eddy magazine - may june july 2012

Volume 2, Issue 2 | May/June/July 2012 A P U B L I C A T I O N O F R I V E R A C T I O N , I N C . w w w . r i v e r a c t i o n . o r g

Ride the QuadsRide the Quads

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

: : Ride the River 2012 – Father’s Day Tradition : : Ready to Ride – Discover new trends in cycling : : Rock River Trail Initiative

ALSO INSIDE:: : Renovate! The most green way to build: : Roof Top Sedums – On top of green roofs: : Fort Armstrong – More than a company of soldiers: : GO GREEN GUIDE – Organic – food for thought: : River Action Updates: : Eddy Calendar – May / June / July

: : Ride the River 2012 – Father’s Day Tradition : : Ready to Ride – Discover new trends in cycling : : Rock River Trail Initiative

ALSO INSIDE:: : Renovate! The most green way to build: : Roof Top Sedums – On top of green roofs: : Fort Armstrong – More than a company of soldiers: : GO GREEN GUIDE – Organic – food for thought: : River Action Updates: : Eddy Calendar – May / June / July

May/June/July 2012 | Eddy Magazine 3

Join the Journey!

When I write thank you notes for members’ dues, I say, “We will work very hard to put this funding to work on our mission.”

That is what membership does. It infuses River Action with funds to stay active; we are doing the work that members believe needs to be done. But the benefits are a two-way street. Members invigorate their own spirits and sharpen their own observation skills while taking part in the development of our riverfront, recreation, and conservation. Provide a good financial base through membership and receive fresh inspiration for taking action on these and other aspects of the river environment.

Members provide local funds for a local group with a local passion, but we have a much wider impact. In partnership with nine other states, we work to make the Mississippi River Trail one contiguous path from the Headwaters to the Gulf. We collaborate with eight counties in QC Wild Places (QCWildPlaces.com), and soon we will be working to find the connections between these 50 wilderness sites.

As I write this, both Public Radio and Public Television are in the midst of their membership campaigns. They stress the need to invest in what listeners and viewers like best about their broadcasts. That strategy works for us, also.

Since River Action conducted a survey on QC Online last year, which indicated that the top quality of life indicators for living in the Quad Cities are bike trails and outdoor recreation opportunities, I want to point out that membership is a way to invest in more trail development and river programming. These are two ways we put your funding to work on our mission.

Members share a passion for the river, service, and stewardship while exploring opportunities for education, networking, and other benefits. Free summer Riverine Walks and discounts on the Fish and Fire catfish fry are a couple of those. And when someone tells me they wish they could give more, I say, “It does amount to more if you display your member window decal. That is a way of expanding your membership to many others.”

Join the journey. Fill out the form in Eddy Magazine and start making an impact on conservation education, sustainability, and improved water quality in the Mississippi River and watershed. Every day people discover that a River Action membership offers opportunities they’ve always been looking for, and they’ve been making that discovery for nearly twenty-eight years. Please join the journey.

May/June/July 2012 Volume 2 Issue 2

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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

JEFF CORNELIUS, River Action StaffKAREN WILKE, River Action StaffMICHELLE O’HARA, River Action StaffREGENA JO SCHANTZLESLIE KLIPSCHBECKY LANGDONJULIE SEIER

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 13TH ANNUAL EDDY AWARDS:

Who took home an Eddy in 2012? — by Kathy Wine & Michelle O’Hara RIDE THE RIVER 2012! Celebrate

with Dad on his “big day”! — by Kathy Wine EXPLORE THE RIVER – Summer Series

— by Jeff Cornelius ROCK RIVER TRAIL INITIATIVE

— by Jeff Cornelius ACCENT ON YOUTH: Brittany Ackerland

— by Karen Wilke 10 History Column

FORT ARMSTRONG ON ROCK ISLAND: More than a company of soldiers — by Regena Jo Schantz

11 Roof Top Sedums:

Learn more about a Davenport-based company at the tip of green roof technology. — by Leslie Klipsch

13 Renovate!

How to grow gardens while helping the environment.

— by Julie Seier 15 Go Green Guide GO ORGANIC! Discover locally grown

organic foods. — by Becky Langdon 18 Ready to Ride! Find out about new trends in cycling.

— by Leslie Klipsch 20 Eddy Calendar: May–July Make it an “Eddy” summer!

— 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: Riding the Trail Hard!(photo from 123.rf.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 Kathy Wine and Michelle O’Hara

Eddy Awards were presented April 20 at River Action’s 10th Annual Fish & Fire dinner at Black Hawk State Historic Site. Recipients were honored for achieving excellence on the riverfront by going against the current to get things done, as in an eddy. Presiding over the ceremony was River Action’s Board of Directors President, Beth Clark.

Receiving the award for Art was the Sierra Club Eagle View Group for its yearly Environmental Film Festival. After undergo-ing venue changes from the beginning, overcoming chal-lenges in turning the windowed rooms into dark theater rooms,

and weathering spring snow, the group has successfully brought top-rated films to the Quad Cities, sponsored after-the-film talks, and increased attendance to the point that the large auditoriums at Augustana College are filled.

Receiving the award for Design was Western Illinois University’s Moline Riverfront Campus. The plan designed by Holabird & Root, Chicago, features a state-of-the-art building housing undergraduate classes, student services, engineering labs,

Thirteenth Annual Eddy Awards

BRAND IDENTITIES

GRAPHIC DESIGN

WEB SITE DESIGN

WEB APPLICATIONS

WEB HOSTING/EMAIL

ONLINE ADVERTISING

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Much fun was had at Fish & Fire!River Action’s annual friendraiser and fundraiser, Fish & Fire, was held in the Watch Tower Lodge at Black Hawk State Park on April 20. This fun-filled evening included a catfish fry, music, a silent auction, and River Action’s annual Eddy Award Presentations for those who go against the current to get things done, like an eddy. Award winners were announced in six different categories: Art, Stewardship, Revitalization, Design, River Activity, and Education (see Eddy Award winners).

Western Illinois University’s Moline Riverfront Campus Recipients

were honored

for achieving

excellence on the

riverfront by going

against the current

to get things done,

as in an eddy.



faculty offices, and a writing center. Remark-able are the floor-to-ceiling windows, which showcase a panoramic view of the Ben Butter-worth Parkway, and green features such as a rooftop garden and materials like bamboo ceiling units, cork flooring, and seats and coun-tertops made out of recycled aluminum shav-ings, to name a few. It has geothermal heating and cooling and energy-saving motion sensors for lighting. With sensitivity to river access and views, the University has overcome site con-straints and the challenges of retrofitting new construction with old.

Receiving the award for Revitalization was Rock Island Economic Growth for Jackson Square, an $8.8 million redevelopment project led by GROWTH. Formerly the home of Illinois Oil Company, the circa-1922 building has been converted into thirty residential units. The Jackson Square name was chosen as a tribute to the building’s previous owners for their involvement in the building’s history. Once a brownfield, the site offered challenges during clean up and restoration that led to careful

selection of materials for the façade and interiors.

Receiving the award for River Activity was Credit Island Adventure Rentals (CIAR). This outfitting business sells recreation that improves quality of life in the Quad Cities through kayak, canoe, and bike rentals. CIAR gambled on a location that often floods to bring the public to an area with a rich history of river recreation in the QC. It works tirelessly to promote and market paddling on the river, Floatzilla, and Taming of the Slough to pad-dlers of all levels of ability.

Receiving the award for Education was author Kristen Bergren. Kristen is a teacher at Butterworth School in Moline who makes environmental awareness and the need to take action on the part of conservation an important part of her curriculum. She is also a summer park ranger, interpreter at Hoover National Historic Site, chair of the local Sierra Club, board member of Black Hawk Historic Site, and active in the RiverMile Cleanup on Ben Butterworth Parkway. Kristen was rec-

Kristen Bergren.

Sally Heffernan

Jackson Square in Rock Island

Credit Island Adventure Rentals (CIAR)

ognized for her children’s book, I CAN DO THAT! In the book, she intro-duces Chad Pregracke, founder of Living Lands and Waters, and relates

his childhood experiences, his love of the Mississippi River, and his dedication to cleaning it up. That young people are inspired to take action is due in large part to environmental writers such as Bergren.

Receiving the award for Stewardship was the City of Bettendorf for five large storm-water projects. While many such projects exist in our cities, few are as large as those taken on recently in Bettendorf. The challenge of working on large sites, securing fund-ing, stabilizing stream banks, and working in populated neighborhoods are just a few of the trials encountered. The GreenWay Creek Project is approximately six acres; the Golden Valley to Spruce Hills Drive project, fifteen acres; Faye’s Field, which drains four parking lots at the Children’s Museum and Library into a bioswale, two acres; the Stafford Creek drainage way, costing one million dollars, is approximately one hundred acres; and the Crow Creek/Stafford Creek project, the largest, is 200-300 acres. The jury found much to applaud in these recent steps to stormwater management.

Receiving the award for Brownfield Cleanups was Sally Heffernan, a city plan-ner formerly with the City of Rock Island, with a Special Recognition Award. Sally’s dedication to riv-erfront develop-ment, activities, and cleanups has been evident over her years as an employee of the City of Rock Island and long-time friend and supporter of River Action. During the cer-emony, Sally was recognized specifically for her most recent contributions: the cleanups of the Children’s Garden area at the Quad City Botanical Center and the site of the Jackson Square renovation.


Come celebrate Father’s Day by taking a bike ride along the Mississippi River dur-

ing the 28th Annual Ride the River on Father’s Day. About 2,500 people pedal the riverfront trails on both sides of the river and on Arsenal Island for great views, good food, and cool drinks. Again this year, all children age sixteen and under ride free with a paying adult, thanks to Trinity Regional Health Systems!

The ride, Sunday, June 17, begins at the Freight House in Davenport. Ride costs are kept low, so entire families can participate. Registered riders can purchase Bell helmets at a special, low cost during the event – youth, $5;

the island to Moline. The option of returning the same way is also popular. At the island gates, be prepared to show photo identification.

Bass Street Landing will have entertainment, games, and “Kids Ride” activities, featuring bike skills, healthy foods, safety tips, and environmen-tally related booths.

adult, $10 – made possible by support from the Quad Cities Bicycle Club.

The basic Ride the River route is twenty miles, but cyclists can follow the signs for rides of up to sixty miles. At Bettendorf’s Leach Park, cross the Mississippi River on the Celebration Belle riverboat while your bike travels on a Mississippi River Fleeting barge. In Moline, pick up your bike and continue your trip. Boat crossing times and details are available on the registration form.

For another option, take the Davenport path to the Arsenal Bridge and ride the length of

River Action’s Ride the River: A Father’s Day Tradition


By Kathy Wine


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Contact us to learn more about EnergyAdvantage programs.

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THE

POWER To acHiEvE EnErgy EfficiEncy aT HomE

This year is the 2nd Annual Ride the River Junior High School Duathlon. Open to all sixth through eighth grade students as of fall 2012 semester, it will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Centennial Park. Participants run 1.5 miles, bike 3 miles, and finish with another 1.5-mile run.

New at the Duathlon this year are adult/child teams! Come across the finish line togeth-er and make this a fun, family challenge. The event is chip-timed by Accusplit Timing, and girl and boy trophy winners for first, second, and third place in each grade, as well as for adult/child teams, will be posted the following day on the River Action website. The school with the most participants will win the travel-ing trophy.

The Duathlon, in conjunction with the Scott County Family Y, is free when accompanied by a paid adult. Be sure to take advantage of the two separate conditioning and drill clinics at the Bettendorf Y this spring. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with how the race will take place!

Ride the River raises funds to continue developing and enhancing trails and increas-ing public access to the river. Through Ride proceeds and other funding, River Action has contributed over $4 million to building trails and trail amenities.


By Jeff Cornelius

Quad-Citians of all ages have a chance to experience the Mississippi River from a

great perspective through River Action’s two summer education programs. Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks offer an assortment of family-friendly activities designed to educate and entertain beginning June 5.

Channel Cat Talks participants can enjoy a boat ride on the Mississippi River with a two-hour guided water tour aboard the Water Taxi where experts will discuss subjects ranging from plans for the upcoming I-74 Bridge to A Day-in-the-Life of a Riverboat Captain to Mississippi River Flooding and many more. Each Channel Cat session is $12 per participant.

One such expert, historian Gena Schantz, will host a Channel Cat Talk about Fort Armstrong and the Island before the Arsenal. The pre-sentation will focus on the history of the Arsenal that most in the Quad Cities have never heard before while cruising around the shoreline for a unique view of its historic buildings. Historic photos and handouts will be used to show the many changes in the island’s landscape over the years.

Also included in the lineup are Riverine Walks, which are free to the organization’s members or $5 for others. Those sessions will touch on topics such as Make Room for the River in Your Life, excursions to Quad Cities Wild Places, and a paddling tour of Nahant Marsh by kayak or canoe.

Participants can explore the shoreline on foot during leisurely walks along the Mississippi River or various surrounding sites. Also guided by local professionals, the Riverine Walks aim to educate Quad-Citians about the environment and river development with a wide array of interactive activities.

Outdoor enthusiasts seeking a close-up approach to environmental education can team up with Mik Holgersson, Vildmark Ecological Consulting, to tour Nahant Marsh in Davenport by canoe or kayak. Participants will encounter several species of wildlife on a tour through the biologically diverse wetlands, including the Blanding’s turtle, which is threatened in the state of Iowa and endangered in Illinois.

“The program is a great opportunity to educate people about the smorgasbord of natural resources we have here in the Quad-Cities while still entertaining them with the opportunity to get out there on a kayak or canoe and actually experience the environment from a different viewpoint,” Holgersson says.

River Action’s goal is to use the summer education series to create an awareness of and appreciation for the Mississippi River. Participants will encounter a beautiful river and learn from inspiring professionals through hands-on activities. For more information about the full lineup of Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks go to RiverAction.org. For brochures, call (563) 322-2969.

By Jeff Cornelius

An effort to make a 300-mile recreational trail and scenic byway on the Rock River a reality continues to progress as municipalities and counties

throw support behind the project. The Rock River Trail Initiative, although still years away from reaching its ultimate goal, has reached a new level of energy according to Greg Farnham, Coordinator.

The plan calls for two recreational trails – one along the water to be traveled by kayak and canoe, and one on land to be used by hikers, bicyclists, and horse-riders – as well as a scenic byway for those traveling

by car. Organizers believe federally recognized trails would attract tourists, bolster river-based businesses, and serve as a point of pride for all communities involved.

Members of the Trail Initiative’s council are currently drawing up the maps which will include, among others, the launches and portage sites developed by River Action for the Quad Cities Water Trails project in 2010. The Illinois and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources must approve the water trail maps once they are completed.

With the DNR’s backing, the Trail Initiative will then file applications with the US Department of the Interior and the US Parks Service. Farnham hopes those applications for national designation will be submitted by the end of 2012. Trail organizers will also work with the Illinois Department of Tourism to develop marketing and promotional materials for the paths.

“We believe we’ve got the appropriate people on board to get this done,” Farnham said, noting that he has been involved with the effort for about one year.

The Trail Initiative was founded by Frank Schier, editor and publisher of The Rock River Times, in 2010. Farnham hopped on board in February, 2011, and hasn’t slowed down since.

Members of the Initiative Council convened at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island on January 19, 2012, to discuss the project’s status and details of its development. Nearly fifty stakeholders including community leaders, city staff, and local business people attended. A lot of enthusiasm was generated throughout the meeting as attendees expressed and shared excitement at the prospect of improving access and promoting the Rock River as a destination in the greater Midwest.

For maps, press releases, trail events, and more go to RockRiverTrail.com.

Explore the River 2012

Rock River Trail Initiative Gains

Momentum




By Karen Wilke

Spring break looked a little different this year for high school and college students in the Quad Cities, thanks to the progres-

sive ideas of one Black Hawk College student. Brittany Ackerland is in her last semester at Black Hawk College, and she wanted to leave with a bang by creating an event that would change the way students spend their spring breaks. Brittany’s idea was to get students to learn about the environment and provide community service while on break, an Alternative Spring Break. Her initiative is in

response to last year’s Youth Summit, in conjunction with the Upper Mississippi River Conference put on by River Action, which called youth to “Do It Now!” The keynote speaker encouraged youth to initiate environ-mental projects on their campuses. These projects, including Brittany’s, can be found on River Action’s website.

The Alternative Spring Break was scheduled from Tuesday, March 13, through Friday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each day held a different theme on environmental issues. On Tuesday there was an educational introduction to water quality followed by a river-side clean-up in the Hennepin Canal. Wednesday taught about native sand prairie, including a prairie restoration at Nahant Marsh. On Thursday students learned about and volunteered for the non-profit organization Living Lands and Waters and their Million Trees Project. Finally, Friday held a guided nature hike at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve. “I tried to keep everyone’s interest by exploring a new environ-mental topic each day,” Brittany says. “I hope that the students’ appreciation for the environment will grow with every day.”

The Alternative Spring Break lined up with the spring breaks of many schools in the area, and events were advertised to all high school and college students in the Quad Cities. Alternative Spring Break saw students from Rock Island High School, Davenport West High School, and Black Hawk College. There was a maximum of thirty students per day, and every day was nearly booked full.

Lunch was provided for free each day, thanks to the sponsors of the event: Living Lands and Waters, Black Hawk College, Sierra Club Eagle View Group, Nahant Marsh, Sluggers Pizza, and Clean Sphere (the environmental club at Black Hawk College).

Although Brittany will be graduating at the end of this spring, she hopes that the Alternative Spring Break will continue when she is gone. She is encouraging other students to carry on the tradition so that students can continue to get the opportunity to learn about, serve, and develop an appreciation for the environment. Brittany has always been interested in nature, from catching frogs as a little kid to volunteering for Living Lands and Waters, working at Nahant Marsh, and participating on River Action’s Youth Advisory Board. “I want to preserve the land so that others can enjoy it the way that I have,” Brittany explains. She plans to finish her education at Southern Illinois University in Fisheries Biology or Ecology.

Accent on Youth: Brittany

AckerlandBrittany at sand prairie restoration, Nahant Marsh.

Every day hundreds of people pass the blockhouse on Arsenal Island, but how many stop to think that the blockhouse – a relic of old Fort

Armstrong – once played an important role in defending the western border of the United States and helped settle the western lands?


H I S TO R Y

Fort Armstrong On Rock Island

M O R E T H A N A C O M P A N Y O F S O L D I E R S :

By Regena Jo Schantz

Artist George Catlin painted this view of Fort Armstrong when he visited in 1835-1836. The view is upriver from the fort near the Davenport House. Barely visible on the left of the painting is the Ft. Armstrong Indian Agency. [Smithsonian American Art Museum]


H I S TO R Y

timber areas on the opposite end of the island. The soldiers also became knowledgeable about the natural resources of the river valley as they fished, hunted, and scoured the countryside for coal and wood.

Separate from the fort were the sutlers’ stores, the Indian Agency, and the trading post of George Davenport. These all served the diplo-matic mission of the frontier army. Artist George Catlin’s view of the fort, from upstream near the present Davenport House, shows how the lower tip of Rock Island developed beyond the fort walls. What are not shown are the work areas: the garden, stables, laundry, and graveyard.

The sutler’s store and perhaps the contrac-tor’s agent and his stores were first housed close to the fort walls. In 1820 shopkeeper Amos Farrar still kept his store outside the walls but “under cover of the guns” for protection. In his free time Farrar hunted wolves, learned to speak the local Indian dialects, and socialized with the post officers and the only family on the island, the Davenports. As peaceful relationships with the local tribes were assured, officers with families built log houses along the north shore between the fort and the Davenport site, which gave the appearance of a small village along the riverbank.

Not until 1825 was Fort Armstrong’s Indian Agency built. It was a large complex to the south of the fort that included residences for the agent and his interpreter, the gunsmith, and black-smith, along with their workshops, and a Council House where the officers and Indian Agent met with the elders of the tribes to discuss tribal grievances. It was a very busy place. Indian Agent Thomas Forsyth estimated that he had no fewer than 6,700 persons visit him in any given year, including missionaries and traders seeking licenses.

Accompanying the 1816 military expedi-tion was George Davenport who supervised

the ration supply for Fort Armstrong soldiers. In 1817 Davenport entered the Indian Trade, first with the Ho Chunk (Winnebago) who lived up the Rock River near Prophetstown, Illinois, and then with the Sauk and Mesquakie. His trading area covered the Sauk and Mesquakie hunting grounds from the lead mines of northwestern Illinois to northern Missouri and into the interior of Iowa to present-day Des Moines. His trading relationship with the local tribes was impor-tant to tribal economy and helped to further American interests in settling Iowa lands.

The Davenport site, called Indian Lodge, was built on the north shore of the island in 1817. Not only was it his main trading post but also his family’s home, a working farm with cattle, horses, chickens, and a large peach and apple orchard, and a military store where soldiers and French workers came to drink their favorite beverages, play cards, and exchange gossip. Only the 1832 to 1833 part of the Davenport house remains today. The house is open to the public as a his-toric site with guided tours.

During the Black Hawk War, Fort Armstrong served as headquarters for the regular army under General Edmund P. Gaines. In the early days of the Sauk uprising, the alarm was twice sounded and settlers from the surrounding farms fled to the fort for safety. General Winfield Scott, “Old Fuss and Feathers,” stayed at the fort during the treaty settlement with the Sauk and Mesquakie. With the removal of the two tribes to the interior of Iowa and towns appearing in the vicinity of the fort, a military presence was no longer needed. Fort Armstrong closed in May of 1836. The Indian Agency, however, remained until 1838, when it was moved to Agency City, Iowa.

Today the entire fort site including the Indian Agency and the old fort cemetery is buried under modern construction. Massive construction of the railroad in 1872 required a heavy scraping of the earth and tons of fill to create the ten-foot railroad berm. Consequently, the site was destroyed. Only the reconstructed blockhouse built for the 1916 Centennial of Fort Armstrong serves to remind us that once there was a fort on Rock Island.

This year we commemorate the 200th anni-versary of the War of 1812, a time when Rock Island was on the very edge of the United States and Fort Armstrong’s soldiers guarded the bor-ders of the frontier so that settlers could safely move westward.

NOTE: A resident of Davenport, Regena Jo Schantz is President of Heritage Documentaries, Inc. and has com-pleted extensive research on Colonel Davenport and Fort Armstrong. A version of this article was presented at the ninth annual Quad Cities Henry Farnam dinner in March 2012. To learn more, see her chapter on Fort Armstrong in the book Frontier Forts of Iowa, edited by William Whittacker (University of Iowa Press, 2010).

Designed to prevent British

invasion in the Mississippi Valley and also to establish peace with the Sauk and Mesquakie, Fort Armstrong became more than just home to a company of sol-diers. It became a safe haven for settlers in

times of danger, a way station for weary travel-ers, a starting point for scientific expeditions, and trading center for all local inhabitants.

Fort Armstrong was the center link in a chain of three outposts in the Upper Mississippi Valley built in 1816, between Fort Crawford (at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin) and Fort Edwards (near Warsaw, Illinois). Located on the island of Rock Island, once sacred Indian ground, the fort sat on a high rocky promontory overlooking the Mississippi River. The fort was strategically located to defend against enemy attack and to monitor river traffic, especially that of the Sauk and Mesquakie, who had once been closely allied with the British interests and were fiercely anti-American.

On the Illinois shore opposite the fort was a Mesquakie village, home to about 400 warriors. The Great Sauk Village, home to Black Hawk and his British Band, was about three miles away with 1,000 to 1,200 warriors. Despite Black Hawk’s objections to the military presence, trading with the tribes began in the first summer, and by the mid-1820s, the island of Rock Island had become a lively center where Indians, soldiers, and traders all came together.

Fort Armstrong was a small fort, only about 270 square feet, and was designed to house two companies of soldiers. According to post reports, however, occupation of the fort was rarely at full strength. The fort had three blockhouses, the interior one larger than the other two. Each blockhouse was outfitted with a six-pound cannon. There was a stone powder magazine outside the large blockhouse and holes in the palisades for defense. Barracks for the soldiers and officers were positioned along the northeast and southeast walls. The commander’s head-quarters was built across the corner overlooking the river and directly above the cave of the Great Spirit who protected the island. The noise of the soldiers, said Black Hawk, drove the good spirit away to be replaced with a bad spirit.

The soldiers at Fort Armstrong com-plained that they were more farmers than military men, a common complaint at frontier outposts. About forty acres of the island were cleared for their gardens, which supplemented the daily rations of bread and beef or pork. Cattle grazed on the prairie grasses. Oxen and horses were stabled. Hogs were left to forage in the

The 1834 diagram shows arrangement of buildings within the fort walls. The building on the corner overlooking the river is the Commander’s office and living quarters. HQ is flanked on either side by Officers Quarters. Barracks, kitchen, hospital rooms, storage, and guard house complete the fort. [Photocopy, Fort Armstrong files, National Archives and Records Administration]

Fort Armstrong On Rock Island

M O R E T H A N A C O M P A N Y O F S O L D I E R S :

[Photograph by Regena Jo Schantz]


G O G R E E N !

Roof Top Sedums, the Davenport-based company that Nelson and her sister Roxanne Nagel established in 2007, is a grower and promoter of the LiveRoof® Hybrid Green Roof System. Over the last five years,

Roof Top Sedums has installed more than thirty LiveRoof® System projects throughout the Midwest providing companies, schools, municipalities, and individuals with the many benefits of a green roof system.

History of Green RoofsA green roof (sometimes referred to as a vegetated roof or eco-roof) is

a roof that includes living vegetation on top of conventional waterproofing materials such as shingles, asphalt, gravel, or other non-porous material. This living layer of organic plant material protects the rooftop, and offers a visually pleasing, cost-saving, and ecological alternative to standard roofs.

Though the concept is hundreds of years old, green roofs started popping up more commonly in Germany decades ago and have become popular throughout Europe because of their positive environmental impact. This history is taken into account by horticulturists as they look at the pros and cons of what does and does not work.

“We look at what has evolved in Germany,” says Nelson. “There, you’ll find green roofs that are thirty, forty, even fifty years old. We can take what they have learned and apply it to the region that we’re working in.”

Green roofs are not as commonly seen in the United States as they are in Europe, but because of their positive environmental impact and associated life cycle cost savings, they are beginning to grow in popularity.

Benefits of Green RoofsThere is a long list of benefits attributed to installing a green roof on a

structure, the most important of which, according to Nelson, is the part that a green roof plays in storm water management. Green roofs conserve water by absorbing excess storm water and minimize the effects of storm water runoff. This can help reduce flooding, erosion, and the need for an on-site storm water management system.

A green roof can be especially effective in dense urban areas. Many urban environments have a high concentration of hard, dark surfaces that give off excess heat. Vegetated areas such as yards and parks can help lower the urban air temperature by decreasing temperature differentials

Davenport-based company at tip of green roof technology

Even though landscape architect Teresa Nelson has always been interested in sustainable design and new urbanism, her foray into green roofs began in an unlikely way: dumpster beautification. While working in Glen Haven, Michigan, in an area that housed high-end condominiums, she and a team of designers were scratching their heads trying to figure out how to make a group of dumpster enclosures more palatable to tenants. “What about a green roof?” she shouted out during the meeting. Though she was partially joking, she was soon tasked with the job, thus beginning a long career of establishing green roofs throughout the Midwest.

Roof Top Sedums:Roof Top Sedums:

by Leslie Klipsch

Read more about where to buy products and services for green roofs in River Action’s 6 Simple Things home project handbook available at the River Action offices or on line at www.riveraction.org .

February/March/April 2012 | Eddy Magazine 13

G O G R E E N !

between hard surfaces and the air. “If there’s no room to put in a rain gar-den,” Nelson says, “a green roof is a great solution.”

Installing a green roof also leads to energy savings over time. According to Nelson, if you put a green roof on a building, the story below will begin to see a cooler environment. “If you have actively growing plant material on a surface, the process of evapotranspiration by the plants will cool the rooftop’s air temperature,” she explains. “Many times the air intake system is on the rooftop of a commercial building, and during the sum-mertime a green roof will lower the air temperature that these systems are taking in, thus saving on utility costs.”

Another advantage that Nelson points out is that a green roof can pro-tect the roofing material by shielding it from damaging elements like UV radiation and extreme temperatures. “These are the things that degrade a rooftop. A green roof will shelter the rooftop from the elements. Ultimately,” she says, “it extends the lifetime of the roofing material.”

After taking into account the environmental and economic benefits of a rooftop garden, an individual or institution may be further motivated by their city building codes. Not only could having a green roof save long-term energy expenses, but some municipalities encourage builders with incen-tives. Grants for incorporating sustainable materials and designs into proj-ects have become more widely available as well.

The LiveRoof ProcessRoof Top Sedums is a promoter and grower for LiveRoof LLC, a unique,

Michigan-based company that introduced the LiveRoof® Hybrid Green Roof System nationally in 2007. Roof Top Sedums custom grows the LiveRoof® material in unique modules, loads the modules onto shipping racks, and ships semi-loads of it to clients all over the Midwest from their family’s farm on Utica Ridge Road in Davenport.

Trained and certified LiveRoof® installers then place the modules with established plant material on the client’s roof based on the specified design. This process appeals to customers because of its convenience and instantaneous nature; the modules are delivered and plants are installed fully-grown and thriving, making the roof come to life instantly. In 2011, Roof Top Sedums shipped 11,000 square feet and grew another 15,000 square feet of live plant material for upcoming installations on buildings throughout the Midwest.

As a LiveRoof® supplier with a back-ground in design, Nelson sits down with clients to educate them on not only the product, but also the overall project design. “Green roof projects are still so new here,” she says. “I am happy to sit down and educate my clients. I’ve learned a lot as a designer and am happy to give clients tips about how they can improve their design,”

Nelson says. On a new building, these conversations typically take place two to three years prior to the completion of the project.

In the meantime, during the “farming” period, the material for the green roof is established on the farm in Davenport. This part of the process is overseen by Nelson’s sister, business partner, and horticulturist, Roxanne Nagel. Prior to planting, staff horticulturists select and propagate plants in stock beds full of varieties that they know will thrive in a rooftop climate, keeping in mind the geography and climate of the area they will live. Most of the plants used on rooftop gardens in the Midwest must be tolerant of drought, disease, and insects, capable of a long life with minimal mainte-nance and have a nice aesthetic quality. When the plants are established, they are shipped to their permanent rooftop home and installed.

Roof Top Sedums keeps close watch on the green roofs that they install, advising maintenance staff on best watering practices and even going so far as to call people to remind them to water their roofs during extended dry periods in order to keep plant material lush. Though this doesn’t require a lot of water or effort, it is important that the soil zone has moisture available during high stress periods when the climate is hot and dry. “Last summer,” Nelson chuckles, “we called every one of our Iowa green roof projects to remind them to water.”

Nelson, who believes Roof Top Sedums can offer customers “the Cadillac of green roof systems,” hopes that her business will grow and that she can continue to share her love of landscape architecture and design as more and more people begin to realize the benefits of intermingling the natural envi-ronment and the built environment, creating structures that unify ecology, economics, and ultimately the beautification of the space we inhabit.

Roof Top Sedums:Roof Top Sedums:


G O G R E E N !

One of the most substantial ways to move an existing structure under the green umbrella is to replace the heating

ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system. This act alone can reduce a structure’s energy con-sumption by as much as forty percent. Because single-family homes contribute about twenty-one percent of the atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, even residential HVAC replacement projects have a significant impact. Of course, replacing the HVAC is just one of many ways that renovations create positive changes.

Green renovation projects like Renaissance Rock Island’s McKesson Lofts project, which converted a former warehouse into nearly two dozen condos and retail space, preserve most of the energy-saving ele-ments of the original building. In addition, the green roof, the first in Rock Island, adds addi-tional energy savings. McKeeson Lofts took the first step toward green renovation by generating a remodeling plan that put the premium on efficient use of light and other natural resources. Across the board, a truly green renovation such as the McKesson Lofts will encompass a variety of factors, such as lighting, window placement/use of daylight, space, and choice of materials.

Whether the project is small or large, commercial or residential, the greenest building is the one that already

exists! Quad-City renovators are employing green construction methods to beautify, preserve, and improve

existing structures. Efficient design, technological improvements, and waste reduction procedures combine to

make enhancements while reducing carbon footprints and trips to the landfill.

The type of lighting that is chosen for a proj-ect, for example, will have an impact on both the amount of energy used to light the building and the amount of energy used to cool it. The use of ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures or fixtures that use compact fluorescent bulbs can greatly contribute to reducing energy consumption and the overall carbon footprint of a structure. In addi-tion, since the latest fluorescent fixtures do not have that traditional flicker

or hum, and since they last five times as long as incandescent bulbs, they make a great choice for commercial and residential spaces alike. Halogen spot-lights and floodlights can also provide low-voltage accent lighting leaving spaces beautiful and well-lit but energy resourceful.

Some of the most powerful design choices in a green renovation involve windows. One of the primary ways that windows can aid in creating a green remodel is placement. Creating good cross-ventilation allows interior spaces to make use of natural breezes, reducing

reliance on HVAC systems. Windows can be used to create a cool, comfortable environment using only nature’s resources. Double-hung windows can also contribute to the possibilities for cross-

ventilation by allowing ventilation where it makes the best sense. For instance, a double-hung window on a stair landing that is cross-ventilated with a window on the main floor allows the top of the double-hung window to be opened to generate the greatest air movement.

Many older buildings have good ventilation design built in, and consideration of those exist-ing structures helps ensure that the integrity of the original design remains intact and provides a free cooling system. Directional

exposure, likewise, has an impact on energy efficiency. If a window has southern exposure, for example, adding awnings or a roof overhang reduces the amount of exposure to the blazing summer sun. On the other hand, they still allow the lower hanging winter sun to help generate interior warmth.

River Action assisted in the design of the green roof on top of the McKesson Lofts.

Double-hung windows can help create cross-ventilation where it makes the best sense.

Properly placed skylights help provide natural lighting.

Renovate!Renovate!By Julie Seier


G O G R E E N !

One very important consideration with archi-tectural design is the use of space. Whether the space is commercial or residential, large spaces require more energy to heat in the winter and to cool in the summer, and so the way interior spaces are renovated can make dramatic dif-ferences in energy costs. For homeowners, a good architect can provide guid-ance on how to modify your existing floor plan to provide new options without add-ing square footage to your home. A portion of a living room, for instance, can be reworked with the addition of built-in shelving and desk, or a second-floor landing with the bay window can be modified to create a charming reading space. Careful evaluation of your options can uncover new and existing ways to use ceiling heights and transitional areas to create the feeling of space.

One of the most excit-ing “green” developments in the Quad-Cities has been the creation of green roof-tops such as the ones atop the McKesson Lofts and Davenport’s police station. The McKesson Lofts green roof installation was advo-cated for and sponsored by River Action, Inc..

Another important factor to creating a good green remodeling project is the use of materials. There are a number of material options available for green remodels. Reclaimed materials can be rescued from and re-used in the renovation of old barns, factories, warehouses, and more. Reclaimed materials add unique and impressive architectural details, flooring, and/or cabinetry. There are many options in the Quad Cities area for seeking out unique artifacts. Stores such

as the Habitat Restore, the Restoration Place, and local antique dealers can provide materials that have been directly reclaimed from existing buildings offering the chance to truly recycle as well as create unique and lasting impressions. Designers, homeowners, and architects can also

choose from a variety of recycled mate-rials that have the same great look and feel as brand new materials without the negative environmental impact. These options include PaperStone™ (coun-tertop “stone” made from recycled paper and resin), Bio-Glass™, and Kirei Board. Still another option is the use of environmentally sustainable resources such as bamboo and cork instead of traditional lumber. These materials look

great without contributing to the problem of deforestation.

Other material options that decrease energy and natural resource use include appliances

and plumbing fixtures. Upgrading appliances to ENERGY STAR refrigera-tors, washers, dishwashers, and freezers, for instance, can greatly reduce energy usage. In fact, replacing a refrigerator dating from the 1970s with an ENERGY STAR model can save a homeowner more than $200 each year on energy bills. Replacing existing plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, with newer, more

efficient models will help reduce the cost associ-ated with water heating as well as reducing the amount of water used. “Even small changes such as changing out appliances make a great differ-ence in energy usage and affordability,” states Paul Fessler of Rock Island’s GROWTH program. “We try to take that into account with every renovation.”

For a truly green remodel to take place, consideration should also be given to creating a better living environment. By avoiding the use

of building materials that contain formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – gases emit-ted from paints, lacquers, paint strippers, and other chemicals that can have adverse health effects – a green remodel can create healthier spaces to live and work. Indoor pollutants range from lead expo-sure to chemical treatments on woods and other building materials. Reducing the amount of expo-sure to indoor pollutants encountered on a day-to-day basis can save workers and homeowners from a lifetime of headaches, sinus infections, and fatigue. A certified green contractor or LEED certified spe-cialist can help home renovators ensure that their projects take indoor air quality into consideration.

In short, green renovation provides us all with spaces we can be proud of not only for their looks but also for their (lack of) environmental impact.

Choose from a variety of recycled materials for paneling or wall treatments.

Use recycled materials such as “PaperStone”.

Green roof atop of the McKesson Lofts – retain rain and help insulate interior spaces from the heat of the sun.

View of the kitchen area in the McKesson Lofts in Rock Island.


G O G R E E N !

Food forThoughtFood forThought

By Becky Langdon

As consumers become increasingly conscious of the food they eat, there is no shortage of labels for what goes on our plates: organic, hormone-free, chemical-free, all-natural – the list goes on. Amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of food labeling, marketing campaigns, and environmental research, one theme remains clear. Going green means knowing where your food comes from and how it is produced.


G O G R E E N !

Food forThoughtFood forThought

Go OrganicOne way to make more environmentally

friendly food choices is to switch to organic produce. One of the primary benefits of organic farming systems is the reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides. The runoff of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals from farms along the Mississippi has been linked to “dead zones” in the Gulf of Mexico, areas with low oxygen levels where marine life cannot thrive. Organic farms don’t use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and they also adopt growing practices that help con-trol erosion.

Terry Tygrett and his son are co-owners of the USDA certified organic farm, Oak Hill Acres in Atalissa, Iowa. Their 260 acres of rolling farmland have been free from chemi-cals for more than twenty-five years. As a Vietnam vet who was exposed to Agent Orange, Tygrett is leery of using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers because of concerns about health risks. He says, “Farmers that have to handle all the chemicals are wearing space suits to do it because of all the hazards that go along with it. We don’t have to wear masks.”

Oak Hill Acres became certified organic in 1998. Like many organic farms, they have an established rotation of vegetables and small grains to help keep bugs and weeds under control. They don’t spray any chemicals, and they sell their products directly to consum-ers, often within a day of being picked. All of these things Tygrett believes help to create a healthier, safer product for the consumers, the environment, and the farmers.

Reducing hazardous run-off is just one of the benefits of pesticide-free farming. Farms that don’t spray may also decrease their energy usage and promote biodiversity. Native plants, birds, and insects thrive in organic growing envi-ronments, a benefit Tygrett has experienced first hand.

“I can go out in summer and spring and dig up a little bit of ground and find earthworms, which is the most beneficial thing you can have,” he says. “If you go out to farms using a lot of chemicals, it’s impossible to find earthworms.”

Organic agriculture has also been shown to improve soil quality. A long-term experiment conducted from 1994 to 2002 by the USDA Agricultural Research Service showed that organic farming systems built up soil organic matter better than conventional no-till farming systems. Tillage is known to destroy organic mat-ter, so many agriculturalists believe that no-till systems build soil better than organic growing methods. The study found, however, that the use

of manure and cover crops more than offset the losses from tillage.

Tygrett’s business isn’t the only one in the region striving for a more natural, healthier approach to food. Julie Martens, co-owner of the Davenport natural products store, Greatest Grains, also believes in using natural and organic products. Greatest Grains offers a Dine-In Deli, a made-from-scratch Bakery, organic produce, a variety of natural product groceries, bulk items, and more to serve a health-conscious market. Martens and her husband opened the store twenty-five years ago to fill a niche she believed was missing in the Quad Cities.

She says, “I think that natural products are the best products to use for a lot of reasons, globally

and health-wise.” The market for organi-

cally grown food has increased rapidly over the past few decades nationwide. In fact, from 1990 to 2010, sales of organic food and bever-ages in the United States have grown from $1 billion per year to $26.7 billion, according to the Organic Trade Association. Since the 1990s, the US gov-ernment has implemented a number of policies aimed at expanding market oppor-tunities for organic growers because of the environmental benefits. In fact, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 called for a five-fold

increase in funding for organic programs, includ-ing cost-share assistance programs to help grow-ers with certification.

Even with programs available to offset costs, organic food still tends to come with a higher price tag. For this reason, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has developed a list called the “Dirty Dozen” to help consumers maximize the impact of their dollar. The fruits and veg-etables on this list have the highest pesticide residue out of fifty-three varieties tested. If you can’t afford to buy all organic produce, choosing the organic versions of items on this list first will help dramatically lower your consumption of pesticides while reap-ing the environmental benefits of organic food. The EWG also published a list called the “Clean 15,” fruits and vegetables that have the lowest pesticide residue. For the complete lists visit EWG.org/FoodNews.

Go LocalWith all environmental benefits, organic farm-

ing systems may sound like the clear winner over conventional farming methods. There are times, however, when buying conventionally grown produce may be the best way to go green. It’s important to consider not only how your food is produced but also where it comes from.

Some organic food has to travel hun-dreds of miles to reach its destination where consumers may purchase it. The Department of Rural Economy at the University of Alberta in Edmonton conducted a study which showed that the greenhouse gas emitted when produce is carried across long distances undermines the environmental benefits of organic farming, espe-cially if that food has to come from farther away than conventionally grown food. For example, if you live in Iowa, buying conventionally grown blueberries from Michigan may be a greener choice than buying organic blueberries from California.

Additionally, while organic produce may be free from synthetic pesticides, there are organic pesticides that are approved by the USDA for use on certified organic farms. A study done by the University of Guelph in Ontario found that some organic pesticides may have a higher envi-ronmental impact that conventional pesticides because they are used in larger doses to achieve the same results.

Buying local whenever possible can help mitigate some of the potential pitfalls of buying organic. Not only does it reduce the amount of miles food has to travel before it reaches the dinner plate, it gives consumers the opportunity to know more about the growing practices for the food they eat as well. Local produce may be available in grocery stores, but you can also develop a relationship directly with the farmer through farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs). > > >

“We know that certain

fruits and vegetables that

are grown conventionally

will have higher residue

content than organic.”


G O G R E E N !

Ready to Ride!Here in the Quad Cities, you won’t

see a lot of tall bikes ridden by

bearded men like you might in

Minneapolis. Or hipsters on fixed-

gear bikes like you might in New

York. Or gangs of nostalgic riders

cycling down city streets on BMX

cruisers, reviving a particular

brand of creative cycling from the

early eighties.

AT LEAST NOT YETBut according to Jeff Bradley, owner of

Trek Bicycle Store in Davenport, biking has been growing fast in the Quad Cities over the last decade. “Biking covers a broad range,” he says. “It’s not like the old days when there were just a couple of bikes to choose from and people simply went for rides around the neighborhood.”

What you will undoubtedly see this season are more and more people on two wheels. Now more than ever, Quad Citians are hopping on their bikes for pleasure, sport, and as an alternative to driving a car.

PEDALING FOR PLEASURE As the Quad Cities community makes

gains in catering to bikers with well-kept bike paths and the addition of bike lanes on select streets, more and more people are enjoying the pleasure of a leisurely bike ride with family and friends. Often these rides include multiple generations of cyclists using the activity as a desirable way to spend time with one another while enjoying the outdoors.

At Trek Bicycle, Bradley has seen a growth in such family cycling. Trek, along with several other area bike shops, sell a variety of comfort, cruiser and hybrid bikes that are designed specifically for riding around town or on bike paths. “We’re seeing more bike paths in our

by Leslie Klipsch

Tygrett says, “By working with the

farmer, you’re getting a direct sales

representation of the product. If

people have a question about how

it was raised or where it was raised,

you can answer it right away.”

Additionally, many farmers who are not certified organic are still doing things to reduce negative environmental impacts. Developing a relationship with those farmers can help con-sumers make environmentally friendly choices, even when it doesn’t come with the label of “certified organic.”

Business owners like Martens and Tygrett believe that organic food is going to continue to grow more mainstream in the future, both for environmental and health reasons. Today the data on the health side is still inconclusive, according to Hy-Vee Dietician Janet Macon.

“We know that certain fruits and vegetables that are grown conventionally will have higher residue content than organic,” Macon says. “We don’t have long-term data that shows that eating [those foods] will lead to worse health outcomes.”

The data that has been published to date about nutrient density differences between organic and conventionally grown produce is also inconsistent. Macon says that nutrient den-sity has more to do with the soil sample than the growing system. The exception is tomatoes, which consistently show higher antioxidant lev-els when grown organically.

Macon stresses, however, that food choices are personal, and that inconsistent evidence regarding the health benefits of organic food shouldn’t stop an individual from going organic.

“If you experience better health because you switch to organic, or if you feel better about making this choice, or simply feel better in general, that’s all the evidence you need to make that choice,” she says.

While we’re still waiting for data on the health side to become clearer, it’s important to keep in mind the environmental side and the potential benefits of going organic.

Food choices may be personal, as Macon notes, but the environmental effects are global. The next time you’re at the grocery store or the farmers’ market, consider where your food comes from and how it is produced before making a purchase. If businesses and consum-ers together can reduce the amount of chemi-cals polluting the environment, reduce food miles, and embrace methods that improve our soil and water quality, we’ll be on the right track to going green.

May/June/July 2012 |

B I C YC L I N G T R E N D S

community, which creates a nice environment for people to take the kids and the family on rides while maintaining safety,” Bradley says.

Other Quad-City cyclists who seek a bit more adventure on their Sunday cruise are veering off the path and toward the open road. Bruce Grell, owner of Healthy Habits in Bettendorf, has noticed a huge upsurge in road riding in the area over the last several years.

“We’re still following along on the heels of the Lance Armstrong phenomenon,” he notes. “Instead of interest dying out when he retired, people are sticking with it. Large groups of people are out doing social rides—even if they’re not necessarily affiliated with a pro-gram. And more and more individual riders are out riding and training.”

BIKING FOR SPORTAnother recent trend has influenced the

number of bikes being sold and ridden in the Quad Cities—the growing popularity of tri-athlons. A triathlon is made up of three parts, each requiring a different set of skills as well as equipment. For the swim portion, the partici-pant needs a pair of goggles and a suit. A good pair of running shoes may help an athlete com-pete more comfortably during the run. But the bike portion of the event requires more special-ized equipment, such as a helmet, shoes, and a quality bike. All three components of the race require a tremendous amount of training.

“Locally and throughout the Midwest, triathlons are exploding,” says Bradley. “It’s an intriguing sport. It’s beginner friendly because it’s not high-end competitive right off the bat. There are lots of events around the Midwest that a beginner can do and enjoy. Events range from a sprint triathlon, which doesn’t scare people away, all the way up to the Iron Man. It’s a booming trend in cycling right now.”

The 13th Annual Quad Cities Triathlon will take place on June 16. Not surprisingly, the event sold out at the end of February. (River Action’s 7th annual Taming of the Slough, September 15th, 2012, is an adventure race of paddling, biking and running – register today at www.riveraction.org)

Perhaps equally exciting is the growing interest in mountain biking in the Quad Cities. The Friends of Off-Road Cycling (FORC) have

made strides in the availability of local trails for mountain biking enthusiasts. Mountain bik-ers will find a growing number of full-blown mountain bike trails in the Quad-City area (including trails at both Sunderbruch Park and Scott County Park), thanks to the efforts of FORC, whose primary purposes include build-ing, improving, and maintaining mountain bike trails in the Quad Cities area in an environmen-tally conscious way. “Ten years ago,” Bradley enthuses, “this wasn’t an option. Off-road mountain bikers didn’t have a place to ride. Now there are two fantastic spots, and FORC keeps finding more places and more trails.”

Not only are places to ride bikes for sport becoming more accessible, but high-end equipment and accessories are too. Bruce Grell of Healthy Habits has his eye on this season’s trend in electronic shifting. Designed mainly for road rides and racing, electronic shifting allows riders to shift with electronic switches rather than conventional levers. Grell says he dreams about a new road bike with electronic shifting for himself. “It’s the latest and greatest,” he says.

Bradley (Trek Bicycle) comes from a rac-ing background and says he’s currently most intrigued by aero-dynamic wheels. “The faster you go, the more the aero-dynamics comes into play,” he explains. “You see this type of thing on the Tour de France.”

What he finds remarkable is that you can buy such specialized, high-quality gear in most bike shops. “Fifteen years ago you couldn’t do that. It was unheard of. It’s amaz-ing, especially for the wheels,” he says. Such a pair of wheels can cost around $3,000.

“It’s available,” Bradley laughs. “But it’s not cheap.”

BUDGET-CONSCIOUS COMMUTINGWhat is cheap, as more and more people

are realizing, is the “fuel” it takes to power a bicycle. As gas prices began to rise several

years ago, so has the number of Quad-City bike commuters.

This isn’t simply a local trend. Because of the nationwide upswing in commuting, there have been some important develop-ments in LED lighting in recent years. Grell sells lights at his Bettendorf shop that are as power-ful as a car’s headlights but as small as a flash-light. Such safety precautions are something he highly recommends to bike commuters.

“If you’re going to commute by bike, you need to make sure you have adequate lighting. A flashing light will make a huge difference in your visibility to cars,” he says.

In terms of practicality, he recommends putting a set of fenders on your bike to keep your clothes clean and dry while commut-ing to work. Fenders weren’t common in the United States until recently because there were simply not many commuters. Now bike shops are commonly stocked with bikes that come equipped with fenders.

Jerry Neff, general manager of Jerry and Sparky’s Bicycle Shop in Davenport, has noticed that since 2008 there have been more and more accessories available for and popular with bike commuters. One recently popular item is a grocery bag that fits on a bike rack. The convenience, he says, is fantastic. Take the bag into the store, load it up with your grocer-ies, hook it back on the bike, and pedal home.

As the Quad-City community becomes more proactive in providing paths and lanes so cyclists can ride safely, it’s likely more and more people will discover the benefits of bik-ing. “It’s an exciting time,” Neff says. “Local bike paths are being connected. Bike lanes are being added. There is an overall better aware-ness of cycling. Everything about biking seems to be growing.”

Ready to Ride!

Eddy Magazine 19


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

Beaux Arts FairSaturday, May 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., DavenportThe Beaux Arts Fair is an outdoor arts/crafts festival in front of the Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport. Artists’ talents range across the spectrum with paintings in a variety of media, limited edition prints, pottery, stained glass, weaving, jewelry, wood-carvings, and handmade wooden furniture. There will be food vendors, music, and an activity tent for children. Admission is free. For more info, call (563) 326-7804.

Energy Explorer Girl Scout Event for JuniorsMonday, May 21, 5-7 p.m., Nahant Marsh, Davenport$5 per girl to register. For more info, visit GSEIWI.org, contact Molli Hermiston at [email protected], or call (309) 788-0833.

Nahant Marsh Homeschool Program for grades K-8Friday, May 25, 2:30-4 p.m., West Lake Park, DavenportTopic: Canoeing, kayaking, and water safety. $6 per child per session; $50 per child for all sessions. For more info, call Brian (563) 323-5196, or e-mail [email protected].

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, May 22, 7 p.m., River Action office, DavenportDiscuss Wilderness and the American Mind, by Roderick Frazier Nash. 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.

Quad Cities Criterium Professional Bike RacesMonday, May 28, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Rock IslandDon’t miss the fun and excitement of the 47th Annual Quad Cities Criterium. This professional bike race draws thousands of spectators and over 650 cyclists from across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Watch thirteen different races as professional men and women cyclists take to the streets of the downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District. Enjoy food and refreshments and watch the cyclists as they race at speeds as high as thirty-five miles per hour while traveling through curves and straightaways on this grueling course. For a complete schedule of races and to find out more about this Quad Cities Memorial Day favorite, visit QuadCitiesCriterium.com or call (309) 788-6311.

JuneThe summer is here and that means it’s time for River Action’s Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks, May-September, Memorial Day-Labor Day! Channel Cat Talks meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Riverine Walks meet Wednesday eve-nings 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 bro-chure, visit RiverAction.org or call (563) 322-2969.

Make Friends with the Marsh Saturday, June 2, 9 a.m.-Noon, Nahant Marsh, DavenportDuring this program we will be learning and enjoying wildlife. The session will begin with a brief presentation or introduction after which a member of The Friends of Nahant Marsh, along with members of Nahant staff, will coordinate to 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.

MayKick off the season with a Summer of Paddling! For a calendar of events for Summer of Paddling 2012, go to www.SOP2012.org.

Muddy Boots Nature Club Every other Wednesday, 3-4:30 p.m., Nahant Marsh Education Center, Davenport, IAMuddy 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 natu-ralist, the club gives children the opportu-nity to come explore our natural world through fun activities and adventures. For more information and to register your child, check out our calendar of events at NahantMarsh.org or call (563) 323-5196.

Make Friends with the Marsh – Garlic Mustard PullSaturday, May 5, 9 a.m.-Noon, Nahant Marsh, DavenportDuring this program we will be learning and enjoying wildlife. The session will begin with a brief presentation or introduction to the invasive species, Garlic Mustard, after which a member of The Friends of Nahant Marsh, along with members of Nahant staff, will coordinate to remove it from the marsh. Nahant Marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue, Davenport. For more info, call (563) 323-5196, or go to NahantMarsh.org.

H2WOW Girl Scouts Event for BrowniesMonday, May 7, 5:30-7 p.m., Nahant Marsh, DavenportThis program focuses on water and water testing. $5 per girl to register. For more info, visit GSEIWI.org, con-tact Molli Hermiston at [email protected], or call (309) 788-0833.

Canoe/Kayak/Bike Swap MeetSaturday, May 12, Credit Island Lodge, DavenportBring your canoe, kayak, or bike to swap for another! This is the third annual Swap Meet and just in time for summer. For more information, call River Action at (563) 322-2969 or visit RiverAction.org.

Canoe/Kayak/Bike Swap Meet



Edible and Medicinal Plants of IowaWednesday, June 6, 6:30-8 p.m., Nahant Marsh, DavenportLearn about the various plant species that have been historically used for food and medicine in Iowa. This is a hike and lecture program. Cost per person is $5. Nahant Marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue, Davenport. For more info and to register, call (563) 323-5196, or go to NahantMarsh.org.

Gumbo Ya Ya – Mardi Gras in the DistrictFriday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9, Rock IslandEnjoy Cajun food, authentic southern Louisiana music on two stages, Mardi Gras children’s activities, and a French Quarter marketplace. It’s a fun time for all! For more info, call (309) 788-6311.

River Action’s Ride the River Annual Father’s Day RideSunday, June 17, 6 a.m.-4 p.m., DavenportEnjoy a bi-state ride along the Quad Cities’ riverfront bike trails. Plus, cruise the Mississippi River aboard the Celebration Belle riverboat from Iowa to Illinois, or ride a four-mile loop on the historic Arsenal Island. Early registration is $12 for adults, and kids ride free with paying adult. For more info or to register, go to RiverAction.org or call (563) 322-RIDE.

Paddle Class, Canoe or KayakTuesday, June 19 and Tuesday, June 26, 6-8 p.m., (Third class – field trip TBA), Riverside Lagoon

Paddling instruction. Watercrafts can be requested for first and second class, but it is best to learn in your own water-craft, and participants must have their own watercraft and PFD for the field trip/third class. Ages teen to adult, $25 per person. For more info, please contact the Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club at Rivers-End.org/saukenuk.

EDIWILD – Educators in the Wild WorkshopJune 25-28, Nahant Marsh Education Center and/or Field Station, Davenport, IAFor more information, call Lisa at (563) 328-3286.

IH Mississippi Valley Blues FestivalFriday, June 29-Sunday, July 1, LeClaire Park, DavenportFor twenty-seven years, volunteers of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society have been organiz-ing and presenting the Mississippi Valley Blues

Festival. This festival is held each year in picturesque LeClaire Park on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport. Over the years the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival has become recognized as one of the finest Blues fests in the country.

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, June 26, 7 p.m., River Action office, DavenportDiscuss Sheepish: Two Women, Fifty Sheep & Enough Wool to Save the Planet, by Catherine Friend. Open to the public and meets at the River Action office, 822 E. River Dr. in Davenport, between Tremont and Federal Streets. For more info, call (563) 322-2969.

Things will be jammin at the 27th Annual IH Mississippi Valley Blues Fest!

SAVE THE DATE!River Action’s Floatzilla Paddle Sports Festival, August 18Visit Floatzilla.org for more information.



ation or introduction after which a member of The Friends of Nahant Marsh along with members of Nahant staff will coordinate to work on a service proj-ect. Nahant Marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue, Davenport. For more info, call (563) 323-5196, or go to NahantMarsh.org.

Heartland Jam Music FestivalFriday, July 20 - Saturday, July 21, Centennial Park, DavenportThis event will include two full days of music on three stages featuring many of the heartland region’s best entertainers and eight national touring acts. For more info, call (563) 323-4894, or visit HeartlandJam.com.

JulyJulyJuly

Red, White, and BoomTuesday, July 3, Downtown Rock Island and DavenportRed, White & Boom! is Rock Island and Davenport’s annual July 3rd celebration of our country’s indepen-dence. The bi-state fireworks show will launch from the river with primary viewing areas and family activities located in Rock Island and Davenport on the riverfront. Over 20,000 people crowded the Mississippi riverfront last year for all of the festivities. Enjoy live music on both sides of the river in Davenport and Rock Island. For more info, call (309) 788-6311.

Make Friends with the Marsh Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.-Noon, Nahant Marsh, DavenportDuring this program we will be learning and enjoying wildlife. The session will begin with a brief present-

River Action’s Environmental Book ClubTuesday, July 24, 7 p.m., River Action office, DavenportDiscuss Standing in the Light: My Life as a Pantheist, by Sharman Apt Russell. 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.

Downtown Davenport Street FestFriday and Saturday, July 27-28, DavenportCome and celebrate during downtown Davenport’s annual Street Festival, held in conjunction with the Bix 7 Run. Join us for food, live music, arts and crafts, a fam-ily fun area, and lots of festival fun! For more info, call (563) 322-1706.

Beginning SailingJuly 9-14, various times, Davenport Sailing Club, DavenportExperience the joy, freedom, and excitement of sailing! Plan to be sailing the first day of instruction. This program includes safety, environmental awareness, sailboat elements, sailing skills, emergency skills, and rules of the waterway. Must be at least 15 years of age and provide your own Coast Guard approved Type II PFD (or better) as well as a 50-yard Red Cross or YMCA swim check prior to the first class. Cost is $185. For more info, call (563) 326-7859 or email [email protected]. There is a second program option July 23-28.

eddy magazine - may june july 2012

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