar Flashlight: These flashlights never need batteries, can be charged from any light source, and they always work. The 120 lumens model will burn for eight hours on one charge. HybridLight's flashlights are so reliable, the Boy Scouts' Utah National Parks Council endorse them - and they come with a lifetime guarantee. For every 10 hours of use, 100 HybridLight flashlights avert 60 pounds of toxic battery landfill waste. An added very cool note - HybridLights has a mission to light up corners of the world with little or no electricity. Recently, the company supplied everyone in a Kenyan village with their own flashlight.  Cost: Prices start at less than $20.

•  Bedol Water Alarm Clock: Imagine a water-powered alarm clock that's loud enough to scare you out of bed! Bedol's water clocks run strictly on tap water - no batteries, no nothing else. The energy comes from a natural reaction between the water and two metal plates. The smallest clocks in the line run for six to 12 weeks before the display begins to fade, indicating that the water needs to be changes. Occasionally, you also need to clean the metal plates with vinegar. Just in time for Earth Day, Bedol is launch it's 12-by-15-inch wall-mount water clock! Cost: Prices start at $19.

•  iGo Green Power Smart Wall: We've all heard of the "vampires" in our homes that suck up power whether we're using them or not - everything from coffee pots to laptops. Stem the bleeding with this surge protector that cuts the suck by up to 85 percent. The unit, which plugs into the wall, has four outlets, two of which are always on. The other two automatically power down when the attached appliance is not in use. Cost: Prices start at about $12.

•  Pama Eco Navigator Satellite Navigation system : This GPS system also saves gasoline by providing you with the most energy-efficient routes to your destinations, and feedback on your car's performance, so you can adjust your driving habits to improve your gas mileage. It also saves all your routes, so you can assess their fuel efficiency. Cost: Watch for pricing and availability on Amazon.

"Most of these items are not only budget priced, they save you money in batteries, electricity and fuel," Chervil says. "Not only are you doing something great for the planet when you use green technology, you're taking a load off your wallet."

About Lynda Chervil

Lynda Chervil is the author of "Fool's Return," http://lyndachervil.com/, a new novel that incorporates valuable life lessons in a page-turning tale that touches on technology, the green movement, and other aspects of contemporary society. She graduated from New York University with a master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and has extensive experience in consumer and commercial banking and has held positions in new business development, sales management and executive leadership. Chervil seeks to push the limits of established understanding by exploring alternative forms of spiritual healing, and, through creative writing, to expand the narrative of cutting-edge energy technology to promote sustainability.

Davenport, Iowa (March 25, 2014) - The Figge Art Museum will be hosting Kids Design Glass LIVE! on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. in the John Deere Auditorium.

This special event will feature a live feed from the Museum of Glass Hot Shop as they create a brand-new glass sculpture inspired by the Kids Design Glass contest winner, six-year-old Lyric Rice from Rock Island Academy. Lyric and the audience will interact with the Hot Shop team using SKYPE. Admission will be free and open to the public.

The contest ran from February 1-22 with over 350 submissions from area children (12 and under). Drawings came in from museum guests, area schools, students from the Figge's  Big Picture Outreach program and Free Family Day.

The Museum of Glass Hot Shop artists had the difficult task of selecting the winning drawing titled: "Foot Woman." Foot Woman was drawn by Lyric at the Lights On For Learning after school program - where the Figge makes weekly visits with the Big Picture outreach program.

Kids Design Glass is currently on display on the fourth floor of the museum and includes 52 colorful glass sculptures and the children's drawings that inspired them. The newest addition by Lyric Rice will become part of the Kids Design Glass collection from the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. She will also receive her own sculpture from the Museum of Glass to take home.

Kids Design Glass will be on view through May 4, 2014.

Quad Cities, USA: Christ Church will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast to benefit The Salvation Army's Summer Day Camp Youth Programs. You are invited to enjoy pancakes, coffee, and to purchase a variety of baked goods. Tickets can be purchased now at the church, or Saturday morning at the door.

Location: Christ Church, 2330 W. 41st Street, Davenport, IA 52806

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014

Time: 8:00am - 10:30am

Price: $5 per person, children under 6 are free

For hundreds of Quad-City children, The Salvation Army Corps Community Centers are a second home. And for the 55 children living at the Family Service Center, it is their home. Each summer the Davenport Corps Community Center hosts the children's summer camp for the shelter's children.

And for the 10th year, the Moline Corps Community Center at 2200 - 5th Avenue offers a low-cost day camp offering a fun, safe and education summer to community children.

All summer, children will have the opportunity to play music, learn sports, make new friends, go on field trips to QC attractions, and even attend an overnight camp in the beautiful hills of Washburn, IL. All activities feature life skill and character building, safety and structure.

To learn more about any of The Salvation Army's programs, and how you might get involved, please call Holly 563-271-7933.

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack made the following statement today at the unveiling of the statue of Norman Borlaug that will represent Iowa in the U.S. Capitol.

"From growing up in a small agricultural town in Iowa boasting a one room schoolhouse to saving one billion lives by fathering the 'Green Revolution,' Norman Borlaug is a true American pioneer. As someone who taught students about developing countries, the work of Norman Borlaug often played a key role in explaining how many of these countries were able to propel their economies forward. Dr. Borlaug is an example of someone who inspired younger generations to appreciate the incredible role that science and agriculture play in our everyday life.

"His Iowa roots, compassion, and ability to think big not only changed the world, but showed thousands of Iowans that they too could change the world. I am proud that people from all over the world who visit the Capitol can now learn more about Dr. Borlaug's efforts to feed the hungry and promote peace."

The statue unveiling was held in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol, today, March 25, which is also National Ag Day and the 100th anniversary of Borlaug's birth. The statue of Borlaug will join others in the collection that honors men and women who are, according to the 1864 law creating the collection, "illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military services such as each state may deem to be worthy." Each state was invited to contribute two statues to be housed in National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Dr. Borlaug's statue is replacing a statue of James Harlan, which will now be housed in Mt. Pleasant at Iowa Wesleyan. The collection, now totaling 100 statues, is currently located throughout the U.S. Capitol and the Capitol Visitor Center.

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Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is starting its 25th year of hosting one of the largest indoor "garage sales" in the area to benefit single parents and their children in a program that takes them from homelessness to hopefulness. The spring semi-annual benefit sale will be Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17, from 8 am to 4 pm at 3805 Mississippi Avenue, the office and donation center for Humility of Mary Housing.

It is getting to be time for spring cleaning or, maybe down-sizing, and we are willing to accept donations of all those clean, gently used items in good working order that you are wanting to move on and out. Donations can be dropped off at 3805 Mississippi Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., through May 9.

Humility of Mary Housing serves 47 single parent families and approximately 100 children. The length of stay in the program varies but last year it was 15 months.

In this program children learn there is a different way to live. Parents have said they not only get a roof over their heads but they are given the opportunities to build a foundation under their feet to provide for a better future.

Parents and children who have benefitted from this program have become employees in many Quad City businesses, have purchased homes; they have moved from homelessness to a life of hopefulness.

 

MOLINE, Ill. (March 24, 2014) - Quad City Mallards defenseman Nicholas Rioux has joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on a professional tryout agreement, the Mallards announced today.

This marks the third time this season, Rioux, 27, has been called up to Iowa.  The 6' 1", 205-pound Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec native played six games over two stints in January with the Wild.  Rioux also took part in Iowa's preseason training camp.

Rioux, who has scored five goals for the Mallards this season, ranks eighth among Central Hockey League defensemen in assists (25) and is tied for tenth among CHL blue liners in points (30).  He has posted a plus/minus rating of +8 in 55 games with the Mallards.  Rioux has also been named one of five finalists for the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman award.

Last year, Rioux scored seven goals and registered 27 points with a plus/minus of +3 for the CHL's Bloomington Blaze.  The durable Rioux played in each of the Blaze's 66 regular season games last season and missed just a single game over his first two professional campaigns.

Rioux first played under Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski as a rookie with the CHL's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in 2011-12.  Rioux scored five times, produced 21 points and turned in a plus/minus of +5 in 65 games with the Killer Bees.

Rioux turned pro after a three-year college career at St. Cloud State during which he totaled three goals and four assists in 26 games.  Rioux played two seasons of junior hockey in the British Columbia League- with the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings- before heading to St. Cloud.

The Mallards next play Wednesday night on the road against the Allen Americans.  The Mallards' next home game is their regular season finale next Sunday, March 30, at 4:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks.  Next Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day at the iWireless Center.  Fans can bring their skates to next Sunday's game and skate with the Mallards after that tilt.  In addition, all fans in attendance will receive a coupon good for a free bag of popcorn at iWireless Center concession stands.

Tickets for next Sunday's game can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Physician Shares 3 Ways It Can Lie About Us

Social science experts agree -- much of what we "say" is never actually spoken.

"Facial expressions and other body language account for more than half of our communication," says Adam J. Scheiner, M.D., www.adamscheinermd.com, an international Oculoplastic surgeon who's been featured on "The Dr. Oz Show" and "The Doctors."

"When we look at someone, especially when we're meeting for the first time, we quickly scan the eye and mouth areas of the other person's face to make some quick judgments: Are they friendly or a potential threat? Are they trustworthy? We form first impressions within 7 seconds of meeting."

Those first impressions can become misleading due to the normal aging process and damage caused by stress, diet and environmental factors, particularly sun exposure.

"I call them the three D's of aging: Our skin begins to deteriorate; our faces deflate, making them narrower and wrinkled; and our eyelids and face descend, causing drooping and sagging," Scheiner says. "All of these can affect what our face communicates to those around us."

It's bad enough to communicate something you don't really feel, he says. It's worse when people react to that communication so often, such as saying, "You look so tired," that you actually begin to believe you are tired, he says.

He shares the three common "miscommunications":

•  "People say I look tired when I'm not."
As we age, our eyelids can begin to droop and look heavy, Scheiner says. The lower eyelid region often develops fullness below the lower lashes due to changes in the fat around the eye and changes in the facial fat of the surrounding cheek region. A lower eyelid height, heaviness of the upper or lower eyelid, or an eyebrow falling intotheupper eyelid space can also occur. Whatever the cause, having baggy, puffy eyes can make a person look tired, sleepy, old or sick.

•  "People avoid me because they say I look stern, even angry. I'm neither!"
Whether through genetics or aging, eyebrows may lack or lose the arc that opens up the eye area and the entire face. A fairly straight eyebrow can convey a closed, unapproachable personality.

•  "People think I'm sick or have no energy."
The brain expects to see a smooth curve from the temple to the cheek through the jawline to the chin. Any break in the curve is read as a lack of vibrancy. Normal facial aging causes loss of youthful fullness due to facial fat changes. This can cause a break in the curve that translates as a lack of vibrancy. In addition, poorly injected facial fillers can cause unnatural results.

Cosmetic procedures shouldn't aim to turn you into something you're not, Scheiner says.

"For rejuvenation, you simply want your face to communicate how you really feel inside. When you accomplish that, it's so natural, people will say, 'Wow, you look great!' But they won't be able to put their finger on why."

About Dr. Adam J. Scheiner

Adam J. Scheiner, M.D. is world-renowned in laser eyelid and facial plastic surgery for his groundbreaking treatment for Festoons. He wrote the medical text on the conditionand treated two complex causes of Festoons for the Dr. Oz and The Doctors TV shows.

The Better Business Bureau announces the 2014 winners of the Quad Cities Business of Integrity Awards.  Winners will be honored on April 10 in Rock Island at the Jumer's Casino & Hotel. "These Integrity Award honorees embody the ideals of the Better Business Bureau," said Chris Coleman, Better Business Bureau President. "Our mission is to celebrate marketplace role models who uphold trust, reliability and ethics. Certainly these businesses are excellent role models because integrity is at their foundation." Three high school seniors will also be honored for their integrity and each will receive a $2,500 scholarship. They are Andrew Quested of Assumption High School, Brooke Chapman of Central Community High School and Jacob Simpson of Clinton High School. The public is invited to attend the event. Tickets may be purchased for $35 a person or a table of 8 is available for $240. For reservations, please contact Jamie McKenzie at 563-355-1705 or jamie@dm.bbb.org.

The 2014 QC Better Business Bureau Integrity Award honorees are:
  • Bush Construction Company, Davenport
"Bush Construction is honored to be recognized by the Better Business Bureau for our unique approach to ethics and integrity.  Respecting our vendors like business partners while consistently delivering on our commitments to clients has been and will continue to be keys to Bush Construction's success." - A.J. Loss, President
  • DeWitt Bank & Trust, DeWitt
"We were flattered merely to be nominated for this prestigious award.  To be a recipient is truly gratifying, as it confirms the high standards of integrity our employees uphold every day." - Greg Gannon, President/CEO
  • D'Souza-Krutzfeldt Q.C. Dentistry, Davenport
"At D'Souza-Krutzfeldt Q.C. Dentistry, we believe integrity is about treating people responsibly and with respect." - Dr. Joseph D'Souza, President
  • Humility of Mary Housing & Shelter, Davenport
"Humility of Mary Housing & Shelter demonstrates integrity through our relationships with our guests/participants, vendors, funders, donors and community as a whole through ethical interactions and transparent and responsible fiscal and financial policies. We believe strongly in ensuring that the people we serve are aware of our mission and aware of their own rights as consumers of our services. Integrity is at the heart of our commitment to the people and community we serve."  - Julie Bockenstedt, Executive Director
  • Kaplan University, Davenport
"Integrity is one of Kaplan University's core values, and we hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in everything we do. This includes our commitment to student success as well as our commitment to give back to our local community. It is an honor to be recognized with the 2014 Better Business Bureau Integrity Award for something we feel so strongly about." - Lisa Zerbonia, President Kaplan University, Davenport Campus
  • MidAmerica Basement Systems, Davenport
"It is fair to say that we have a passion and are on a quest to provide the best customer service possible - to turn the table on the reputation of poor customer service and integrity the basement waterproofing, construction and remodeling industry sometimes has. Our goal at MidAmerica Basement Systems is not just to provide good, honest service, but to set and keep improving the standard for customer service and integrity in our industry." - Howard J. Tatge, President
This year's generous sponsors include :
  • Brus Construction
  • Cervantes & Gordon PLC
  • Creekside Vineyards-Winery & Inn
  • General Asphalt Construction
  • Iowa American Water
  • Jersey Grille Sports Restaurant
  • MidAmerican Energy
  • Modern Woodmen of America
  • Molyneaux Insurance
  • Miller Trucking & Excavating
  • Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center
  • QC Bank & Trust
  • Rock Valley Physical Therapy
  • Werner Restoration Services
  • WQAD HD TV
Note: Logos for each of the winners are available from the BBB upon request.
Additional Contacts (News Media Only): Chris Coleman, President & CEO, 515-202-8845 (Cell), ccoleman@dm.bbb.org.
About the BBB. The BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior.  Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization's high standards of ethical business behavior. The BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region was founded in 1940 and is one of 113 BBBs.  Locally, the BBB has over 3,500 Accredited Businesses and provides reports and on companies throughout the state.  Contact the BBB at 1-800-BBB-1600 or info@dm.bbb.org.

Statue represents State of Iowa and is installed on National Agriculture Day and 100th anniversary of Borlaug's birth

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds are in attendance today as leadership of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Iowa's congressional delegation, USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and other state and federal officials gather for the unveiling of a statue of Iowa native Dr. Norman E. Borlaug at the U.S. Capitol. A large delegation of Iowans, including farmers, students, educators, business people, and Borlaug family members have made the trip to Washington, D.C. to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Borlaug and Iowa's leadership in agriculture and the biosciences.

Today's Statue Dedication Ceremony at 10 a.m. CDT includes remarks by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), along with remarks by Members of the Iowa congressional delegation, Gov. Branstad and chairman of the Borlaug Statue Committee Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn.

Statue artist Benjamin Victor of South Dakota is also in attendance, and the installation of the Borlaug statue becomes his second in the National Statuary Hall Collection (the other is Sarah Winnemucca of Nevada). Musical selections are being performed by Centerville, Iowa, native and renowned opera singer Simon Estes, and by Iowa City native and former Miss Iowa Anne Michael Langguth. The statue unveiling includes singing of the historic "Iowa Corn Song," composed in 1921, which was Borlaug's favorite.

"This is a historic event for the State of Iowa and a celebration of our role in feeding the world," Branstad says. "Dr. Borlaug is credited with saving an estimated one billion people around the world from hunger and starvation, so it's fitting that we honor this Cresco, Iowa native and great American hero for his extraordinary agricultural achievements on the 100th anniversary of his birth and National Agriculture Day."

"The unveiling of Norman E. Borlaug's statue is a proud moment for our state and all Iowans," Reynolds says. "Visitors to the United States Capitol will now have an opportunity to see his statue and learn more about his remarkable achievements and our state's leadership in agriculture, biosciences and STEM education."

Borlaug dedicated his life to breeding better varieties of wheat, and worked with farmers, scientists, politicians and others to improve methods and policies to alleviate hunger and malnutrition worldwide. His achievements earned him recognition as "Father of the Green Revolution" and the distinction of being the only American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal and the National Medal of Science.

"I spent a decade working with Dr. Borlaug and he was the most humble, hard-working and inspiring person I have ever known," said Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, president of Borlaug's World Food Prize Foundation and chairman of the Borlaug Statue Committee. "Today's unveiling not only honors him and our state, but also will be a monument to American agricultural achievement in our nation's capitol that will inspire a new generation to carry on his legacy of agricultural innovation to ensure we have enough nutritious food for all."

Today's statue dedication ceremony is the culmination of a project that began in 2011, when the Iowa Legislature approved a resolution and Gov. Branstad appointed the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Statue Committee to raise funds and commission an artist to design, create and install a statue of Borlaug. It is now part of the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol Building, where each state is permitted to have two statues of notable citizens. It replaces the statue of U.S. Sen. James Harlan installed in 1910, which will be relocated to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The second statue representing Iowa is of Gov. Samuel Kirkwood, installed in 1913.

The ceremony today can be viewed via live webcast at speaker.gov/live. Iowans are encouraged to visit www.iowaborlaugstatue.org to learn more about the Borlaug statue project, including information about how they can visit the statue on display long-term in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. More information about Dr. Borlaug and The World Food Prize is available at www.worldfoodprize.org/norm.

 

Gov. Branstad's prepared remarks below are embargoed until delivery:

After many distinguished speakers, it would normally be difficult to add further acclaim to almost any individual.  But Dr. Norman E. Borlaug was no ordinary man.

 

It is an honor for Lt. Governor Reynolds and I to help commemorate Dr. Borlaug on the 100th anniversary of his birth and it is particularly fitting that this celebration falls on National Agriculture Day.

 

Similar to Senator Grassley, Congressman Latham and me, Dr. Borlaug was raised on a farm in northern Iowa. His farm roots taught him about hard work and humility.

 

Dr. Borlaug and I also share a Norwegian heritage, which, as Norwegians can attest, helped nurture his unassuming nature and provided a solid foundation for him to dream big.

 

Dr. Borlaug was also a high school and college wrestler and credited wrestling, a key sport in Iowa, with providing him an intensity and toughness that helped him accomplish great things.

 

The statue of Dr. Borlaug replaces the likeness of another great Iowan - Senator James Harlan.  As one honored Iowan enters our nation's Capitol, another, who was a very dear friend of Abraham Lincoln, heads home to the Heartland.

 

Dr. Borlaug now joins the statue of Governor Samuel Kirkwood, a leader credited for securing more soldiers per capita for the Union effort than any other state during the Civil War.

 

Today's celebration allows us the opportunity to honor all three of these Iowans and to especially share the remarkable story of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug.

 

Dr. Borlaug is a fitting representative for the State of Iowa. Our agricultural heritage has blossomed into a thriving bioscience industry, which leverages the research of Iowa State University, our land-grant institution. Iowa was proud to be the first state to accept the provisions of the Morrill Act over 150 years ago.

 

Pioneering companies and productive, hard-working farmers have enabled Iowa to lead the nation in the production of corn, soybeans, pork, eggs, ethanol and biodiesel. Innovative Iowa companies are making a difference:  from feeding a growing world population to reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil.

 

Dr. Borlaug's accomplishments are especially inspiring for Iowa's young people as they pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, math and agriculture fields.  Dr. Borlaug was an innovator who put science in the hands of those who needed it most, all around the world.

 

His statue inspires those who continue to sow the land and those making technology advancements in agriculture and the biosciences.

 

He was a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a cousin whose legacy continues to make his family proud and we are glad to also honor his family with this celebration.

 

Dr. Borlaug was a farmer, a humanitarian, a scientist, and an educator, and his inspiration lives on in the many organizations, like the World Food Prize, that honor those who feed a growing world population.

 

Iowans are proud to have Dr. Borlaug represent them, as he embodied so many of the characteristics Iowans cherish like hard work, compassion, and service to others.

 

On behalf of my fellow Iowans, we now commend Dr. Borlaug's statue to the care of our nation's leaders.  We hope his legacy will inspire future generations of Americans and that his humble spirit will long be remembered.

 

May God bless the State of Iowa and the United States of America. 

 

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Celebrate Preservation Month at Brucemore with free guided tours of the 21 room mansion on Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 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 and Trust.

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. The 2014 Preservation Month theme, "New Age of Preservation: Embark, Inspire, Engage," is meant to excite communities and introduce new audiences to the work being done to enrich and preserve the places that make your community special.

Brucemore will offer other Preservation Month activities in May, including:

  • Iowa Manufacturing: A Family Portrait exhibit - Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
  • Nooks and Crannies Tour - May 1 and 15, 6:00 p.m.
  • Hired Help Tour - May 8, 6:00 p.m.
  • Brucemore Summer Plant Sale - May 10, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Historic Neighborhood Walk - May 22, 6:00 p.m.
  • Brucemore in Bloom Tour - May 29, 6:00 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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