365 Community Impact Awards for 2011Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 365 Impact Awards
DATE: March 13, 2012
Dubuque
bierd
All-America City
1
2007
Neighborhood Development Specialist Jerelyn O'Connor advises that the following city
staff projects and individuals received 365 Impact Awards on March 6, 2012:
Overall Individual: Public Information Officer Randy Gehl
Overall Idea: Millwork District Partners
Art: Art on the River
Family: Music in Jackson Park
dbt)144
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
THE CITY OF
DUB TE MEMORANDUM
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
March 13, 2012
TO: Michael C. Van Mil!igen, City Manager
FROM: Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist
RE: 365 Impact Awards
Introduction
Several city partnership initiatives and city employees were recognized on March 6,
2012 as recipients of 365 Impact Awards. This memo is to provide information to you
on these awards.
Discussion
Dubuque 365 has made 365 Impact Awards for the past three years. According to
Dubuque 365 the awards are for those who choose to make an everyday effort to
impact the world around them 365 days a year. It's meant for those who believe in our
community and are willing to do something to make it better for everyone.
Some categories that regularly receive recognition include Arts, Community Pride,
Dining, Family, Health, Historic Preservation, Inclusion, Media, Music, Nightlife, Non -
Profit Excellence, Sports /Recreation, Sustainability, Volunteerism, and Youth Advocacy.
Dubuque 365 also regularly celebrates a Final Four: Overall Business, Overall
Organization, Overall Individual and Overall Idea.
2012 awards include:
Final Four Category
OVERALL IDEA
Millwork District Partners
As quoted by Dubuque 365, "What can we say? You've got to see it. When the Millwork
District is done it WILL change the way we live in downtown Dubuque. WOW!"
OVERALL INDIVIDUAL
Randy Gehl
As quoted by Dubuque 365 "He puts the needs of the city first, evidenced no better than
by his actions the night of last year's terrible flooding when he went back into the office
and started writing e-mails and planning ahead for the problems to come, saving the city
and its residents potentially millions of dollars in damage through timely information."
Other Awards
ART
Art on the River
Each year, Art on the River provides visitors and residents alike a free, year -long annual
exhibit of public sculpture at the Port of Dubuque from some of the Midwest's most
talented artists. This award was accepted by Council Member Resnick.
FAMILY
Music in Jackson Park
Music in Jackson Park, a family - friendly collaborative effort by the City of Dubuque, the
Multicultural Family Center, and a variety of neighborhood group partners, celebrates
the diversity of downtown Dubuque's North -end neighborhood.
Action to be Taken
This item is informational only. No action needs to be taken.
Attachment
365 Impact Awards
In case you missed the show, here's a recap of those who made an impact on our community in
2011, as recognized at 365's Impact Awards, held March 6th at the Mississippi Moon Bar in the
Diamond Jo Casino.
ART
Art on the River
Each year. Art on the River provides visitors and residents alike a free, year -long annual exhibit
of public sculpture at the Port of Dubuque from some of the Midwest's most talented artists.
EDUCATION
Clarke University
Founded in 1843 as St. Mary's Female Academy. Clarke has had many names in the intervening
years but none as distinguished as Clarke University.
COnMnMUNITY PRIDE
Tom "Squad" Rauen
When entrepreneur and T -shirt screen - printing champion Tom "Squad" Rauen set the Guinness
world record for wearing the most (247) T -shirts at one time, he created a news story that was
picked up world -wide. He also raised 5.000 dollars for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation in the process.
DINING
Tri- State's Largest Chili Cook -Off
Every October, on the first Saturday of the month, the Tri- State's Largest Chili Cook -Off
provides residents and visitors with a great community event in the form of a cooking contest
with live music, kids games, cold beer, and of course, gallons and gallons of chili.
FAnMILY
Music in Jackson Park
Music in Jackson Park, a family- friendly collaborative effort by the City of Dubuque, the
Multicultural Family Center, and a variety of neighborhood group partners, celebrates the
diversity of downtown Dubuque's North -end neighborhoods.
HEALTH
Live Healthy Dubuque
Part of the Live Healthy Iowa program, the Live Healthy Dubuque 100 -Day Wellness Challenge
is a simple and affordable way for Dubuque to become one of the healthiest cities in Iowa.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Miller Development Group "Riverworks"
Located across from Flat Iron Park and the Port of Dubuque's Ice Harbor on South Main Street,
historic Old Main's lower partner. Clu-is Miller of Miller Development Group took one of
Dubuque's hidden treasures and transformed it into a jewel.
INCLUSION
Catholic Sisters of the
Upper Mississippi River Valley
Quoting bible verse (Matthew 25 -35). "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." the billboard
campaign substituted the word "stranger" with "immigrant" giving Christians cause to reflect on
the broader issues of the immigration debate.
MEDIA
Happee Smith Productions
From corporate media campaigns for business to many hours of donated time to create
campaigns and videos for great local charities and events. Happee Smith proves that Dubuque is
on par with the best in the business, period.
"IUSIC
Sandy Hook Tavern/ Ashley Lawrence
Sandy Hook Tavern owner Ashley Lawrence has a commitment to live music. It's a commitment
he has invested in, hosting live music at the Sandy Hook every week for a decade. From open
mic nights to weekend shows on Friday. Saturday and Sunday, in the last year the Sandy Hook
features some sort of live music four or five nights a week:
IDEA AHEAD OF ITS TInME
Michael Breitbach
Over 30 years ago. Michael became a vendor in Dubuque's Farmers' Market, not only selling,
but teaching people about the benefits of natural and organic food. Breitbach's Farmers' Market
Food Store has been a resource for great, healthy food and ideas, ideas that have turned out to be
way ahead of their time.
NIGHTLIFE
Boogie Nights
For creating a nightlife scene where it's not only okay to dance but highly encouraged: for
making it okay to like the Bee Gees and Donna Summer again, and for truly creating not just a
buzz, but a jolt to the system in the Dubuque nightlife scene.
NON - PROFIT EXCELLENCE
Grand Opera House
They're not just staging a wide variety of world class entertainment all year long, they're making
money doing it, and that's a feat unto itself!
SHOPPING
River Lights Bookstore, 2nd Edition
Since 2007, River Lights Bookstore, 2nd Edition has provided downtown Dubuque with a REAL
BOOKSTORE, serving book lovers retail needs and hosting a range of releases, readings, book
signings and other literary events.
SOCIAL SPACE
Voices Warehouse Gallery
Having just 40 days to come up with an alternative space to host the Voices VII show, not only
did they pull it off, but in transforming a first floor warehouse space into an incredible exhibition
gallery, they created a, functional, accessible, and amazing social space for about 1000 art lovers.
And that was just opening night.
SPORTS/RECREATION
Dubuque Fighting Saints
For bringing great hockey back to Dubuque and making our city look good by bringing home the
Clake Cup in style.
SUST AIN ABILITY
Green Dubuque
Not just doing the "green' thing, but living the "green' life. Green Dubuque doesn't have the
city or grant funding, but they do have the passion and they put it to good use.
VOLUNTEERISnM
Steve "Ding" Bell
With no fanfare whatsoever. Steve assists a number of area charities with finding a home to do
their work. The fact that Steve doesn't understand why he does deserves an award is the
very reason it does.
OVERALL BUSINESS
Theisen's
Continued corporate growth across Iowa, announced warehouse expansion in Dubuque and a
heart for their community as big as that warehouse. Dubuque is lucky to call Theisen's our own.
OVERALL ORGANIZATION
Area Residential Care
Empowering people with intellectual disabilities to achieve their highest quality of life is not just
a mission statement, it's a mission accomplished day in and day out.
OVERALL INDIVIDUAL
Randy Gehl
He puts the needs of the city first, evidenced no better than by his actions the night of last year's
terrible flooding when he went back into the office and started writing e -mails and planning
ahead for the problems to come, saving the city and its residents potentially millions of dollars in
damage through timely information.
OVERALL IDEA
Millwork District Partners
What can we say. You've got to see it. When the Millwork District is done it WILL change the
way we live in downtown Dubuque. WOW!
About the Awards
-4th Annual 365 Impact Awards
Tuesday, march 6, 7 p.m.
Mississippi moon Bar, Diamond Jo Casino
In three years of hosting the 365 Impact Awards, the event has really become quite the shindig.
The overwhelming response to the first tlu-ee 365 Impact Awards Shows was more than we at
365 had ever expected. In fact we still hear from our winners that receiving the Impact Award
has helped them recruit members, grow their business, motivate their teams and for almost all of
them that it just felt great to know that the community appreciates their hard work. First time
attendees always comment that they can't believe they have not been to the event before and
can't wait to do it again next year. Well friends, next year is here.
The 365 Impact Award is more about trying than winning. Heck. Dubuque365 is more about
trying than winning... we mean well.:) It's for those who choose to make an everyday effort to
Impact the world around them 365 days a year. It's meant for those who believe in our
community and are willing to do something to make it better for everyone. Sound like anyone,
any business or any organization you know? Our mission at 365 is to help connect people to
relationships, opportunity and the best possible living experience
in our community.
Award Categories can change every year as new and unique things are nominated for
recognition. We're not sure what categories we will have for sure. Maybe we'll find we need to
invent a category we've never had before. It all comes down to the nominees presented to us.
Some categories that regularly receive recognition include _its. Community Pride, Dining,
Family, Health, Historic Preservation, Inclusion, Media, Music, Nightlife, Non - Profit
Excellence, Sports /Recreation, Sustainability. Volunteerism, and Youth Advocacy. We also
regularly celebrate a Final Four: Overall Business, Overall Organization, Overall Individual and
Overall Idea.