Volume 6, Issue 3 | August/September/October 2016
A PUBLICATION OF RIVER ACTION, INC. www.riveraction.org
Connecting people to the river
Raising the Grade 2016 Upper Mississippi River Conference
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More Inside: Floatzilla! Taming of the Slough eddy Calendar
PUBLISHER’S LET TER
We must raise the grade
M
y husband and I recently returned from a wonderful, lifechanging trip to China! We were fortunate to be asked to
join an Augustana College alumnae trip led by Dr. Norm Moline and August/September/December 2016 Volume 6 Issue 3
Dr. Marcia Smith. While we netted 750 photos, I also brought back
KATHY WINE, Publisher / Executive Director BETH CLARK, Managing Editor, Milepost Ventures, LLC. JEFF VanECHAUTE/pi design, inc., Design EILEEN SIPES AND NOAH TRUESDELL, Calendar Editor
Tiananmen Square, and what a young guide told us about giving
Contributing Writers EILEEN SIPES, River Action Staff NOAH TRUESDELL, River Action Staff KATHY WINE, River Action Staff KATE KREMER, River Action Staff LAURA MORRIS, River Action Staff Contributing Photographers SHERRI DEVRIEZE (COVER PHOTO) BETH CLARK (TAMING OF THE SLOUGH) COLIN WEHRLE (FLOATZILLA) AMY VanECHAUTE/pi design, inc.
stories, their auto-biographical narratives that give context to their work.
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personal stories: what our guide experienced in prison following birth in a modern hospital amid the long-held Chinese customs of her
Kathy Wine
family. These and others gave context to the trip — something our leaders knew and illuminated every day. That recent trip was the inspiration for the August Eddy. For this Upper Mississippi River Conference issue, we asked some of our speakers for personal These speakers and others who have captured years of research will attempt to transmit research-based knowledge in a way that makes sense to us wanting to implement action plans October 13-14 at the i-Wireless Center. The theme is Raise the Grade and will weave together stories and stats, declarations and data that ask us to think about our dream of a resilient river, but challenge us to come up with plans to accomplish it. It is in response to the Report Card for the Mississippi River Watershed produced by America’s Watershed Initiative and announced at last year’s UMRC. We got a D+. What everyone
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wants to know is why did we get at D+, and how do we raise the grade?
© eddy Magazine and River Action, Inc., all rights reserved, 2016. 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.
what we want our river organizations to do, and what we as non-profits owe everyone? Candor?
eddy Magazine Published by River Action, Inc. 822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA 52803 563-322-2969 www.riveraction.org
us in building these plans.
To Advertise: Contact Beth Clark 309-269-3455 or contact Deb Girard at debgirard@hotmail.com. For rates, ad dimensions and deadline information email BethC@milepostventures.com
It is humbling. A report card that one doesn’t want to show anyone is out there. But isn’t that Openness? Too few organizations admit to failure, and thus don’t learn from it. We are not one of those. Convinced that something can be done, we are going to own up to it, and with collaborators, do something about it! The America’s Watershed Initiative has
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
4 Upper Mississippi River Conference
communicated the results of the report widely .
and Speakers – Raising the Grade by Kathy Wine
You can read it at www.AmericasWatershed.org with a prominent link to the report. It is a tool to
9 Featured Stories
communicate the status of six broad goals for
9 Floatzilla 2016 - Get Ready to Paddle! by Kathy Wine
our nation’s most important river (31 states in the watershed). The results reveal that our current
10 Thank you to Fish & Fire and Ride the River Supporters.
trajectory is unsustainable. That is why we want all stakeholders, citizens, and students in working groups to build action plans. We will seek the partners to implement, raise funds, and move forward with specific goals. Following the last working session on Friday, we will hold a news conference to announce
11 Taming of the Slough by Kathy Wine 11 Relocation of I-74 Mussels by Laura Morris
12 eddy Calendar:
August, September, October 2016 by Eileen Sipes and Noah Truesdell
our new commitments to raise the grade. Please join Our Mission: River Action strives to foster the environmental, economic, and cultural vitality of the Mississippi River and its riverfront in the Quad City region.
ON THE COVER: MISSISSIPPI RIVERFRONT. Photo by Sherri DeVrieze
To Subscribe or become a member of River Action: call 563-322-2969 or visit www.riveraction.org August/September/October 2016 | eddy Magazine
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Raising the Grade
The Touch of the Personal by Kathy Wine
We asked a few of our UMRC speakers to draw from particular experiences from which he or she drew a significant understanding of the Mississippi River. They have reflected on feelings in addition to describing them, and given us context for their work and presentations at our October Raise the Grade conference. As we prepare to hear those messages on the state of the river, we can’t help but be fascinated by their revealing moments, changes in perception, or insights because these moments happen to everyone. Enjoy.
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER CONFERENCE October 13-14, 2016 iWireless Center, Moline, IL To register for the conference go to: www.riveraction.org 4
eddy Magazine | www.riveraction.org
Gretchen Benjamin
Associate Director of Water Infrastructure The Nature Conservancy – North America Water
Jon Duyvejonck
Biologist - Retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service I grew up on the Mississippi River in Winona, MN. I witnessed the 1965 flood as a kindergartener, spent divine afternoons swimming off my best friend’s houseboat and marveled over turtles, frogs, snakes and “sea” shells (native mussels). I headed to Montana for college and figured I’d never be back but I came back and never left. Thirty-two years as a professional on the river has taught me this is an amazing and resilient river. Working with great partners over the years, I have seen entire backwaters lost to degrading conditions and restored by physically rebuilding habitat, but also by recreating more natural conditions that the river instinctively responds to when given a chance. Currently, I have the great privilege to work on the entire mainstem of the Mississippi River. I’m confident we can systemically provide the features of a shared river that will allow for human uses while at the same time improving conditions for clean water, healthy floodplain forests and wetlands, and resident and migratory fish, wildlife, and birds.
In the mid-1970s, I was pursuing a graduate degree in biology and came home for a weekend. My mom showed me an article in the Rock Island Argus that pictured a biologist on a houseboat. She was visiting communities along the Mississippi River and collecting public input for the Great River Environmental Action Team (GREAT) Study. At the time, I thought that she had the best job on the planet. I finished my degree in 1979 and returned home to begin looking for a job. I sent out dozens of resumes and received the usual “Thanks, but we have no openings at this time.” I also applied to the Federal Civil Service. After a year of odd jobs, I received a call from the Corps of Engineers asking if I was interested in working for their dredging program. At the time, working for the Corps was almost unthinkable to me due to the controversies created by their damming of rivers across the U.S. If I accepted, I thought I would be “blacklisted” by biologists and never find a job conserving fish and wildlife. However, I could not resist the allure of the Great River and accepted. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I was able to travel the Upper Mississippi River basin from St. Paul to St. Louis. I have been working on the river ever since (36 years) and spent 24 of them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service doing habitat conservation.
Raising the Grade
Dr. Laura Christianson
Assistant Professor of Water Quality Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign
In September 2015, I started working as an Assistant Professor of Water Quality in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois. Having recently moved back to the Midwest from the Mid-Atlantic, one of my favorite “water connection” experiences
is regarding the view of the Chesapeake Bay during drives over the Bay Bridge in Maryland. The beautiful perspective from hundreds of feet above the water, albeit a little white-knuckled on the steering wheel, never failed to heighten my sense of duty to farmers who are working to be a part of water quality solutions. Now in the Mississippi River Basin, my new research and extension program focuses on economically thriving farms and clean water outcomes. I have a background in agricultural engineering, and have worked as a research engineer on water technologies for point and non-point sources and as a Fulbright Fellow studied drained dairy pastures in New Zealand. From an early age I knew I wanted a career in science, engineering, and the outdoors. Growing up, I really liked science and was decent at math. I also had a big appreciation for natural resources from many years of family vacations in the Rocky Mountains and from helping with my family’s garden. When I learned I could have a career involving all these interests by studying agricultural engineering with an emphasis in soil and water conservation, I knew it was the right fit.
Heath Kelsey
Program Director University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science I first became interested in Environmental Report Cards when I was working as a statistical modeler for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As a modeler, I felt I was doing good and interesting science and my grad school experience had Speakers, continued on page 6
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Raising the Grade
< Speakers, continued from page 5
prepared me for this type of work. But I had hoped my career would have more potential impact. So when the opportunity to work on report cards came up at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, I jumped in with both feet. Developing a report card for the Mississippi River Watershed was a particularly satisfying project not only because of the geographic scale and complexity of issues involved, but also because it treated economic, social, and environmental issues so equitably. The most gratifying thing was bringing such a wide array of stakeholders to work together. What has emerged is the beginning of a shared vision for the future of the watershed, which is a powerful first step to making change. I’ve enjoyed visiting different parts of the basin and listening to the stories everyone has about their experiences. It’s an amazing thing to be able to draw on such a big well of personal experiences and perspectives from around the watershed. The Mississippi River
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means many different things to people, but to me, as someone who lives outside of the basin, it’s a national cultural icon, and it’s been a pleasure to work on plans to improve it.
Mike Klingner
President and CEO Klingner & Associates, P.C. The Mississippi River became an important part of my life when I was growing up in the river town of Quincy, Illinois. I learned to ice skate on the Quincy Bay backwaters and to avoid the barge wakes when water skiing or canoeing from LaGrange to Hannibal. Many summer days were spent on Hog Back Island, a dredge placement sight, popular with boaters. As a senior in high school, I experienced the power of the Mighty Mississippi during the flood of 1973. My father was the engineer for numerous levee districts and many of my friends and I volunteered to help in the flood fighting efforts. A watershed moment came for me, 20 years later, in the great flood of 1993. As a
young engineer at the time, most of my work involved wastewater treatment design, and I was called to help with the impending disaster to the valley. After working day and night placing plastic and sandbags with other volunteers and landowners, we witnessed the gut-wrenching overtopping of the levees in both the Lima Lake and Indian Graves Drainage Districts, flooding thousands of acres. I volunteered to aid in efforts in the Fabius
Raising the Grade
District protecting West Quincy. After the crest passed, many felt that the battle had been won. But then the unthinkable happened and our efforts were sabotaged by a convicted felon who pulled sandbags, quickly eroding the levee. This disaster flooded businesses and major highways and railroads for over 200 miles and isolated Quincy from Missouri. I have committed to implementing a systemic, comprehensive flood control plan so we will never have to experience such devastation again.
Steve Richter
Director of Conservation Programs, Wisconsin Chapter The Nature Conservancy I am responsible for defining and overseeing the implementation of conservation strategies in agricultural landscapes. In two such projects, The Nature Conservancy works with partners and farmers to change farm practices in ways that work with farmers and improve water quality in Wisconsin’s lakes and streams. In
southwest Wisconsin, the Conservancy owns and manages land where prairie is planted and grazing and haying is done by neighboring farmers. I lead a team of conservation staff overseeing three other projects in Wisconsin, the chapter has a long history of owning and managing land for two of the projects. In all our projects the Conservancy works with partners to impact conservation work in working landscapes. I lead a water fund strategy team of Conservancy staff from five states on the Upper Mississippi River project. I’ve worked for the Wisconsin Chapter since 1991, and previously conducted land management projects, such as prescribed fire, clearing of trees, brush and invasive species and planting prairie on Conservancy lands. I have a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology from UW-Madison. My first impressions of the Mississippi River were made standing on top of a levee in Greenville, Mississippi, where I visited relatives every summer growing up and through college. Awe and fear of the threatening river Speakers, continued on page 8
Sally McConkey, P.E., CFM, D.WRE. Section Head Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program Illinois State Water Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois
The Mississippi River is part of my earliest childhood memories. I grew up in Illinois near the Mississippi River, frequently crossing the Eads Bridge to enjoy St. Louis. I recall a family vacation when we travelled north to where we could “walk across” the Mississippi and I recall local concerns about flooding in 1973, the greatest flood from St. Louis south since 1927. As an adult, working at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), I was part of the team gathering information and writing reports about the 1993 flood; and had the opportunity to assist with one of General Galloway’s many community meetings held post-flood to gather information for his ground-breaking report “Sharing the Challenge.” Flooding, floodplain management, and flood mitigation have been the focus of my career ever since.
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Raising the Grade
< Speakers, continued from page 7
comes to mind when thinking back on those trips to the river. My perspective began to change during camping trips at Wisconsin state parks. On these trips I began to appreciate the floodplain forests, the backwater sloughs and the migrations of birds. I’ll never forget the nights spent on a bluff or camping along the shore.
three topics and listening to other views at the upcoming conference, not only with residents, but with visitors also. Regardless of the relationship each of us may have with this river, we must ensure those generations to come have opportunities to experience a clean and healthy river. Conference topics: Impacts of the Mississippi River in La Crosse Wisconsin Economic: Jobs, retail, taxes, development, small business Recreation: Boating, fishing, swimming, leisure, competitions, special events Leisure Business Partnerships/Funding: Marinas, boat ramps, boat slips, restaurants, cruise operations
Kelly L. Warner
Steve Carlyon
Chief of Water Quality and Groundwater Investigations U.S. Geological Survey - Illinois Water Science Center
Director, Parks, Recreation and Forestry City of Lacrosse, WI I moved to La Crosse nine years ago. Previously my family and I had to relocate often as a condition of my civilian employment with the U.S. Government. We had crossed over the Mississippi many times and at locations such as New Orleans, Memphis, St Louis and various small towns. However, living on the river brings a whole new appreciation for the beauty and value this river adds to the fabric of life living in a River Town, such as La Crosse, Wisconsin. To me, the Mississippi River is more than a body of water, it’s a living phenomenon creating vast recreational opportunities. It is a major transportation corridor, a sanctuary for wildlife, and a place to experience our natural environment often creating lifetime memories. There are many, many more personal relationships with the Mississippi River, such as watching the Cardinals play ball on its banks, exploring the back waters in a canoe/kayak, skiing behind a boat, waiting for the bobber to go under, and watching hundreds of Bald Eagles gather on the melting ice to feed on suspended shad. I get to share moments with the River almost daily, because I live along its banks. From those experiences I have learned that all of us are stewards of a truly remarkable National Treasure, the Mississippi River. I have also come to understand the cultural, recreational, and economical value of the river. I look forward to sharing some of my experiences on these
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flowing waters are scary and you’d be wise to get out of the way. She works and plays hard… I see it in the barges and boats. She’s a leader… creating an inviting path for migratory fish and birds. She’s complex and that’s why I love her.
Rebecca Smith
Project Director The Nature Conservancy America’s Great River-Healthy Rivers Healthy Gulf I love the many personalities of the Mississippi River. Her calm backwaters are nourishing and protecting. Her fast and furious
I am personally and professionally vested in the health of the Mississippi River. I grew up in Cordova, IL, on the banks of the river--collecting mussel shells with button holes, listening to the bellow of bullfrogs, enjoying flood “vacations” to help sand bag, working summer jobs at riverside industries, and having many of my sports teams named the “River Rats.” My professional work as a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey is an extension of my love and respect of water that was foundational to my childhood. Throughout my career I have emphasized the importance of investing in quality data and monitoring to make informed management decisions.
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FEATURE STORY
F LO AT Z I L L A :
AU G U S T 19 - 2 0
Friday, August 19: Credit Island is the place to be! • Packet Pickup: 5-7 pm, Credit Island Lodge • Canoe, Kayak, and Bike Swap: Credit Island Lane • In-the-water races around Pelican Island • Play Games for Prizes: Fling a water balloon through the Floatzilla Eye for chance to win prizes • Enjoy great food and cool drinks from the Grillzilla grill • Stake out your campsite for Friday and Saturday nights • Bent River beer tent! Saturday, August 20: Calling All Adventurers! • Start your paddling adventure at Empire Park, East Moline, or • Launch at Ben Butterworth Parkway, Moline, or • Launch at Main Street, Davenport, or • Launch at Marquette Street, Davenport, or • Launch at Credit Island, Davenport, or • Launch at Lake Potter, Sunset Park, Rock Island • At Lake Potter, enjoy the music of Chrash and Mountain Swallower • Compete for a trophy as the largest paddling group • Enjoy great food, cool drinks • Tradeshow • Photo taken of entire group of paddlers at 2:30 pm
Stan Goodyear, CFP, CPA REALTOR®, Licensed in Iowa & Illinois, SRES® 4545 Welcome Way Davenport, IA 52806 StanGoodyear@RuhlHomes.com
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Cell: 563.370.8990
Register by going to www.floatzilla.org/register, calling 563-322-2969, or at RA office, 822 East River Drive, Davenport. Register for free prizes at www.floatzilla.org. List the name of your group when you register. Until August 18, the cost is $25.00; $30.00 on August 19 and 20, 2016. Packets include Floatzilla 2016 t-shirt, Floatzilla boat sticker, maps, and $5 coupon for QC Symphony Pops Concert, August 20, The Eagles Greatest Hits. For more information including maps of the launch sites, contact Nathan Sipes at nsipes@riveraction.org, or 563-322-2969.
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August/September/October 2016 | eddy Magazine
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FEATURE STORY
Thank
Many thanks to our Silent Auction Donors Active Endeavors Allard Custom Jewelers Analog Artswork Augustana College Augustana Theatre / Music Department Aunt Rhodie’s Backwater Gamblers Ballet Quad Cities Barrel House Best Western / Steeple Gate Inn Bike & Hike Black Hawk Area Education Center Black Hawk Museum Blain’s Farm & Fleet Lois Britt Café Express Carver Aero Celebration Belle Chestnut Mountain Resort Chuck Oestreich Colleen Curry Kendall Davis Daytrotter Ann Desalvo Dan & Dorine Donaubauer Dwellings Endless Brews Expressions Jewelers Figge Art Museum Fillaree Garlic Farm Freight House Farmers’ Market Fresh Deli by Nostalgia Farms Ganzo’s A.K. Glade Great River Brewery Anna Gruber Happy Joe’s Healthy Habits Heart of America / Philip McKinley Hot Glass Hotel Julien Indigo & Flow SUP Co. Isabel Bloom Jerry & Sparky’s Bicycle Shop K&K Hardware
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You
Riverboat Twilight Rustic Ridge Golf Course Ken Urban Photography Mark Schwiebert Kimberly Crest Veterinary SIS International Shop Hospital Starbucks Kate Kremer State Street Interiors Jeanne Knape Suburban Landscape Lagomarcino’s Tami Wegener Lavender Crest Winery Tarah Sipes Anderson Light Expressions by Shaw Terry and Christy Ellenberg ManCave BrewNiversity Teske Pet & Garden Center Kyle Martin, River Music The Crane & Pelican Café Experience The Family Restaurant Dean Mathias The Soap Box Me & Billy Kitchen and Bar Triumph Bank MidCoast Fine Arts Twisted Trunk Olive Oil Co. Ben Mills & The Green Thumbers Mississippi River Distilling Two Rivers YMCA Company Usborne Books & More Mississippi Valley Fair Wallace’s Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild Walnut Grove Pioneer Village Mo Brady’s and Miss Mamie’s WaterMark Corners Nahant Marsh Education Brent Wessel Center Whitey’s Ice Cream National Eagle Center Whoa Nelli Navarro Canoe Wide River Winery Necker’s Jewelers Wild Birds Unlimited Terry O’Connell Kathy Wine Old Paths Farm / Eileen Sipes Zeke’s Island Café Panera Bread Emily Paulos Wine Grab: Maggie Paulos Tarah Sipes Anderson Martha Paulos John & Paddy Blackman Rick Paulos Joe & Shelley Chambers Paul & Darlene Drago Beth Clark Putnam Museum Lisa Cleve QC Arts Tracy Dvorak QC Botanical Center Brock & Carol Earnhardt QC International Airport Jennifer Garrity Quad City Laminating & Roger & Sarah Lande Trophy Co Quad City Symphony Orchestra Marcia Lintz Gerald & Darlene Neff Rachel Lynda Photography Terry Ousley John Riches Dick & Kay Patterson Rival’s Sports Bar & Grill Eileen Sipes River Action Jim & Donna Standaert River Bandits and Modern John & Marcia Wetzel Woodmen Park Tom & Kathy Wine River Music Experience
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T h a n k Yo u Ride the River 2016 Sponsors River Action QC Times Sears Manufacturing Company HyVee Y & J Enterprises QC Bicycle Club Estes Construction Upper Mississippi River Fleeting Kiwanis Club of Davenport iHeart Media WHBF TV Bike & Hike Healthy Habits TREK Store Harper’s Cycling & Fitness Reynolds Ford
2016 Friends of Ride the River John Kustes Vivian Norton Kathy Wine Martha Kay Patterson Dixon Novy Tom & Pat Bolton Davenport Eye Group Nelson Brothers Agency Porter’s Village Marathon L.E. Chute Company John & Paddy Blackman Frank & Ingrid Bogdanowicz Art & Mary Beth Eggers GAH, Inc Paul & Sheila Guse Southeast National Bank Tom and Kathy Wine
FEATURE STORY
Calling all Paddlers, Bikers, and Runners!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Relocation of I-74 Mussels by Laura Morris
Taming of the Slough Adventure Race September 17 by Kathy Wine
W
hether you are an individual or a team, there are many ways one can compete for trophies. The Youth Division: Since the beginning in 2006, off-road trails have been improved for more safety and enjoyment. A youth division (12-17) will paddle (2.4 miles), bike (5.8 miles), and run (2 miles). Youth participants are required to attend one Tune Up session to become familiar with the course. Awards are given to top three men and women in the Individual class, 2-Team class, 3-Team class, and the Corporate Adventure
Challenge. New this year is the Male Elite and Female Elite. They are meant for the most competitive individuals. If you chose racing flight in the past, consider registering as an Elite this year! Free Tune Up for Taming, August 25, September 1 & 8, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Empire Park, East Moline and Illiniwek Forest Preserve, Hampton. Go to www.riveraction.org
Construction of the Interstate-74 bridge project is under way, and it affects the ecosystems of local waterways. Mussels are a vital part of these ecosystems because they monitor and purify aquatic systems while feeding on algae and plankton. River Action is seeking volunteers to aid in the relocation of an estimated half million endangered mussels by processing mussels and removing invasive zebra mussels from the native species. This volunteer opportunity will begin August 1st and run through September. If you are interested in aiding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in relocating these essential organisms to their new habitat, contact lmorris@ riveraction.org or call (563) 322- 2969 to be scheduled.
EASY TO FIND. HARD TO RESIST.
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eddy Calendar
August Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 5000 44th St (44th St & the Rock River) Rock Island, call 309-786-8987 for more information. The Backwater Gamblers are a non-profit water ski show team that performs free water ski shows every Wednesday & Sunday at 6:30pm on the Rock River. The shows last approximately one hour with a 15-20 minute intermission in which donations are accepted.
Celebration River Cruises
Location: Celebration River Cruises, 2501 River Dr, Moline, call 309-764-1952 for more information. See the Quad City Area (Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa & Moline & Rock Island, Illinois) from a different point of view! The Captain will point out and tell about some of the rich history of the area and the Mighty Mississippi River. You will view the largest roller dam in the world at Lock and Dam #15, as well as the Rock Island Arsenal. Call for dates and times.
The Twilight Riverboat
Location: Twilight River Cruises, 101 N Front St, Le Claire, 800-331-1467, www.riverboattwilight.com. The Twilight Captain brings the history & stories of the river to life. Each afternoon on board features a variety of folk musicians and humorists. Destination Dubuque activities include Museums, an Aquarium, Trolley Tours, Art Galleries, Historical Architecture and much, much more. Call or visit www.riverboattwilight.com for more information.
traditional jazz in the country to The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival. There will be 15 fantastic jazz bands performing at the three venues throughout the festival. There are multiple special events in addition to the terrific performance schedule. Also demonstrating their jazz proficiency will be members of the Bix Jazz Society Youth Band, carriers of the torch for the next generation.
John Deere Classic
Friday, August 12, last day to turn in your Birdies For Charity official pledge card. Chip in for your chance to win! Make a one-time flat donation OR pledge one cent or more per birdie. Monday-Sunday, August 8-14. TPC Deere Run, 3100 Heather Knoll, Silvis. Come enjoy the Quad Cities very own PGA Tour tournament! Tickets and information at www.johndeereclassic.com.
Channel Cat Talk
August 1 through September 5. Putnam Museum, 1717 W 12th St, Davenport. “The Discovery of King Tut” recreates one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.
The Great Mississippi Valley Fair
Riverine Walk
Thursday- Sunday, August 4-7, 6pm, Downtown, Davenport, www.bixsociety.org or call 563-324-7170. 2016 will bring another great lineup of the best
Through September 4, Figge Art Museum, 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, 563-326-7804. The Figge Art Museum is offering free admission through September 25th. Tallgrass QC is a collaboration that raises awareness about prairie ecology in the Quad Cities region. Tallgrass prairie stretched from Texas to Canada 150 years ago, covering millions of acres of land. As settlers expanded west, the prairie was quickly replaced with rows of crops. Less than four percent of tallgrass prairie survives in isolated patches. The artists in this exhibition live in the Midwest Region, and connect to the natural world in profound ways.
Sunday evenings, all summer , 7pm, LeClaire Park Band Shell, 400 W Beiderbecke Dr in downtown Davenport. Quad Cities - You can hear free music every Sunday this summer! Don’t forget your blanket or lawn chair. Enjoy the free Music on the Levee along the banks of the Mississippi River. See www.cityofdavenportiowa. com/parks for the band schedule.
King Tut Exhibit
Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival
Picturing the Prairie
Music on the Levee
Tuesday, August 2 or Thursday, August 4, 9-10:45am, $13.50 per person. Call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “The Government Bridge,” presented by Bill Ashton. Learn about the 1872 iron bridge, original stone piers, the 1894 bridge, designer Ralph Mojeski, and the swing span and unique construction improvements. Meet at Celebration Pier Channel Cat Landing, 2501 E River Dr, Moline, IL.
Tuesday-Sunday, August 2-7, 2815 Locust St, Davenport, www.mvfair.com. Come out for rides, fair food, livestock competitions, and entertainment. There are six exciting acts scheduled for the Grandstand each night. Check out www. mvfair.com for lineups and fun cards. See you there!
photo: Amy Neighbour VanEchaute
Freedom Run
Thursday, August 4, East Moline, www.freedomrun5k. org for more information. Come out and give something back to your Military and their families - they’ve all given so much to us. You don’t have to run. You can watch, you can cheer, you can sponsor and you can volunteer! However you decide to participate, you’re going to have fun!
Breakfast with the Birds
Wednesday, August 3, 6:30-8pm, or Saturday, August 6, 9-10:30am, $6 per person, (free for River Action members) call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Recreation on the Hennepin,” presented by Tim Chambers, Dean Mathias, and Barb and Randy Wlaskolich. Come explore outdoor and recreational opportunities on the Hennepin Canal and Rock River with River Action and Big Island Soil and Water. Meet at Lock and Dam 31 parking lot in Milan IL.
Fridays, August 5, September 2 & October 7, 8-9am, Nahant Marsh, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport. Learn the secret life of birds during this monthly class at Nahant Marsh. Each month we will explore the characteristics and adaptations of a group of birds. A continental breakfast with coffee, juice, and tea is included in the fee. Feel free to bring your own coffee mug or travel container. Participants are encouraged to explore the trails after the class. Binoculars are available to borrow. Cost: $7 for non-members & $5 for members. To register, call 563-323-5196 or visit nahantmarsh.org.
DAVEY
Phone: (563) 355-0701 ®
TREE & SHRUB EXPERTS SINCE 1880
(309) 788-8733 Fax:
(563) 355-8465
JASON HOUSWORTH I.S.A. Certified Arborist # IL4228A
3512 Jersey Ridge Road Davenport, IA 52807
THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
(563) 359-3494
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District Manager
David A. Johnson, D.D.S.
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133 12th Street ● Bettendorf, IA 52722 ● www.davey.com
eddy C A L E N D A R Egg Money and the Farmers Wife
Riverine Walk
Sunday, August 14, 1- 5pm, free admission, Pioneer Village, 18817 290th St, Long Grove. Learn about the contributions of the farmer’s wife and family to the financial stability of the farm pre-1960 in the Midwest. The Village will have demonstrations of weaving, spinning and quilting.
Wednesday, August 17, 6:30-8pm, or Saturday, August 20, 9-10:30am, $6 per person, (free for River Action members) call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Demo, Design, and Dash,” presented by Pat Bereskin. Create a make-and-take project with recycled materials while enjoying artist demonstrations in the galleries.
Toddler Tales
2nd Tuesday of each month, 10-11am & 2-3pm, Nahant Marsh Education Center, Davenport. Program includes a nature-themed story, a craft, and an outdoor adventure. A great way to introduce young children to nature! Ages 3-5. Cost: $3. Register at nahantmarsh.org or call 563-323-5196.
Earth Explorers
2nd Wednesday of each month through Oct. , 4-5pm, Nahant Marsh Education Center, Davenport. Participants will learn about weather, wildlife, and geology through science based inquiry & experiments. Ages: 11-14. Cost: $7 for non-members, $5 for members. Register at nahantmarsh.org or call 563-323-5196.
Channel Cat Talk
Tuesday, August 9, or Thursday August 11, 9-10:45am, $13.50 per person. Call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Boats, Birds, Clams, and More!” presented by Jon Duyvejonck. Tales about Mississippi River navigation from steamboats to barges. A discussion about the fish and wildlife found along the river and how they are managed. Meet at the Celebration Pier Channel Cat Landing, 2501 E River Dr, Moline, IL.
Riverine Walk
Wednesday, August 10, 6:30-8pm, or Saturday, August 13, 9-10:30am, $6 per person, (free for River Action members) call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Deep Maps-Historic Geography of Pool 16 of the Mississippi River,” presented by Dr. Rueben Heine. Come aboard the floating classroom “Stewardship” to travel back in time using historic maps/photographs. Meet at the North End of Lake Potter/Sunset Park, 18th Ave Rock Island, IL.
River Action’s Environmental Book Club
River Action’s “Floatzilla”
Friday, August 19, Credit Island ,Davenport, IA, and Saturday, August 20, Lake Potter in Sunset Park, Rock Island. Floatzilla is a daylong paddling event to raise awareness of Quad City Water trails. All hard canoes and kayaks are permitted, no inflatables. Floaters will make an attempt for the largest Flotilla at Lake Potter, Sunset Park, Rock Island. New this year is a Friday evening full of activities on Credit Island. Bring your sports equipment to the swap meet and stay for the games! Bands will be on the center stage. On Saturday join the fun with good food, cold drinks, and live entertainment. Mississippi Bend Model Boaters will be showing off their radio controlled vessels in Lake Potter. Vendors and outfitters will participate in the trade show. Different paddle routes are available for all experience levels. Go to RiverAction.org or call 563-322-2969 for more information, or sign up through www.floatzilla.org.
Tuesday, August 23, 7pm, River Action office, 822 E River Dr, Davenport. Discuss “The Lost World of the Old Ones: Discoveries on the Ancient Southwest”, by David Roberts. The book discussions are free and open to the public.
Channel Cat Talk
Tuesday, August 23 or Thursday, August 25, 9-10:45am, $13.50 per person. Call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Birding on the River” presented by Dick Sayles. Learn about birding the Mississippi River through the seasons with special emphasis on summer birds.
Riverine Walk
Wednesday, August 24, 6:30-8pm, and Saturday, August 27, 9-10:30am. $6 per person, (free for River Action members) call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Black Hawk’s Haunts: His Hunting Grounds, Village, and Home Sites” presented by Farrel Anderson. Tour Black Hawk’s village of Saukenuk, homes, fields, family sites, and hunting grounds at Black Hawk State Historic Site.
River Roots Live and Ribfest
Friday and Saturday, August 26-27. LeClaire Park, 400 Biederbeck Dr, Davenport. Two great nights of live music and a rib competition August, continued on page 14 >
Great River Tug Fest
Thursday-Saturday, August 11-13 , LeClaire. Get together two teams, a long rope across the Mississippi River, and the towns of LeClaire, IA, and Port Byron, IL, to compete in the annual Tug Fest. Family Day is Thursday, free. Friday and Saturday is $3/day, children under 12 are free. Call 309-523-3705, 309-5232500 or go to TugFest.org for more information.
Ya Maka My Weekend
Friday and Saturday, August 19-20. The District of Rock Island, Rock Island. Bring the Caribbean to the Quad Cities! Go to the District to experience the sights, smells, tastes, and music of island life. Admission is $9 for a day pass or $14 for a 2-day pass.
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert
Saturday, August 20. LeClaire Park, 400 Biederbeck Dr, Davenport. Join the Symphony Orchestra at the LeClaire Park Band Shell for an evening with The Eagles Greatest Hits. Visit qcso.org for more information.
Channel Cat Talk
on
90.3 FM
Michelle O’Neill NPR Host
Tuesday, August 16 or Thursday, August 18, 9-10:45am, $13.50 per person. Call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “River Landscape Mosaic,” presented by Dr. Rueben Heine and Dr. Norm Moline. Study the channel characteristics, riverfront uses, and environmental issues in pool 15 from Arsenal Island to Campbell’s Island. Meet at the Celebration Pier Channel Cat Landing, 2501 E River Dr, Moline, IL.
August/September/October | eddy Magazine
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eddy C A L E N D A R < August, continued from page 13 all rolled into one. Visit riverrootslive.com for lineup details.
Riverine Walk
Wednesday, August 31, 6:30-8pm. $6 per person, (free for River Action members) call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “First Bridge,” presented by Kathy Wine and Curtis Roseman. Discuss the reconstruction of the Mississippi’s first railroad bridge as a bike/pedestrian bridge and connection to the community.
Channel Cat Talk
Tuesday, August 30, 9-10:45am. $13.50 per person. Call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Mexican and Latina/o American Histories of the Quad Cities,” presented by Dr. Araceli Masterson. Learn about the ways in which Latin American history, and Mexican and Mexican-American history in particular, are part and parcel of the QC to date.
September Channel Cat Talk
Thursday, September 1, 9-10:45am. $13.50 per person. Call 563-322-2969 for more information or to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “Mexican and Latina/o American Histories of the Quad Cities,” presented by Dr. Araceli Masterson. Learn about the ways in which Latin American history is part and parcel of the QC to date.
Riverine Walk
Saturday, September 3, 6:30-8pm. $6 per person, (free for River Action members) call 563-322-2969 for more information & to register, or visit www.riveraction.org. “First Bridge,” presented by Kathy Wine and Curtis Roseman. Discuss the reconstruction of the Mississippi’s first railroad bridge as a bike/pedestrian bridge and connection to the community.
River Action’s 17th Annual Senior Citizen Golf Cart Tour
Thursday, September 8, 9am-4pm, $12.50 per person, tour specifics available at 563-322-2969 and www. riveraction.org. Senior citizens can participate in guided riverfront golf cart tours! This activity is sponsored by River Action. The tours will utilize existing riverfront trails and offer participants an opportunity to see and hear all that the riverfront has to offer from the front seat of a golf cart. Choose any of six different tours, three different starting times. All tours are round trip and two hours long: Credit Island to Nahant Marsh, Davenport to Bettendorf, Rock Island Arsenal Island, Rock Island at
Home: 563-386-9162 Office: 563-326-5583 Fax: 563-326-1590
Sunset Park to Moline on Ben Butterworth Parkway, Moline to Rapids City, and Rapids City to Cordova.
Pioneer Village Labor Day Celebration
Sunday, Sept 4 & 5, 11-5pm (each day), Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, Long Grove. Period-dressed volunteers demonstrate crafts and sell their wares, food vendors and ice cream and pie at the soda fountain, children’s games, make-it-take-it crafts and fun for all. Listen to old-time music in the Saloon and Gazebo. Fun for all ages! Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Call 563-328-3283 or visit www.scottcountyiowa.com/conservation for more information.
Row the Miss Regatta
Saturday, September 10. Mississippi River, Moline. Come watch or participate in the Quad Cities own rowing competition. Registration cut-off is September 1st. Email Amy Johnson at ajohnson@ymcatr.org for more information.
Beaux Arts Fair
Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11. Figge Art Museum, 225 W 2nd St, Davenport. The Beaux Arts Fair is one of the Quad Cities premier art festivals. Don’t miss this opportunity to add something truly unique to your collection!
Native American Cultures along the Mississippi Tuesday, September 13. Quad Cities Botanical Center, 2525 4th Avenue Rock Island. President of the Friends of the Albany Indian Mounds and founder of The Archaeological Society Ferrel Anderson will give a presentation on Indian history in the Quad City area.
Our Big Fat Greek Festival
Friday and Saturday, September 16-17. St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Av, Rock Island. Join us for two days of food, dancing, and fun! Wine tasting and Greek drive-up food. Kids 12 and under are free.
Celtic Festival and Highland Games
Friday and Saturday, September 16-17. Centennial Park, 905 W River Drive Davenport. Feats of strength, dancing competitions, and recreations of medieval battle will be commonplace at this festival in celebration of Celtic culture.
Brew Ha Ha
Saturday, September 17, LeClaire Park, Davenport. Take a sample of the American brewing landscape, one ounce at a time. National, regional, and local breweries will all be represented. Get home safe!
Quad City Audubon Society Field Trip
Sunday, September 18, 7am, Wildcat Den State Park, Buffalo. Meet at Buffalo Shores, Scott County Park (Hwy. 22 just west of Buffalo). Audubon Society field tours are free of charge, open to the public, and led by experienced
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art
Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18, Lindsay Park, Davenport. Come enjoy fine art from artists across the country. Musical entertainment, gourmet food, and a wine tasting are also available at this family event.
River Action’s 11th Annual Taming of the Slough Mississippi River Adventure Race
Saturday, September 17, 8am, Empire Park, East Moline. Canoe/Kayak, Bike, and Run through Illiniwec Park for this 9th Annual Mississippi River Adventure Race! Go to RiverAction.org, or call 563-322-2969 for more information.
River Action’s Environmental Book Club
Tuesday, September 27, 7pm, River Action office, 822 E River Dr, Davenport. Discuss “Lincoln’s Greatest Case: The River, the Bridge, and the Making of America”, by Brian McGinty. The book discussions are free and open to the public.
QC Marathon
September 24 & 25, www.qcmarathon.org for more information. The Quad Cities Marathon and Festival of Races is held annually on the fourth Sunday in September. Celebrating its 19th anniversary in 2016.
Harvest Moon Song and Dance Fest
Sunday, September 25, 1-5pm, Adults $6, Kids $3, under 5 free, Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, Long Grove. Enjoy 100 years of rural American music and dance in Pioneer Village’s natural outdoor amphitheater. The day’s music includes old settler songs, folk, banjo, guitar, waltz, fiddle, accordion, harmonica, barn dance songs, cowboy songs and country and western, with dancers demonstrating polka and square dancing. Everyone is invited to sing-a-long and join dancers on the dance floor, making this a truly family interactive event.
October
Mushroom Program and Walk
Sunday, October 9, 1-3pm, Black Hawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, IL, 309-788-9536. Join photographer Jim Frink for an indoor program showing mushrooms/fungi at Black Hawk State Historic Site followed by a walk to observe them in the Black Hawk forest, a Nature Preserve, where no plants or fungi can be collected, only viewed and appreciated. The program will be held at Singing Bird Center,
Dr. Robert J.S. Ward Chiropractor
(By appointment)
1802 West Locust Street, Davenport, IA 52804
14 eddy Magazine
birders. Possible steep hikes and trails, duration half day, with lunch option at Fairport, Iowa. Please RSVP to Dick Sayles at 563-676-9616 by Saturday Sept 10. www.quadcityaudubon.org
| www.riveraction.org
GIFTS & ANTIQUES
To place an ad email Deb at debgirard@hotmail.com
located north of Blackhawk Rd at 15th Street in Rock Island. This event is sponsored by Citizens to Preserve Black Hawk Park Foundation. See blackhawkpark.org for more information.
Quad City Audubon Society Field Trip
Saturday, October 8, 7am, Sunderbruch Park, Davenport. Credit Island, Nahant Marsh and Sunderburch Park. Meet at Sunderbruch Park at 7:00 a.m. Last year we had some fungi surprises at Sunderbruch Park and Green Herons at Credit Island. This trip will be half a day and may include steep trails, but walking them is not required to enjoy this trip. Duration: 2-3 hours. Audubon Society field tours are free of charge, open to the public, and led by experienced birders. www. quadcityaudubon.org.
Connect With Us learn
engage
Student Summit- Student Poster Session
Thursday, October 13, iWireless Center, Moline. Share your knowledge with others and obtain feedback from practitioners in your field while networking with Mississippi River stakeholders! Undergraduate and graduate students who are conducting or have completed work on river-related environmental, planning, cultural, recreational or similar issues are invited to submit a brief application. All students are welcome to attend the summit to learn more about the current and future state of the upper Mississippi watershed.
Upper Mississippi River Conference / “Raising the Grade”
Thursday and Friday, October 13-14, iWireless Center, Moline. The America’s Watershed Initiative recently gave the Mississippi a D grade with the upper Mississippi receiving a C grade. This year’s conference is determined to ‘raise the grade.’ This conference targets a multidisciplinary audience. Planners, elected officials, engineers, architects, landscape architects, environmentalist, educators and students are invited to discuss current issues facing the upper Mississippi and explore solutions to these problems. For a copy of the brochure, or for more information, call 563-322-2969 or go to www.riveraction.org.
4th Annual Tweed Ride
Friday evening, October 21, pre-tweed social, Saturday, October 22, Registration begins at 9am on Saturday. Calling all dapper ladies and gents to join us for a leisurely bicycle ride along our scenic waterfront as we celebrate an afternoon of fashion, food, and frivolity! New for 2016, we will be launching from and returning to the Village Theatre in the Village of East Davenport. This will also be the location for the PreTweed Social on Friday night. Cost: Only asking for a donation that will benefit River Action. Please RSVP at www.qctweedride.com or contact Tim Nelson at (563) 726-3333.
For over 30 years River Action has been dedicated to connecting people to the river. Our supporters help us to improve the quality of water that flows down the river. They help us to instill a love of the river through encouraging participation in many activities that involve the river. Plus, River Action encourages educational programs that help our residents better understand river related issues and concerns.
celebrate 2016 River Calendar
With each NEW or renewed membership you will receive discounts on educational programs, a FREE subscription to the eddy Magazine, and (while quantities last) a 2016 calendar featuring images by Heidi Brandt Fine Art Photography.
Complete and mail in the form below to 822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA 52803 or go to: www.riveraction.org and click on membership!
Quad City Audubon Society Field Trip
Sunday, Oct. 18, 7:30am, Crow Creek Park, Bettendorf, (north entrance by the quarry). Duration of this trip is 3 hours, very easy walking. Last year we had a very photogenic Barred Owl, and many late migrants, and beautiful year round residents.
River Action’s Environmental Book Club
Tuesday, October 25, 7pm, River Action office, 822 E River Dr, Davenport. Discuss “Glaciers: The Politics of Ice,” by Jorge Daniel Taillant. The book discussions are free and open to the public.
www.riveraction.org
Ah, the life of a paddler. Love it.
Proud sponsor of River Action’s 2016 Floatzilla.
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