QUAD CITIES EVEN MORE!

Next day's itinerary began with a visit to the Country Corner Farm Market and Pumpkin Patch in Alpha, Illinois. Aside from their market of fresh corn and pumpkins, they also sell locally made or grown products as well. Take a horse drawn hayrack ride, pick pumpkins and stop at the petting zoo. Alpacas, chickens, pigs, goats, and miniature cattle. Ask owner Bruce Curry about the various types of corn like the kind you eat, ones fed to the animals, one that pops right on the cob and ones just for fall decoration. Country Corner is open from May to October, so I'm happy that I got there in September.



They sell the popping corn as a package in a brown paper bag with instructions for use in you microwave oven. Option is to pick off kernels and pop in a pot.

Exotic Thai was our lunch spot. I ordered an iced Thai coffee not just for the taste but also if the need to cool my mouth came into play. With too many starters to choose from I opted for the Siam Sampler: Marinated chicken skewers wit peanut sauce and cucumber dip; Seasoned shrimp wrapped in fine noodles and crisp fried served with a dipping sauce; Crispy Thai rolls stuffed with glass noodles and veggies served with a tangy plum sauce; Fried chicken wing stuffed with a mix of ground chicken, glass noodles, Thai spices, served with a sweet and sour sauce.

In spite of my not being drawn to the spicy side, I ordered the classic Tom Yom soup. Once I got used to the chili hitting the back of my throat, rather than my whole mouth, the lemongrass soup with chicken and straw mushrooms was Tom Yum.

I'm one to stick to Pad Thai, but decided on a different noodle dish, Pad See U. Stir fried flat rice noodles with broccoli and egg in a sweet black bean sauce.

Esther had the Asparagus Salad of asparagus, chicken breast, shrimp, roasted shredded coconut served with a Thai-style dressing.

Dessert was a banana crepe with coconut ice cream plated with raisins and cashew nuts and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

QUAD CITIES CONTINUED

We sort of walked off the lunch with a very quick tour of downtown LeClaire and visiting the Buffalo Bill Museum where they collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit historical, cultural and educational artifacts depicting the heritage of this region, particularly life along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa and western Illinois and its early pioneers like Buffalo Bill (William F. Cody). Buffalo Bill was born in a log cabin two miles west of Main St., LeClaire on what is today Territorial Road. Then two years later, Isaac Cody (Buffalo Bill’s father) built the home overlooking the Mississippi River.

Abutting the museum, founded by the LeClaire Women's Club in 1957, is the Lone Star Steamboat which was used to transport cargo and tow other boats along the Mississippi River. You can go aboard the steamboat on your own or take a tour of both.

The evening was spent having dinner at Farradday's Restaurant, the more upscale dining of the Isle Casino and Hotel in Bettendorf that sits along the Mississippi River. Its casino area is located on an old riverboat. We were there for the entertainment as Vickie Lawrence was performing. She talked about her career, Carol Burnett and transformed herself to "Mama", the character that she portrayed on tv. She sang, danced and was extremely funny.

NEXT DAY IN THE QUAD CITIES

The first stop on the next day's itinerary was the German American Heritage Center in Davenport, and last remaining immigrant hotel of the 1800's in the region. This form 1862 Germania Haus/Miller Hotel explores and celebrates the immigrant experience telling the story of how they contributed to and influenced the development of the community, region, and country. I also took a photo from one of the upstairs windows.

Bucktown Center for the Arts is quite different from a place such as Figge Art Museum. Where the museum houses collections and exhibits from mostly non-local artists, Bucktown gives the opportunity for that artists to create on site in a refurbished warehouse and everything's for sale.

Esther, Eunice and I met a few artists such as Lori Boutott who creates beads for other artists to use in their jewelry as well as for the someone who may want some particular type of bead for their own use.

Lori's cat is around to keep her busy when she takes a quick break. He will bring rolls of knitting wool into one area to distract her.

Jack Wilhoit focuses on artistic photography. Doors and bicycles are his thing from the photograph to the three dimensional.



The Crane and Pelican Cafe in LeClaire, a city near Davenport and along the Mississippi River. Owned by Amanda Harvey, a former mixologist, the restaurant is quiet and cozy yet sophisticated. All of the rooms have large windows with views and the walls have artwork available for purchase.

Executive Chef Fritz is in charge of the bill of fare, which can be more defined as comfort food. I had a gyro of lamb and beef with a side of Asian Slaw. Dessert was a tasty orange crepe.

QUAD CITIES: DAY ONE

I recently returned from a second trip to the Quad Cities, the only area along the Mississippi River where the water flows East-West, basically consisting of two cities in Iowa (Bettendorf, Davenport) and Illinois (Moline, Rock Island).

Aside from exploring any of the attractions and restaurants that I had not done on my prior trip in 2007, I was looking to see how Iowa was doing in regards to having passed the same sex marriage law. I couldn't believe that it was legal in Iowa and not in New York. Go figure!

Boarding Air Tran Esther, Eunice and I were invited into the cockpit for a photo op with the pilot and co-pilot.

Lunch at Cafe Fresh, in Moline, was the first stop on my itinerary. Basic bistro with soups, sandwiches, salads and dessert. One of their signature foods is a kosher pickle spear rolled up with cream cheese and ham. I had a chicken salad half of a veggie sandwich.

The rest of the afternoon was spent getting info on ceremonies and receptions. I went to Davenport to meet with Pastor Rich Hendricks of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC)in Davenport. Having had a Gay Pride event in the area, I was also looking to get in touch with some hotels that listed themselves as being "gay friendly". With Illinois so near, I was interested in hearing about those residents coming into Iowa to tie the knot. Rich said that they needed to know that when Illinois passes the law and couple later found themselves filing for divorce that would first have to take up residence in Iowa for a year.

The Clarion Hotel in Davenport and the Holiday Inn in Rock Island were the two hotels that I checked out. Given the short distance between the two cities, couples had the option for holding the reception in either state. With the two hotels giving the "gay friendly" listing, it has boosted their economy even with small receptions.

Dinner was at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse in Moline located near the John Deere Pavilion. Dining with friends allowed me to sample more items on the menu which began with the Bette Bruschetta, focaccia topped with fresh tomatoes, chevre goat cheese and shrimp.

We did a family style salad with spinach and bacon.

When it Rome...I had what was the most tender piece of steak going, Johnny's Bone-in Rib Eye. It was dressed Oscar Style with crabmeat, asparagus and bearnaise sauce. We all saved room to share a dessert of chocolate mousse.

Johnny's is reminiscent of a traditional 40's style nightclub, which may explain the poster of Dean, Sammy and Frank.

As for the hotel, I stayed at the Residence Inn in Moline. The studio is complete with a full kitchen which at times housed my leftovers. There is a fitness center located across a courtyard which has a pit for those cooler nights...the courtyard, not the fitness center.

NEW YORK CITY: BROADWAY AND THEIR WAY

Let’s start with the brighter side of New York City; the neon lights of Broadway. I recently went to the Quad Cities. Those are four cities located along the Mississippi River where the water flows East and West and consists of two cities in Iowa and two in Illinois.

The Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra was having a Riverfront Pops at LeClaire Park in Davenport. It was comprised of Broadway songs and featured three Broadway stars: Stephanie J. Block (9 to 5), Lisa Vronman (Phantom of the Opera), and Hugh Panaro (Phantom of the Opera). In fact, Hugh had just begun his second Broadway run in the role of the masked phantom the week before. Coincidentally, I was already slated to review the recent two role changes just a few days after this concert. I must admit that having seen this production once on Broadway and once in Toronto, his performance was the most outstanding in regards to both his acting and vocal ability.

Hugh originally took the role of Raoul in 1990 and was later cast as “the man behind the mask” in 1999. He either must have been quite young as Raoul or keeps himself from not looking his age now. I can’t wait for the CD to come out with this cast. That’s not to say that Sarah Jean Ford’s role as Christine produced any less enjoyment.

Mayor Bloomberg and the planting of trees. Perhaps the old ones should have been cut down before these new ones went up. I got one in front of my house. They want me to maintain it. I didn’t ask for it. There are enough trees across the street in Forest Park. We just had a whole bunch of trees knocked down from last week’s storm. If any of Bloomberg’s trees fell down and caused damage, can he be sued? I don’t mean suing the City as he is the one that made the decision to “go green”.

The Department of Transportation has been going around issuing violations regarding the sidewalks. I was told that due to the cracks or whatever in the pavement that it was a hazard. I have choice of applying for a permit and contracting a company to have it repaired (they have decided that 60 square feet of it was necessary), or they will do it for $8 per square foot. I had patchwork done and it is no longer a hazard. However, they have decided that it is not good enough. I can appeal this by first filing a petition of appeal that costs $30. I’m trying to first get that they own the sidewalk but I have to maintain it. What puzzles me is why this is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation. Are they concerned that if someone were to ride on my sidewalk that the cracks would cause the vehicle to skid and go into the street?

I have come across many sidewalks that have a section raised due to the roots of a tree. Patchwork has been done, but it is still a hazard. Perhaps that can raze that tree which will make one less to crash down on a car or pedestrian.

A law gets passed to help homeowners, especially, to not have to deal with fliers, etc. Despite the sign I have in my window, I still get the pesky stuff. What’s more is that if I don’t recycle it, I can be fined by the Dept of Sanitation. They, of course, don’t make it easy to have the City enforce this law and make it extremely difficult for you to complain, as you are responsible for mailing the advertisements along with forms. I would love to know if any company paid the $250 fine.

Quality of Life. Another one from Bloomberg. Noise and not necessarily after 11 p.m. My neighbors blast their music for hours as it echoes throughout the backyards. I tried going to the neighbor and was told that someone else’s music was loud. So, therefore it’s okay to make yours louder to compensate? At first she said that she would lower it. I heard the conversation afterward as that echoed in the backyard. It lowered a bit but then the party attendees basically told her that I should go screw myself and the volume was back. Despite the many times that I called 311 or the local precinct, no one came over.

Water meters. First they were insistent on putting in new meters so they could read them from outside your house. They then decided that the employees feet must have been in pain from so much walking. They came to install yet another gadget so that it could be read my computer or cable, or whatever. DEP came to my house and wanted access to the meter threatening me with “denial of access charges”. What’s the matter, they are having a problem with their new idea or did they forget that they already installed the gadget?

Now, let’s see how this goes. If New York City can make money by giving you a fine or employing them, there are enough employees to enforce the laws. However, if the laws look as if they are on your side (Oh, look what Bloomberg is doing for us), there’s either no one available to enforce them or you’re forced to “give up”. I, personally give up on New York City.