eddy Magazine - May June July 2015

Birding in the Quads

More Inside:: : Ride the River: : Bike Share Study: : Springtime Birding: : Trailblazing the

Confluence

C o n n e c t i n g p e o p l e t o t h e r i v e r

Volume 5, Issue 2 | May/June/July 2015 A P U B L I C A T I O N O F R I V E R A C T I O N , I N C . w w w . r i v e r a c t i o n . o r g

Non Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

Montezuma, IA

[ Cover Photo: Dick Sayles]

Our Bi-State Region is at a disadvantage when it comes to tourism spending

While a hotel and motel tax is not paid until checkout, putting

heads in beds begins for the QC Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

months, even years, in advance, when the Bureau asks cities for hotel and motel

taxes. I’ve always been interested in the marketing of our metro area, so I began

my research with where hotel and motel taxes go and an interview with Joe Taylor,

Executive Director, QCCVB, to learn just how much funding our area has for tourism

marketing.

I learned first that cuts of 20% will most likely occur in the 2016 fiscal year with

reductions coming from both Iowa and Illinois Tourism offices and their respective

budget cuts. “We whisper while others shout, and our message needs to be

amplified,” advised Joe. “When the Wisconsin Dells or St. Louis begin their marketing,

our message is drowned out without sufficient resources, and we need to shout the

message that the Quad Cities is affordable, accessible, and a great getaway.”

I learned that besides collecting a tax at check out, many things impact the

funds for tourism. As background, on a room costing $100, 5% goes to the State

of Iowa or Illinois while 7% goes to local municipalities, or $12% in all. Hotels send

the tax quarterly to the state departments of

revenue; the departments then distribute the

cities’ funds to the municipalities quarterly. The

entire 7% does not go to the marketing funds

at the QCCVB, however, and this was probably

the most surprising thing I learned during my

research.

It is becoming routine for hotel and

motel tax rebates to be part of development

agreements in the Quad Cities. For example,

sometimes as much as 90% of the tax a hotel

collects is rebated back to the hotel for 10

years, and sometimes the agreement lasts 20

years with percentages toward the end of the

term reduced.

Confounding the challenge for the Bureau

is that when it comes to distribution from the

state tourism offices, both offices consider

the Quad Cities as one-half of a destination.

Compare that with Peoria which receives full

funding for a population not too different from

the Illinois Quad Cities. Clearly, a new formula is

needed to boost Quad City tourism marketing.

May/June/July 2015 Volume 5 Issue 2

_______

KATHY WINE, Publisher / Executive DirectorBETH CLARK, Managing Editor, Milepost Ventures, Inc. JEFF VanECHAUTE/pi design, inc., DesignEILEEN SIPES, Calendar EditorContributing Writers

TIM CHAMBERS, River Action Staff JESSICA FLONDRO, River Action Staff TIM GILLMAN, River Action StaffEILEEN SIPES, River Action StaffKATHY WINE, River Action StaffDICK SAYLES, Quad Cities Audobon SocietyMIKAEL HOLGERSSON, Vildmark Inc.ROBBIN DUNN

Contributing Photographers/PhotographsMIK HOLGERSSONJESSICA FLONDROTIM GILLMAN RICHARD MOSONER

Printing ServicesSUTHERLAND PRINTING

© eddy Magazine and River Action, Inc., all rights reserved, 2015. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without express, written permission, is prohibited. The views expressed herein, whether expressed as fact, fiction, opinion, advice or otherwise are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of this magazine. This magazine is sold with the understanding that neither it, nor River Action, Inc., its owners or managers, are engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, medical, technical, or any other advice, professional or otherwise. The publication of any advertisement does not reflect the endorsement of any products or services by the ownership or management of this magazine unless it is specifically stated in such advertisement and there is written approval for such endorsement. Those submitting manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material to eddy Magazine for consideration should not send originals. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other submitted materials must be accompanied by a self addressed, postage paid envelope in return of materials is requested. Return of materials is not guaranteed. eddy Magazine is published quarterly by River Action, Inc., 822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA 52803 and is direct mailed to approximately 6,000 area homes and businesses.

eddy MagazinePublished by River Action, Inc.822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA 52803563-322-2969www.riveraction.org

To Advertise: Contact Beth Clark 309-269-3455 or contact Deb Girard at [email protected]. For rates, ad dimensions and deadline information email [email protected]

To Subscribe or become a member of River Action: call 563-322-2969 or visit www.riveraction.org

Kathy Wine

May/June/July 2015 | eddy Magazine 3

O u r M i s s i o n :River Action strives to foster the environmental, economic, and cultural vitality of the Mississippi River and its riverfront in the Quad City region.

P U B L I S H E R ’ S L E T T E R

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

4 River Action Updates

4 Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks by Jessica Flondro

4 Kickstarting Fundraising for the First Bridge by Eileen Sipes

5 Ride the River: Bring it On! by Kathy Wine

5 Bike Share Study Kicks-Off by Tim Gillman

6 Partnering for Conservation by Tim Chambers

7 Feature Stories

7 Springtime Birding and Hot Spots by Dick Sayles

8 What Are We Conserving? by Mikael Holgersson

10 Trailblazing to the Confluence by Jessica Flondro

11 Photo Contest Winners by Robbin Dunn

11 2015 Eddy Awards by Kathy Wine

14 eddy Calendar: May, June, July — by Eileen Sipes

4 eddy Magazine | www.riveraction.org

RIVER AC TION UPDATE

Kickstarting Fundraising for the First Bridge — By Eileen Sipes

Learn about the Mississippi River first hand through River Action’s Riverine Walks and Channel Cat Talks. The series provides Quad

Cities’ residents and tourists a chance to experience and learn about the Mississippi River by taking them to unique sites where they can explore wildlife, history, culture, water quality, and more. Each talk utilizes the multiple opportunities afforded by geology, local ecology, and cultural/historical factors unique to each place on 30 miles of the river and riverfront in the Quad City region.

Channel Cat Talks participants tour aboard the water taxi while experts narrate. Favorites will return while new offerings will cover: “River Livelihoods: Fishing the Mississippi River” with Ron Brown, “Stories from Hell Gate of the Mississippi: The Effie Afton Trial and Abraham Lincoln’s Role In It,” author Larry Riney, “The Founding of Davenport,” Bobbie Swanson, “How Do Locks and Dams Work?,” Anthony Heddlesten, “History of Rowing on Sylvan Slough, 1850-2015,” Dale Howard, “The Great River Road,” Scott Tunnicliff, “The Lost and the Almost Lost of the Mississippi,” Bob Bryant, and “What the Coast Guard do on the Mississippi,” Jared Landheer.

River Action is turning to the internet to raise funds for their latest project, First Bridge, a reconstruction of the first railroad bridge to

cross the Mississippi. This pedestrian and bicycle bridge will connect downtown Davenport to the riverfront trails of Heritage Park. With fundraising as the first major obstacle to getting any project off the ground, River Action is turning to the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform as a way to raise a portion of their budgeted funds as they become more innovative in their fundraising strategies. Crowdfunding is pledging your support to a creative idea that you want to see become a reality.

According to their website, “Kickstarter.com is a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors … [and] is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. It's pledging your support to a creative idea that you want to see exist in the world.” In line with Kickstarter.com guidelines, projects have a set number of days to raise all the projected funds, or the creator receives nothing. River Action’s bridge project has a 30-day fundraising window. If the allotted budget portion ($50,000) isn’t raised, all pledges are canceled and the Kickstarter crowdfunding project will not be funded.

When asked about why Kickstarter was appealing, River Action’s Executive Director, Kathy Wine noted, “The ability to spread the word quickly online to a lot of people, and keep them updated on the status of the project is invaluable.” An added advantage for non-profits is Kickstarter’s merchant partner Stripe, which enables each project the convenience of receiving funds from anywhere in the world.

Riverine Walks offer unique experiences from land. Guided walks, presented by local professionals, inform residents and visitors about the environment, culture, and history with an abundance of interactive discussions and activities. New this year: “Exploring Civil War History, Confederate Cemetery and Prison, and Construction of Old Stone Shops” with George Eaton, “A Walk on the Wild Side,” Chuck Wester, “Stormwater 101,” Tim Chambers, “Plant Biodiversity at Collinson Preserve,” Dr. Bohan Dziadyk, “First Bridge,” Kathy Wine and Dr. Curtis Roseman, “Riverside Cemetery Architecture and Design,” Kathleen Suesy, and “Deep Maps – Historic Geography of the Upper Mississippi River,” Dr. Reuben Heine.

The series runs from June to August. Channel Cat talks are Tuesday and Thursday, 9-10:45 a.m., and cost $12 per person. Riverine Walks are Wednesday, 6-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m. and are free to River Action members, $5 for others.

For more information or to register for a program visit riveraction.org. Support for the series includes grants from Humanities Iowa and

Illinois Humanities Council.

River Action is hoping to attract the interests of bridge enthusiasts, railroad enthusiasts, Mississippi River enthusiasts, bicyclists, engineers, Lincoln and history buffs with this Kickstarter project.

Monies raised through Kickstarter will be used to fund construction costs associated with the First Bridge project. Keep your eyes open for the First Bridge project at www.kickstarter.com.

"Honest Abe" holds a scale model of First Bridge in position along River Drive in Davenport to approximate how the bridge will look when completed.

2015 Explore the River:

Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks — By Jessica Flondro



— by Kathy Wine

On March 20th, a committee led by River Action met with Josh Sikich of Alta

Planning + Design to begin the first feasibility study and plan for a bicycle share system in the Quad Cities. In the meeting, Josh outlined what work will be done, and what we can expect when the study ends in about four months. The study will provide a comprehensive look at the geography, economy, and demographics of the Quad Cities to see if the area is suitable for such a system. It will also outline a business model and funding plan that would best suit the area. The $25,000 study and plan are funded by MetroLINK, the cities of Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, and Riverdale, Renaissance Rock Island, the Quad City Bicycle Club, and River Action.

If the system comes to fruition, the Quad Cities will join several other Midwestern cities with bike sharing, including Des Moines, Madison, Milwaukee, Omaha, and Chicago. Many other cities in the region and around the country are doing similar studies and plans to kick start their own bicycle sharing programs. Alta Planning + Design recently wrapped up an extensive study for the St. Louis metro area.

Some might ask what a bicycle sharing system is, or what benefits it can have for a community. It is a relatively new form of public transportation, but instead of buses or trains,

June 21, 2015, brings the first day of

summer and Ride the River! Other firsts on that day include a new headquarters at the Quad City Times, a ride through the First Bridge – The Original Gateway to the West, built by Estes Construction.

Also new this year, the first 300 kids registered for Ride the River will receive a CatEye Headlight (value $15) donated by the Kiwanis Club of Davenport. This donation is in keeping with the club’s mission of promoting child safety, and with the donation of the flashing tail lights the club made in 2014, allows a child’s bike to be visible from the front and the rear.

The headquarters for the start and the finish will host a BCycle Bike Share station. Nearby parking will be at MidAmerican Energy on Le Claire Street.

Options for crossing the river include the riverboat ride on the Celebration Belle with bikes being transported on barges compliments of Mississippi River Fleeting and the Arsenal Island crossing that will be on the bike trail across the Island.

To register, go to www.riveraction.org, sign up on a form available in QC Bike Shops, or come to River Action’s office, 822 East River Drive, Davenport. Questions? Call 563-322-RIDE. Your Support

Your participation in Ride the River helps River Action fulfill its mission of building trails and making the riverfront a healthful and livable environment. You could also consider a membership to River Action and enjoy other great events with discounts year round. Finally, consider joining Friends of Ride the River where your tax-deductible donation of $50 or more ($100 for businesses) helps ensure the vitality of this community event for years to come. Just mark this option on the registration form; Friends are recognized in a special list on the ride maps.Volunteers Needed

Receive a free T-Shirt and lots of thanks! Work on Saturday or Sunday, early or late; let us know your preference at www.riveraction.org/volunteer.

Summer 2015Bring it On!

citizens can rent or borrow a bicycle from an automated docking station. For the Quad Cities, bicycle sharing would provide a new, inexpensive transportation alternative. It would also get more bikes on our roads - ultimately leading to more bike lanes and safer streets for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

However, the viability and sustainability of such a system in the QCA is not definite. The area has a unique geography, with two long riverfronts, tall bluff hills, and only a few bikeable bridges. However other riverfront communities, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chattanooga, have implemented successful bike share systems. Our extensive trail system and the planned I-74 bike/pedestrian bridge would allow for easy connectivity between downtown areas.

There are also different business models to consider. Some systems are entirely publicly owned and operated. Others are strictly privately owned and run, and some are a joint public and private venture. This study will be a necessary first step in the planning process. After completion of the study, a final draft will be made available publicly, showing its findings and providing a proposed plan for such a system.

Bike Share Study Kicks-Off— By Tim Gillman

Bay Area bike sharing. (Photo by Richard Masoner)



Why is ecological restoration important? It is the process of assisting the recovery

of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. The degradation of the world’s ecosystems has serious negative impacts on both biological diversity and the livelihoods of people. As we begin to realize that the conservation of critical natural areas is not enough to protect the planet’s biodiversity and the services they provide, ecological restoration becomes a critical component of conservation efforts and sustainable development programs in the Quad Cities and around the world.

In order to restore damaged ecosystems at the scale necessary to conserve biodiversity and the services ecosystem services, it is paramount that we build functional and lasting partnerships at global, national, state, and local levels to maintain and enhance ecosystem resilience to ensure the continued services these systems provide to human society. Through the Urban Watershed Restoration Project (UWRP) River Action is building

long lasting, collaborative partnerships with both private and public entities to restore ecosystem function in the Rock River Ravines Watershed. In order to accomplish the goals of this $222,600.00 project to restore oak/hickory forest, oak savannah, prairie, prairie pothole wetlands, and watershed hydrology, River Action has partnered with the US Fish

and Wildlife foundation, Alcoa, the Moline Foundation, Augustana College, Black Hawk College, Quad City Sportsmen, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the City of Moline, the River Bend Wildland Trust, and Living Lands and Waters. Each brings its own unique set of resources and skills to the table that will ensure the successful completion of the UWRP and enhance biodiversity, ecosystem function, and improve water quality in the Rock River Ravines watershed.

This winter River Action set out to build a new partnership with Davey Tree Service. Following our invasive species removal volunteer event last September, we quickly realized that we would need more than hand saws and hardworking volunteers to accomplish the removal of the invasive Bush Honeysuckle that has invaded and dominates the forest edge and stream banks at the Green Valley Nature Preserve in Moline. After learning of our Urban Watershed Restoration Project and our needs at Green Valley, Jason Housworth, manager at Davey in Bettendorf, agreed to offer the service of his team of trained and knowledgeable arborists. On Thursday March 27th, I joined Davey arborists, Alec Dorathy, Mychal Messenger, and Jamey Zihlke, at Green Valley and the partnership became a reality. Working in two-man teams, each with a chainsaw, we systematically removed the largest Honeysuckle bushes along a large stretch of stream bank, leaving only those shrubs that can be easily managed by future volunteer events. River Action’s Partnership with Davey Tree Service has brought us one step closer to accomplishing our goals in the Rock River Ravines Watershed.

Davey tree experts remove trees at Green Valley. (Photo by Tim Gillman)

Partnering for Conservation — By Tim Chambers


BIRDING IN THE QUADS

Spring time Birding and Hot Spots — By Dick Sayles, Quad Cities Audubon Society

Many times a year I am asked where to go birding in the Quad City area.

In early spring my number one answer is to go to Cones Marsh in Louisa County, Iowa, and Lock and Dam 13 and Thomson Causeway near Fulton, Ill. Cones Marsh offers opportunities to observe large numbers of Lesser White-fronted and Snow Geese, dabbling and diving ducks along with upland surprises like meadowlarks, Sand Hill Cranes and Shrikes. Thomson Causeway offers the incredible diversity of Cones Marsh with the additional nesting Bald Eagles and woodland habitats that attract migrating warblers, vireos, and summer residents. These two sites are amazing bookends to the waterfowl migration season.

Sherman Park and the Wapsi Center in Clinton and Scott County, Iowa have American Woodcock and early migrants such as Eastern

Phoebe and Yellow Rumped Warblers. Many other neotropics make there home in this park, such as the Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager and Wood Thrush. In the spring of 2015 the Quad City Audubon will be doing “4 Mondays in May” documenting the status of migratory birds and residents in this park.

Mississippi Palisades State Park in Illinois is one of the very best for both warblers and wildflowers in the Quad City Area; it’s really hard to beat this hotspot, for scenic beauty, wildflowers or warblers in the spring. Some of the highlights are Cerulean Warblers, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Ovenbirds.

Credit Island and Nahant Marsh is another great birding spot in the spring for resident woodpeckers including Red-headed and Pileated Woodpecker. Other spring migrants

beginning in late April might include Blue and Green-Winged Teal, Common Snipe, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Northern Shovelers, Solitary Sandpipers, and many other species. These areas have varied habitats of Mississippi Channel, backwaters, marshes, mudflats, woods and urban areas.

Other must visit hot spots in the local area include: Big River State Forest, Blackhawk State Historic Site, Cordova,Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, New Boston Area, Moline River Front and Sunset Park.Crow Creek Park, Duck Creek Park, Eagle Point Park in Clinton, Green Island Wildlife Area, Lost Grove Lake, McCausland Area and Scott County Park, Wildcat Den State Park, and Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

The best advice is to “Look up! Spring is passing you by.”

Four Sandhill Cranes. (Photo by Dick Sayles)

CONSERVATION


T he idea of conservation, particularly ecological conservation, has grown up with American culture since the

establishment of the first National Park at Yellowstone. Whether you embrace conservation, have reservations about it, or aren’t entirely sure what it is, unless you’ve been living under a rock (and even then you may not have escaped an encounter with a conservation biologist looking for snakes!) you have surely heard about it and benefited from it. However, you are less likely to know what is actually being conserved besides a parcel of land within a political boundary, because in many cases the “conservers” don’t know either.

As individual conservation enthusiasts, public groups, businesses, and governments participate in the trend to preserve and conserve more and more land, the resources needed to maintain a certain level of

knowledge about the land and its inhabitants become stretched and are often inadequate. In many cases, this leads to the practical policy of purchasing and protecting a parcel of land first and asking questions later when funding allows - sometimes this funding never comes. While the plants and animals inhabiting conservation properties acquired in this way may gain the immediate benefit of protection, at the very least the richness of their biodiversity may go unassessed and underappreciated. Of greater consequence, this lack of knowledge can also lead to ill-informed management decisions that do more harm than good.

Protecting a piece of land and its flora and fauna is only a first step in conservation. Making informed decisions about land stewardship and management is vitally important to the success or failure of long-term conservation goals. One of the most

Ecological Conservation:

What Are We Conserving?basic questions to be answered is “What are we conserving?” This is where surveys come in. Biological surveys (or inventories) provide the baseline information necessary to direct further inquiry and, ultimately, make informed decisions about how a conservation property and its inhabitants should be managed. At the most basic level, surveys are conducted to build a list of species, typically starting with plants in order to better delineate habitat types and then incorporating groups of animals. These surveys not only provide information about the organisms being protected but also identify those that shouldn’t be there and need to be contained or removed, such as invasive species. Sometimes, the presence or absence of “umbrella species” – organisms that, if properly conserved, will indirectly lead to the conservation of many other species – can provide vital clues about how best to manage

— By Mikael Holgersson

a property. Identifying these species and others with greatest conservation need, such as threatened and endangered species, may then be used to justify more costly surveys to quantify numbers of individuals, survival rates, gender ratios, and other demographic information about populations and communities.

The need for biological surveys is great and, ultimately, perpetual. Data is relatively scant for most sites, and even robust datasets become increasingly outdated with every passing year. To maintain effective management of our conservation lands, the more complete and current information available the better. While most of us may never be involved in a formal

biological survey, there is value in learning to identify and document the flora and fauna we discover in nature, especially species in greatest need of conservation. One of the best ways that citizen scientists can participate in documenting biodiversity is by learning to identify species in their region and capturing photo vouchers during fortuitous encounters. A complete photo voucher should include a clear image that allows for easy confirmation of the organism’s identity, as well as the location, date and time the photo was captured (digital cameras with built in GPS can do all of this for you). Consider contacting your state’s Department of Natural Resources, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, colleges and universities, or conservation professionals if you have photo vouchers to contribute.

Mikael Holgersson, conservation biologist and president of Vildmark Inc., has partnered with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission with funding from the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Grant Program to conduct a herpetological (reptile and amphibian) study at sites in Henderson County, Illinois, with particular focus on species in greatest need of conservation. To learn more, contact Vildmark Inc. at [email protected].

Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata) – This rare turtle is listed as threatened in Iowa and Illinois. It is one of several species in greatest need of conservation that Vildmark Inc. hopes to document in Henderson County. (Photo by Mikael Holgersson)



The Rock River Trail Initiative (RRTI) was established in 2010 to promote recreational use of the 320 mile Rock River. It spans 11 counties and

37 river communities from the headwaters in Fond du Lac County, WI, to the Mississippi River in Rock Island, IL. Much of the trail runs parallel to the river, which offers scenic views; however, the current route requires users to deviate from the Hennepin Canal trail and follow a stretch of road for the last mile and a half.

Local cycling enthusiast, Dean Mathias, was “personally inspired by the Rock River Trail Initiative” and believes that “we are lucky to have a trail of national significance leading to the confluence of not only two rivers, but the historic Hennepin Canal as well.” So, with snow on the ground, Dean and a friend began to clear the overgrown path so choked with weeds that it barely allowed for single file navigation. Since January, he has spent anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours a day clearing a highly neglected, unpaved section of the Hennepin Canal Trail. Once clear, the trail will allow users to stay on the Hennepin Trail all the way to the confluence.

While volunteers and local residents are excited to have access to the path once again, the process has been slow going. Dean notes, “Until recently, all of the work has been done by hand. It takes perseverance, and we have to set realistic daily goals to keep us going.” The path is riddled with invasive dogwood, honeysuckle, and vine species. With the goal of creating a fairly uniform 8’ wide path and almost a mile of the 1.5 mile trail to go, Dean hopes to bring in a brush hog to make the going easier.

Trailblazing to the Confluence— By Jessica Flondro

While Dean’s mission to improve access to the confluence is impressive, his vision extends beyond the task at hand. If his plans are realized, a bicycle/pedestrian bridge will one day span the Rock River near the confluence which would link the existing trail with two other major trails. He also hopes to see the construction of two 40’ statues of Black Hawk and John Deere to pay tribute to local history and have the RRTI add a national hiking route to the existing Illinois Scenic and Historic route, water trail, and bike routes.

(above) Hard at work, left to right, Doug McCollum, Barb Wlaskolich, and Dean Mathias.(left) Dean's crew clearing the trail.

(Photos by Tim Gillman)

RRTI

Davenport Public Works Announces Photo Contest Winners— By Robbin Dunn

The winners of Davenport Public Works “Our Water” photo contest have been selected. The Winners were selected by the ViewBug founders on February 18th. They are as follows:

— By Kathy Wine

Working in River Action for 31 years has introduced us to a lot of courageous,

innovative and determined people. The Eddy Award is built around themes long familiar with River Action and its members, supporters and magazine readers. It is all part of the same passion; see a need, fill the need, no matter what it takes. This year’s award winners, as in other years, went against the current, like an eddy, to get things done.

Art: Mississippi Valley Blues Fest

Energizing the 4th of July weekend and the riverfront for 30 years, the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest not only expands the QC’s cultural offerings by creating a vibrant scene centered on LeClaire Park, it draws a national crowd and contributes to our image of a cool city. A mere start-up in 1984, it now contributes $750,000 of economic impact per year. And it is the only major blues fest in the country run entirely by volunteers without a corporate sponsor!

In 2014, the national Blues Foundation awarded the Keeping the Blues Alive Lifetime Achievement Award to the MVBF for being one of the best and most prestigious blues festivals in the world. A little known fact is that the festival is on the Blues Highway, US 61, from the state of Mississippi to Wisconsin. In the future, organizers hope to have Blues Trail Markers here commemorating that.

Since an Eddy awards the tenacity and perseverance of going against the current, the Blues Fest whose music taps into low points one hits in life, must be recognized for surviving five floods, always its low point! After losing the park, then securing a new venue and barely

2015

Eddy Awardsmissing a beat each time, this year, the festival will move to the Labor Day weekend, in order to avoid a flood! It will continue with its Blues in the Schools, an artist in residency program which reaches over 15,000 students a year. At the festival, look for the BlueSKool children’s tent offering free workshops for adults given by the performers.

Design: I-74 Bridge Pedestrian and Bike Trail

Transportation planning is first about vision! If you want to have alternative transportation, then you have to have systems and strategies that allow it and a vision to bring it about. That has been the work of Doug Rick who heads the bridge planning on the new Interstate 74 Bridge.

From early public meetings through final environmental and design reviews, the pedestrian and bike portion of the bridge was always on the agenda. The attached bike-and-pedestrian trail will finally offer a way to cross the Mississippi between Moline and Bettendorf. Making bikes a part of the new bridge will enhance the Quad Cities as a destination for cyclists. The existing network of bike trails is continuing to grow, and major north-south and east-west trails—American Discovery Trail and the Mississippi Trail crossroads-- meet here in the nation’s heartland.

It will be one of the only interstate bridges in the country to provide trail access. The DOT has compressed what had been a five-year construction schedule with the first part to begin in the river in the latter half of 2017.

eddy awards continued next page >

Nathan Cunningham of Davenport, IA. His photo, Serenity, was taken on the eastern skirts of town along the Mississippi riverfront.

The People’s Choice Winner:

Grand Jury Winner:

Connie Strouth of Davenport, IA. Her photo, Creek Side, captured Duck Creek, off of Wash-ington Street, as it flowed after a recent snow.

The Runner Up Winner:

Amanada Randerson of Davenport, IAHer photo, Vander Veer in the Fall, was taken this past autumn in Vander Veer Park.

Honorable Mention:Hannah Hansen of Davenport, IA


That will continue into 2018; in late 2020, in time for Christmas, officials say the project is supposed to be completed and all traffic, including bikes and pedestrians, shifted to the new bridge.

Education: Ellis Kell, River Music Experience

Ellis Kell, an A+ teacher who believes teaching is not a job but a calling, has opened new worlds and changed lives by getting kids unplugged and making their own music. He has done this by writing curriculum such as River Currents with the Figge, Rock Camp USA which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and the Winter Blues Program. RME offers rehearsal space for youth, limited recording space in the Redstone Room, and a sound lab for youth bands.

In his many outreach programs, he teaches adults and teachers, K-12 and college classes, plus the general public. Major events distinguish the RME such as River Roots Live, Gospel Music Camp, and Vocal Camp with Augustana College. Don’t forget “Migration of Music Up the River” at Blackhawk College.

Finding inspiration on the river, Ellis has written an album “Down to the Levee” which

features a song about his father working on the flood of 1965.

He is currently completing a successful $400,000 fundraising campaign for operations and new programs.

Revitalization: Charlie Heston and Karen Anderson, LeClaire House Restoration

The iconic, Italianate house, located at 630 E. 7th Street in Davenport, was built by Antoine and Margurite LeClaire in 1856. One can’t help but think about it in its former life as a home now that it is a community and tourist center.

Margurite lived in it after Antoine died. She donated it to the Catholic Church and it became the residence of the Bishop of Davenport. Then it became a nine-unit apartment building. In 1976, it was purchased by Bi-Centennial Committee with city funds for $10,000. Karen Anderson contracted with the Navy Seabees to gut it, and get it ready for restoration. Today, the house project encompasses three-quarters of a city block and represents a significant investment in Davenport’s river tourism effort.

Some remarkable objects have been preserved: furniture has been donated back, mantels have been recreated, and the gas lights are the original.

Once the restoration was done, there were two arson fires, but restoration began immediately, and two porches were added. To date, there has been $1.25 million in restoration.

Feel transported back in time when you are there. Look out over the lawn, and you feel the elegance and style without it being big and overwhelming. LeClaire planted an orchard in the front yard all the way to the river; a plum tree is thought to be original to that orchard. The site has been expanded, also, and it includes LeClaire Heights Park today.

The LeClaire House dominates its site, yet feels so integrated due to the efforts of Charlie Heston, who, by the way, says it was the longest running project of his career, and Karen Anderson, who is continuing with the project and going for her own record of 39 years and counting!

River Activity: Dean Mathias

Dean is the complete essence of activity on the river and off. His goal is to increase bike users in the QC’s, and he leads by example. For years, he has provided a roving bike repair station on Ride the River, fixing bikes as he goes. An organizer of Advocacy Rides from Muscatine and Clinton for Ride the River and of local leisure rides for QC Bicycle Club, he also serves on the local committees for RAGBRAI, Big Island Soil and Water, Bi-State Trails, and the

< eddy awards continued from previous page


e d d y AWA R D S

City of Buffalo Trails Committee. Commuting to these meetings, he manages to ride between 7,500 and 8,500 miles each year. In 2014, he rode every day but one when he could not find a bike to rent in Costa Rica.

Because he rides without a seat, Dean is often asked to explain. In 1993, he had a new mountain bike with low gears; it made him feel like a kid again, so he rode it standing up. That suited, and from there he went to a bike made without a seat which he has ridden ever since.

River Action continues forward on trails laid 30 years ago. Dean Mathias, pioneering along with Ride the River, helps us do this. He derives his strength by organizing concerned citizens into a force with the power to successfully advocate for our wild places and trails, and Dean leads this effort. Trailblazing his way through one mile of solid vegetation, 8 feet wide along the Rock River and Hennepin Canal trails this spring, he is opening up trails past forgotten.

Stewardship: Tony Singh, "Walk for the Bees”

Tony Singh’s Walk for the Bees in Colorado was an awe-inspiring achievement. Move over Dr. Doolittle — Tony is talking to the bees! He is also more than a hiker, he is a detective.

He got his inspiration from his wife, Joyce, and in the spring of 1988 set out on the Appalachian Trail. He had just graduated from college and wanted to do something during the transition time. Having adopted the land ethic of Thoreau, Aldo Leopold, and John Muir, he set out on the Appalachian Trail completing it 20 years later in 2011. In 2013, he tried to raise bees at his home, but failed. He felt the intensive farm operations surrounding him was the reason. To bring awareness of the plight of the pollinators, he started a campaign to walk with his daughter Mo, on the Rocky Mountain Trail. The Walk for the Bees lasted 37 days, and while his daughter could not complete the hike, Tony did. Citizens were urged to pledge dollars per mile; it raised $19,000 with Tony’s dollar for dollar match. The funds are being used at Nahant Marsh Education Center for education about bees and all pollinators, and this spring a Pollinators Conference.

One of those persons who believe in leading, not following, he has a history of matching aspirations to achievement: his horizons have always extended beyond the Quad Cities to faraway places with a fierce advocacy for conservation, nature, and the outdoors. When a challenge presents itself, he never backs down. In the future, he wants to raise money by walking the Grand Canyon trail, Pacific Coast Trail, and the Superior Hiking Trail which is Duluth to the Canadian Border, a 300 plus mile trip. And don’t be surprised if it also involves giving back to the community.

Special Recognition: Steve DuPron

With unflagging support from the beginning, 31 years ago, for Ride the River, Steve DuPron always comes early and stays late! Some years he rides his Penny Farthing, and lets others ride it, too.

Opened in 1974, Bike and Hike has occupied only two buildings; it is presently at its 14th Street location in Rock Island.

He has contributed to charities in the Quad Cities for all those 41 years. One of those who founded Bikes for Brains 12 years ago, he started with six, now gives away 180 bikes each year, and has added helmets to the bike giveaway.

His experience with the Chicago Bears, bears repeating. Twelve years ago, the Bears coaches requested donated bikes, 6-12 in all. Their plan included coaches riding each and then donating them to high schoolers selected by the Police Department and Chicago School Systems. The coach thought that Giant was donating until Steve told him, ”No, it is me." Now, the Bears organization pays Steve the amount it costs him. The number is up to 300-400 a year.

In the beginning of Ride the River, Steve would assist riders who had not been on a bike in years. One actually brought to him on Father’s Day just a frame and asked Steve to do the rest. Of course, he did. It is for that unflagging support that we pay tribute to these extraordinary efforts and doing good!

“This year’s jury found a great deal to applaud in

the strong crop of 40 entries from which they chose.”

– Kathy Wine, River Action, Inc., Executive Director

e d d y AWA R D S



MayCelebration River Cruises Location: Celebration River Cruises, 2501 River Dr, Moline, call 309-764-1952 for more information.Our Captain will point out and tell you about some of the rich history of the area and the Mighty Mississippi River.

The Twilight RiverboatLocation: Twilight River Cruises, Wisconsin St, Le Claire, IA, 800-331-1467, www.riverboattwilight.comThe Twilight Captain brings the history and stories of the river to life. Each afternoon features a variety of folk musicians and humorists. See spectacular creatures such as bald eagles, pelicans, egrets, and blue herons. For dates and times or visit the website, www.river-boattwilight.com or call 800-331-1467

Channel Cat Talks & Riverine Walks June-August, Channel Cat Talks meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Riverine Walks meet Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, call 563-322-2969 for more information, www.riveraction.org.Topics vary week by week. Don’t miss out on this fun way to hear about your favorite topics! Channel Cat Talks are $12 each. Riverine Walks are $5 for non-mem-bers, free for River Action members.

Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show TeamMemorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 5000 44th Street (44th St. & the Rock River) Rock Island, call 309- 786-8987 for more information.The Backwater Gamblers perform free water ski shows every Wednesday and Sunday at 6:30pm, on the Rock River in Rock Island, Illinois. Shows last one hour with a 15-20 minute intermission in which donations are accepted.

Breakfast with BirdsFriday, May 1, 8-9am, Nahant Marsh Ed Center, 4220 Wapello Ave, DavenportLearn the secret life of birds during this monthly class at Nahant Marsh. Each month we will explore the char-acteristics and adaptations of a group of birds. A conti-nental breakfast with coffee, juice, and tea is included in the $7 fee ($5 for Nahant members).

Nahant Marsh Spring CleanupSaturday, May 2, 8:30-11:30am, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, 563-323-5196 for more informationVolunteers are needed for Nahant Marsh’s Annual

Spring Cleanup, in honor of Global Youth Service Day, the largest annual service event in the world. Each year on this day millions of youth work together to improve their communities. Volunteers will pull invasive plants, help with plantings or assist with the riverside cleanup. All ages are welcome, but youth ages 5 and up are especially encouraged to join us for this day! nahant-marsh.org

Media Event to Showcase Inaugural Will to Ben Bicycle TourFriday, May 8, 3-5pm, Downtown Port Byron, [email protected] for more informationThere will be a media event to showcase the Inaugural Will to Ben Bicycle Tour from Port Byron, IL to Sparta, WI, with Will B. Rollin statue as the backdrop. Social time at pubs and eateries will follow. Announcement will be made of the collaborative bike ride among communities, states and trail systems to take place October 3-9th.

Black Hawk Hiking Club 2500th Hike & 95th Anniversary CelebrationSat., May 9, 1:30pm, 46th Ave (IL Rte 5), turn into the museum / lodge parking lot. Watch for HIKE signs.Join the Black Hawk Hiking Club as they celebrate a momentous achievement of the club and its founder, John Hauberg. As we hike on the wooded trails of this site now nestled within a residential area, we are reminded that the Club was responsible for establish-ing Black Hawk State Park in 1927, which was formerly called Watch Tower, and is now a Historic Site. Contact Joe Taylor for more information at 309-736-6820 or [email protected].

Quad City Get Out And Trail (GOAT) EventSat, May 9, 8am-1pm, QC trail, Bettendorf.org/parks, 563-344-4113; cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks, 563-328-7275; molineparks.com, 309-524-2424; Rigov.org, 309-732-7275May is Bike Month! To celebrate, the Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island Parks and Recreation Departments invite you to participate in the GOAT event! Walk, jog, bike, rollerblade as much or as little of the many trails as you want in any direction and starting from any location. Most routes are on sepa-rated trails along the Mississippi River and Duck Creek in IA and the Rock River in IL. Various hosts will be located throughout the loop from 9am-1pm and will have refreshments available. There will also be raffle prize tickets given out for some great prizes to anyone visiting any of the rest stops. This is a free event and no

registration is needed. Maps of the routes are available at any of the web sites listed above.

Mother’s Day on the MarshSunday, May 10, 9-11am, $15 per kayak, $20 per canoe, $5 your own boat, Odessa Water Trail , Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, register by May 7th. www.louisacountyconservation.orgCelebrate Mother’s Day while you enjoy a leisurely paddle around Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge. Registration is required, and participation is limited, so register early. Children under age 16 must be accom-panied by an adult.

Bike-To-Work WeekMay 11-15, area Quad City participating businesses are offering discounts, www.quadcitiesbicycleclub.orgYour helmet is your ticket to area business discounts! Bike to Work Day is an annual event across the United States and Canada that promotes the bicycle as an option for commuting to work, The day originated with the League of American Bicyclists in 1956, now part of Bike-to-Work Week and National Bike Month.

58th Annual Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak MarathonSunday, May 17, 8am, Libertyville, IL, www.canoemara-thon.com or leave message at 847-604-2445.The Des Plaines River Canoe and Kayak Marathon, the second oldest continual canoe race in the US, is 18 ½ miles on the beautiful and historic Des Plaines River. There are numerous classes to accommodate people of all ages and levels, with a 5.25 mile non-competitive Minithon option.

Eagle View Group, Sierra Club Program MeetingMonday, May 18, 6-6:45; 7-8pm, Moline Public Library, 3210 41st St, Moline, IL, www.sierraclub.org/illinois/eagle-viewBook Club meets from 6-6:45p.m., followed by pro-gram at 7. Book Club will discuss Seeds of Hope, by Jane Goodall. Program: Cindy Skrukrud, IL Sierra Club on Water Quality Issues in Illinois.

The 50th Annual Quad Cities Criterium Returns to Village of East DavenportMonday, May 25, Village of East DavenportFor the second year - and the 50th running of the race - the Quad-City Criterium is returning to the Village of East Davenport. This year there will be the Kohler Electric Kids Races for kids between 2 and 10. For more information see quadcitiesbicycleclub.org.

e d d y C A L E N D A R

eddy Calendar

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, May 26, 7pm, River Action office, 822 E River Dr, Davenport, 563-322-2969Discuss Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair With Trash, by Edward Humes. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club Monthly MeetingWednesday, May 27, 7pm, Red Cross Building, 1100 River Dr, Moline, IL, http://saukenuk.org, 563-359-5974 for more informationSaukenuk Paddlers is an active club that paddles white-water and flatwater in canoes, kayaks and sea kayaks. Meetings are open to the public.

JuneBreakfast with BirdsFriday, June 5, 8-9am, Nahant Marsh Ed Center, 4220 Wapello Ave, DavenportLearn the secret life of birds during this monthly class at Nahant Marsh. A continental breakfast with coffee, juice, and tea is included in the $7 fee ($5 for Nahant members).

Free Fishing Clinic at West Lake ParkSat, June 6, 9-12noon, 14910 110th Ave, Davenport, IA, 563-328-3281This program is sponsored by the Quad City In-Fisherman and is part of the Fish Iowa angler education program. Open to Scott Co residents grades K-6. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult; moms and dads are encouraged to attend. All poles and tackle are provided. Registration is at 8am.

Volunteer Service DaysSaturday, June 6, 9-12noon, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, 563-323-5196 for more informationJoin the Friends of Nahant as they work on various proj-ects around the marsh. Grab a group of friends or the whole family! Check www.nahantmarsh.org for more opportunities.

Music on the LeveeSunday, June 7, 7pm, Petersen Pavilion, LeClaire Park, Davenport, IAJosh Duffee & His Graystone Monarchs – Big Band. All concerts are free. Concessions available, Call 888-2235 for information.

TOMRVSunday, June 13 & 14, http://quadcitiesbicycleclub.org/tomrv/TOMRV is the Tour Of the Mississippi River Valley, a Midwest cycling tradition since 1978. Every year 1,500 bicycling enthusiasts come to ride the TOMRV tour. They enjoy a well-supported, challenging ride on scenic roads and along the Mississippi River.

Eagle View Group, Sierra Club River Clean-upSaturday, June 13, 10am, meet at Ben Butterworth Parkway by Celebration Belle, www.sierraclub.org/illinois/eagle-viewContact Jerry Neff for more information, [email protected]

Music on the LeveeSunday, June 14, 7pm, Petersen Pavilion, LeClaire Park, Davenport, IASwingShift – Jazz. All concerts are free. Concessions avail-able, Call 888-2235 for information.

The 16th Annual QC TriathlonSat, June 20, 7am, for more information [email protected], or 608.209.1054West Lake Park - 14910 -110th Ave, Davenport, IA

River Action’s Ride the River Annual Father’s Day RideSunday, June 21, 6am-4pm, $10 per adult - kids $5. Call 563-322-2969 or 322-RIDE (7433) for more information. Enjoy a bi-state tour of the Quad Cities along river-front bike trails, cruise the Mississippi River aboard the Celebration Belle riverboat from Iowa to Illinois, or ride a

2-mile loop on across historic Arsenal Island. For more information on the route, registration and packet pick-up, please visit the website at www.riveraction.org

Music on the LeveeSunday, June 21, 7pm, Petersen Pavilion, LeClaire Park, Davenport, IATewanta and Company – Jazz. All concerts are free. Concessions available, Call 888-2235 for information.

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, June 23, 7pm, River Action office, 822 E River Dr, Davenport, 563-322-2969Discuss Heirloom: Notes From An Accidental Tomato Farmer, by Tim Stark. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club Monthly MeetingWednesday, June 24, 7pm, Red Cross Building, 1100 River Dr, Moline, IL, http://saukenuk.org, 563-359-5974 for more informationSaukenuk Paddlers paddle whitewater and flatwater in canoes, kayaks and sea kayaks. Their meetings are open to the public.

Music on the LeveeSunday, June 28, 7pm, Petersen Pavilion, LeClaire Park, Davenport, IAKen Paulsen Orchestra. All concerts are free. Concessions available, Call 888-2235 for information.

JulyRed, White & Boom!Saturday, July 4, 6-10:30pm, Rock Island & Davenport RiverfrontsFireworks over the river between Rock Island and Davenport with family activities before the show. www.downtowndavenport.com and www.ridistrict.com

Zeitgeist: Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke Art ExhibitJuly 5 – August 30, German / American Heritage Center, 712 W 2nd St, Davenport, 563-322-8844Exhibit features art by Buck Henri & Bruce Walters cel-ebrating the German American Davenport native. An Additional historical display featuring rare Bix memora-bilia from First Presbyterian Church & local collectors also available.

Volunteer Service DaysSaturday, June 6, 9-12noon, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, 563-323-5196 for more informationJoin the Friends of Nahant as they work on projects around the marsh. Grab friends or the whole family! Check www.nahantmarsh.org for more opportunities.

Music on the LeveeSunday, July 12, 7pm, Petersen Pavilion, LeClaire Park, Davenport, IAQuad City Kix Jazz Orchestra – Big Band. All concerts are free. Concessions available. Call 888-2235 for informa-tion.

Eagle View Group, Sierra Club Bike RideSaturday, July 18, 1pm, Hennipen Canal, Colona, IL, www.sierraclub.org/illinois/eagle-viewContact Jerry Neff for more information, [email protected].

Music on the LeveeSunday, July19, 7pm, Petersen Pavilion, LeClaire Park, Davenport, IAThe RiverCity 6 – Big Band. All concerts are free. Concessions available. Call 888-2235 for information.

BioblitzFri & Sat, July 24 & 25, QC Conservation Alliance wetland near the QC Downs in East Moline, 309-757-5800 x 207 for further informationAssistance is needed for this year’s 24 hour Bioblitz to document and identify aquatic and terrestrial insects, aquatic and terrestrial plants, fungi, herps, birds, terres-

trial and aquatic invertebrates, fish, and small mammals. Co-sponsored by the QCCA and the Riverbend Wildland Trust.

Quad City Times Bix 7Saturday, July 25, downtown DavenportRun/Walk – One of the top ten running events in the United States. Covering 7 miles, elite runners from around the world fly in to compete in this world- renown event in downtown Davenport. www.bix7.com

QCBC RIGBRAI XLIIIJuly 19-25, 563- 221-9093 (evenings & weekends) or [email protected], The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. Heading into its 43rd year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world. RAGBRAI ends its week-long ride across Iowa in Davenport this year. www.davenportragbrai.com

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, July 28, 7pm, River Action office, 822 E River Dr, Davenport, 563-322-2969Discuss One Summer: America, 1927, by Bill Bryson. Book discussions are free and open to the public.

Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club Monthly MeetingWednesday, May 27, 7pm, Red Cross Building, 1100 River Dr, Moline, IL, http://saukenuk.org, 563-359-5974 for more informationSaukenuk Paddlers paddle whitewater and flatwater in canoes, kayaks and sea kayaks. Meetings are open to the public.

Music on the LeveeSaturday & Sunday, July 31& August 1, 6pm, Petersen Pavilion, LeClaire Park, Davenport, IABix Weekend. All concerts are free. Concessions a vailable. Call 888-2235 for information.


eddy Magazine - May June July 2015

Documents

Transcript of eddy Magazine - May June July 2015