eddy Magazine

August/September/October 2012 | eddy Magazine 3

Musings on Mark Twain, Public Discourse, and Twitter

Don’t you wish Mark Twain was on Twitter? He was a social critic

who, when he had a beef or a view he wanted to share, could state it in 140 characters or less.

Twain never had a problem taking a position and always had a point of view worth sharing. “Our opinions do not really blossom into fruition until we have expressed them to someone else,” he pronounced.

If Mark Twain was on Twitter, he would take it seriously and certainly have followers. “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug,” he once said, and, “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” Therefore, we could probably count on Twain to spend a good deal of time being brief, and a 140 character limit is certainly brief.

Now just imagine him tweeting in Huck’s tongue. “Made me feel powerful

smart and scholarly-like to put them thoughts together fittin’ for Twitter!”

It’s amusing to think about, but when shaping public discourse, Huck can make a difference. In 1983, when Davenport’s flood wall under debate, a young writer

wrote to the Quad City Times’ “Sound Off” using Huck’s vernacular. The opinion letter stated, “Ain’t no sense in puttin’ up a dern wall where the riverbank is—ruinin’ people’s views and everything!” Sometimes small, humorous essays can help solve differences, and we need more of both these days.

Imagine what Twain’s thoughts would be on the elections, Congress, transportation policy, the farm bill, and river restoration!

August/September/October 2012 Volume 2 Issue 3

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KATHY WINE, Publisher / Executive DirectorBETH CLARK, Managing Editor, Milepost Ventures, LLC BECKY LANGDON, Copy EditorJEFF VanECHAUTE (pi design, inc.), DesignMICHELLE O’HARA, Calendar EditorContributing Writers

KAREN WILKE, River Action StaffMICHELLE O’HARA, River Action StaffDAN MCNEILMIK HOLGERSSONBECKY LANGDONCHARLOTTE DOEHLER-MORRISON

Contributing Photographers/PhotographsMIK HOLGERSSONBETH CLARKJEFF VanECHAUTESTOCK: 123RF.COM AND iSTOCK.COM

©eddy Magazine and River Action, Inc., all rights reserved, 2012. 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. 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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 4 River Action Updates FLOATZILLA PREVIEW: Floatzilla At

Home in the QC — Mik Holgersson

FEATURED QC WILD PLACES: Fisherman’s Corner and Wildcat Den State Park — by Karen Wilke

YOUTH SUMMIT — Karen Wilke

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER CONFERENCE — by Kathy Wine

THE NETWORK’S VITALITY AWARD! — by Karen Wilke

GET READY FOR “THE TAMING”! 2012 Taming of the Slough— by Dan McNeil

9 The Tree Doctor

Thanks to Dr. Mike Guidici as he leaves the QC — by Kathy Wine

10 Eco – Kids: GROWING UP GREEN

Great ways to involve your children in eco-volunteerism — by Becky Langdon

12 East West Festival: EAST WEST

FESTIVAL A GO! Showcasing our cultural destinations

— by Charlotte Doehler-Morrison 13 eddy Calendar: August-October All to do in the QCA heading into fall!

— by Michelle O’Hara

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P U B L I S H E R ’ S L E T T E R

COVER: Paddles Up!(photo from 123rf.com)

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.

4 eddy Magazine | www.riveraction.org

RIVER AC TION UPDATES

By Mik Holgersson

In two short years Floatzilla has crawled from the imaginings of River Action’s staff to one of the largest paddlesports events on the Mississippi celebrating the river itself and the recreational paddling experiences it holds in its impressive flow. All proceeds from Floatzilla go toward River Action’s mission to foster the environmental, economic and cultural vitality of the Mississippi River and its riverfront in the Quad Cities region.

Floatzilla draws local and out-of-state paddlers alike to discover QC

Water Trails and to enjoy a day of camaraderie with more

than a thousand other paddling

enthusiasts.

Such a gathering of paddlers is a rare treat for fans of what is largely an individual venture. On August 20, 2011, over 1,500 registered participants converged on Lake Potter, Sunset Park, in southwest Rock Island for the second annual Floatzilla. The Cities of Davenport and Moline played key support roles as hosts for staging areas and alternative launch sites at Credit Island and Ben Butterworth Parkway, respectively. From 2010 to 2011 the event has grown by several hundred participants and includes family-friendly live music, a trade show, food vendors, and a live auction fundraiser.

Floatzilla culminates with a group photo op that doubles as a Guinness World

Records attempt for assembling the largest raft of canoes and

kayaks. The current record is 1,902 boats set in

2011 during the Paddle at the Point event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although Floatzilla has yet to break the record, the unabated enthusiasm for the event confirms that the prospect of achieving the record is the cherry on top, not the main course. The spectacle of more than a thousand canoes and kayaks linked by hands and paddles is

a sight to behold, and the raft will continue to be Floatzilla’s signature grand finale. If Floatzilla continues to grow, achieving the record for the Quad Cities will only be a matter of time.

Floatzilla 2012 will continue to promote paddling as a family-friendly recreational activity with Kids Float Free this year. Additional learning experiences for beginner paddlers as well as new and longer paddles down QC Water Trails for those with more experience are also in the works. Ultimately, responsible and safe paddling will remain the top priority. In 2010, the multi-agency safety team for Floatzilla, which included the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Army Corps of Engineers, and Marine Safety Detachment Quad Cities, received the prestigious Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation for their efforts. These agencies served at Floatzilla 2011 as well and will continue to be vital partners. Ultimately, with continued support from the Quad

Cities’ community and our growing fan base from around the nation, Floatzilla

will showcase paddlesports on the Mississippi River and QC Water Trails

for years to come.

Floatzilla Preview

FLOATZILLA 2012Saturday, August 18th

Paddle Excursions – morningRecord Attempt: 2 p.m.

Potter’s Lake, Sunset Park, Rock Islandwww.floatzilla.org or call 563-322-2969

May/June/July 2012 | eddy Magazine 5


QC Wild Places: Highlights

Fisherman’s CornerAt Lock and Dam 14 is Fisherman’s Corner,

a tranquil spot for fishing or canoeing twenty acres of marsh. Picnicking, camping, and playing on the two acres of park are available as well. The wildlife viewing is good, with a wide variety of frogs, turtles, and waterfowl found on site. Fisherman’s Corner can be accessed off Illinois Route 84, just east of Hampton, Illinois.

Wildcat Den State ParkExplore the great outdoors with this extensive park

managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in Muscatine, Iowa. Wildcat Den is the ideal destination for nature and history lovers alike. Visitors can spend the day hiking the many trails through the bluffs and forests of the park, stop for a visit at the Pine Creek Grist Mill, and then camp in one of the twenty-eight campsites. The historic mill, built in 1848, is the oldest working mill in Iowa and offers guided tours to visitors. If you’re looking for a close-to-home get-away, Wildcat Den is a site you don’t want to miss. The park can be found seventeen miles west of Davenport, or eight miles east of Muscatine on State Highway 22.

By Karen Wilke

Visit QCWildPlaces.com

for directions and more

information about these

Wild Places. This website

features many of the

wilderness areas that

can be explored, and

all are within an hour’s

drive of the Quad Cities.

Youth Summit to “Make Room for the River”By Karen Wilke

River Action’s second annual Youth Summit will teach high school and college students

how to “Make Room for the River” in their own lives, campuses, and communities. Presenters will encourage students to think of projects that improve and preserve the river, by inspiring them through real world examples. Keynote speaker Dave Murcia, Naturalist and Director of the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, connects students to the river. Marvin Hubbell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will speak about river restoration projects along the river. Jeff Smoller of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will present on a student exchange program with China, titled “Rivers as Bridges.” Finally, Rusty Walker, Holabird & Root,

By Kathy WineSeptember 26-28, River Action will host the

Fifth Annual Upper Mississippi River Conference in Moline, Illinois. Targeting professionals, river enthusiasts, and students, the meeting will address best case studies for making room for the river in one’s life, in the floodplain, and in the community’s architecture. The conference will be held at the Stoney Creek Inn and WIU Riverfront Campus on September 26-28.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, has one of the most famous success stories for making room

will discuss waterfront architectural design work and his work on the WIU Riverfront Campus plan.

In preparation for the Youth Summit, River Action’s Youth Advisory Board will develop a manifesto concerning the Mississippi River. The manifesto will be presented at the Youth Summit, and students will be asked to sign on.

Last year’s Youth Summit drew 150 participants. The event, free and open to all high school and college students, will be held at the WIU Riverfront Campus, Moline, Illinois. A free catfish fry will follow the Summit at Bass Street Landing in Moline. For more information and to register, visit RiverAction.org or call (563) 322-2969.

for the river in their floodplain and city. Larry Zehnder, Chattanooga Parks Department, will share his secrets for success in moving the city out of the floodplain, creating more public and green spaces, creating a dynamic riverfront, and making Chattanooga a tourist destination.

Rusty Walker with Holabird & Root, an innovative architectural design firm in Chicago, will relate his work on the Western Illinois University Riverfront Campus plan. Walker will also be speaking at River Action’s Youth

Summit, on Wednesday September 26.Author Lee Sandlin will share stories from

his popular book Wicked River, a narrative history of the Mississippi River and society of the nineteenth century. Sandlin’s book takes readers back to a time when the river ran wild; back to a time of pirates, music, drinking, and gambling.

For more information and to register, visit RiverAction.org or call (563) 322-2969.



Upper Mississippi River Conference – Be There!

River view of Chattanooga, TN


2012 Vitality Award To River Action

River Action was named winner of the 2012 Vitality Award by The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities. This award recognizes River Action’s efforts to promote paddling, bicycling, and outdoor events on the Mississippi River that attract and embrace the next generation’s lifestyle.

The Network, an initiative of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, has membership of more

than 3,000 Iowa and Illinois Quad City residents in their 20s and 30s.

Awards were based on factors that affect the decisions of young professionals when choosing a place to live: vitality, earning, living, social capital, cost of lifestyle, after hours, and around town. These awards are designed to recognize organizations, cities, businesses, and individuals who significantly impact the Quad City region’s ability to attract, retain, and engage the next generation.



By Dan McNeil

This September River Action’s Taming of the Slough will celebrate seven years of racing, increased usage of, and progress for water trails and

off-road mountain bike trails in our region.Taming of the Slough is an adventure triathlon in downtown

Moline where racers canoe or kayak three miles in Sylvan Slough, proceed to Sylvan Island for an eight-mile mountain bike ride, and finish with a 1.75-mile run. The mountain bike and paddling elements set Taming apart from a traditional triathlon. Triathlons most often consist of a swim, road bicycle ride, and run. River Action’s not so traditional “tri” includes the paddle instead of a swim and mountain bike ride instead of a road bike ride. The race was designed to use the river and riverfront landscape in Moline, raise awareness for its unique recreational opportunities, and advance water trail and off-road trail development in our region.

Taming follows the advocacy model of Ride the River, River Action’s Annual Father’s Day bicycle ride. Since the ride’s inception twenty-eight years ago, it has brought tens of thousands of riders to the river and raised critical funding for recreational trail development. Taming is River Action’s “Wild the River”, an adventure on the river with a mission to raise awareness for and create more opportunities for paddling and off-road cycling.

Hundreds have participated in Taming over the years. More Quad Cities residents are mountain biking and paddling, and much progress has been made in developing water trails on the river and off-road trails along the river. The Mississippi and Wapsipinicon Rivers have recently received a Department of Natural Resources Water Trail Designation, and the Great River Trail in Illinois now boasts two off-mountain bike parks, Sylvan Island in Moline and Illinek in Hampton. The local mountain bike club, Friends of Off Road Cycling (FORC), and paddling club, Saukenuk Paddlers, both report memberships at all-time highs, and the summer of 2012 was packed with events and programs.

Everywhere you look, you can find mountain bikers and paddlers this summer. In June the Quad Cities hosted the Midwest Mountain Biking Festival. FORC organized the fest and continued development of trails at Sylvan Island, Illinekwek, Scott County, and Sunderbruch Parks. This summer is also the Summer of Paddling, a partnership with over 200 events in ten states along the Mississippi River. Locally, community partners including River Action, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wapsi Center, Moline Parks, and others, hosted dozens of paddling events with hundreds of participants.

River Action summer programs included canoeing and kayaking at Nahant Marsh, Floatzilla, and Taming. River Action also awarded a Wild Places grant award to FORC to enhance trails at Sunderbruch Park, partnered with the Rock River Trail Initiative to improve a canoe and kayak portage on the Rock River, and cleared Pettifer Slough, a waterway for paddlers connecting the Mississippi River and Rock Rivers.

We encourage you to sign up for Taming for the Slough adventure and challenge and to support continued efforts to advance river recreation. Join us and “Wild the River”!

Taming of the SloughThe mountain bike and paddling elements

set Taming apart from a traditional triathlon. Triathlons most often consist of a swim, road bicycle ride, and run. River Action’s

not so traditional tri includes the paddle instead of a swim and mountain bike ride instead

of a road bike ride.

Saturday, September 15, 20128 a.m. at Rowing Club grounds, Moline, IL

For more information 563-322-2969or go to www.riveraction.org



ABOUT TAMING OF THE SLOUGH:Canoe or kayak Sylvan Slough (3 miles)Mountain bike on Sylvan Island (8 miles)Run through downtown Moline and off-road hill climb (1.75 miles)

Compete individually or as a team.2-PERSON TEAM: Consists of 2 members who complete all legs of the race. Finish time is the average of both times3-PERSON TEAM [Relay]: Kayak-Bike-RunCorporate Adventure Challenge: 3-person teams compete to be the best corporate team in the Quad Cities.Race Start: Saturday, September 17, 2012, 8 a.m., The QCRA Boathouse 17th St. at the Mississippi River, Moline, ILThere are a limited number of boats available for rent. Call Princeton Outdoor Adventures at (563) 289-5445.

“Thanks, Mike!”— By Kathy Wine

This is bittersweet, my telling wonderful stories about Dr. Mike Giudici, and at the same time saying good-bye. Hope it is not for

long, and he comes back pronto! River Action first heard from Mike

when we were in the campaign for lights on the Centennial Bridge. That was 1987. Mike was in his residency in Pennsylvania and sent us a donation. Later when I told Joan, his mother, of the gift, she winced, “I was sending him money for school, and he was sending you donations!?” That’s right; Mike has always been enthusiastic about the Quad Cities. He was then and he is now.

Later as President of River Action’s Board, he had a profound effect. No more so than when a feasibility study for a water taxi was discussed in 1994. We had a $25,000 RDA grant to determine the market. Mike said, “We could do that, OR we could buy a boat and test it ourselves. After we have a study, the funding is gone. If we test the waters with a boat, and it doesn’t work out, at least we have a boat to sell!” The RDA was fine with that. Our board was fine with that. And on July 4, 1995, we started the Channel Cat service.

I think we should name a major street or boulevard in Davenport after Mike to celebrate the thousands of trees he has planted with his Greenway Habitat Project. Another of his legacies is the city ordinance that requires homebuilders to set aside money for boulevard tree planting.

At a roast given in his honor by Rejuvenate Davenport several years ago, Mike took the opportunity to roast us! Through photos and personal experiences he told us what was ugly and what was needed to make it beautiful. How we could build the Quad Cities economic development, tourism, and help the environment at the same time has been the subject of his many articles and presentations.

All of this was done in his free time away from ground-breaking research in the treatment of abnormal heart rhythms for which he has won many awards. It breaks our hearts he’s leaving. To honor him, a roast is planned to benefit Scott County Beautification Foundation, an organization he founded and chairs to improve gateways, tree corridors, and flower beds in Scott County.

Thanks, Mike, and best wishes as you leave to take an academic position in Minnesota.

FAREWELL ROAST FOR MIKERejuvenate Davenport Honors Dr. Mike Giudici

Thursday, August 2, 20125:30 to 7:30 p.m.

St. Ambrose Rogalski Center(light hors d’oeurves and cash bar)

Please RSVP by July 27th online: QuadCitiesChamber.com Or call: 563-823-2669

E C O - K I D S

River Action Inc. Recommended Ages: All ages

When you have a deep appreciation of the natural world, you want to do your part to protect and preserve that world. It’s true for adults and children alike. For parents and educators who want to instill that appreciation in their children, there are plenty of great opportunities in the Quad Cities area. We’ve highlighted four outstanding organizations in which kids can get involved, as well as a list of local and regional places to take your children to explore and learn. Help kids get a head start on going green.

Kids can get involved with helping the environment and interacting with nature a number of ways through River Action. One of those ways is through QC Wild Places, a cooperative partnership with River Action celebrating our shared natural resources.

The website QCWildPlaces.com showcases more than fifty publicly accessible wild places in the eight counties of Muscatine, Scott, and Clinton in Iowa, and Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Carroll, and Whiteside in Illinois. This part of the country abounds in wild places, from wooded bluffs, to wetlands, to the Mississippi River itself, just to name a few. QCWildPlaces.com is a great way to explore our natural world, and each wild place is within one hour’s driving time of the Quad City metro area. Kids who are thirteen and under can become a QC Wild Explorer by visiting three or more sites, and they’ll receive an official QC Wild Places hat plus a certificate for participating.

Nahant Marsh also offers a variety of ways for kids to engage with nature and help the environment as well. The Muddy Boots Nature Club is offered for children ages eight through twelve, every other Wednesday through November 7. Club members enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, canoeing, learning about bugs, trees, snakes, turtles, wildflowers, and more.

Amy Loving, Americorp Naturalist and creator of the club, says, “We live in such a concrete world, and Nahant Marsh is right the in center of Davenport. [The club] is a good way to open kids’ eyes to things outside of electronics that can spark their imaginations.” Loving created the program specifically to reach out to youth who may not have as many opportunities to be outside and have a positive interaction with nature.

The marsh also offers opportunities for children and teens to volunteer through the Make Friends with the Marsh program. Every first Saturday of the month the marsh offers a service day where families can do volunteer work. The work ranges from removing weeds to planting trees, building boardwalks, maintaining trails, and more. Volunteers may even get to enjoy a canoe or kayak ride as a reward for their service.

Loving stresses the importance of involving children in volunteer opportunities at an early age. “Kids who start earlier with volunteering end up being more involved in the community as adults,” she says. “It really helps instill that stewardship mentality.”

Volunteer opportunities include both light work and hard physical labor to hit a wide range of audiences and goals. For more information about the Muddy Boots Nature Club and Make Friends with the Marsh program, visit NahantMarsh.org.

Girl Scouts of America Recommended Ages: 5 and up

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (GSEIWI) emphasize environmental action and outdoor experience as well. Forever Green is a national Girl Scouts initiative, and GSEIWI is one of the few councils that

Growing Up Green:

Kids Take Action

Explore and Learn:Great Places to Take Your KidsQCWildplaces.comOnline listing of more than fifty natural places in the Quad City area.

Augustana College Fryxell Geology Museum639 38th St., Rock Island, IL

Feverjary Park, Learning & Aquatic Center1800 W. 12th St., Davenport, IA

Mississippi River Visitors Center, Lock and Dam 15200 Rodman Ave., Rock Island Arsenal, IL

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium350 E. 3rd St., Port of Dubuque, IA

Putnam Museum1717 W. 12th St., Davenport, IA

Quad City Botanical Center2525 4th Ave., Rock Island, IL

Van Der Veer Botanical Park215 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, IA

By Becky Langdon



E C O - K I D S

has received a grant to participate in this program. Through the Forever Green program, Girl Scouts participate in projects to build rain gardens, reduce waste, and contribute during Earth Hour.

GSEIWI is also participating in a “twinning” project, in which girls from the Quad Cities area between the ages of fourteen and seventeen will be partnering with Girl Guides in Australia on an environmental project that affects both areas. These projects are designed to help girls become aware of environmental issues and equip them to take action.

Even girls who aren’t scouts can enjoy some of the benefits and outdoor experience of being a Girl Scout. Camp provides an opportunity for any girl – not just Girl Scouts – to be in the outdoors and learn about the environment. Ann McGlynn, Director of Marketing and Communications at GSEIWI, says, “We have four camps in our council, and each camp has very distinct opportunities in terms of learning about the environment.” If a girl just wants to experience camp without joining a troop, she can do that. Here in August, GSEIWI will be holding Camperies at a couple of camps to give people the chance to go out and experience camp in honor of the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary. For more information about all of the programs available, visit GirlScoutsToday.org.

Boy Scouts of America Recommended Ages: 6 and up

responsibility, including topics such as how to build a fire correctly, cooking and cleaning practices, and more. The next training course will be offered September 29.

Burton says that the Boy Scouts program starts kids off early learning about the environment in other ways, too. One of the early awards Cub Scouts can receive is the World Conservation Award. To earn the reward boys must earn several merit badges first, which help them to learn about ecology, pollution, endangered species, erosion, watersheds, and other environmental topics.

A more advanced award that Venturing youth members can earn is the Ranger Award, which involves extreme outdoor education. Requirements include topics such as Leave No Trace, Land Navigation, Wilderness Survival, and Conservation to name a few. To learn more about opportunities with Boy Scouts in the Quad Cities, visit IllowaBSA.org.

Living Lands and Waters Recommended Ages: All ages

One final organization to highlight that offers kids opportunities to engage with the environment is Living Lands and Waters, headquartered in East Moline. Living Lands and Waters hosts river cleanups, workshops, tree plantings, and other conservation efforts. On August 11, they’ll host Xstream Cleanup, which is a Quad City-wide cleanup of creeks, drainage ways, and sections of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers. Last year over 1,200 volunteers removed nearly 70,000 pounds of debris from waterways and illegal dump sites.

The variety of ways to volunteer make this a great activity for families with children. Xstream Cleanup in 2012 will include heavy duty and light duty work, invasive plant removal, and beautification. Be prepared to get a little dirty; rubber boots or old gym shoes and long pants are highly recommended. You’ll be rewarded for your participation with a free t-shirt and a StudioOne Pass for River Roots Live.

Of course, you don’t have to go anywhere to make an impact on the environment. For example, students in the Environmental Club at Davenport Central High School are putting their concern for the environment to work right inside their own school. Club sponsor Gail Heninger says her students are very active, always trying to think of something new to do. “I think it’s great for kids to get involved in a cause,” she says. “They work hard but they really do have a lot of fun.”

The club has participated in cleanups and events sponsored by other organizations, but they’ve also worked to change the practices within their own school, such as eliminating styrofoam trays, installing hand dryers in the bathrooms, and holding e-waste drives. They even handle the recycling of cans and bottles in their school. Becoming stewards in their own schools is a powerful way that kids can help preserve the environment.

Regardless of how at happens – through community events, experien-ces with organizations, or self-driven initiatives at home and school – kids can make a difference. It’s never too early to start developing the appreciation for our environment that leads to great stewardship.

It’s no surprise that Boy Scouts of America offers plenty of opportunities for boys to engage with nature and help the environment. It may surprise some people, however, to learn that you don’t always have to be a Boy Scout to participate – or even a boy, for that matter.

The Illowa Council, Boy Scouts of America has teamed up with the Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado, to offer the Leave No Trace program, which teaches people of all ages how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. In addition to putting the principles into practice in their events, the Illowa Council offers the opportunity for Boy Scouts and any individual in the community who is at least fourteen years of age to become a trainer in the program.

Illowa Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate Mark Burton says of the program, “This is a life-changing experience, even for myself. I’ve been running around the woods since I was a kid. Suddenly I’ve become aware of things I’ve never thought about. Sometimes you don’t realize some of the damage you’re doing until it’s pointed out to you.”

The training course is typically about sixteen hours and is offered twice a year as an overnight event. Trainers who have completed the course are certified to give others seminars and shorter courses about outdoor


F E S T I VA L !

Quad Cities Photographer and filmmaker Paul Strand said, “The artist’s world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.” In the Quad Cities, the artist’s world is limitless! On this beautiful bend of the Mississippi River, the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, East Moline, and Rock Island, Illinois, believe art, culture, and heritage are an important part of this community.

This support of the arts and culture was further developed with the formation of Experience Quad Cities. Under the guidance of the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, Experience Quad Cities was formed in 2010. This grassroots, volunteer effort is managed by an advisory board coordinating the time, talent, and offerings of more than thirty local arts, cultural, and heritage organizations in order to collectively attract additional visitors, build audiences, and reinforce its mission with local supporters.

The Experience Quad Cities mission is to improve the quality of life in the Quad Cities region by recognizing the importance of arts, cultural, and heritage organizations; providing joint resources and programs that individual organizations could not produce; promoting cooperation among groups to expand their reach beyond a local market; and building the Quad Cities economy with economic develop-ment strategies and resources featuring the area’s strong arts, cultural, and heritage base.

One major accomplishment of Experience Quad Cities is the launch of the new East West Riverfest, a ten-day celebration of the arts, culture, and heritage offerings that thrive within these cities along the Mississippi River. From

September 7 to 16, 2012, over 100 events will take place at theaters, music venues, galleries, historic sites, parks, and attractions on both sides of the river.

Major festival anchors for East West Riverfest on the first weekend include the Beaux Arts Fair, Quad City Symphony Orchestra’s Riverfront

Pops Concert, and Viva Quad Cities. Major festivals the following weekend include the Celtic Festival and Highland Games, Riverssance Festival of Fine Art, and WQPT’s Brew Ha Ha. Over the ten days, East West Riverfest also features galleries, museum and artists’ studio exhibits, concerts, theater productions, workshops, and tours.

“The arts, culture, and heritage communities agreed that working together was preferable to working separately,” said Joe Taylor, President and CEO of Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau and Advisory Board Chair of Experience Quad Cities. “By jointly marketing a series of existing activities, we are able to increase tourism, to develop audiences and to build awareness of the arts for these organizations.”

The idea for East West Riverfest was created through several planning sessions last year with participation from more than seventy local arts, culture, and heritage organizations. The event’s name was chosen to reflect the fact that the Quad Cities is the only place where the Mississippi River flows east to west.

All organization and planning for East West Riverfest is done by volunteer committees made up from the many arts, culture, and heritage groups in the Quad Cities and is being facilitated by Experience Quad Cities.

“We hope that this greater awareness of our community’s offerings will last beyond the ten days in September,” says Carman Darland, East West Riverfest Program Committee Chair and Executive Director of Quad City Arts. “East West Riverfest can also be the catalyst to develop new audiences and revenue.”

The East West Riverfest program with all of the events listed can be viewed online at EastWestRiverfest.com. Otherwise, a printed guide to be sent by mail can be requested through the website or by calling the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 747-7800. Individuals can also sign up for email updates and go to the official Facebook page.

Grassroots Arts & Culture Organization Launches East West Riverfest By Charlotte Doehler-Morrison,

Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau

EAST WEST RIVERFESTSeptember 7th – 16th, 2012

a ten-day celebration of the arts, culture, and heritage of the Quad Cities region.

Over 100 events will take place!


E V E N T S C A L E N D A R

FloatzillaSaturday, August 18, Guinness World Record Attempt at 2 p.m., Lake Potter, Sunset Park, Rock IslandFloatzilla is the QC’s 3rd Annual attempt for the largest Flotilla. The current record to beat is 1,902 boats! All hard canoes/kayaks are counted; inflatables are not permitted. This year Kids Float Free with a paying adult. Come join the fun with good food, cold drinks, and live enter-tainment. Vendors and outfitters will participate in the trade show. Different paddle routes available for all experience levels. Go to RiverAction.org or call (563) 322-2969 for more information, or sign up through www.floatzilla.org.

AugustAll summer long : Summer of Paddling! For a calendar of events for Summer of Paddling 2012, go to SOP2012.org.Flamingo Follies (A wacky-tacky lawn art exhibit)Thursday, August 2, QC Botanical Center, Rock IslandArea artists have artistically altered plastic pink lawn fla-mingos into works of art. Exhibit is included in the cost of general admission. Children under 2 and members of Quad City Botanical Center are free. Call (309) 794-0991 for more information.

Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz FestivalThursday-Sunday, August 2-5, LeClaire Park, DavenportThe festival includes venues throughout downtown Davenport, including LeClaire Park on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Col Ballroom, River Music Experience, and the Hotel Black Hawk with toe tap-pin’ music and fun. For band and event schedule and times, go to BixSociety.org.

Make Friends with the MarshSaturday, August 4, 9 a.m.-Noon, Nahant Marsh, DavenportLearn about and enjoy the wildlife. The session begins with a brief presentation or introduction after which a member of The Friends of Nahant Marsh and Nahant staff will coordinate work on a service project. Nahant Marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue, Davenport. For more info, call (563) 323-5196, or go to NahantMarsh.org.

Tug FestThursday-Saturday, August 9-11, LeClaire, IAGet together two teams, a long rope across the Mississippi River, and the towns of LeClaire, Iowa, and Port Byron, Illinois, to compete in the annual Tug Fest. Come join us for the parade, 5K run/walk, carnival, art/crafts vendors, food, entertainment, and one of the biggest and best fireworks display over the Mississippi River! Cost is $5/day or $12/3-day pass. Call (563) 289-2799 or go to TugFest.com for more information.

Ya Maka My WeekendFriday-Saturday, August 10-11, Rock IslandCelebrate Caribbean culture: enjoy Caribbean foods, sand volleyball tournaments, and a children’s craft area. The family area will feature a pirate costume contest, limbo contests, and street performers. Event hours are Friday 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. and Saturday, Noon-12:30 a.m. Call (309) 788-6311 for more information.

River Roots LiveFriday-Saturday, August 17-18, LeClaire Park, DavenportAnnual outdoor live music festival that features top national, regional, and local acts with a great selection of top-notch Barbecue from award-winning national and local rib vendors. The festival takes place in LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport. Free.

Water GardensSunday, August 19, 1 p.m., QC Botanical Center, Rock IslandA program on water gardens, and learn how to create an exquisite home pond. Learn about organic water gardening, koi, goldfish, and what water plants you should choose for your pond. Program is included in the cost of general admission. Children under 2 and members of Quad City Botanical Center are free. Call (309) 794-0991 for more information.

Princeton DaysFriday-Sunday, August 24-26, Princeton, IAEnjoy this fun-filled event on River Drive in Princeton featuring a variety of events including a lighted boat parade, free children’s games, water fights, a parade, live music, food vendors, street painting, silent auction, craft vendors, fireworks, a car show, and more. For more information and a schedule of events call (563) 320-3416.

Muddy Boots Nature Club Every other Wednesday, 3-4:30 p.m., Nahant Marsh Education Center, DavenportMuddy Boots will be meeting every other Wednesday starting in May. The nature club is a wonderful way for youth (ages 8-12) to get outdoors, get active, and learn about wildlife. Led by a naturalist, children can come explore our natural world through fun activities and adventures. For more information and to register your child, check out our Calendar of Events NahantMarsh.org or call (563) 323-5196.

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, August 23, 7 p.m., River Action office, DavenportDiscuss Dakota: A Spiritual Geography, by Kathleen Norris. Open to the public and meets at the River Action office, 822 E. River Drive in Davenport, between Tremont and Federal Streets. For more info, please call (563) 322-2969.

SeptemberRiver Action’s Channel Cat Talks and Riverine WalksMay-September, Memorial Day-Labor Day! Channel Cat Talks meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Riverine Walks meet Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Topics vary week by week. Don’t miss out on this fun way to hear about your favorite topics. Walks are free for River Action’s members. For more information or to get a brochure, visit RiverAction.org, or call (563) 322-2969.

Make Friends with the Marsh Saturday, September 1, 9 a.m.-Noon, Nahant Marsh, DavenportLearn about and enjoy the wildlife. The session begins with a brief presentation or introduction after which a member of The Friends of Nahant Marsh and Nahant staff will coordinate work on a service project. Nahant Marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue, Davenport. For more info, call (563) 323-5196, or go to NahantMarsh.org.


E V E N T S C A L E N D A R

Family Fun & Kite FestivalSaturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., September 22-23, Centennial Park, Davenport Join the Quad City Kite Club for all kinds of kite flying fun and activities. See the giant 80-foot Octopus, large flow forms, all kinds of shape kites, and get involved with Kite Battles & Bol Racing. Activities include giant show kites, stunt kite performances, kids kite building, games, contests, and prizes. Admission is free. For more information, go to QCKiteClub.com or call (563) 326-7812.

Taming of the Slough Mississippi River Adventure RaceSaturday, September 15, 8 a.m., Rowing Club grounds, MolineCanoe/Kayak, Bike, and Run through downtown Moline for this 7th Annual Mississippi River Adventure Race! Go to RiverAction.org, call (563) 322-2969 for more information, or sign up through GetMeRegistered.com.

Oktoberfest SundaySunday, October 21, Schuetzen Park, DavenportCome enjoy German food, music, activities, a nature walk, and a German/English church service. For more information call (563) 322-5489, or go to SchuetzenPark.info.

Senior Citizen Golf Cart TourThursday, September 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., both sides of the Mississippi River front, Quad CitiesSenior citizens tour the river fronts in golf carts! Five riverfront tours, three different times each, roundtrip: Davenport to Bettendorf, Rock Island Arsenal Island, Rock Island at Sunset Park to Moline on Ben Butterworth Parkway, Moline to Rapids City, and Rapids City to Cordova. $12.50 per person, two people per cart. For more information or for a brochure, call (563) 322-2969.

East West RiverfestFriday-Sunday, September 7-16, Quad CitiesCome to the Quad Cities and celebrate 10-days of arts, culture, history and the Mississippi River during East West Riverfest. The entire Quad Cities will be joining in on the celebration with concerts on the riverfront, art fairs, live theatre, ballet, tours, river cruises, cultural festivals, and more. Find out more details at EastWestRiverfest.com.

Quad City Symphony Riverfront Pops ConcertSaturday, September 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., LeClaire Park, DavenportThis annual concert is attended by 20,000 people each year. Enjoy this concert as you sit in LeClaire Park, downtown Davenport, along the Mississippi River. Park opens at 3 p.m. with picnic baskets and coolers welcome. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Adult admission is $20, children 12 and under are free. For more info, go to QCSymphony.com.

Beaux Arts FairSaturday-Sunday, September 8-9, Varied hours, Figge Art Museum, DavenportArtists’ talents range across the spectrum with paint-ings of all mediums, limited edition prints, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, wood carvings, and handmade wooden furniture. Food vendors and musical entertain-ment provides an excellent backdrop for the fun. Free admission. Call (563) 326-7804 for more information.

WQPT Brew Ha HaSaturday, September 15, 1-5 p.m., LeClaire Park, Davenport Sample hundreds of brews from Europe to the Midwest. This is the 13th year for this event, and it not only features great beers, but also live comedy, music, food, and big screen televisions for all you sports enthusiasts. $20/advance tickets, $25/gate. To order advance tickets, call (309) 796-2424 or visit the website.

Riverssance Festival of Fine ArtSaturday-Sunday, September 15-16, Lindsay Park, DavenportRiverssance Festival is the premiere fine arts festival in the Quad Cities region with over 100 of the top artists from across the United States, great regional enter-tainment, food from area restaurants, a free children’s art tent, and more. $3/ticket. For more info, call (563) 324-0370.

Quad Cities Marathon & Festival of RacesSunday, September 23, John Deere Commons, Moline14th Annual event. Five races including the marathon, a half Marathon, and kids run. Four cities, three bridges, two states, and one island, all along the Mississippi River. For more information, go to QCMarathon.com. Spectators are encouraged to join in the festivities along the course.

Upper Mississippi River ConferenceWednesday-Friday, September 26-28, Stoney Creek Inn, MolineMake room for the river – in your life, architecture, and floodplain. Sign up for this two-day conference, with the welcome reception at the new Western Illinois University riverfront campus in Moline. For a copy of the brochure, or for more information, call (563) 322-2969 or go to RiverAction.org.

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, September 25, 7 p.m., River Action office, DavenportDiscuss Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. Open to the public. Meet at the River Action office, 822 E. River Dr. in Davenport, between Tremont and Federal Streets. For more info, call (563) 322-2969.

OctoberMake Friends with the Marsh Saturday, October 6, 9 a.m.-Noon, Nahant Marsh, DavenportLearn about and enjoy the wildlife. The session begins with a brief presentation or introduction after which a member of The Friends of Nahant Marsh and Nahant staff will coordinate work on a service project. Nahant Marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue, Davenport. For more info, call (563) 323-5196 or go to NahantMarsh.org.

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, October 23, 7 p.m., River Action office, DavenportDiscuss Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit, by Barry Estabrook. Open to the public. Meet at the River Action office, 822 E. River Drive in Davenport, between Tremont and Federal Streets. For more info, please call (563) 322-2969.

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