Ambassadors are on Mediacom Cable Mediacom Connections Channel 22

Thanks to the fine folks at Mediacom, our little vignettes of ribbon cuttings, grand openings and special occasions that Ambassadors attend are now on Mediacom Dubuque Cable Television

And Videos are Available on Demand. Click on your "On Demand Button."

Correspond: Let us know what you can or cannot attend by clicking here, or contact Mary at (563) 557-9200.

If you have any questions about upcoming events that the Ambassadors attend, contact Carole Lawson at the Chamber of Commerce:

sweber@dubuquechamber.com

or call (563)690-9201

Click here to visit Net-Smart's Support Your Troops Website that enables you to transmit videos of yourself and your loved ones online and overseas via the World Wide Web!

he Dubuque Ambassadors are proud to present a new feature on the World Wide Web. Movie clips of grand opening ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, and virtually any and all celebratory events attended by members of this Chamber of Commerce organization.

At right you will see the latest ceremony we attended.

The movie clips are in RealMedia format, and your browser should be equipped with the software plug-in (RealPlayer) to enable you to view and hear video content on this Web site. If you have difficulties, click here.

Videos produced by Gary Olsen in cooperation with the Dubuque Community School District.

Dubuque365.com has a treasure trove of photos and information about this project. Click here to go there.

History of the Dubuque Chamber Ambassadors

he Dubuque Area Chamber Ambassadors organized in 1963 as an extension of the Dubuque Industrial Bureau. The Ambassadors had two major functions: to attract business from other cities to come to Dubuque; and to assist Dubuque businesses to promote their products and encourage expansion-thus increasing employment.

In 1975, the Dubuque Industrial Bureau merged with the Dubuque Industrial Development Corporation. The Corporation joined with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce in 1978. The Chamber added a full-time staff working in the area of economic development and consequently, the goals and objectives of the Ambassadors have changed over the years.

Today, the Chamber Ambassadors' objective is to assist the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Dubuque in business recognition and public relations. Objectives are completed by ribbon cuttings, ground breaking ceremonies, grand openings and certificate presentations.

The Chamber Ambassadors are dedicated to the economic growth and development of the Tri-State area. This group of 40 high spirited people has made a commitment to recognizing businesses for their accomplishments and contributions to the Tri-State area community.

Chamber Ambassadors and the Years They Were Inducted

#FirstName# #LastName# #DateFormat(ElectionDate, "yyyy")#

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he new Alliant Energy Customer Service Center on Chavenelle Road in Dubuque's Westend Industrial Park celebrated it's grand opening with an Ambassador-style ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Chamber of Commerce President Rusty Knight. Above, Ambassador Gary Olsen interviews the regional director of the center, Cedric Everett. The Chicago native took Gary and the Ambassadors on a tour of the facility which includes offices, data processing, and a large garage and shop for the maintenance and deployment of service vehicles.

The building is two stories and represents a major relocation of facilities that used to be on 7th Street in the Downtown District. According to Cedric, this location will improve dispatching logistics and response time with better accesses and more room to grow to meet future demands.

The tour and interviews are interesting and informative. We get to see the "situation room" where engineers go when there are storms and power outages in the market they serve. It puts a face on the otherwise ubiquitous power company whose service is so good we often take it for granted.

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Master of ceremonies for the event was Rusty Knight, president of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce.

June 2005

hose always windy, cold, or incredibly hot days when you deplaned in Dubuque are now just fond memories. Walking across the tarmac in this summer's heat would make you feel like you were bacon sizzling on a griddle. A major transportation innovation has just been unveiled at the Dubuque Regional Airport under the management of Andy Perry. Introducing the "Jet Bridge!" Larger airports have them. You know them and you love them. They're an advantage, too, from a safety aspect. As a pedestrian making your way to or from the jet, didn't you feel a little vulnerable? The deafening sound from the engines was enough to raise your stress level. Besides making the proverbial pail full of golf umbrellas obsolete, the jet bridge signifies an important technological event in airport history. It is truly state-of-the-art beyond the mere convenience of providing access to everyone including those with special needs. And for those of us who have had to board a plane with young children in tow, this innovation is almost a Godsend. "Mom! You're squeezing my hand too tight!" "I do it because I love you. Or would you prefer we check you through to Portland as luggage?" Watch the video and see how significant a jet bridge can be to so many people in our community.

Top left photo, City Council's Joyce Connors gets a personal tour of the Jet Bridge by Any Perry. Top photo, a large turnout of guests showed up for the event, so many, in fact, it impeded passenger traffic to a waiting plane and the lecturn had to be moved. Above, the ribbon is snipped.

Ambassador and composer, Paul Hemmer, entertains prior the ribbon cutting ceremony at Kepart's Music Center at their new location on Dodge Street. He's featured on the film clip.

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June 2005

his is the most charming if not most entertaining ribbon cutting show we've ever done on this website. It features the musical styling of our own Dubuque Ambassador of Music, Paul Hemmer. This video clip will certainly be eligible for the short film sound track category at the next Academy Awards. Rusty Kephart's business was recently relocated to the Dodge Street location from its original site downtown, but because of construction of the new downtown elementary school, Kephart had to find a new location. Now we all can enjoy 11,000 square feet of retail, instrument repair and instructional space that makes Kephart's one of the largest music stores in Eastern Iowa. Learn more about this wonderful family business, meet the owners, and enjoy the music on this particularly entertaining video clip.

Above, Gary Olsen interviews Rusty Kephart while Paul Hemmer (just out of camera range) accompanies them on drums. It's a riot.

June 2005

his was an interesting if not historic event from an educational institution perspective. A large contributor to our area's quality of life not to mention employment and community cash flow is our colleges. They are among the oldest and longest running businesses in our community, most exceeding a century. So when Loras College announces a major expenditure to revamp its outdoor sports facility, affectionately referred to as the "Rock Bowl," a lot of people in the community pay attention. Perhaps it's because so many of our citizens have attended Loras and harbor fond memories of their education at America's oldest Catholic college west of the Mississippi. Loras College President, Jim Collins was interviewed for this video clip, and he spells out the scope of the newly designed facility. New parking, seating, and press box are among the amenities. And there was an interesting announcement made at these festivities. Dubuque's Wahlert High School will be playing all of its home football games at Loras College when the field is complete... an excellent way for Loras to share the college campus experience with one of the top resources for new students in the area.

Shannon Gaherty, DRA Community Affairs and Dubuque Ambassador, played a dual role as host and Ambassador at the recent ribbon cutting festivities at Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino

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he advantages of being one of the first communities in Iowa to establish a legal gaming business has paid off in so many ways, it's almost incalculable. Perhaps Donna Smith, County Board of Supervisors, explained it best in her remarks. She thanked the city and county planners, politicians and visionaries at the time the park was first proposed, for their vision and tenacity to get it built at a time when "the economy was sinking... it was in the tank." Now, when you look at the economic opportunities that have radiated from this hub of enterprise on our newly revitalized Mississippi River Front, the results have far exceeded most everyone's expectations.

Bruce Wentworth, the manager of Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino, said to Gary Olsen in an interview prior the ceremony (it's on the video clip here). "I wake up every morning, and as I drive to work, I see the impact our operation has had on the community. Everyone experiences that impact every day in some way or another." In appreciation of what the DRA has done for education in the community, Olsen presented Wentworth with a special plaque thanking him and the DRA for their support of the Dubuque Community Schools.

And now as a period of economic prosperity continues in our community, we are on the eve of a new community-wide planning initiative that will set some goals for the next 10 years. This kind of exercise would never have happened if it were not for that first exercise in community planning that occurred several years ago, now, when a group of business people discussed the possibilities of Iowa's first dog track.

At left, the Dubuque Ambassadors, members of the Chamber of Commerce, the mayor, Terry Duggan, and his City Council colleagues help the manager of Bruce Wentworth cut the ribbon on the new Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino remodeling project. Below is one of the giant hand painted frogs promoting a National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium exhibit this summer, welcoming guests to the Casino.

he store is called Pixie Stix, and it is an innovative toy store at 433 Bluff Street in the historic 4th St. shopping district. It's recent expansion to almost three times the retail space was reason to celebrate with the Dubuque Ambassadors and Chamber president Rusty Knight as master of ceremonies. Owners Kathy Hubbard and Kim Kunkle showed us around, and it's quite possible this is one of the most exciting toy retailers in the area. It's more of a toy, game, doll, and clothing and shoes collection than a traditional toy store. "You just don't get this kind of creativity from the big box retailers," said one of the family members in attendance. He should know something about the toy business (it was Fred Ertl who is the father of Kim Kunkle... you know... Ertl Toys?).

Photos on this page are linked to larger more printable versions.

he retail space next to Hy-Vee on Dodge Street was available, and Denny Hartaugh and his colleagues set their sites on it as the home of Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits. It's a space separate of the rest of Hy-Vee and it's managed by Steve Wallace. The facility is lovely. For wine lovers, it has a library feel with row after row of some of the best if not more popular wines from around the nation and the word.

Once again, Hy-Vee proves it can be an innovative retailer. It's all about convenience, explains Steve Wallace. "If you don't see what you want, tell us about it, and we'll stock it."

As the song says, "There's a helpful smile in every aisle."

inley Hospital is one of Dubuque, Iowa's great health care institutions, whose illustrious history is Dubuque's history. Under the direction of John Knox, the hospital is undergoing some incredible changes, and it all starts with the newly remodeled entrance. Now emergency care and general admitting are better separated to afford better patient confidentiality, more efficient patient admitting and information processing.

Taking the helm as master of ceremonies is Carole Reed who does a wonderful job on this video. Vicki Bechen handles the certificate presentation. Join us by clicking one of the buttons on the left, and you are at the ribbon cutting event.

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Left, Kevin Lynch interviews Dr. Mary Lynn Neumeister of the Neumeister Animal Hospital in Dubuque. The facility specializes in pets, primarily cats and dogs, and they have a comprehensive pet dental specialty. They also board pets. You should see the kitty condos. Join us on this latest adventure with the Dubuque Ambassadors.

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Dubuque Ambassador Gary Olsen interviews Jody and kitty in residence Domino on this segment that is a virtual tour of the Animal Hospital. We have puppies, too, on this clip! More photos below.

n Dubuque we have among the best animal health care of any community this size. One of the venerable names in Dubuque veterinary medicine is Neumeister and the Neumeister Animal Hospital, a family owned business that began in the 1950s and continues today with the daughter of the founder, a graduate of Iowa State University, Dr. Mary Lynn Neumeister loves to tell of her travels with her dad as a young girl helping him with all manner of four legged patients. Neumeister Animal Hospital is located next to (East of) the Lowes/Walmart shopping plaza on Hwy 20. You can't miss the sign and the lovely building.

Gary (above) interviews an extremely friendly kitty, and gets an exclusive interview with showdog and shelty Leah (below) in her suite at Neumeister Animal Hospital.

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At right are some of our Ambassadors trying on a few things. Maryann is nuts over the prices.

n business, timing is everything, and being able to quickly capitalize on a trend, a piece of prime property, and (here's something rare), completely shift business gears to relocate two blocks north from your original location on Historic Main Street, is perhaps a gift of vision. Now Honest John's (newly named HJ's Fashion Emporium) the business has more retail space, more eclectic inventory, and bargain prices on some hot merchandise. And the location, in the same block as the Bricktown Complex and Cafe Mana Java, couldn't be better from the owners' viewpoint. Terry Meadows is the manager of this family owned business, and her bubbly charm is evident in the interview we have with Ambassador Gary Olsen.

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Photos on ths page are linked to larger more printable versions.

Ambassador Gary Olsen schmoozes with Harley the Dog who is getting a bath while his master's car is being washed at Miracle Car Wash. That makes this a win win situation, unless, of course, you're the dog.

eing a Dubuquer means understanding certain icons or landmarks that have come to symbolize this little slice of heaven we call Dubuque. For example, when we say "Betty Jane's," you say "Gremlins." When we say "Miracle," you have to say, "Car Wash!" One of the greatest car care institutions in the history of our area, Miracle Car Wash that began in Dubuque in 1960, has created a 21st Century car wash experience on Dubuque's West End District. Located within view of the Northwest Arterial and Asbury Road, the facility has state-of-the art car wash technology, but even though it's high tech, they haven't lost the high touch car care quality you have come to expect from Miracle. This video segment undoubtedly represents everything you ever wanted to know about Miracle Car Wash, and it was shot and produced by Tim Brechlin, one of Dubuque's new generation media production professionals and owner of Brechlin Media.

What is so cool about Miracle Car Wash are the value-added amenities. For example, while you are getting your car washed, you can wash your dog in the special "Dog Wash Room" that has everything you need to wash Poochie. We demonstrate this first-hand in the film as we wash canine customer Harley. It's a riot. And have you ever really gotten to go through the car wash without a car? We do! And we don't get wet... much. That's because of the water conservation technology employed that puts water where it needs to and nowhere else. Did you know that car washes save more water than the average homeowner does when he or she washes the car in the driveway? True!

So join the Dubuque Ambassadors on this extended version (25 minutes) of our traditional Ribbon Cutting Show as we tour the car wash from the first squirt to the last hand buff. Kevin Lynch and Gary Olsen take you through the car wash... now quick cue the hit from that '70's movie, please. "Goin' to the Car Wash... Goin' to the Car Washer...."

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Photos on ths page are linked to larger more printable versions.

Join Ambassador Rose LoBianco (right) as she proves once again that a rose is a rose, especially when you're holding a rose, and you're so sweet. Rusty Knight takes his turn as the MC for this event. He was terrific..

or you old Dubuquers, here's a quiz question: What was the name of that North End Jackson Street greenhouse? Yes, Hopper's! Before that, what was it called? If you remember, email us. We can't remember. The point is, there's been a greenhouse at this location for over 100 years! True! But for several years since it was Hopper's, it was empty. Now, like a a spring tulip, life begins again in the warm soil that has become the groundwork for River Valley Landscaping and Nursery, and the Ambassadors were on hand to celebrate the grand opening. . Business partners, Doug Schmitt and Wayne Klostermann (pictured above), have totally remodeled, rehabilitated, and revived the business at this location, and neighbors and North End residents couldn't be happier. North End City Councilwoman, Joyce Connors, got to speak on behalf of the mayor, and she beamed as bright as the sun shining through the greenhouse roof.

Shooting this video and post production were performed by Tim Brechlin of TB Media Concepts and a frequent contributor to Dubuque Ambassadors videos.

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Photos on ths page are linked to larger more printable versions.

efore you read this, go get those vintage glasses from your dresser drawer, slick your hair back, and if you own a poodle skirt put it on, except for you mister... oh what the heck. This is the ribbon cutting for Hudson's Classic Grill at Asbury Plaza, and it is so cool it's hot.

Owned by the Harle-Heim sisters... wait a minute... they're mother and daughter? You're kidding! They look like the Tony sisters, or perhaps the Doublemint twins... remember the commercials from the fifties? Anyhow, these two girls got it goin' on! Now opening this fab franchise based in Texas, this is their first restaurant in Iowa.

Hudson's Classic Grill also has a bar, and it's a beauty! TVs strategically located throughout the restaurant give you a sports bar opportunity while still preserving the juke box joint of the fifties. You should see the tile floor. It's a gas.

And the food is wonderful. Hamburgers, French fries and rock and roll only cover part of the men