The Poweshiek Animal League Shelter (PALS) held an open house in its brand-new facility this past weekend.

Talk about a huge success! More than 250 people came through to see the shelter.  Several took the opportunity to adopt a pet!

PALS is quite an operation.  It’s entirely volunteer-run, and survives on the energy of those volunteers and donations.

 Volunteers are at the shelter at 7 AM,  NOON , 5 PM, and 9 PM; 7 days a week.  At 5 pm, many of the volunteers are just leaving work, so it can sometimes be 15-20 minutes after 5, depending on who is scheduled, before someone arrives.

If you would like to see the animals/consider an adoption, contact PALS.  Also consider volunteering at the shelter.  Volunteers walk and feed the dogs, clean and sanitize the kennels, change bedding, brush the cats, clean litter boxes, etc.  It’s stuff that needs to get done!  641-990-0396 is their number!

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/palsiowa.html

palsiowa@pcpartner.net

Shortly after I moved to Iowa in 1990, I took at job at KUNI public radio and commuted every day to Cedar Falls.  In cases of bad weather, I would stay up there– and often asked locals about my hotel/motel options.  Sometimes — when a local was being funny — he or she would say, "Why not stay at the Black Hawk?"

It was, in 1990, a rundown transient hotel.  True, it was the longest continuously-operating hotel site in Iowa, dating back to the 1850s.  Granted, it featured a Second Empire architectural style with some very cool Mission features.  But it was a dive.  Then, six years ago, Dan and Kathy Tindall of Grinnell entered the picture.

The Tindalls run an architecture firm in Grinnell, The Built Environment.  They are antique collectors, art lovers and historic preservationists.  They saw something in the Black Hawk that no one had seen to that point.  And, brick by brick, they began to restore it.  The Tindalls believed there was a niche in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area for a historic, boutique hotel.  They were right.

Next month, the two-day celebration of entrepreneurship, EntreFest, will be held in Cedar Falls.  PowI-80 is offering reduced registration rates and reduced hotel rates at the Black Hawk for those who contact us!  EntreFest will be a great experience, especially for those looking to start or expand a business.  But the night at the Black Hawk will also be a treat!

Not surprisingly, antiques furnish the rooms.  There are high-end features and comforts throughout, a top-notch martini bar off the lobby, and a sushi bar next door.  The Tindalls know how to do it right.

Dan’s got his fingers in a bunch of things right now, both in Cedar Falls and Grinnell.  Sometime soon I’ll post a description of the Grinnell Ale House, which will feature a Tindall design.

Go to www.blackhawk-hotel.com for more on the best little hotel on Main Street in Cedar Falls.

As someone whose job revolves around downtown development, the word "fire" sends chills down my spine.

Here in Grinnell, the downtown was shaped by two fires — one in 1889 and another in 1891 — that prompted building sprees that shaped the area into what we know today.

The same thing happened in Spencer, where a 1931 fire devastated the downtown, prompted a construction boom that created what is today considered to be one of the finest collections of 1930s architecture in the country.

Still, it was only after a period of loss and anguish that the communities and property owners could move forward with the rebuilding process.

That’s what is happening in the Eastern Iowa community of Maquoketa this week.  A fire over the weekand destroyed much of their historic downtown, leaving that beautiful little city to mourn its loss and look to the future.  Maquoketa is in Jackson County, which was named an Iowa Great Place in 2006.

It’s hard to plan for this sort of disaster.  In Grinnell, changes in building codes after the 1889 fire made brick and limestone the materials of choice.  The block that replaced the fire-ravaged section is called the Phoenix Block — since it rose out of the ashes as did the fictional phoenix bird.  It’s a key to the city’s historic business district, which is listed on the National Register.

I know that Maquoketa will bounce back in a similar way!

People tell me a wear a lot of hats.  Economic development, downtown development, historic preservation, tourism… chair of the Iowa Great Places board. 

Every year, the board selects places that have displayed a vision to make their neighborhood/community/county/region "Great"!   You can learn more at http://www.state.ia.us/government/dca/greatplaces/index.htm

Among the Great Places selected in 2007 was Valley Junction, the historic neighborhood of West Des Moines.  It’s a popular destination because of its antique stores, art galleries and great restaurants.

I had to do a little Great Places business this morning, and contacted the executive director of the Valley Junction Foundation, Roger Cox.  He and I had not spoken before, as he took over that job just weeks after Valley Junction was selected a Great Place last October.  I mentioned that I live and work in Grinnell, but represent all of Poweshiek County.  He mentioned that he’s a Montezuma native (class of ‘70) and has a house at Lake Ponderosa.  In addition — he and his wife, Kathy, are planning, eventually, to retire to the lake full-time. 

So I did a little digging.  Here’s a link to the DM Register’s article on Roger after he was hired to run Valley Junction.  He likens the atmosphere there to the square in Montezuma!

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/NEWS/711060346/1001/NEWS

More on Valley Junction at www.valleyjunction.com

Frankly, it’s amazing how many times I encounter someone somewhere in Iowa who mentions that they grew up around here.  It’s even nicer when they say they’ll be moving back!!

On February 21st and 22nd 2008, you are invited to join small business owners from across the state at the Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls for the first annual EntreFest! This exciting two-day conference will provide business owners and emerging entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn, share and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit associated with being an innovator in Iowa’s heartland!

As an attendee of EntreFest!, expect to leave the conference exhilarated and enthusiastic, but more importantly, with tools to help grow your business! Showcasing a diverse mix of presentations, an exciting line-up of speakers, and the ability to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, EntreFest! will provide learning and sharing opportunities alike!

Among the unique features of this first annual conference is the collaborative group who are making it all possible.Representatives from some of Iowa’s premier service providers have been working together to organize this inaugural conference, and will all be on hand throughout the two-day event to answer your small business questions.

PowI-80 has negotiated special rates for both the conference and for rooms at the historic Black Hawk Hotel the night of February 21st.  We are also hoping to arrange for  transportation.  Right now, it appears the cost of the conference and the hotel will be either $100 or $125 — depending on the room you get at the Black Hawk (a standard or a junior suite).  Rooms are reserved and will be allotted on a first come-first served basis.  Expect to save, overall, about $50 through this deal!!

If you are interested in this two-day celebration of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, give us a call at 641-236-1626 or email me at bill@powi80.com

More info on EntreFest can be found at www.entrefest.com.

Here is Grinnell’s iconic structure — Louis Sullivan’s 1914 Merchants National Bank.  Listed as a National Historic Landmark, it is one of the eight ‘jewel-box’ bank’s designed by Sullivan during the final 15 years of his life.  It is one of the greatest works by one of American’s greatest architects– Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor, the spiritual leader of the Prairie School.

This month marks the second anniversary of a volunteer-driven program that has opened the doors of Grinnell’s Sullivan Bank to visitors on weekends.

Once upon a time, a visitor who came to Grinnell on a Saturday or Sunday, hoping to see Sullivan’s masterpiece, would have had to press their face against the glass of the front door for a glimpse inside.  In January 2006, a group of 60 wonderful individuals agreed to give up some of their free-time on weekends to serve as a volunteer docent.  With the support of the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, which is housed in the bank, and Wells Fargo, which owns it, we were able to open the bank to visitors from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and from 1-4pm on Sundays.

During those two years, hundreds of people from all over the world have visited the bank.  Some were lured in by signs on Interstate-80 that proclaim: Louis Sullivan Jewel Box Bank - Next Exit.  Some already knew about the bank and considered it a destination.  Others, quite by accident, stumbled in.

It’s quite a place!  Take a look at www.grinnelliowa.gov/sullivanbank for some wonderful photos.

But on this, the Two Year Anniversary of the Sullivan Bank Docent Program, our hats off to the volunteers who make it possible!!

THANK YOU!!!!

Grinnell-based ImageFirst — previously the exterior signage division of ASI-Modulex — is getting all sorts of media coverage thanks to its production of a giant sign that will adorn this year’s Super Bowl site.

Channel 8 in Des Moines did a nice feature on the sign and the company.  Watch it by going to www.kcci.com/news/14996546/detail.html   Simply click on the ‘Building a Super Bowl Sign’ link.

 ImageFirst emerged following a re-organization of ASI-Modulex.  The two are separate, but governed by the same board of directors.  ASI continues its interior signage work around the corner from Image First on Zimmerman Drive. 

Both companies are strong supporters of PowI-80.  ASI/ImageFirst Board Chairman Tom Latimer serves as the chairman of PowI-80’s board of directors.

I realize that the New Hampshire primary is now history– and it’s been almost a week since the Iowa Caucuses.  But it’s worthwhile to note the national media spotlight that shone on Poweshiek County in the days and weeks leading up to January 3.

For example, there was the Brooklyn (NY) take on the caucuses in Brooklyn (IA).  www.brooklynpaper.com/sections/covers/31/1/

The editor of the New York paper clearly took a shine to the Iowa Brooklyn and the caucuses in particular!  Here’s a shot of the Democratic caucus, where Dodd supporter Philip Ryan is wooed to Edwards’ caucus by Dave and Mary Jo Collum.

Then, there was the hoopla surround the First Ward in Grinnell, which typically has had the largest caucus turn-out in the state.  That prompted Slate.com to send their campaign blogger to the College’s Harris Center for a first-person perspective.

http://slate.com/blogs/blogs/trailhead/archive/tags/Live%20Caucus/default.aspx

In this picture, precinct chair Don Smith addresses the almost 500 caucus-goers.

The College website also covered the proceedings!  http://www.grinnell.edu/tv/caucus2008/

The media attention on the county began early in the day on Jan 3.  Ultimate Republican caucus-winner Mike Huckabee appeared at the Veterans Memorial Building in Grinnell.  The room was packed with supporters, onlookers and a lot of media!

The day earlier, Democrat John Edwards had visited Grinnell.  The day before that, it was former president Bill Clinton campaigning for his wife, Hillary, in Brooklyn.

Alas, the candidates are gone.  No telling what things will be like in 2012 — but Poweshiek County was a political hot-spot the last six months!

Welcome to the PowI-80 Blog — another giant leap for our countywide economic development organization.

Of note this week — the winning entries in our Photos of Poweshiek County contest.  We had a lot of great submissions — with really nice images of our county.  The images will be used on our website, materials, promotional items and other purposes.

Let us know what you think!

First Place, Amateur: Lake Ponderosa

Dr. David Smith (Ponderosa homeowner/Ames resident)

Second Place Amateur:  The Tracks

Kun Hung Lu

First Place Professional: Sullivan Bank

Cory Hall

Professional Second Place: Twister Girl

Sky Eilers

Youth First Place: Sullivan Bank

Abby Owens

Student Second Place:  Depot and Tracks

Sarah Burnell

We got many… many more photos, all of which convey nicely the people and places of Poweshiek County.  We’ll post them as we scan them!!

The relatively young (in existence) Grinnell Area Young Professionals group (for thoserelatively young in years) will meet again this Thursday, January 10 from 5:30-7pm.

The  group’s first event of 2008 will be a social at the West Side Diner, 226 West 6^th Avenue.  Light appetizers will be provided courtesy of Total Choice Shipping.  There will also be a cash bar for wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. 

RSVP to Dan McCue at 269-3234 or mccuedan@grinnell.edu.  If you can’t attend this event and are interested in future events, please let Dan know.

Grinnell Young Professionals is an outlet for young professionals to connect with peers, expand the network of friends outside the workplace, and provide opportunities for fun in Grinnell.  Please share this information with friends, neighbors, and coworkers who you think might enjoy the chance to meet other young professionals.

A number of people have asked me if there couldn’t be a club for those of us OVER 35.  The answer is yes.  But it’s up to someone else to schedule that Happy Hour!!