(LE MARS)–A sweet deal for new members is the summer treat offered to new members of the Plymouth County Historical Museum.
Anyone who joins the Museum for the first time during the Plymouth County Fair will receive a bag of sweet corn from the Lynn Buss farm.
Buss’ sweet corn has been a feature at the Country Store, operated by the Museum for many years.
According to museum administrator Judy Bowman, the store will open at noon July 28th and remain open daily until 10 p-m August first which is the final day of the fair.
All kinds of baked goods are needed for the store located in the Pioneer Village on the fair grounds. Garden produce and homespun donations are also being accepted.
Ron and Delores Burkard are museum volunteers who manage the store. Proceeds support the continuing operation of the museum in the “Old Central” High School.
Listening post offered for food participants
(Sioux City)–The voices of area local and regional food participants will be heard at a listening post in Woodbury County Thursday.
I-S-U Extension is hosting the listening session for creation of the 2011 Iowa Food and Farm Plan.
The session in Sioux City at the I-S-U Extension-Woodbury County office in Sioux City is at 10 Thursday morning.
Participants will be asked to speak about the current challenges in supporting, promoting and growing local food systems and what strategies they have developed to overcome obstacles .
Registration is requested by contacting the Extension office or the I-S-U Extension Regional Food Coordinator, Laura Kuennen lkuennen@iastate.edu.
Rose Garden is Sioux City treasure
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) Hundreds of flowers are on display at the Rose Garden in Sioux City’s Grandview Park.
Sioux City head gardener Kyle Smith says the park boasts 500 roses in about 50 different varieties, including Tea Roses, Floribundas and Grandifloras. He says gardeners try to include differenty types of roses every year to add different colors. He describes the garden as a “nice quiet place.”
During the colder fall and winter months, straw is placed on top of the roses to insulate the plants. Smith says the last snowy winter insulated the roses well and many plants survived.
Smith says at least eight workers maintain the roses, mow the area and tend to a pond.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Corridor adds senior vice president to grow business
(SPENCER)–The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development is offering help to new and established entrepreneurs to plan and grow businesses.
Brian Dalziel is the new senior vice president for Iowa Lakes Corridor Development. Dalziel plans to focus on clients with high growth opportunities.
He’ll also support local governments and other nonprofit groups that help entrepreneurs.
He started the Northeast Iowa Business Accelerator in Dubuque and worked in that role for four years advising entrepreneurs in 87 companies, including 24 that were new businesses. More than eight-million dollars was raised and more than 100 jobs were created.
Corps to increase Gavins Point releases
YANKTON, S.D. (AP) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it will start releasing more water from Gavins Point Dam at Yankton in order to evacuate flood water being stored in the Missouri River reservoirs.
The corps has been limiting discharges because of flooding downstream on the Missouri River. It says downstream conditions have improved so it can begin releasing water that’s accumulated in the reservoirs from heavy rain and mountain snowmelt.
Gavins Point releases will gradually increase from the current 34,000 cubic feet per second to 40,000 cubic feet per second.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Iowa motorcyclist hurt after hitting deer
URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) A 26-year-old motorcyclist is in critical condition after authorities say he collided with a deer.
Police arrived at the scene in Urbandale Friday evening to find the motorcycle on its side, the rider lying in the street and the deer dead.
The man was transported to an area hospital. Police say he wasn’t wearing a helmet. His name hasn’t been released.
Police Sgt. Dan Stein says there have been numerous vehicle-deer accidents in the area.
Cedar Rapids officials plan removal of ash trees
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Because of the spread of invasive emerald ash borer beetles into Iowa, the Cedar Rapids Arborist and Public Works staff have completed a second review of ash trees populations in the city.
Findings show that there are approximately 520 trees in 440 locations throughout the city recommended for removal. Authorities say 170 of the 520 total are high priority removals due to hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions. Public Works staff will send letters of explanation to affected property owners next month and removal is scheduled to begin this winter.
Based on street surveys, there are from 9,000 to 12,000 ash trees on Cedar Rapids rights of way, plus more trees in city parks.
Demolition of Sinclair smokestack to begin
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Authorities in Cedar Rapids say special equipment will be set up Monday morning for the demolition of the historic smokestack at the former Sinclair meatpacking plant.
Demolition of the smokestack will be done a few feet at a time with small handheld pneumatic jackhammers. This procedure will likely take a few weeks, and a more specific schedule for the work will be known once the demolition begins.
The Cedar Rapids City Council voted 5-4 Tuesday to demolish the entire smokestack.
The vote came despite requests from historic preservationists to keep at least the structure’s base from demolition. The 41-foot-tall base is said to be structurally sound. Crews have been working to take down buildings at the packing plant. The buildings are damaged by flood and fire.
Demolition work is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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Cedar Rapids art museum is free through Sept. 19
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is offering free admission this summer.
Admission will be free through Sept. 19.
Sponsorships from the Cedar Rapids Bank Trust and United Fire Group have made the free days possible.
The museum has nine exhibitions on display, including works by American Gothic painter Grant Wood.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with extended hours from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday.
The museum is also open from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It’s closed on Mondays and major holidays.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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