Le Claire, Iowa, October 31, 2011 - Mississippi River Distilling Company is excited to announce the release of their second seasonal product, Iowa Coffee Company Liqueur, on November 4, 2011.  MRDC is once again partnering with an Iowa business on this product, this time Iowa Coffee Company from the Des Moines area.  The new spirit will be perfect for holiday gatherings and as a unique gift.

"The whole idea of the seasonal spirits is to bring some unique products to the market and also partner with other local businesses," Ryan Burchett, MRDC owner and distiller, says.  "We were really excited that we knew someone in Iowa who was an experienced artisan coffee roaster."

MRDC takes Iowa Coffee Company's hand roasted Peruvian blend and infuses it into River Pilot Vodka.  Along the process, fresh cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans are added.  As a seasonal product, this is a limited, one time bottling with approximately 4,000 bottles for distribution.

MRDC features two signature cocktails at each First Friday.  This month we'll have Mississippi Night for visitors to try, which is iced coffee with Iowa Coffee Company Liqueur (ICCL) and River Baron Vodka.  The second cocktail will be a Stone Post, a wonderful fall concoction.  It's a mixture of apple cider, ginger simple syrup and River Pilot Vodka topped off with ginger beer.  Chef Stephanie Godke has also come up with three new recipes using MRDC products.  We'll give samples of ICCL grilled skirt steak with a coffee dry rub, ICCL brownies with cappuccino frosting and River Rose Gin pear cake.

Iowa Coffee Company (ICC) owner Tom Sibbernsen has been roasting coffee for over 20 years.  Sibbernsen originally got started in the coffee business with a friend in Omaha and then moved back to his roots in Iowa to start ICC.  He had a coffee shop inside of Des Moines' Mercy Hospital for 11 years and now sells his sought after beans through his website and at the popular downtown Des Moines farmer's market.

"I thought the collaboration was a great idea," Sibbernsen remarks.  "The reason I named my business 'Iowa Coffee Company' was not only because Iowa is where it was founded, but also because my business mission is to represent the core values of hard work, honesty, and friendliness that are characteristic of our state.  I know that Ryan and his team at MRDC share those values as well."

Burchett says there aren't many local artisan coffee roasters in Iowa and he was really excited about what Sibbernsen was bringing to the market.  "We thought it would be a great partnership to take fresh, locally roasted beans and combine them with our local farm fresh spirits."

"This was a great opportunity to collaborate with another locally focused Iowa business and combine our products to create something completely new," Sibbernsen says.  "It's very satisfying to see ICC's name not only on a coffee bag, but teamed with MRDC on a bottle.  Partnerships like this are a great way to help two quality businesses producing local artisan products expand their customer base within the state of Iowa."

Mississippi River Distilling Company is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 PM Sundays.  Free tours are offered to the public daily on the hour from 12 to 4 PM or by appointment.  The tour takes visitors through the entire distilling process.  Tours end in the Grand Tasting Room with free samples of products for those patrons over 21 years of age.  Mississippi River Distilling Company's next product, Cody Road Whiskey, will be released in December 2011.

A Message from Mel Brooks:

Dear townspeople,

Mel Brooks

 

No. 10 - Go green ... in complexion.

No. 9 - You keep fantasizing about meeting someone tall, dark, and gruesome.

No. 8 - It's been a while since you took in something "cerebral" at the theater.

No. 7 - Facebook keeps suggesting you reconnect with Abby Normal.

No. 6 - You've been meaning to brush up on your classic literature.

No. 5 - Mother wants to introduce you to a nice doctor she met. "He's got a good Jewish name," she says.

No. 4 - You have a closet full of pitchforks and torches and nowhere to go.

No. 3 - We hear Transylvania is lovely this time of year.

No. 2 - This could be your last roll in the hay until 2012.

And the No. 1 reason to see Young Frankenstein...

 

Tickets are as low as $31.50!

 

Volunteers will gather to honor legacy of Dubuque veteran by "paying it forward" to Veterans' Freedom Center

Waterloo, IA - On Wednesday, November 9th in Dubuque, volunteers will gather to observe the first ever Andrew Connolly Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dubuque native and Iowa National Guard veteran Andrew Connolly, who never stopped urging others to "pay it forward" in every aspect of their lives.

Before he passed away on August 26, 2011, Andrew Connolly could often be found at Dubuque's Veterans' Freedom Center, a place close to his heart.  That's why, on November 9th beginning at 8:30am, volunteers will "pay it forward" by donating their time to help clean up and prepare the new home of the Veterans' Freedom Center at 2245 Kerper Blvd. in Dubuque.

"Andrew's life was committed to serving others," Braley said.  "Whether he was with his wife, Jenny, or son, Brody, or serving overseas in Iraq, or advocating on Capitol Hill on behalf of other disabled veterans, Andrew led by example.  The mantra he often repeated was 'pay it forward.'

"That's why on November 9th we're going to 'pay it forward' to the Dubuque Veterans' Freedom Center to launch the first ever Andrew Connolly Day of Service.  I hope this day grows in scope and significance from this point forward - it's a fitting tribute to a man who was so focused on helping others despite a life that dealt him a very challenging hand."

The late Andrew Connolly served multiple overseas tours with the Iowa National Guard, including a combat tour in Iraq.  Andrew was diagnosed with spinal cancer after his Iraq tour.  As the disease progressed Andrew lost the use of his legs and lost dexterity in his hands.  His family utilized a Veterans Administration housing grant to build a new home that helped Andrew maintain his independence until he passed away.

Braley worked with Jenny Connolly, the Freedom Center, and local groups to organize the day of service.  Braley will volunteer his time to renovate the Veterans' Freedom Center and share Andrew Connolly's legacy, including the Andrew Connolly Veterans' Housing Act, a bill Braley introduced in May that expands grant programs for permanently disabled veterans to remodel their homes and make them more disability-accessible.

Interested members of the public are welcomed to volunteer their time.  If you're interested in volunteering, please contact the Dubuque Veterans' Freedom Center at (563) 845-0034.  Volunteers are encouraged to bring any painting materials they own - brushes, paint rollers, etc.  Only limited amounts will be available at the Freedom Center, although paint will be provided.

Wednesday November 9th, 2011

8:30am -               Andrew Connolly Day of Service

12:00pm               New Veterans' Freedom Center

2245 Kerper Blvd.

Dubuque, Iowa

*Interested volunteers should contact the Veterans' Freedom Center at (563) 845-0034 to RSVP their attendance.*

**Volunteers are encouraged to bring any painting materials they own - brushes, paint rollers, etc.  Only limited amounts will be available at the Freedom Center, although paint will be provided.**

# # #

Soles4Souls® Teams Up Again with The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
for November Boot Trade-In Event
September 2011 Shoe Event Raised over $21,000

Nashville, TN (October 31, 2011) - Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity proudly announces its partnership with The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. for a trade-in boot drive for the second year.  The retailer will be collecting customers' gently worn boots for charity.

Beginning on November 2nd until November 12th, customers will be invited to donate gently worn boots at all Bon-Ton Store locations to get $15.00 off their boot purchase of $50 or more. To find a participating location you can visit www.bonton.com.

The Bon-Ton Stores and Soles4Soles also partnered back in September at 62 Bon-Ton Store locations for Sole Sisters Shoe Shopping Events. $1 was donated for every pair of shoes purchased and the partnership successfully raised $21,316 dollars for Soles4Souls.

"We are excited to be partnering with The Bon-Ton Stores again for this boot trade-in event," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "Customers will have the opportunity to give back and thousands of people will be the recipient of the gift of shoes because of their efforts." he said.
The Chief Operating Officer, Barbara Schrantz of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., will be presenting the $21,316 dollar check to Souls4Souls this November 8th, 2011. Photos of this presentation will be available upon request.
For more information on how to get involved and to find a recycling location near you, visit www.giveshoes.org.