Two Weeks Til Gretchen!

Posted 2 July 2009
Appearing on the Farm Bureau Main Events Stage, Thursday, July 16 at 8:30 PM, Gretchen Wilson.  Wilson debuted in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party. Wilson followed this album one year later with All Jacked Up, the title track of which became the highest-debuting single for a female country artist upon its 2005 release. A third album, One of the Boys, was released in 2007.

Overall, Wilson has charted thirteen singles on the Billboard country charts, of which five have reached Top Ten: the Number One "Redneck Woman", as well as "Here for the Party" (#3, 2004), "When I Think About Cheatin'" (#4, 2004), "Homewrecker" (#2, 2005), and "All Jacked Up" (#8, 2005). The album Here for the Party was certified 5× Multi-Platinum by the RIAA for sales of five million copies, while All Jacked Up was certified platinum and One of the Boys certified gold.


Grandstand seating is included with admission to the Fair.  Reserved seats are available for $34 and can be purchased at the Fair Office, Ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000

Rides Included at the Delaware County Fair!

Posted 1 July 2009
Forget the bracelet.  New for this year at the Delaware County Fair, the rides are free.  With the price of admission, all of the mid-way rides are included.  Ride as many times as you like!

According to Fair Manager, Jeannie Domeyer, "A family of 4 saves at least $20, probably more.   In today's economy, the Fair Board knows that making the Delaware County Fair affordable for families is important.  Mom and Dad can bring the kids to the fair and let them ride all day without paying for a ride bracelet.  Also, you can see great acts like Big Daddy Weave, Gretchen Wilson and .38 Special perform at the fair with the price of admission."

Pay your price of admission to the fair and receive your carnival rides, free on grounds shows, teen and beer garden entertainment and grandstand shows all FREE!

Get your tickets today. The fair office is at the Community Center at the Fairgrounds, in Manchester.
Office hours are 9-5
Phone 563.927.6449
Adults: $9
Kids 1-11: $1

Jones Regional New Building Update:
Support Areas

Posted 26 June 2009
Drywall, painting, and ceiling installation near completion at the new Jones Regional Medical Center facility.  Parking areas will continue to be graded and surfaced on the outside and flooring and fixtures will begin to be installed on the inside.  A dedication and open house will take place in October with the opening to follow several days later.  Hospital officials will provide more information on these events in the months to come.

At the new facility, the support areas of environmental services, central supply and administration will be better equipped to serve those departments that provide direct patient services.

At the new facility, environmental services will have the following features:
More centralized electrical systems located in one main area (versus many places in current facility)

Updated and more efficient boiler system for heat and efficient water heaters for hot water (versus older boiler system in current facility for heat and hot water)

New and efficient air conditioning system with ease of switching on and off (versus current system that’s set for the season once it’s turned on)

More comfortable environment in all rooms, which each will have thermostats to more easily control the temperature
“Smart” fire alarm system that will indicate which alarm is sounding (versus current facility indicating a certain zone in the hospital)

Specific plumbing shut off valves for each room (versus current system that shuts off whole areas)

More efficient lighting
New back-up generator (versus older one currently)
Housekeeping storage areas throughout the new facility for more efficiency (versus only a few areas in the current facility)

At the new facility, central supply will have the following features:
Dedicated office space for manager allowing for more efficiency and privacy

More space for storing supplies
Contaminated, dirty supply and sterilization areas separate from the central supply area (currently they are in the same area)

Closer delivery door for supplies (versus on separate floors now)

Room for growth

Related supplies can be kept in the same area (versus space in current facility that limits this)

More room to store computer supplies (no room currently)

At the new facility, administration will have the following features:
Dedicated office space in one area for administrative personnel, allowing for more privacy and efficiency (currently administration is located throughout the hospital)

Dedicated conference room space for board meetings and staff meetings

Look for more information on the dedication, open house and opening in the upcoming months.

Kirkwood Adds to Campus Tree Population

Posted 1 May 2009
The threat of impending rain didn't dampen the spirits for a crew of dignitaries, faculty and students at Kirkwood Community College. May 6 was a day of digging and planting as the college accepted 42 trees on the Cedar Rapids main campus.

The May planting was the latest in a long series of greening efforts on the past of Trees Forever and Alliant Energy, joiningwith Kirkwood in the periodic "We Dig Your District" installations. Over the past two decades, hundreds of trees have been planted, some now providing substantial shade and wildlife protection across the 680 acres of rolling hillsides, parking lots and campus buildings.

The light-hearted, productive event was tempered with a bittersweet anniversary. Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich recalled the loss of long-time Parks & Natural Resources Professor Steve Atherton during his remarks.

"As we look across this beautiful campus, we remember that we lost Steve a year ago today. He would have loved to be here. This was really his element, adding natural beauty and worth to Kirkwood with trees like these. We miss him and dedicate this work to his memory today," Starcevich said.

Atherton's colleagues noted a spot near the new Kirkwood Horticulture and Floral Careers building, where a memorial area and tree planting will continue to commemorate the late professor's work in Iowa.

The latest tree installation underscores another attribute of the Kirkwood Cedar Rapids campus.

"Seeing these trees reminds us at Kirkwood that every native species of tree in Iowa is found on our campus today. This partnership with Alliant and Trees Forever is a big reason why we can say that," Starcevich added.

JRMC Construction Update

Posted 1 May 2009
Jones Regional Medical Center’s construction of its $12.8 million replacement hospital is on schedule for its planned early fall opening.  The state-of-the-art facility, located east of the intersection of Highways 151 and 64 in Anamosa, will accommodate the hospital’s need for more space and privacy for its outpatient and emergency services as well as offer modern inpatient rooms.

“Residents of the Jones County area have shown tremendous support for the new facility and we’re very grateful for that,” says Sean Williams, CEO.  “They recognize the need and look forward to many enhancements to their healthcare experience.”  To date, more than 700 donors have contributed nearly $3 million to the project.

Some of the enhancements include:

·        A more centralized, easy-to-access location
·        Larger and private emergency department, including three major treatment rooms and four exam rooms
·        State-of-the-art outpatient surgery area, allowing the hospital to offer more types of procedures
·        Private inpatient rooms for the first 16 patients
·        More exam rooms for specialty clinics

·        Larger area for cardiopulmonary, occupational, physical, and speech therapies, including an activities of daily living kitchen with oven and full bathroom 

“The dedication of our board of directors, staff and St. Luke’s to this project cannot be overstated,” says Williams.  “Without all of these entities coming together, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Specific construction progress includes on the exterior:  completed roof membrane with all of the roof top HVAC units installed and interior ductwork in place, exterior stone veneer 40 percent finished, windows 75 percent installed, grading on the south side of the building completed last fall, with the back hill seeded and an erosion control mat installed; on the interior:  completed concrete floor slabs, steel stud walls framed, most of the water, heating and medical gas piping completed, most of the electrical conduit and all of the major electrical switchgear placed, boilers and emergency generator installed, drywall hung in most areas, taped and finished in other areas, and painted in some areas of the building, and the stone veneer walls in the main lobby 90 percent completed.

As completion of the project draws closer, the hospital will set and promote dedication, open house and grand opening dates.

Congressman Braley's Wind Energy Tour

Monticello Chamber Announces
"Uptown Friday Night" Line-up

Posted 2 April 2009
Come and enjoy the food, fun, and music! FREE admission! Located next to City Hall on Sycamore Street. These GREAT events start at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. In the event of rain, all activities will be moved into the community building. Fun for the whole family with lots of kid's activities sponsored by the Ross Elizabeth Baty Public Library and great food vendor.

June 12


The band mcphisto will rock the crowd with their covers of hard rock standars and thier own stuff. Check out their website.

Sponsors: Above & Beyond Home Heathcare and Hospice, The Cone Shoppe, Goettsch Funeral Home, Keleher's Jewelry, and REM Electric.

Food vendors are the Monticello Jaycees, Advancement Services of Jones County, and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent.

July 10


The band Monkey Business will be playing "Classic Rock" tunes
from Aerosmith to ZZ Top. Check out their website.

Sponsors: None yet.  Contact Kris at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce!!   319-465-5626

Food vendors are the Monticello Eagles and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent.

August 14


The band Bad Habits will be playing Classic Rock. Check out their website.

Sponsors: None yet.  Contact Kris at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce!!   319-465-5626

Food vendors are the Venture Crew and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent.


Pulmonologist Offering Clinic At Jones Regional

Posted 18 March 2009
Donald E. Paynter, MD, a pulmonologist with Internists, PC in Cedar Rapids, has started offering clinics at Jones Regional Medical Center once a month.  Pulmonologists specialize in disorders and diseases of the lungs.

These include, but are not limited to, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Dr. Paynter will also serve as medical director of Jones Regional’s respiratory care department and the pulmonary rehabilitation department.  Seven respiratory therapists at Jones Regional provide services for those with breathing difficulties and lung illnesses, serving inpatient, emergency and outpatient needs.  A respiratory therapist is at the hospital at all times. 

Outpatient services the department performs include:  complete pulmonary function testing (PFT), a common, outpatient test for diagnosing breathing problems such as asthma and COPD; and overnight oximetry screening, a test that helps determine the need for detailed sleep apnea testing.

Dr. Paynter received his undergraduate from Coe College and his medical degree from the University of Iowa. He conducted his residency in internal medicine with the U.S. Air Force Medical Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Patterson, OH.  He conducted his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  He holds board certification with the American Board of Internal Medicine in Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Medicine and is a designated Fellow American College of Physicians.

He sees patients at Jones Regional one Wednesday monthly.  His first clinic will begin March 25, 2009. For appointments, call 319-462-6131.

2009 Jones County Nature Photography Contest

Posted 18 March 2009
The Jones County Conservation Department is sponsoring their 2009 Nature Photography Contest. Here's a great opportunity to show off your great outdoor photos - like the one above!

Categories include: Scenic Jones County; Animals in Nature; Plants in Nature; and People in Nature. To be considered in the contest, all photos must be taken in Jones County.

An official entry form must accompany each photo entered. Entry forms may be downloaded from: http://jonescountyiowa.org/Documents/naturephotoentry2009.pdf

All ages are encouraged to enter the local contest.

Deadline to submit entries is May 31, 2009.

For additional information about the contest, call the Jones County Conservation Board Naturalist at (563) 487-3541.

(Photo courtesy of Jones County Conservation Department)

New Car Arrives For Riley Camp Courageous Train

Posted 14 March 2009
A new wheelchair accessible car for the Riley Camp Courageous Train has recently arrived at the rural Jones County camp and has been placed on the tracks.

There will be a bright red canopy that will go over the top to protect riders from the sun and elements.

Camp Courageous extends a big thank you to ISU Engineering classes for designing this special wheelchair accessible car that will give thousands of campers the wonderful experience of a train ride at Camp Courageous.

The specially designed and built car was donated by the C.U.B.S. (Chicago Urban Bicycle Society).

(Photos courtesy of Camp Courageous of Iowa)


Work Progressing On New Jones County Kirkwood Center
Posted 9 March 2009

Work is continuing to progress on Kirkwood's Jones Regional Education Center. Located along Highway 151, the structure is up and crews are finishing work on the central roof and mezzanine area (shown above).

The new center will provide a means for area high school juniors and seniors to take advantage of college-level courses, Career Academy programs, advanced high school curriculum and a wealth of other educational possibilities.

The partnership between Kirkwood and eight area school districts will have a significant impact on the entire region, creating more educational opportunities, additional economic development and a better workforce.

Besides the commitment of local school districts, other community partners, including the Welter Family, the City of Monticello and Mount Mercy College, are also contributing to the project. The partners have not only collaborated intuitively, but have also shared available resources and obtained some very generous donations.

The project, however, is still in need of additional financial help. There are still opportunities for more community support. Contributions to the new JREC will be recognized with a plaque on the center's Wall of Honor, a memorial of deep appreciation noting encouragement of this vital project.

For additional information on how to become involved or to make a donation to the JREC project, contact Kristy Black, Director, at the Kirkwood Monticello Center at 319-465-5988 or e-mail her at kblack@kirkwood.edu .

Stone City, Anamosa Named Historic Districts
Posted 4 March 2009

This picture shows downtown Anamosa's Union Block at 100-102-104 East Main Street soon after its completion in 1866.  (Photo courtesy of Jones County Historic Preservation Commission )
 
Jones County has two new areas designated a National Historic Districts - Stone City and downtown Anamosa.

Official notification came last month that both sides of East and West Main Street in Anamosa - from Huber to Cleveland and West to Garnavillo - are included in the designated district. Buildings on North Ford Street from the old railroad right of way to Main Street are also a  part of the historic area.

Criteria for the national designation included the construction of a marketplace by early developers as well as architectural design, which included the use of limestone from local quarries.
 
The historic designation has its perks besides becoming attractive to tourists.  There are tax credits and grants available for building owners.
 
Other places in Jones County with historic significance include: Antioch School, Freemont Mill Bridge, Hall Bridge, Lower Road Bridge, Moore's Ford Bridge, Dr. Martin H. Calkins House, Ely's Stone Bridge, the S.S. Farwell House, Iowa Men's Reformatory Historic District and Cemetery, Odd Fellows Hall in Monticello, Rick's Brewery and the Shaw House, which all  have been named to the National Register of Historic Places.



Anamosa, Iowa is a great place to live, work and raise a family.