Free Sweet Corn Feed Wednesday at Farmers Market

The produce vendors of the Carroll Farmers Market want people to see how great Iowa summer sweet corn tastes. They are giving cooked ears at their Wednesday market in downtown Carroll. Volunteers from the USDA, M&M Divide RC&D, and RSVP will be cooking the corn on the cob and passing around the butter and salt. Napkins will be provided in ample quantity as well. HyVee store in Carroll is providing those supplies as well as free pop to everyone. Of course, the farmer vendors will also have plenty of sweet corn in the husks for sale to take home. The feed will begin about 3:45 p.m. and continue until 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th.

With the peak summer vegetable season now, the number of vendors and customers has reached a new high for the year. The sweet corn feed is a chance for the Farmers Market vendors to say thank you to their customers.

The Carroll Farmers Market is held every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning until October 17. They are located on the west side of Westgate Mall in downtown Carroll on the south side of Highway 30. Vendors are local farmers, gardeners, bakers, and craft people.

August 14th - Ag Golf Outing & Barbecue

The Ag Committee of the Chamber has been very busy getting sponsors, door prizes and planning for area farmers and ag businesses to have a great day of golf and dinner. There will be best shot golf with a shotgun start at 12:00 noon on August 14th at the Carroll Muni. Dinner will be pork loin and steaks with all the trimmings from 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. Reserve your golf/cart/dinner tickets now for only $47.50. If you don't golf you can still be part of the fun and join us for dinner. You can buy a dinner ticket separately for $13.00. Stop at the Chamber office to get your tickets and reserve your golf spot.

Chamber Hosts Lt. Governor Patty Judge's Visit to Carroll

The Chamber hosted Lt. Governor Judge, Iowa Tourism Director Nancy Landess and Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich in Carroll at Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery today. They were welcomed by Chamber President Mike Franey and informed of tourism opportunities in Carroll County. They had a sample of Santa Maria's wines and were given a tour of the winery by owners John & Rose Guinan. Lt. Governor Patty Judge is on tour of Iowa and is calling on Iowans to stay around Iowa this summer; and in the process invest their money in Iowa's communities to support local businesses and jobs. To see a map of her tour locations, visit http://www.traveliowa.blogspot.com/. Here you can learn more about the places and events on the Lt. Governor’s visit along with find resources for planning your own vacation. Check the Carroll Chamber of Commerce website for the Carroll County Visitor Guide and Community Calendar to find out what there is to see and do in Carroll County.

June Unemployment Figures Released

The Western Iowa Advantage Region's monthly unemployment rate increased to 4.8 percent in June from 3.4 percent in June 2008, according to figures released from Iowa Workforce Development. Iowa's unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in June from a revised 4.1 percent in June 2008. The U.S. unemployment rate was 9.5 percent in June. Total employment in the region decreased slightly to 49,000 in June 2009 from 49,975 in June 2008.

Carroll County again has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state.

Shop Carroll

Ridiculous Day

Saturday, July 25th

One Day ONLY

7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Shop Carroll & Save

Give Your Opinion on 2010 Farmers Market

Visitors to the Carroll Farmers Market this week will be treated to a free cold can of Pepsi product if they take a minute to complete a Farmer Market survey. Pepsi-Americas is kind enough to provide the soda to encourage survey participation. The surveys will be at this Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning markets. The Carroll Farmers Market is held on the West Gate Shopping Center parking lot in downtown Carroll.
The customer survey will be used in making plans for improvements to future Farmers Market planning and possible location change. Let your voice be heard.

Carroll County Fair Underway

There is still plenty of time to get to the Carroll County Fair! It runs through Sunday in Coon Rapids. For more information, click on the link to the right named "Carroll County Fair". A listing of upcoming activities:

FRIDAY, JULY 17
6 p.m. - Antique Tractor Pull
7 p.m. – Oak Tree Opry to perform in the Exhibit Hall
7 p.m. - Battle of the Bands at ISB stage
7 p.m. – Teen AGtivities
7 p.m. – Coon Rapids Lions Club - Texas Hold 'em, Annunciation Parish Center

SATURDAY, JULY 18
7:30 a.m. – 5K Family Fun Run/Walk Check-in
8 a.m. – 5K Family Fun Run/Walk
8 a.m. – Sheep/Goat Show
11:30 a.m. – Parade
NOON – Garden Tractor Pull Presented by Mid America Pulling Association
Website: https://webmailcluster.perfora.net/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pullmapa.com%2F
1 p.m. – Co-ed Mud Volleyball – 3 or 4 pits
1:30 p.m. - Pedal Tractor Pull
1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Doc Anderson
2 – 9 p.m. Rides and attractions by Gee Willie Entertainment
2:30 & 5 p.m. Shows by Terry the Magic Guy, website: https://webmailcluster.perfora.net/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.magicguy.com%2F
7 p.m. - Figure 8 Races
8 p.m. – Karaoke by Terry

SUNDAY, JULY 19
8 a.m. – Beef, Dairy and Bucket Calf Show
9 a.m. – Registration for Open Class Horse Show
9 a.m. - Tractor Ride Around Carroll County – Community Insurance Agency
10 a.m. – Open Class Horse Show
11:30 a.m. – Co-ed Dodge Ball Tournament; Nick Oswald, 712-999-9436
NOON - Judging for the Apple Pie Contest in the Exhibit Hall
1 p.m. - Serving pie & ice cream – Coon Rapids Ins. & Real Estate
2 p.m. - Release of Open Class
2 p.m. - Release of Livestock (assigned by clubs) & Static Entries
7 p.m. - Bonus Auction

Other Events: Miniature Golf; Thursday, Friday & Saturday: Gladiator Joust, Inflata Hoops, Giant Slide, Obstacle Course, 3 Toddler Town pieces, (Euro Bungee Station-Sat only), by Gee Willie Entertainment

MidAmerican Energy CEO Visits Carroll

MidAmerican Energy Company President and CEO Bill Fehrman discussed the proposed Energy bill Tuesday with a group of Carroll County business leaders and officials. He stated the company's position on the cap and trade component of the 1,500 page bill that is currently being considered in the United States Senate.

"The bottom line is that the trading allowances will not reduce emissions and will hurt rural customers, particularly in the midwest," according to Carroll Area Development Corporation President Gary Riedmann, who was in attendance with about 60 others. CADC invited Carroll Rotary, elected officials and other business leaders to the lunch and presentation.

Included in the information presented:

•MidAmerican supports the cap, not the trade
•The bill will impose huge and unnecessary costs on customers
•The general economy will be severely damaged by the potential increase in electric rates
•The bill unfairly penalizes companies that have proactively built renewable generation and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity
•MidAmerican believes an 83% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050 is achievable while avoiding the up-front costs of emission allowances
•MidAmerican’s alternative will actually result in a reduction in GHG emissions and avoid the double jeopardy imposed on customers of having to pay both for allowances and replacement power.

MidAmerican proposes:
•Allow states to cap emissions to reach the 83% reduction goal by 2050
–Firm targets without allowance trading
•Establish reasonable interim goals to allow time for new technology to be developed and new generation to be built
•Protect customers from paying twice and reduce volatility
•This alternative will reduce price shock and economic dislocation

It's ALIVE!!

Carroll's Central Business District is alive with activity this summer...Corridor of Commerce improvements continue on Adams and Carroll Streets...Maurice's has renewed their lease in Westgate Mall and has begun a substantial remodel...There is "iron in the air" at Carroll County State Bank as their addition and renovation continues...Carroll Auto Supply is improving their storefront...Drees Co. has added an electrical division...Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery is now open with a tasting room serving lunch and dinner and a 300 seat event center...Pizza Ranch is progressing on a new store in the Depot Business Center, as is Carroll Apothecary, which is expanding and relocating there.

So much to do..so much to see.."Carroll, It's All Here!"

Golf Anyone? Chamber's Annual Golf Outing
Mark your calendars for Monday, September 14.
I not suggesting the Chamber invented the idea of a "Golf Outing" but this is our 47th year . . so we have been at this for a while and its' still fun!

Most of our participants come out to actually golf and have fun. But we have a few that just like to lean on the cart and harass other people. We won't mention any names. See you September 14th . We are putting our President, Mr Franey in charge of weather that day.

Lt. Governor Patty Judge to Visit Carroll

At a time when many Iowans are looking for an affordable way to get away this summer, Lt. Governor Patty Judge has the solution - travel Iowa. Along with Carroll she will visit 66 other cities in Iowa. She is calling on Iowans to stay around Iowa this summer, and in the process invest their money in Iowa's communities to support local businesses and jobs. Lt. Governor Judge will be in Carroll at Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery on Thursday July 23th. To see a map of tour locations she will be stopping at, visit Travel Iowa 2009 Blog. Here you can learn more about the places and events the Lt. Governor will visit, find resources for planning your own vacation and follow along as the Lt. Governor travels the state.

Check the Carroll Chamber of Commerce website for our Carroll County Visitor Guide and Community Calendar to find out what there is to see and do in Carroll County.

MidAmerican Energy CEO to Talk Cap & Trade in Carroll

Carroll Area Development Corporation will host a special luncheon for Carroll County business leaders on July 14. William J. Fehrman, President and CEO of MidAmerican Energy Company will discuss the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The bill, which is being considered in the U.S. Senate, proposes to reduce carbon emissions by implementing a “cap and trade” system among energy companies (see earlier post titled, "MidAmerican Supports Cap, But Not the Trade")

Chamber members who want to learn more about MidAmerican’s position on this bill and it’s affect on your energy costs should contact the CADC and reserve a seat.

Newton Room
Carrollton Centre
Tuesday, July 14
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch Sponsored by MidAmerican Energy

Contact: Carroll Area Development Corp.
chamber@carrolliowa.com ~ or ~ 712.792.4383

Chamber Prez's Popular Postings

Chamber President Mike Franey has become quite the celebrity with the golf crowd and many more with a popular local blog, The Franey Golf Report. We could go on, but the Daily Times Herald article here says it best!

Do you have a favorite blog that promotes your community or organization? Comment on this post and we will share it with our readers.