Get out the map

I was on a Northwest Iowa road trip for work yesterday. Other staffers and I typically "group up" when doing longer trips like that one. That way we are more efficient using state cars. I rode along with Scott and Dennis from my section at DNR.

First we stopped in Pocahontas - a place where a couple Crestonians (our former hometown) are from. Dennis - the new guy to our workplace had printed out Google Maps and they were no help whatsoever. Thank goodness Governor Terry Brandstad provided a map with his photo on it in the state car we drove. Between the map and my smart phone we got around fine. I'm a much better co-pilot than driver who is supposed to be navigating. (Get Out the Map - by Indigo Girls is a good song).

I thought of Syd Hudek as we pulled into downtown. It's a pretty decent main street for a small town. We were looking at an abandoned building that the city will received grant funds to refurbish. Scott is in charge of the program that manages the Derelict Building grant funds. The goal is to keep old buildings out of Iowa's landfills. This building, originally the home of IOOF (Odd Fellows), is chock full of junk. Appliances, tanks, batteries, paint. Anything decent appears to have been taken. The owner walked away and is deeding it to Poky (that's what the locals call it). So it will be their problem. They want to get a new roof on it so the building doesn't collapse on the Ford dealership next door.

someone painted these murals on the building

the stairs were treacherous

We stopped at the landfill in Sheldon (I need to see "my people") and made another stop to see a grant project in that town at the City Hall.

It was a good trip, but a long drive back to DSM. I was glad we were able to pull the USA soccer game on the radio. What an effort by the Americans. I would have loved to hear GOAL!!! One more time for the US - taking us to penalty kicks. Good showing by the good guys though.





 



Roadtrippin' to NW Iowa

I'm so mad! I forgot to take a picture with Mary Faber! I thought of it at odd times - when she was driving and when we were eating. Idiot. She looks great for all of you Crestonians out in Blogland.

I went on a trip to NW Iowa with 3 co-workers Tuesday to Wednesday. They are fun peeps to travel with.

• Jeff - is a newlywed (and he's in his late 50's...even older than I am). His husband Nick is a sweetheart who was home trying to get an antique store ready for a big sale this weekend.
• Scott - is someone I travel with quite frequently. He's 35 and is fairly serious and has a sense of humor so dry it needs its own humidifier. Wicked! He's married and his wife is gorgeous.
• Becky is our mommy. Mother of 3 youngsters, I love hearing the stories about the fam as they take me back 20 years. She left her husband home with kids: ages 9, 4 and 8 months! Good for the guy.

Who knew there were this many trees in NW Iowa???

We did a couple site visits on our way to our ultimate destination, Spencer. First we went to a sawmill in Armstrong, Iowa.

sawmill
 

Next we stopped at New Horizons - a sheltered workshop in Emmetsburg. The recently received grant funding to refurbish the belt for their cardboard recycling system. They also operate the can and bottle redemption center - which is tough because those places haven't gotten a raise since the deposit was put into place in 1978.

all have to be sorted by distributor



This Bud's for you - cans awaiting collection by the Bud man
 

I was pleased to hear about the inroads they've made with the casino in the area - they are good recyclers and want to tackle food waste next. I'm betting on them!

We headed to Spencer in the rain after that stop, and Mary came over after that. The McCann children - Jake (Phoenix), Will (Chicago) and Megan (Waterloo) are all doing great. Mary took the DNR gang out to eat at a barbecue place in Spencer as our hope to head to Okoboji were dashed by the rain. I'm a witch and didn't wish to melt, you see...

On Wednesday we met with the folks from the Northern Plains solid waste planning area. They are making progress on their Environmental Management System- yay!

Becky, Jeff and Scott look on as staffer demanufacture electronics

On the way home we all got a bit sleepy and slap happy. We needed to drive 3 more hours...so we played car games. First: car alphabet - name something that starts with an A, but you have to see it. We were lucky when we got to X and were near Webster City. They have Xavier Ave.

Next we played a memory game. I didn't win - but was handicapped by driving. That takes some of one's mental capacity. Right? "I'm going to the zoo and I'm taking" Applesauce, Scott said. Then I had to repeat that and say my "B" thing and Scott's Applesauce - until we go all the way through the alphabet. Doing the alphabet backwards was the hardest part. And remembering - especially when Scott thought of dumb long things for his turn. Jeff was very helpful acting out clues when it was my turn to remember everything. #I'macheater

I got home last night at about 6 p.m. I'm still tired. Next week - 2 day trips and then my sissies (Cindy and Betsy) are coming. Can't wait! 

One year later

It's hard to believe it's been a year since Paul started living in DSM with me. We were living in hotels this time last year, shopping for a home in town and selling our place in Creston. It was an exciting and stressful time. I'm glad it's in the rear view mirror, really!

It's amazing when I think back though. We were so lucky to sell our house so quickly! We're very happy with our selection of a town home at Diamond Brooke. Paul might get a little antsy though - as the government shut down goes on, he's going to run out of projects. He's available for honey do projects - phone: 1-800-Pablo. haha

October also makes me think of the terrible news we learned about my brother-in-law Bolder about a year ago now. He had battled prostate cancer the year before, and it came back in deadly fashion - the doctors told him and his family there was nothing that could be done for him. So I've been thinking of Cindy and Colby this month. There are so many emotions for them to go through as the anniversary of Bolder's November 11th death approaches. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

Art with me at the MidAmerica Center

I feel like I've worked a week already - after traveling to Council Bluffs Monday and Tuesday for a Solid Waste and Recycling Conference. They were two long days of glad-handing my peeps - the trash folk.  The Mid-America Center was the site of the Conference - it's amazing the changes to CB since Pablo and I lived there as newlyweds. Scott and I set up the booth - complete with our co-worker Jim. Scott had to set Jim straight right from the start.

CB added these sculpture pieces to the bridge over the railroad tracks on Highway 6

Monday night Scott and I headed across another bridge to Omaha to the Old Market for a meal. I love that area - even though they made my former employer, Gamble Robinson, into a parking lot.

Old Market - still beats Court Avenue and East Village in DSM

 On Tuesday more of our DNR co-horts showed up at the conference and Alex gave the DNR update. There was a motivational speaker at lunch - speaking on customer service. Though he was a bit corny...(he showed us how to make WOW out of our fingers and our mouth in the shape of an O) he had a great message. People don't remember blah service. And often don't even bother to complain to managers about bad service - they just don't come back. Of course they don't have options when you're the government (and are here to HELP them...). But why not provide great service?

I also attended a good session moderated by my pal Susan Salterberg that reminded me that waste reduction is a step above recycling...but it's a tough sell. There aren't any companies out there in support of helping you purchase nothing! Our economy is based on sales, man! So that is a tough nut to crack. Reusable water bottles was a model we discussed. We plan to hold a forum on this topic in the future.

Today - on a gorgeous October day, I dragged Scott out to walk a mile for the Healthy Iowa walk. It was right in the Wallace Building back yard - at the State Capital! Former Detroit Lion Jared Devries was there to talk to the group assembled, then we did a lap around the block. A nice way to spend part of my lunch hour.

Paddleboard, Gonna Miss that Kid, Fair

When I was growing up, a paddleboard was a piece of foam you would hold on to when practicing swim stroke kicks. It was small and there was no standing on it! Now days there is a new type of paddleboard, called the Stand Up Paddleboard.

A friend asked me to attend a performance Sunday of dancing at Gray's Lake on SUP, along with a ground performance. The routine was done accompanied by live chamber music. Sunday was a beautiful day, with a light breeze. The dancers were strong and athletic - at one point one did a back bend on her board! They did two numbers. It was fun being there.

Pam - standing, JoAnne - hidden by the umbrella with daughter Alexa - or these could be people I don't really even know...haha

Before the performance Pam - a friend who works with Paul and JoAnne, another of Paul's co-workers, and JoAnne's daughter Alexa and I ate picnic lunches at the Gray's Lake beach. All sorts of activities were going on around us - people were riding bikes, swimming and throwing frisbies. It was fun to be out and with friends!


Musicians off to the right
 

Tuesday, my colleague Scott and I headed east of Cedar Rapids to the town of about 700 people called Olin. It's just north of Highway 30, right by the winding Wapsipinicon River. We got there a little early so we parked on main street and walked down to the river to stretch our legs after the 2 plush hour drive. It was easy to spy the derelict building we were to meet with a group of people about later.

Scott paces along the building

 We walked back up the street - and noticed many historical buildings - unfortunately mostly empty of businesses.


There is a bar in town - and it has an ape in front of it!

After our meeting - that included an asbestos removal contractor, a recycler that will take all the metal and several town folk along with DNR staffer and a landfill representative. We headed over to the former car dealership building to check out the inside. The town plans to take the old roof off the building after the asbestos is removed. Then they will put a new roof on and attempt to sell or rent the building - to a new business.

Some of the roof has fallen in - along with some asbestos material

This 1979 map shows when the place was last used

 

It was moldy in there! There is a lot of work to do but the roofing contractor seems to think he can handle it. I wish them luck with this project. On our drive back, Scott and I discussed the tough road small towns face in today's world. They've lost their schools and retails stores - it's a struggle to stay viable! At least Olin is a short drive to Cedar Rapids and Mount Vernon - but bedroom communities need to figure out how they will make it. We stopped in Lisbon for lunch - and had a good pork tenderloin and a bad piece of pie. Then we were on to the Tama County Landfill, to tell the director there about our programs. It was a worthwhile trip.

Besides Tuesday's trip, my week has sucked! I realized I lost my confirmation for my plane ticket to Austin, TX to visit my homegirls in October. I was in an email tossing mood recently and that must have been one I tossed. Worse yet, I didn't even remember who I bought it from - at least when I first hit panic mode on Monday...talk about feeling dumb.

I tried emailing Paula Bacon - I had sent information to her about my flight, right? Nope - she didn't have it. I spent my lunch hour scouring my gmail account. No luck! When I got home, I searched that computer and files - not there either. Paul couldn't find record of it on his computer - that's what I usually do - send it to him. I did recall that purchased it direct from American, and Paul found the record of purchase on our credit card bill. So I called American and they gave me a code.

By then it was about time for my ride to come for my monthly night out with the Diamond Brooke ladies. I hit the restroom and brushed my teeth. Then I sat on the front steps about 5:40 p.m. And sat...about 6 I gave up and came in. I found Connie's phone number and called and left a message - sorry I'd missed her. Later she called to say they had stopped and honked, then knocked on my door too! Geez - I must have been in the bathroom and missed by a scant minute! I was very disappointed. It's how my week has gone...

Tuesday night I ended up with a migraine at 2 a.m. in my eye - it lasted until 4 a.m. I dozed during it, and it was gone when my alarm went off. But I decided to stay home for a while this a.m. because I felt crappy. I still do. I'm not sure if it was the mold or the change in the weather yesterday. Thank goodness for Frova - my migraine med.

Today at work I text Chiya, my Little Sis from the Big Sis Little Sis program. She's been in Mississippi since early July - at her cousins. I wanted to know if she would be back so I could take her to the Iowa State Fair - it start tomorrow! And in case you don't know - our state fair is a GREAT state fair! I've been bummed ever since I heard back from her. She's moving back  to her Mom's house in Boston this year. She told me when I first met her she does that every other year - I guess I just didn't think it would really happen. I'm happy for Chiya though - she should be with her Mom!

I was really looking forward to all the things we would do together. And now we won't. I suppose they'll try to talk me into hooking up with another Little Sis - but I think I'll pass for now. I need to get over this one...

I was just getting her to share a little bit...with me - not the Zombie

Tomorrow night Paul and I are planning to go to the fair - it's supposed to be a gorgeous night. He pretends not to like the fair, but he actually suggested it. So we'll head out there after work - it will be fun, and I'd go just for the smells. Next week I get to work at the DNR Recycling trailer Monday and Tuesday. Then on Wednesday we're heading to Lake of the Ozarks for our summer vacation - I can't wait. I do need a vacation!



Jim

My friend and workmate Jim was scheduled for a stem cell transplant today in Iowa City. I am thinking of him and sending up prayers to a higher power, whoever that may be. I met Jim Bodensteiner nearly five years ago - when I first started working at DNR. I didn't find out that he was in remission from what I believe was non Hodgkins Lymphoma until many months later. I was shocked.

He's a private guy, and just didn't want to share that information. Somebody else actually told me about it. That's the kind of guy he is. Jim is 62 years old, and now that cancer has returned, he's decided to retire from DNR. He has worked as the Solid Waste Alternatives Program coordinator for the past few years - assisting people who apply for grant funding for waste diversion. He was never too busy to answer questions or help someone working on a grant app with a budget.

JaimeBo, as my co-worker Scott and I named him on one of our roadtrips, is the nicest guy ever. We decided we had to come up with a meanish nickname because sometimes Jim really needed to talk a little sense into some of our stakeholders. We thought he should morph into his alter-ego - JaimeBo. It didn't really happen though. Jim was too nice.

I liked talking to Jim about pets. He and his granddaughter volunteered at the Animal Rescue League - handling pets that were to be adopted. Jim loves his cats, and he would enjoy getting a dog someday. Maybe now that he's retired, he can. Jim patiently listened to my stories about my pets - and commiserated with me when Kitty died.

Jim will be in isolation in Iowa City for several weeks, and even when he comes home - they live in Altoona, he won't even be able to open the house windows. We won't get to see him for a long time. My supervisor called Jim to see if he and wife Jackie would consider accepting a benefit DNR staffers would put on for them. Nope - they're doing just fine they say. Jen said Jim sounded good last week when she spoke to him, just before they left for Iowa City.

Mick, one of the engineers on staff suggests we hold a retirement party for Jim "In Absentia". I think Jim might like that. On today's road trip to Cedar Rapids we talked about doing something like that - taking pictures and signing a big card for Jim. I said we could spell out his name in bodies - but Bodensteiner is kinda long...

God Bless you Jim. Thinking of you!

Jim might have considered going JaimeBo here, but didn't...

The Happy Place Countdown is ON!

1 Week to my flight to happiness - Marco Island. Paul and I will meet Cindo and Colby there next Saturday. The way this winter has gone...for once it's not just about as warm here as it is there. I have been working at warp speed lately it seems. I love my job, but need a total break tree-hugging and from cubicle land.

I did enjoy a break from my cubicle yesterday as I worked with partner in crime Scott Flagg at a conference for landfill people and public works folks at the Sheraton in West Des Moines. Our bosses decided to invest some time and $ into a booth this year. Alex is a carpentry whiz. He whipped up an official Cornhole game. Yes folks that is what it's called - because Angie Googled it and found an actual association - Cornhole!

Scott Flagg with game - note skin with logo

Cornhole is a great tailgating activity! It was good for conferencing too. Alex built an "official" set and Jen had our communications department design a "skin" for it with our section's logo on it, made from sturdy Tyvec material. Angie ordered 4 bags - and yes, they're filled with - corn. It holds up better than beans.

LF Engineer Mike Smith blamed lack of beer for lack of prowess

We also decided to raffle a 4 seater park bench made from recycled milk jugs and plastic bags. This combination made our corner of the packed full exhibit room the "place to be" during session breaks! The sign up for the park bench was a good conversation starter. Those who chose to play the bag toss were eligible for several prizes - left over from last year's State Fair. People had fun with it. New employee Amy B. kept saying - "try the games - all the cool kids are playing!"

Landfill engineer Matt Phoenix, Scott and new girl, Amy Buckendahl(sp?)

Photo looking away from our booth - over 200 attended

Alex - at left is the supervisor of the Solid Waste Section.

I found out this afternoon that the landfill staff at the Iowa County Landfill won the bench and the director, Rick was thrilled! They have a beautiful facility, right by the Amana Colony and are certain to find a great spot to set the bench.

The other nice thing about this conference? Several people told me how they appreciate the attitude at DNR these days - how they feel staff is more committed to working with them. That comes from the top - Director Chuck Gipp was the keynote speaker yesterday and they liked what he had to say. I didn't get to hear it, but he talks at our periodic staff meetings. He gets it.

Enough about work.

We're entertaining for Easter! Paul's sis Carol, her daughter Barb with fam - husband Mike and daughter Mandy and Paul's sis Jean and husband Dave are coming. Paul will be making his standing rib. I'll whip up Mom's party potatoes in the crock pot. I stopped at Whole Foods today and got some yummy bread, and some desserts. Plus these beautiful flowers.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Tomorrow, Lil Sis Chiya and I are going to the new Oz movie. I'm nervous, because I grew up on Oz - as did my Mom before me. The books are displayed proudly in my room - much beloved. I'm skeptical - but my supe, Jen said she took her 10 year old daughter who loved it. So I'm willing to give it a shot, for Chiya's sake - no 3-D though...that would mess with my head. Even more than I'm messed up already!

Making a difference

Thursday was a 13 hour day for me - but worth it! Colleague Scott Flagg and I started at 6 a.m. heading to Davenport for a ribbon cutting at the Waste Commission of Scott County Electronics Demanufacturing facility. It's been open since 2005, the facility is now the only public facility in the world to be certified by EPA as R2 or a Responsible Recycler. It means they ensure all down the line that the vendors handling the material are doing so responsibly. No dumping in 3rd world countries!

Kathy is one of the movers and shakers in the trash world...she can talk a mile a minutes and is really nice

I'm proud to say that Kathy Morris, Director of the Waste Commission credits the program I oversee, the Environmental Management System (EMS) Program with getting them starting down the path toward this certification. The audits that I helped perform on their agency helped prepare them for the rigorous audits EPA performed on the agency.

Did you ever wonder what your LCD TV looked like inside? They take 'em apart here...

There was a good turnout at the event - the Chamber of Commerce, her board, staff and others. It was a well-planned event, and media was there in full force. The photos tell it all.


Presently Scott County doesn't do much reconditioning of products delivered. Mostly because they're all about data integrity. If you recycling a computer with them, they make sure the info is gone! But one of their upcoming EMS goals will be to look into more ways to reuse materials instead of just recycling.


The blonde cutie on the right, Erin is the communications director

While at the event, Scott and I introduced ourselves to a woman with a ReStore shirt on. If you're not familiar with these stores, they take still usable materials from people remodeling their homes or businesses and resell them, a partner with Habitat for Humanity.
ReStore What they do



DNR runs a forgivable loan program that Cindy, the ReStore woman had applied to. They wanted to add a medical equipment/supply room. Scott sits on the grant application review committee and knew about the project. Cindy invited us to stop by. It's stuff like this that inspires me - and makes me love what I do! The pics tell the story. They have lift chairs, adult diapers, wheel chairs - all sorts of stuff. Before - people had to scour all the Salvation Army Stores, Good Will. Because that's where folks dropped off this stuff - sadly they even take it to the landfill when Gran dies, because they don't know what else to do. Now there's an alternative!

People can donate these things to a central place - where others can then purchase at a much reduced price.

Cindy showed us the rest of the store too.
 

Volunteers help get items ready for the "store"

There were many volunteers helping man the place. They have to check all donations to make sure they're up to date, safe and clean. I was amazed how big the building supply store was - cabinets, sinks, lighting fixtures, even furniture. Very cool! I need to stop by the DSM store again soon.

Next we were off to Dubuque for a quick stop at the landfill. It was about 1.5 hours up the road. Manager Doug Hughes showed us the new cell (that's where the trash goes) they're building, and Bev Wagner drove us by their new methane gas flare. Presently they're just burning off collected methane. They will eventually sell for power. It's all better than allowing it to seep into the environment - major cause of global warming.

Doug in the new cell area - off behind is where they'll build their new office and household hazardous materials building

Methane Flare - the collection piping is very expensive so only the larger landfills do it. A turbine to make it into energy runs in the millions.

 A few short miles down Highway 20 from the Dubuque Landfill is Epworth, where we stopped at the site of a former school. Scott Flagg runs the derelict building grant program. Towns of 5,000 people and fewer can apply for cost share to help them remove asbestos from these buildings and then take them down - the city has to own them. Materials must be recycled - the more recycled, the more cost share. Epworth is a success story. This lot is the site of a former decrepit school building.


They even have green grass in Epworth. This site was a crappy building a few months ago...

Last we scooted across Highway 20 some more and then North to Arlington, home of another falling down school building. Someday the site will be a community center.

We met with the City Clerk, Public Works guy and the project director. I took lots of pics there. These buildings are in every town...

Scary looking, huh?

They took us inside, where the guy who most recently owned the property (they got it back on taxes) left tons of unsold 20 year old "energy" drinks in plastic bottles in the basement. They had to get kid's groups to help them empty and recycle them. They still have a few to go...

Something interesting up there...

Good to the last drop - 20 years ago...

Dang - we forgot to sign in!
 

We didn't head out until after 4 p.m. so it was a late night. I got back to Creston about 8:30 p.m. Tired, but pleased by how the day went. What I  and what we do at DNR makes a difference! 

SW Iowa work trip

I tried out my new camera on our work trip through Southwest Iowa Tuesday. It was my usual trip crew of Jim and Scott, but this time Angie came with us. Angie is our Bureau Chief Brian's Administrative Assistant (she's got some other official sounding title) - she's smart and proficient at many things around the office. She's worked at DNR since college (she's closing in on all of 30 now...) and is really good at getting stuff done. She's married with 2 young boys and lives in rural Monroe (where she grew up) - east of DSM.

Tim in red talking to Jim, Angie and Scott in Kellerton

Throughout her DNR career, Angie hasn't had a chance to get out of the office much, so this year Brian suggested she go along with staff members as they go out in the field. That way when she takes minutes at meetings describing staff activities, she'll have a better idea what she's writing about. Angie was a nice addition to our travel party.

Our first stop was Kellerton where we visited Divine Waste, a trash hauling company that is starting up a curbside recycling program in rural Iowa. Tim, the owner has purchased the carts and is getting the building ready to install a baler. (It's a machine that smashes the materials together into nice big cubes to sell). Tim's plan is to sort material and bale it, then market it in various locations - paper, plastic and metal. Tim's a big dreamer and talker - I am hopeful he can show others how a small hauler can make this model work.

I couldn't resist - had to stop on our way out of town, snapping this shot of Neon Jesus and the bike sculpture across the street - East Village DSM has nothing on Kellerton!

After Kellerton, we headed back east on Highway 2 to the Wayne, Ringgold, Decatur (WRD) Landfill located just south of Grand River. Doug, the all-around guy there filled us in on what was going on. We talked to him about shingle recycling - working with roofers to deliver them to a separate area where they can be recycled into asphalt. It's been very successful in other areas - especially when oil prices are high.

Doug shows DNR staff a product used to "cover" at night - it's mixed with water and sprayed on trash at closing time.

Next we were off to Clarinda, home of Glenn Miller the big band guy. I spent a bit of time in this town - during my own sports career (I was an Atlantic Trojann-yes it's spelled right) and then following the kids. Amy stomped around there during her brief stint in marching band (before she figured out it would interfere with volleyball tourneys). We ate lunch on the square at a place we all thought was quite good - at least until Angie saw the guy who took our cash touch the food he was cooking. Icky! She and I had spaghetti and Jim and Scott each ordered a small pizza.

The town of Coin was our next destination. Alas the town decided they don't quite have enough of it to accept the grant they've been awarded to demolish this derelict building - the former school building. When we drove in we weren't quite sure where the building was, but in a small town like Coin we found it pretty quickly! We were greeted by a posse of small dogs running loose.

Looking for the reported ghost...just kidding. There are still some lightbulbs in the joint.

Coin is a small town with a sense of humor though..

town bar/lunch place

On mainstreet

bales of metal cans

Last we headed north to the Page County Landfill run by Myron Magwitz. I think that's a cool name. Page County received a large grant/low interest loan that helped them build a large recycling facility with a baler. They utilize low cost prison help (non violent offenders - we don't let real bad dudes around our commodities) at the facility. I talked to Myron about shingle recycling too and they filled us in about their operation. This stops are a good time to share information.

Guys in orange shirts - prison dudes

Myron in red with his assistant Mike in bibs.

Jim took Highway 71 back up to Atlantic on the way back - we went by Villisca, resisting driving into town to see the Axe Murder House. We jogged over on 6/83 through Anita and then on up to I-80 arriving back in DSM about 4:15 p.m. It was a good trip with a great team. Fun folks to travel with - providing value to our stakeholders.