As we prepare to turn the calendar over to the month of August, stores are already trying to lure us in with their back to school specials, high school baseball is almost over in the state and football preparation has started on many levels.

As NFL teams begin assembling for their preseason camps, they have released their pre-camp rosters, including the veterans, this year’s draft picks and others who have been invited to try out for the dream of extending their gridiron careers at least one more season.

When you think of the state of Iowa, blue chip pro football prospects may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But even though schools like USC, Florida, Penn State and a few others might be considered “football factories,” there are several men who are entering pro camps this summer who played their college ball in this state.

A quick check of those pre-camp NFL rosters shows a total of 48 players who played collegiately in this state are vying for pro spots. Eight of them are rookies, but six of them have at least 10 years of experience in the league. Leading the experience parade is Denver Bronco center Casey Wiegmann, an Iowa grad, who has 14 years experience. A couple of players have a dozen years in the league, Kansas City Chiefs guard Mike Goff from Iowa and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner from UNI. The 11-year veterans include Arizona offensive tackle Oliver Ross from Iowa State and Detroit Lion defensive end Jared DeVries from Iowa. Jacksonville center Brad Meester from UNI is the 10 year veteran in the group.

By far, the school which has sent the most players on to the next level is the University of Iowa, with 33 of the 48 current roster spots. Iowa State is a distant second, with eight players, Northern Iowa has six and Coe College boasts one.

The Hawkeye program has a proud tradition of turning out top-notch offensive line prospects, but this state has its share of defensive specialist on the NFL rosters. There are seven defensive ends, five linebackers, five defensive tackles, three safeties and four defensive backs. Offensively, there are five guards, two wide receivers, three tight ends, three centers, four running backs, two tackles and three quarterbacks. There are also one kicker and one punter on the rosters.

Denver, Minnesota and Arizona lead the way with four players each on their rosters from this state.

This is the time of year when young players and those who are just trying to get one more shot can dream. The old saying that when you are all meeting in one place and the head of the meeting tells you to “Look to your right and then to your left and when camp breaks, one of you won’t be here” is definitely true. But when you have been anxiously awaiting this time of year ever since your Pop Warner and junior high playing days, reality can wait just a few more weeks.

The following is a summary of teams and the players with Iowa connections:

Baltimore Ravens

PLAYER                                POS     YR      SCHOOL

Bryan Mattison                       DE       2          Iowa

Marshall Yanda                       G         3          Iowa

Cincinnati Bengals

Abdul Hodge                          LB       4          Iowa

Cleveland Browns

Mike Furrey                            WR      7          UNI

Ahtyba Rubin                         DT       2          ISU

Eric Steinbach                         G         7          Iowa

Pittsburgh Steelers

None

Houston Texans

None

Indianapolis Colts

Dallas Clark                            TE       7          Iowa

Bob Sanders                            SS        6          Iowa

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sean Considine                       SAF     5          Iowa

Reggie Hayward                     DE       9          ISU

Brad Meester                          C         10        UNI

Tennessee Titans

Mitch King                              DT       R         Iowa

Buffalo Bills

Alvin Bowen                           LB       1          ISU

Fred Jackson                           RB       3          Coe

Miami Dolphins

Matt Roth                               OLB    5          Iowa

New England Patriots

None

New York Jets

Shonn Greene                         RB       R         Iowa

Matt Kroul                              DT       R         Iowa

Denver Broncos

CJ Jones                                  WR      3          Iowa

Seth Olsen                               G         R         Iowa

Everette Pedescleaux              DE       R         UNI

Casey Wiegmann                    C         14        Iowa

Kansas City Chiefs

Mike Goff                               G         12        Iowa

Oakland Raiders

Robert Gallery                                    G         6          Iowa

Brandon Myers                       TE       R         Iowa

San Diego Chargers

Nate Kaeding                          K         6          Iowa

Chicago Bears

None

Detroit Lions

Jared DeVries                         DE       11        Iowa

Lamarcus Hicks                      DB      3          ISU

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Kampman                     DE       8          Iowa

Minnesota Vikings

Chad Greenway                      OLB    4          Iowa

Sage Rosenfels                        QB      9          ISU

Benny Sapp                             DB      6          UNI

Albert Young                          RB       1          Iowa

Atlanta Falcons

Jonathan Babineaux                DT       5          Iowa

Edmond Miles                                    LB       2          Iowa

Carolina Panthers

Jason Baker                             P          9          Iowa

Charles Godfrey                     FS        2          Iowa

New Orleans Saints

None

Tampa Bay Bucs

Robert Bruggeman                  C         R         Iowa

Dallas Cowboys

Scott Chandler                         TE       3          Iowa

Derreck Robinson                   DE       4          Iowa

New York Giants

None

Philadelphia Eagles

Ellis Hobbs                              DB      5          ISU

Washington Redskins

Ladelle Betts                           RB       8          Iowa

Arizona Cardinals

Kenny Iwebema                      DE       2          Iowa

Brandon Keith                       T          2          UNI

Oliver Ross                             T          11        ISU

Kurt Warner                            QB      12        UNI

San Francisco 49ers

None

Seattle Seahawks

Colin Cole                               DT       7          Iowa

Seneca Wallace                       QB      7          ISU

St. Louis Rams

Bradley Fletcher                     DB      R         Iowa

Nearly 40 area girls recently participated in the Kirkwood for Kids Volleyball Camps. This year for the first time, the camps were split into two age groups, directed by Trena Dodd and assistant Amber Hoover. A camp for grades 5-8 has been offered since 2003, but this year, an additional camp for grades 2-4 was offered with strong participation in each age group.

Participants in the grade 2-4 camp included: Front Row – Left to Right – 2^nd Grade Hannah Eichhorn, Blake Weber, Hannah Cook, Katelyn Cook, Macy Dodd, Kailyn Pettitt, & Tori Hlas. Absent: Taylor Plumb & Lilly Parrott. Second Row – Left to Right – 3^rd Grade Lauren Price, Hope Brecht, Macie Boots, Kendra Alcott, Kenzie Mantz, Shaylee Dodd, Carly Varo, Catherine Kratoska, & Emily Thill. Third Row – Left to Right – 4^th Grade Alisha Hoover; Assistant Coach, Skyler Pettitt, Lilly Papesh, Amanda Cook, Shaylee Stanerson, Lainey Parr, Hannah McLennan, & Trena Dodd; Coach. Absent: Grace Parrott.

Participants in the grade 5-8 camp included: Front Row – Left to Right – 5^th Grade Lakota Stanerson, Halle VanScoyoc, Shannon Murray, & Kalli Grieder. Absent: Kaitlyn Plumb. Second Row – Left to Right – 6^th Grade. Shiloh Murray, Chantel Deemer, & Ashley Price. Absent: Carley Stewart. Third Row – Left to Right – 7^th & 8^th Grade Alisha Hoover, Assistant Coach, Kendra Thede, Morgan Boots, Sadie Andersen, Chelsea Fick, Makaela Fick, & Trena Dodd, Coach.

Decorah, Iowa – Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band (formerly known as the State Fair Singers and Jazz Band), an elite ensemble of Iowa high school musicians, will perform in Belle Plaine on Friday, August 7^th, 2009.   The show begins at 7 p.m. and will be held in Franklin Park as part of Party in the Park. Admission will be free, but there will be a free will donation taken to help offset the costs of the local production. The concession stand will also be open at the park that night. Belle Plaine junior Ariel Hawkins is a member of the saxophone section in this year’s group.

Now in its 27^th season, Celebration Iowa showcases the quality of Iowa high school music programs through its educational and service-oriented summer performance opportunity. Together with a talented staff of teachers and professionals, students in Celebration Iowa present an action-packed two-hour production that includes song, dance and jazz band favorites for audiences of all ages to enjoy

Celebration Iowa’s 2009 show will open with a memorable America Off to War set, featuring ”Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “Rosie the Riveter”, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, followed by excerpts from the hit musical, “Newsies”.  Some of the selections being performed are, “Carrying the Banner”, “King Of New York” and “Seize the Day”.  The show will conclude with an entertaining One Hit Wonders set, some tunes being featured are, “Gloria”, “Turn the Beat Around” and “Macarena”.

The Celebration Iowa Jazz Band will once again perform an eclectic mix and fun jazz literature from many styles and eras.  The group performs classic swing charts from Count Basie and Duke Ellington, as well as more modern big band charts from the likes of Charles Mingus and Dizzy Gillespie.  They also perform original songs and arrangements from some of today’s newest composers as well as original arrangements written just for this group.  Popular selections from last year include:  “Salt Peanuts”, “Anything Goes”, “Four” and “In the Mood”.    During the course of the summer, Celebration Iowa cast members are offered the opportunity to perform over 30 shows in all corners of the state while learning from some of Iowa’s finest teachers.  Every year cast members agree that their experience with Celebration Iowa is truly “the summer of a lifetime.”

Celebration Iowa, a project of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa is also funded by The R.J. McElroy Trust, The Fred Maytag Family Foundation, HyVee, Inc., along with the Celebration Iowa Alumni and Parent Funds.  Each cast member also secures local sponsorships to defray personal costs.

The ensemble rehearses on the Luther College campus June 7-26 and will tour statewide June 27-August 8.  Questions regarding Celebration Iowa should be directed to Mary Weis, Administrative Assistant, by calling 563-387-1009 or e-mailing celebrationiowa@luther.edu.  Information can also be found on the website: www.celebrationiowa.luther.edu.

We gathered for the biggest weekend of the year in Davenport last weekend. For some of us, it was a first time experience. For others, this may have been the 38^th straight year. Some of us look forward to the Bix Beiderbecke Festival weekend for one of the most well-known seven-mile road races in the country. Some come for the street fair in downtown Davenport, joining thousands of others sampling plenty of food and shopping the many crafts booths.

But there would be no Bix Fest if a young man hadn’t picked up a horn in Davenport nearly 90 years ago and soon became one of the top cornet players of his time. According to his biography, Beiderbecke was not a very good student. It seems that he sneaked out of the house whenever possible to go down to the banks of the Mississippi to listen to the jazz bands playing on the riverboats. His parents, thinking that a change of scenery would do the trick, sent him to an academy near Chicago. Big mistake. Chicago was a hotbed of great jazz and the young Beiderbecke would often be AWOL from his dorm on campus as he checked out all of the jazz clubs in the city.

If he was never going to achieve scholastic stardom, his natural musical ability soon caught the ear of some of the most notable band leaders of the era and Beiderbecke embarked on a brief career playing various forms of jazz in clubs and concert halls all across the country.

Life on the road, combined with an affinity for alcohol and poor health claimed this musical genius at the tragically young age of 28 in 1931 in New York City.

The memory of the works he composed and the performances he was a part of linger on to today for jazz fans. It was with this in mind that the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Society was formed 38 years ago and an annual festival was begun. Today, bands from all over the world come to Davenport for four days to perform at venues ranging from LeClaire Park on the levee to a hotel conference room and a couple of dance halls in the city.

Musicians gather on Saturday morning of the weekend at Beiderbecke’s gravesite in Davenport for a brief memorial service.

Several area churches hold jazz services on Sunday. For the past 11 years, First Presbyterian Church in Davenport, the Beiderbecke home church, has hosted two special services. This year, the St. Louis Stompers, along with the church’s 50-voice choir, handbell choir and young men’s choir performed during the jazz liturgy. Each of the two services had nearly capacity crowds of 1,500.

While much of the music during the early years of the festival centered on the Dixieland sound, in more recent years, it has expanded to include big band tunes, especially since Beiderbecke played with some of the most notable big bands of his generation.

In this era when many of us don’t spend much time listening to music other than what’s played on the radio, when the world seems centered on remembering the career of Michael Jackson, it’s nice to be reminded that there are many other musicians making a good living perpetuating jazz music and other styles. We may not readily recognize the names of the performers, but when you read some of their past credits, you can’t help but be impressed.

Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band came from Orlando, FL for the festival. Allred is one of the founders of the Bix Festival. Sitting in on the drums for this weekend was Butch Miles. For more than 14 years, he was the drummer for the Count Basie Orchestra. He’s also played with such notables as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney and many others. In 1976, he played a royal command performance for the queen of England.

And last weekend, he played the Clarion Motel in Davenport in a conference room before several hundred people who paid a mere $13 to hear him and three other bands perform for over four hours.

Last Friday, our lieutenant governor, Patty Judge, stopped by southern Benton County at the Youngville Café, publicizing the many places and activities Iowa has to offer. The Bix Fest in Davenport is a four-day party guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.

If this sounds like a fun way to spend a weekend, circle the last weekend in July on your 2010 calendar and plan to head east for a real swingin’ time.

July 21, 1:20 p.m. – Criminal mischief was reported at Great Life Fitness Center where rocks had been thrown on the roof, causing leaks.

July 21, 7:28 p.m. – Ambulance assist in the 1300 block of Seventh Ave.

July 21, 10:40 p.m. – A theft report was taken at 110 11^th Street, where money was allegedly taken.

July 22, 10:53 a.m. – A three-year-old boy was found wandering in the vicinity of 13^th Street and 13^th Ave. He was returned to his mother and the incident was referred to the Department of Human Services.

July 22, 6:05 p.m. – Harassment was reported in the 700 block of Eighth Ave. No charges have been filed.

July 22, 8 p.m. – Officers assisted three kids who were attempting to catch a loose dog. The dog was caught.

July 23 – A series of vehicle burglaries were reported. At 9:25 a.m., it was reported that a Pioneer AM-FM-CD car player was taken at 908 Sixth Ave. At 10:30 a.m., a report was taken from 405 11^th Street where a car was entered but apparently nothing was taken. At 11:05 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at 907 Fourth Ave., where apparently only a pack of gum was taken. Finally, at 11:25 a.m., a camouflage range finder and other miscellaneous items were taken from a vehicle in the 900 block of Sixth Ave. Officers reported that in each case, the vehicles were apparently not locked.

July 23, 11:15 a.m. – The mother of a 14-year-old girl reported that her daughter and a friend were confronted by a man claiming to be an undercover police officer. The incident happened on July 21 at approximately 10 p.m. near the Dollar General Store. The man advised the girls they were in violation of the city’s curfew ordinance (which officers later said they were not) and he offered to forget the incident for $10. The girls gave him the money. The man was described as a white male, 5-4 or 5-5 in height, with brown eyes and dark hair, medium build, wearing a dark jersey and baggy pants. The matter remains under investigation.

July 23, 11:20 p.m. – Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 600 block of Fifth Ave. They were unable to locate any loud noise, but did find several broken beer bottles in the street.

July 24, 3:35 p.m. – A man reported someone was keeping a pit bull east of Belle Plaine at a residence in the county. The matter was turned over to the Benton County Sheriff’s Department.

July 25, 12:18 a.m. – Three suspicious male juveniles were reportedly in the vicinity of parked semi trailers in the 100 block of Tenth Street, 30-45 minutes prior to the call. No signs of the juveniles or vandalism were seen.

July 25, 2:50 p.m. – Mail tampering was reported in the 1000 block of Ninth Ave. Mail left in a mailbox was taken out and strewn on the ground. The incident remains under investigation.

July 25, 6:30 p.m. – Illegal burning was reported at 304 Seventh Ave. The resident was warned.

July 25, 7:35 p.m. – A loose dog was reported at Franklin Park. Officers were unable to locate.

July 25, 10:40 p.m. – Loud noise was reported in the 1300 block of Seventh Ave. Officers were unable to locate.

July 27, 11:17 a.m. – No injuries, damage or charges resulted from a car-bike accident at the intersection of 13^th Street and Seventh Ave. Gary Johnston, 29, Belle Plaine, was riding his bike through the intersection when it was struck by a car driven by Wilma Wilson, Belle Plaine.

At least four Belle Plaine residents participated in Saturday’s Bix 7 road race festivities in Davenport. Three of them, Tim Squiers, Tyson Squiers and Tim Daily, ran the seven mile distance, while Trey Squiers ran in the two-mile Quick Bix.

This was the 27^th consecutive time that Tim Squiers has raced through the streets of Davenport. He finished in a time of 46:57, with was 457^th overall in a field of over 15,000 runners. He finished 18^th in his age division out of 574 entrants.

Tyson Squiers competed in his second Bix 7. He placed 610^th overall and 131 in his age division of 463 runners in a time of 48:33.

Tim Daily finished with a time of 1:11.34, finishing 6,269^th overall and 361^st out of 574 in his division.

Trey Squiers ran the two-mile Quick Bix for the second time and placed 22^nd in the men’s field out of over 500 runners with a time of 14:08.

This was the 35^th anniversary of the run, which is held in conjunction with Davenport’s annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival weekend. The seven mile race, which began with 74 runners, now boasts a field of over 15,000, including some of America’s elite runners. For the second time, this race was designated as the U.S. National Championship for seven miles. The winner in the men’s field was Meb Keflezighi of San Diego who won in a time of 32:25. He also won the event in 2002.

Molly Huddle of Providence, RI claimed the women’s top place in a time of 37:37. Each of the top finishers were awarded a choice of $12,500 in cash or a new car.

Along with the seven-mile main race, the weekend features a Junior Bix on Thursday with young competitors from less than six months old on up. Competitors in Saturday’s Quick Bix start up Brady Street hill with the seven mile runners, then peel off and return to the downtown area.

Race time conditions were much better than in other years. Strong thunderstorms Friday night gave way to 67 degrees and decreased humidity for the 8 a.m. start of the race. Tim Squiers said it was a nice day to run. He runs several races of various lengths each year and said the Bix course, which winds through the hilly terrain of eastern Davenport is more challenging than some other courses he runs.

Many of the runners who have participated in this event have debated whether restricting the awarding of prizes to American runners is wise. In other years, the overall winners have often come from Africa or Europe and the field has included many Olympic runners. Squiers said he has mixed emotions about the switch, seeing the pros and cons to both methods. He said he ran the first part of this race with former Olympic runner Bill Rodgers of Sherbon, MA.

This race draws a variety of participants. There were competitors in both the men’s and women’s field in the age 80-99 group. Some aren’t concerned with a time but walk the course just to join the fun. There’s also a division for those who wear wild costumes and run or walk the course. Students from the local Palmer College of Chiropractic traditionally dress up as vertebrae and run in single file, imitating a human spine. There are usually active duty or reserve soldiers who run the course in full combat gear, along with wheelchair competitors and parents pushing strollers carrying infants.

Many of the runners who come from all parts of nation for this event have commented on the large number of spectators who line the course. Many residents sit on their front lawns and host elaborate parties as the view the race.

Tim Squiers says that work commitments limit the number of races he is able to participate in each year. But he hopes to be able to run in the Des Moines Marathon in October.

Friday afternoon was a great time to stop off at an Iowa roadside café and have a piece of homemade pie. Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and several others in her party did just that as they stopped at the Youngville Café as a part of a 67-stop Travel Iowa tour.

“Summertime is the time when a lot of us like to get away for a few days,” she told a gathering of area residents. “Maybe this year, you can’t afford to buy that big ticket trip to the Grand Canyon or elsewhere because of the recession. A great solution is to travel in Iowa.”

She said in every corner of the state there are interesting things to see and do, from landmarks, to trails, lakes and rivers, state parks and national parks.

“Our natural resources and beauty is unparalleled,” she said. “The topography in our state is gorgeous.”

She also said that tourism is a major factor in this state’s economy, generating $6 billion annually. She added that there are 65,000 Iowans employed in the tourism industry. A recent survey indicated that Iowa is the fourth most affordable state for travel, based on the cost of restaurant food, hotels and motels, etc.

Judge is in the third week of her tour of the state which will make stops in well-known attractions, as well as some lesser-known attractions. She said she is able to get out of Des Moines only a day or two per week. She was impressed that the Youngville site had been preserved and is open a couple days a week for lunch, as well as Fridays for a farmers’ market.

This week, she is accompanied by her granddaughter, Catie. Friday morning, they took a canoe trip on Pine Lake near Eldora, then stopped in Waterloo at the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum.

She told the group that she is recording her impressions during her trip in a blog at www.traveliowa.blogspot.com

Justin Burrows, son of George and Kim Burrows, Belle Plaine, recently filed his first on-air piece as a reporter for WTOC-TV in Savannah, GA.

Burrows has had previous experience as a producer for two years with the Jerry Springer Show, then as a photographer for MTV, Simple Life, NBC and with News 14 in Raleigh, NC.

His report dealt with the rising unemployment rate in the Savannah area.

The City of Belle Plaine will be flushing fire hydrants on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 3 and 4. Residents should be advised that this may cause a discoloration of their tap water.

By Evan Hrabak, League manager

The Belle Plaine Men’s Slow-Pitch Softball league is nearing its end of the 2009 season. Six teams (out of eight) made the move from the long-time Blairstown league. Of course, Belle Plaine had slow-pitch before. As many remember, it was played just east of “the old Benco building.”

When I sat down with Bill Daily this spring, Daily said it’s been 15 years since there’s been a league in town. When asked why the league fell apart, Daily replied that No one wanted to be in charge. During that sad many years, Belle Plaine teams looked elsewhere to find leagues to play in. Those searching teams found their recreation time again, playing in Blairstown, Newhall and other surrounding leagues.
The good news: the league has returned to town. All six teams have played 11 games, on the set eight-week schedule, made for this season. And now its time for the tournament. The regular season ended Sunday, July 19 and will conclude with a double-elimination tournament, which will be begin Saturday, August 1 at 2 p.m. There will be a total of six games played that day, followed by four scheduled games for Sunday, August 2.

Sunday’s games will begin at 3 p.m. The championship game is set for 6 p.m., Sunday. Due to the double-elimination bracket, there is a possibility for a re-match championship at 7 p.m. The winning team will be presented with a new, perpetual trophy, yet to be named.
Congratulations goes out to Ryon Etcher (captain) and his team for winning the regular season. They had a 10-1 record and enter the tournament as the top seed. Etcher’s team can be easily spotted as “the pink team,” wearing their bright, same colored t-shirts – sponsored by Great Life Fitness, Friedman’s Coverall and Johnson Motors.
We hope to have a good crowd, to come and watch the season-ending tournament. The concession stand will be open both days. It has been opened and run by the Belle Plaine Athletic Boosters all season. A big thank you to Kris Baburek for organizing and coordinating the student athletes that help run it.
If any men are interested in playing next year (and years to come) with an existing team, or if you have your own team, please contact Evan Hrabak (league manager) at (319)444-3304 or by email: Rockem13@hotmail.com . The league is open to men, 18 years and older.

There has also been expressed interest in a co-ed tournament for next year, so make sure our lady friends are geared up & ready to play. Date of that tournament is to-be-determined.