I had a blast going out to see the North Liberty radio telescope the other day. Yes, it was just about three weeks ago that I sent a mass e-mail out to a bunch of friends and family members, bragging that I lived only a couple miles from one of the most sensitive satellite dishes in the world. I claimed that is so sensitive, it can pick up the sound of a pin landing on the moon’s surface. At least that’s what I’ve read.
My friend, Cole, responded to my e-mail, and said he wanted to take his five-year old son out to see it. I heard from one other friend on that mailing list, and the three of us made plans to go out sometime soon.
Cole called me at 11 a.m. last Saturday, and told me he was on his way out, did I want to come along? He thought Zack, his five year old, would get a kick out of seeing a satellite dish that was 82 feet wide and weighed 240 tons. I don’t know about Zack, but I loved it.
I’ve lived in North Liberty for five years and had no idea that a gigantic interstellar ear was parked two miles north of my house. Now you are hearing this from a long time science and technology buff, and avid fan of the original Star Trek, Star Wars, and “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
For those of you who may not have read about it, the North Liberty radio telescope (I like to call it the “big dish”) is part of a 10-dish system that acts like one gigantic antenna, collecting data from regions in deep space for various astronomers. On January 14th, it helped NASA and the European Space Agency receive signals from a spaceship that left seven years ago and was just now reaching Saturn, 750 million miles away. There were articles in the North Liberty Leader, Gazette, and Iowa City Press Citizen about the big event on January 14th.
I guess scientists were jumping up and down with joy at the end of January because the 350 pictures that were sent back revealed lots of interesting geography of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. It turns out that Titan looks a lot like earth did, before it had life on it.
As I followed Cole out to the big dish, I was surprised to see the turnoff marked by a sign. I figured that the dish would be stuck in the wilderness almost impossible to find. I must say though, that I found the letters on the sign—“NRAO”—to be a bit obscure. I GUESS it meant “big white satellite dish,” in some special language of the scientists.
As luck would have it, Cole and Zack and I had had barely gotten out of our respective cars to go peer at the dish from behind the chain link fence, when a fellow pulled up to the locked gate and began unlocking the padlock. It turned out he was the station technician, Mike Burgert, and he let us walk on in to get a closer look.
Mr. Burgert was about as friendly as could be, and five-year-old Zack felt comfortable enough with him to address him by first name whenever he asked him a question. Actually, it was usually the same question, “Mike, is that pointing at a star now?” “Mike, is that pointing at a star NOW?” “Mike, what is it doing now?”
As I chatted with Mr. Burgert, Cole and Zack started to walk in a big circle around the Big Dish. However, when they got within 15 feet of it, it started to move! The monster dish was on a movable track and could rotate! A few moments later, the whole dish began to tilt backward about ten degrees. It was very, very cool. It reminded me of how a dog tilts its ears at various angles in order to hear better; only in this case, some of the “sounds” it was picking up was light years away from earth. I made Cole take a picture of me in front of it. In turn, I took a picture of him and Zack.
Before we left, Mike said I could come back during one of the big dish’s “down times,” and he would take me to the top of it. I haven’t quite decided whether to take him up on the invitation. I have trouble enough climbing on ladders ten feet high let alone those that are ten stories high. Mike explained that he makes the same offer to kids on his high school tours, but many of them back off after they have reached the first platform. That made me feel better.
Later that day, I told my coworker, Todd, about visiting the Big Dish. The next day, Superbowl Sunday, he took his whole family out there. So far, four of the people I’ve told about the dish, have gone out to see it, and they were all from Iowa City.
I like having the Big Dish in North Liberty. And doesn’t it give the “North” in North Liberty a brand new meaning?
[North Liberty VLBA/National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2269 Mehaffey Bridge Road NE, North Liberty, IA 52317, DJ Beard, Station Manager 319-626-6878.]
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sterling silver baubles -- Shannon Schoon - edited
NORTH LIBERTY - Sterling silver baubles, Swarovski crystals, antiqued beads imported from Bali.
These are the materials craftswoman Shannon Schoon uses in making her jewelry for her home-based business called Peace of Mind Jewelry. Schoon, who lives in North Liberty with her husband Jason, three-year old son, Cale, and 18 month old daughter, Piper, has a degree in interior design. She has been successful at putting her degree to good use by making elegant jewelry.
Peace of Mind: Jewelry and Gifts was created less than two years ago, in October 2002, after a friend asked Shannon Schoon to make a “Mother’s Bracelet” for her. Schoon had not seen a Mother’s Bracelet and so turned to the Internet to research how they were made.
“I’ve always wanted to sell my jewelry and I never could really find an outlet to sell it and be profitable,” said Schoon. “And then once I started making Mother’s Bracelets, they just really caught on and everyone was asking for them.”
The Mother’s Bracelet that Schoon makes features the child’s name spelled out letter by letter on sterling silver cubed beads. In addition, high-quality colored crystals, the kind used in chandeliers, are used to represent the child’s birthstone. And, customers have the option to add a silver charm in the shape of a baby’s foot. The Mother’s Bracelets are Schoon’s most popular item.
Also quite popular are the Salvation Bracelets, which consist of six colored crystals, each representing different parts of faith, explained Schoon. She includes a card that describes the meaning of the six different colors when she ships the bracelet to the customer. “It’s a good way if someone notices that you are wearing it, and you want to share your beliefs,” said Schoon. “And it’s a nice way to keep your faith in your thoughts.”
Schoon’s “one-of-a-kind” bracelets are new this year, and customers can be assured that there are no other bracelets exactly like that one. Shannon explained that many ideas for her designs and patterns come from magazines. She also likes to wander through bead stores for inspiration
A recent art class ignited Shannon’s enthusiasm. She is looking forward to purchasing a kiln and making jewelry from a new material called precious metal clay, which turns to sterling silver when fired.
Schoon’s family supports her growing jewelry business. Her husband, Jason, built her a web site, and took care to register the site with several search engines so that people on the Internet would notice it. He also helps with shipping the orders, especially in November when Shannon receives a lot of orders for Christmas. Shannon’s mom, who loves the jewelry, is one of her best customers.
To view samples of jewelry from Peace of Mind, one can go to the web site, www.peaceofmindjewelry.com, attend the annual pancake breakfast at the North Liberty United Methodist Church where Shannon sets up a display table, or contact Shannon Schoon directly by e-mail shannon@peaceofmindjewelry.com or by telephone at 319-665-2232.
These are the materials craftswoman Shannon Schoon uses in making her jewelry for her home-based business called Peace of Mind Jewelry. Schoon, who lives in North Liberty with her husband Jason, three-year old son, Cale, and 18 month old daughter, Piper, has a degree in interior design. She has been successful at putting her degree to good use by making elegant jewelry.
Peace of Mind: Jewelry and Gifts was created less than two years ago, in October 2002, after a friend asked Shannon Schoon to make a “Mother’s Bracelet” for her. Schoon had not seen a Mother’s Bracelet and so turned to the Internet to research how they were made.
“I’ve always wanted to sell my jewelry and I never could really find an outlet to sell it and be profitable,” said Schoon. “And then once I started making Mother’s Bracelets, they just really caught on and everyone was asking for them.”
The Mother’s Bracelet that Schoon makes features the child’s name spelled out letter by letter on sterling silver cubed beads. In addition, high-quality colored crystals, the kind used in chandeliers, are used to represent the child’s birthstone. And, customers have the option to add a silver charm in the shape of a baby’s foot. The Mother’s Bracelets are Schoon’s most popular item.
Also quite popular are the Salvation Bracelets, which consist of six colored crystals, each representing different parts of faith, explained Schoon. She includes a card that describes the meaning of the six different colors when she ships the bracelet to the customer. “It’s a good way if someone notices that you are wearing it, and you want to share your beliefs,” said Schoon. “And it’s a nice way to keep your faith in your thoughts.”
Schoon’s “one-of-a-kind” bracelets are new this year, and customers can be assured that there are no other bracelets exactly like that one. Shannon explained that many ideas for her designs and patterns come from magazines. She also likes to wander through bead stores for inspiration
A recent art class ignited Shannon’s enthusiasm. She is looking forward to purchasing a kiln and making jewelry from a new material called precious metal clay, which turns to sterling silver when fired.
Schoon’s family supports her growing jewelry business. Her husband, Jason, built her a web site, and took care to register the site with several search engines so that people on the Internet would notice it. He also helps with shipping the orders, especially in November when Shannon receives a lot of orders for Christmas. Shannon’s mom, who loves the jewelry, is one of her best customers.
To view samples of jewelry from Peace of Mind, one can go to the web site, www.peaceofmindjewelry.com, attend the annual pancake breakfast at the North Liberty United Methodist Church where Shannon sets up a display table, or contact Shannon Schoon directly by e-mail shannon@peaceofmindjewelry.com or by telephone at 319-665-2232.
Elizabeth McCracken -- fiction reading
Elizabeth McCracken, author of The Giant’s House and Here’s Your Hat, What’s Your Hurry read from her latest novel, Niagara Falls All Over Again, at the North Liberty Community Center on Monday evening, December 8th. The event was hosted by the North Liberty Community Library. Niagara Fall All over Again (Dial Press, 2001) was recently chosen as an All Iowa Reads Book.
In her stories, McCracken’s descriptions of the Iowa State Fair, the Orpheum Theatre in Des Moines, and the community of Valley Junction, Iowa fill one with a sense of nostalgia. This is because her family members on her mother’s side grew up in the Des Moines area, and she spent the two years prior to writing this book, gathering anecdotes about their lives. Her book captures the characters she learned to love from hearing the anecdotes, as well as that part of American history that witnessed the growth and demise of Vaudeville as entertainment.
The author read two excerpts from her book, one selection covering a time when Mose, the protagonist who becomes a Vaudeville player, is four years old; and one when Mose is 16 years old. Both selections revealed the poignant childhood experiences of Jewish familyhood, losing ones Mom at an early age, and disappointment—both being disappointed, and disappointing the ones you love.
After the reading, Ms. McCracken answered questions from the audience of approximately 20 people, many who had brought personal copies of the book for her to sign. Several print copies as well as an audiorecording, can be found at the North Liberty Community Library. This particular book is owned by over 1000 libraries worldwide and was reviewed by such major publications as the Christian Science Monitor, New York Times Book Review, and TLS (Times Literary Supplement).
Ms. McCracken is currently living in Iowa City, and teaching this fall at the University of Iowa, where she graduated from the Iowa Writers Workshop. This fiction reading will be shown on the North Liberty cable station later this month.
In her stories, McCracken’s descriptions of the Iowa State Fair, the Orpheum Theatre in Des Moines, and the community of Valley Junction, Iowa fill one with a sense of nostalgia. This is because her family members on her mother’s side grew up in the Des Moines area, and she spent the two years prior to writing this book, gathering anecdotes about their lives. Her book captures the characters she learned to love from hearing the anecdotes, as well as that part of American history that witnessed the growth and demise of Vaudeville as entertainment.
The author read two excerpts from her book, one selection covering a time when Mose, the protagonist who becomes a Vaudeville player, is four years old; and one when Mose is 16 years old. Both selections revealed the poignant childhood experiences of Jewish familyhood, losing ones Mom at an early age, and disappointment—both being disappointed, and disappointing the ones you love.
After the reading, Ms. McCracken answered questions from the audience of approximately 20 people, many who had brought personal copies of the book for her to sign. Several print copies as well as an audiorecording, can be found at the North Liberty Community Library. This particular book is owned by over 1000 libraries worldwide and was reviewed by such major publications as the Christian Science Monitor, New York Times Book Review, and TLS (Times Literary Supplement).
Ms. McCracken is currently living in Iowa City, and teaching this fall at the University of Iowa, where she graduated from the Iowa Writers Workshop. This fiction reading will be shown on the North Liberty cable station later this month.
Culture and Freedom for Russian Writers -- Victoria Fomina
On Tuesday evening (March 2, 2004) at the North Liberty Community Library, Russian author, Victoria Fomina, discussed how Soviet culture influenced her life and her writing. Fomina is the University of Iowa International Programs Writer-in-Residence for 2004. She was born in Nalchik in the former Soviet Union, and currently lives in Moscow. As a part of the International Writers Program, she has been traveling around Iowa conducting readings and workshops at schools, libraries, and other public venues.
Ms. Fomina began her talk by describing the current president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. “He is the first intelligent president we have had,” she said. Putin, who did not serve in any political office before his presidency, is popular with young people, the educated, and Muscovites.
Fomina pointed out that she comes from a generation of writers who witnessed the breakdown of the once powerful Soviet Union into smaller independent states, and that this event and the political conditions of her country greatly influence her writing as well as the writing of most Russian literary authors.
The visiting writer stated that under Stalin’s totalitarian government, the Soviet people developed a great fear for one another. “If someone heard you speaking out against the government and reported you, you could be executed,” she said. She also stated that most books and newspapers were banned because of their potential for stimulating new ideas or stirring up dissent with the existing bureaucracy. The Bible was banned because it was considered to contain idealistic thought. Professors at universities were considered a threat also and were paid little more than yard workers.
Fomina said that when the Perestroika (Gorbachev’s restructuring program) and Glasnost (policy of openness) began in 1986-1988, people went crazy with the new freedom to read and buy books and newspapers. Students would subscribe to multiple newspapers. The demand for them was so high that they had lotteries to determine who could subscribe.
The elimination of censorship affected the writers of the Soviet Union in another way. With the ban lifted, many more people began to write and publish. It was harder for a writer to become famous. “Your words had to be more powerful,” Fomina said. Additionally, in the new market economy, publishers would pressure big name authors to put out many books in order to capitalize on their fame. The quality of books went down. She distinguished between books that were coming out for the mere intent to make profit, and those that were not intended for profit, those of a literary nature.
Fomina currently works as an editor in a publishing house in Moscow. When asked who the current big names in Russian literature were, she named Victor Erofeyev, Vladimir Sorokin, andVictor Pelevin. And she told a short story by one of these authors, about a flight school named after a famous pilot, who had lost his feet because of frostbite after having to jump out of his plane in a forest. Young boys in the flight school met with the horrific discovery that a part of their graduation was to have their feet amputated, just like the famous pilot for whom the school was named after. Fomina explained that this story was a statement about government bureaucracy and the degree it would go to create the impression of fame. The story served as an example of the political/cultural nature of much of Russian literature.
The Russian author described her own writing as “transcendental realism.” There is a strong “inner voice,” she said. “It has features of eastern philosophy.” Fomina also writes plays and has had one, “Secret of Another Dimension,” performed in America. She has had one of her short stories published in a highly acclaimed anthology of contemporary Russian prose, and one of her books, “Letter to the Colonel” translated into English. She donated a copy of the latter to the North Liberty Community Library.
Ms. Fomina will be speaking at the Senior Center in Iowa City and at West Liberty High School later this month. Her lecture schedule for the rest of March is listed on the web at http://www.uiowa.edu/~intl/writerschedule/index.html.
Ms. Fomina began her talk by describing the current president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. “He is the first intelligent president we have had,” she said. Putin, who did not serve in any political office before his presidency, is popular with young people, the educated, and Muscovites.
Fomina pointed out that she comes from a generation of writers who witnessed the breakdown of the once powerful Soviet Union into smaller independent states, and that this event and the political conditions of her country greatly influence her writing as well as the writing of most Russian literary authors.
The visiting writer stated that under Stalin’s totalitarian government, the Soviet people developed a great fear for one another. “If someone heard you speaking out against the government and reported you, you could be executed,” she said. She also stated that most books and newspapers were banned because of their potential for stimulating new ideas or stirring up dissent with the existing bureaucracy. The Bible was banned because it was considered to contain idealistic thought. Professors at universities were considered a threat also and were paid little more than yard workers.
Fomina said that when the Perestroika (Gorbachev’s restructuring program) and Glasnost (policy of openness) began in 1986-1988, people went crazy with the new freedom to read and buy books and newspapers. Students would subscribe to multiple newspapers. The demand for them was so high that they had lotteries to determine who could subscribe.
The elimination of censorship affected the writers of the Soviet Union in another way. With the ban lifted, many more people began to write and publish. It was harder for a writer to become famous. “Your words had to be more powerful,” Fomina said. Additionally, in the new market economy, publishers would pressure big name authors to put out many books in order to capitalize on their fame. The quality of books went down. She distinguished between books that were coming out for the mere intent to make profit, and those that were not intended for profit, those of a literary nature.
Fomina currently works as an editor in a publishing house in Moscow. When asked who the current big names in Russian literature were, she named Victor Erofeyev, Vladimir Sorokin, andVictor Pelevin. And she told a short story by one of these authors, about a flight school named after a famous pilot, who had lost his feet because of frostbite after having to jump out of his plane in a forest. Young boys in the flight school met with the horrific discovery that a part of their graduation was to have their feet amputated, just like the famous pilot for whom the school was named after. Fomina explained that this story was a statement about government bureaucracy and the degree it would go to create the impression of fame. The story served as an example of the political/cultural nature of much of Russian literature.
The Russian author described her own writing as “transcendental realism.” There is a strong “inner voice,” she said. “It has features of eastern philosophy.” Fomina also writes plays and has had one, “Secret of Another Dimension,” performed in America. She has had one of her short stories published in a highly acclaimed anthology of contemporary Russian prose, and one of her books, “Letter to the Colonel” translated into English. She donated a copy of the latter to the North Liberty Community Library.
Ms. Fomina will be speaking at the Senior Center in Iowa City and at West Liberty High School later this month. Her lecture schedule for the rest of March is listed on the web at http://www.uiowa.edu/~intl/writerschedule/index.html.
Peace of Mind Jewelry -- Shannon Schoon
At the end of an ambitious day, Shannon Schoon has something to show for it.
Not only is she the dedicated stay-at-home mom of Piper, a sweet 18 month old girl, and Kale, an energetic four year old boy, she also sets time aside from her busy day for her bracelet-making enterprise, Peace of Mind Jewelry.
Shannon has made jewelry since high school, but the real idea for Peace of Mind came when a friend asked Shannon to make her a Mother’s Bracelet last October. Since then, Shannon has been inspired to make her hobby into a full-blown business that makes a multitude of different bracelets.
Shannon explained that much of Peace of Mind’s business revolves around Mother’s bracelets. These are bracelets that have the name of the mother’s child on them, and also the birthstones. The names are spelled out by either square or rounded square beads. Salvation Bracelets are another popular product Shannon creates. These bracelets showcase six colored beads, all representing different concepts about salvation. This bracelet is special in that everyone she sells, she donates $10 to the North Liberty United Methodist Church. She also has Leukemia and Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelets for which she does similar actions.
Besides Mothers Bracelets and Salvation Bracelets, Shannon can create a wide variety of bracelets for anybody. She can make a Team Spirit Bracelet for either college or high school by using the school’s colors and spelling out the school’s name. She can also make Baby Bracelets for the children themselves by putting the baby’s name on them. Holiday Bracelets are popular, too. Her Christmas bracelet sports a snowman charm, winter themed beads, and the phrase, “Let it Snow!”, and she plans on doing a Valentine’s bracelet with heart charms, and possibly even Easter bracelets. “I can customize pretty much everything,” Shannon asserted.
Shannon receives most of her business through her website for Peace of Mind, at www.peaceofmindjewelry.com, and also through family and friends. “I’m hoping to branch out into local areas, too,” Shannon added. With the upcoming Christmas season, Shannon keeps busy, making Mother’s Bracelets and Grandmother’s Bracelets, which she noted were especially popular this season. “With Christmas I’ve been busier,” Shannon explained. “I try to do a little bit everyday on the bracelets.”
Shannon also plans on teaching at the Recreation Center in January on creating Mother’s bracelets. “People come in and I help them make their own mother’s bracelet from scratch,” Shannon furthered. “I thought it would be something that was fun to offer to people.”
In creating the bracelets, Shannon draws on her interior design degree extensively. “It helps with the layout of the bracelets and putting colors together,” she said of her degree’s influence. Shannon holds an edge to her competitors by using all sterling silver, Baly beads, professional beading wire (with a twenty pound breaking capacity), and Swarovski crystals, which she maintains are the best crystals in the world.
To explore the different kinds of bracelets Shannon makes, or to see photos of the bracelets , take a look at the Peace of Mind website: www.peaceofmindjewelry.com.
Not only is she the dedicated stay-at-home mom of Piper, a sweet 18 month old girl, and Kale, an energetic four year old boy, she also sets time aside from her busy day for her bracelet-making enterprise, Peace of Mind Jewelry.
Shannon has made jewelry since high school, but the real idea for Peace of Mind came when a friend asked Shannon to make her a Mother’s Bracelet last October. Since then, Shannon has been inspired to make her hobby into a full-blown business that makes a multitude of different bracelets.
Shannon explained that much of Peace of Mind’s business revolves around Mother’s bracelets. These are bracelets that have the name of the mother’s child on them, and also the birthstones. The names are spelled out by either square or rounded square beads. Salvation Bracelets are another popular product Shannon creates. These bracelets showcase six colored beads, all representing different concepts about salvation. This bracelet is special in that everyone she sells, she donates $10 to the North Liberty United Methodist Church. She also has Leukemia and Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelets for which she does similar actions.
Besides Mothers Bracelets and Salvation Bracelets, Shannon can create a wide variety of bracelets for anybody. She can make a Team Spirit Bracelet for either college or high school by using the school’s colors and spelling out the school’s name. She can also make Baby Bracelets for the children themselves by putting the baby’s name on them. Holiday Bracelets are popular, too. Her Christmas bracelet sports a snowman charm, winter themed beads, and the phrase, “Let it Snow!”, and she plans on doing a Valentine’s bracelet with heart charms, and possibly even Easter bracelets. “I can customize pretty much everything,” Shannon asserted.
Shannon receives most of her business through her website for Peace of Mind, at www.peaceofmindjewelry.com, and also through family and friends. “I’m hoping to branch out into local areas, too,” Shannon added. With the upcoming Christmas season, Shannon keeps busy, making Mother’s Bracelets and Grandmother’s Bracelets, which she noted were especially popular this season. “With Christmas I’ve been busier,” Shannon explained. “I try to do a little bit everyday on the bracelets.”
Shannon also plans on teaching at the Recreation Center in January on creating Mother’s bracelets. “People come in and I help them make their own mother’s bracelet from scratch,” Shannon furthered. “I thought it would be something that was fun to offer to people.”
In creating the bracelets, Shannon draws on her interior design degree extensively. “It helps with the layout of the bracelets and putting colors together,” she said of her degree’s influence. Shannon holds an edge to her competitors by using all sterling silver, Baly beads, professional beading wire (with a twenty pound breaking capacity), and Swarovski crystals, which she maintains are the best crystals in the world.
To explore the different kinds of bracelets Shannon makes, or to see photos of the bracelets , take a look at the Peace of Mind website: www.peaceofmindjewelry.com.
John Eberhardt, artist
John Eberhardt has hunted since he was a kid. “My father was a sportsman, always fishing or hunting somewhere. If Dad was going to go, he had to take us boys with him.”
For the last 25 years, Eberhardt has expressed how he feels about the outdoors through his painting. The artist, whose work has been featured on the cover of twenty-three Cabela outdoor and hunting supply catalogs, is known throughout the Midwest for his lifelike depiction of waterfowl, quail, pheasants, deer, and turkey.
In addition to being featured on the Cabela covers, Eberhardt’s limited edition prints are sold by major conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. Occasionally, companies such as Pepsi Cola or Dupont will commission him to do a special work.
It was his grandmother who got John Eberhardt hooked on painting. 1972 was a difficult year for him. He dropped out of his first year of college and later got drafted. He returned from the army in 1974 and decided to continue his welding classes. It was then that his grandmother gave him a set of paints. “I think she did it to keep me out of the bars,” commented Eberhardt. “And it worked, I really fell in love with it.”
While working and going to school, Eberhardt continued to paint in his free time, imitating various artists’ techniques and improving his skills without the benefit of formal instruction. In April 1978, he took some of his work to an art show in Clinton, Iowa and came back $600 richer. “I thought I had gone to heaven,” said Eberhardt. He quit school and his job, and decided that painting was what he wanted to do for a living. He was not sure he could do it, but he wanted to give it a try.
Eberhardt’s first Cabela cover in 1983 caused a bit of a controversy. The store had never received so many letters in response to one of their covers. This one featured a black Labrador with a mallard duck in its mouth. But Cabela didn’t mind the publicity. They knew it was the type of thing that hunters would love.
It was Eberhardt’s daughter, Athea, who inspired him to move from southern Iowa to Johnson County. When Athea moved to Marengo with her mom, Eberhardt wanted to be closer to her. He moved to a farmhouse in rural Iowa City, and then a couple years later, bought a mobile home in North Liberty. That is where he painted. He enjoyed the natural lighting coming in from the many windows.
The nature of Eberhardt’s work has changed over the years. In the 1980’s, he sold most of his works to the major conservation groups in the form of limited edition signed prints. He won several Artist of the Year awards with the Illinois Ducks Unlimited, and he became well known as a waterfowl artist, producing around twenty originals each year.
In the early 1990’s, the print market became saturated, so Eberhardt turned to producing and selling more originals. At the same time, he expanded his subject themes to include turkey and deer, reflecting his change in hunting habits since his father had stopped duck hunting. He also began to create smaller works with flower and bird themes to appeal to the many women at the art shows.
More recently, John Eberhardt has begun painting on turkey feathers. He has discovered that these paintings are immensely popular, partly because of their beauty, and partly because of their affordable price. The large feathers, usually harvested from a bird he has killed during the spring hunting season, are mounted and framed. Before painting the miniature wildlife scene on the feather, Eberhardt lays down an area of white acrylic latex to keep the feather from separating.
From now until October, John Eberhardt will be on the road selling his wildlife art. In October, he will put away the paints and the paintings and head out to the fields to hunt. Eberhardt says he does not consider himself to be a natural born painter, but has spent the last 25 years learning to paint in order to glorify the outdoors that he loves.
For the last 25 years, Eberhardt has expressed how he feels about the outdoors through his painting. The artist, whose work has been featured on the cover of twenty-three Cabela outdoor and hunting supply catalogs, is known throughout the Midwest for his lifelike depiction of waterfowl, quail, pheasants, deer, and turkey.
In addition to being featured on the Cabela covers, Eberhardt’s limited edition prints are sold by major conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. Occasionally, companies such as Pepsi Cola or Dupont will commission him to do a special work.
It was his grandmother who got John Eberhardt hooked on painting. 1972 was a difficult year for him. He dropped out of his first year of college and later got drafted. He returned from the army in 1974 and decided to continue his welding classes. It was then that his grandmother gave him a set of paints. “I think she did it to keep me out of the bars,” commented Eberhardt. “And it worked, I really fell in love with it.”
While working and going to school, Eberhardt continued to paint in his free time, imitating various artists’ techniques and improving his skills without the benefit of formal instruction. In April 1978, he took some of his work to an art show in Clinton, Iowa and came back $600 richer. “I thought I had gone to heaven,” said Eberhardt. He quit school and his job, and decided that painting was what he wanted to do for a living. He was not sure he could do it, but he wanted to give it a try.
Eberhardt’s first Cabela cover in 1983 caused a bit of a controversy. The store had never received so many letters in response to one of their covers. This one featured a black Labrador with a mallard duck in its mouth. But Cabela didn’t mind the publicity. They knew it was the type of thing that hunters would love.
It was Eberhardt’s daughter, Athea, who inspired him to move from southern Iowa to Johnson County. When Athea moved to Marengo with her mom, Eberhardt wanted to be closer to her. He moved to a farmhouse in rural Iowa City, and then a couple years later, bought a mobile home in North Liberty. That is where he painted. He enjoyed the natural lighting coming in from the many windows.
The nature of Eberhardt’s work has changed over the years. In the 1980’s, he sold most of his works to the major conservation groups in the form of limited edition signed prints. He won several Artist of the Year awards with the Illinois Ducks Unlimited, and he became well known as a waterfowl artist, producing around twenty originals each year.
In the early 1990’s, the print market became saturated, so Eberhardt turned to producing and selling more originals. At the same time, he expanded his subject themes to include turkey and deer, reflecting his change in hunting habits since his father had stopped duck hunting. He also began to create smaller works with flower and bird themes to appeal to the many women at the art shows.
More recently, John Eberhardt has begun painting on turkey feathers. He has discovered that these paintings are immensely popular, partly because of their beauty, and partly because of their affordable price. The large feathers, usually harvested from a bird he has killed during the spring hunting season, are mounted and framed. Before painting the miniature wildlife scene on the feather, Eberhardt lays down an area of white acrylic latex to keep the feather from separating.
From now until October, John Eberhardt will be on the road selling his wildlife art. In October, he will put away the paints and the paintings and head out to the fields to hunt. Eberhardt says he does not consider himself to be a natural born painter, but has spent the last 25 years learning to paint in order to glorify the outdoors that he loves.
All that Jazz -- Drew Pierson
A typical teenager, he loves to skateboard; he plays cards with his friends; he’s crazy about Stephen King. But there is one thing about seventeen year old Drew Pierson of North Liberty that is not so typical—he is an accomplished saxophone player, and reveres the likes of John Coltrane and Sonny Rawlins.
Pierson, a recent graduate of West High School, was selected earlier this year to the prestigious Grammy High School Jazz Ensemble, sponsored by the Grammy Foundation and Gibson Guitars/Baldwin Pianos. The national competition rewarded 29 talented high school students by bringing them to Los Angeles to help celebrate the 46th Annual Grammy Awards. During his week in Los Angeles, Drew participated in intensive rehearsals, performed in several Los Angeles jazz clubs, and attended the Grammy Awards ceremony on February 8th.
But this was not the only national music award bestowed upon Drew Pierson. In 2003, the musical trio Jazz Attack, consisting of Drew on saxophone, Bridget Kearney on bass, and Andrew Aker on drums, was awarded the Downbeat Student Music Award for best small instrumental jazz group. Drew is very proud of these two accolades.
Drew Pierson began playing the saxophone in the sixth grade. His father, Rod Pierson, is an accomplished saxophone player and was Drew’s first teacher. Drew took up the saxophone, not because he wanted to, but because he thought it would please his father. And it did. Sharing a love for the saxophone has created a strong bond. And the elder Pierson continues to mentor his son by allowing him to play with his musical group, the Rod Pierson Big Band, in various local venues.
In addition to playing with his father’s big band, Drew Pierson improves his musical skills by taking lessons from University of Northern Iowa professor, Chris Merz. He also practices one to three hours per day, and spends a lot of time listening and emulating the styles of about fifteen jazz musicians including John Coltrane, Sonny Rawlins, and Michael Brecker.
Like many young artists, Drew loves to practice improvisation and dreads practicing the classics. Still, he does it. “Music theory is important to achieve musical independence on the horn. To get to a level where you don’t have to rely on that...not fun stuff...but you have to master it to become free from it,” explained Drew.
Drew’s mom, Deb Pierson, who is the director of the Penn Elementary Before and After School Program, has come to terms with Drew’s desire to become a professional musician. Being of a more practical nature, she has been encouraging Drew to major in something more marketable than Jazz Studies when he enters DePaul University this fall. But the many recent awards and accolades are gently shifting her sentiments toward realizing that her son is an especially talented saxophone player, and may be able to make a career of it.
As for Drew, he has not decided yet whether to go with his heart and major in Jazz Studies, or compromise and major in something his college advisor has suggested, Sound Technology, which would allow him to utilize his strong aptitude in mathematics.
In the meantime, Drew Pierson is having fun this summer. He is skateboarding, swimming, helping out with the Penn Summer Program, and hanging out with his friends and brothers, Nick and Matt. He played with nineteen other students in a united high school band at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and will be playing with his old trio, Jazz Attack, in Cedar Rapids at the Jazz Under the Stars festival August 5th. In the fall he will move to Chicago, the foremost city of jazz, to attend college and pursue his dreams of becoming a great jazz musician.
Pierson, a recent graduate of West High School, was selected earlier this year to the prestigious Grammy High School Jazz Ensemble, sponsored by the Grammy Foundation and Gibson Guitars/Baldwin Pianos. The national competition rewarded 29 talented high school students by bringing them to Los Angeles to help celebrate the 46th Annual Grammy Awards. During his week in Los Angeles, Drew participated in intensive rehearsals, performed in several Los Angeles jazz clubs, and attended the Grammy Awards ceremony on February 8th.
But this was not the only national music award bestowed upon Drew Pierson. In 2003, the musical trio Jazz Attack, consisting of Drew on saxophone, Bridget Kearney on bass, and Andrew Aker on drums, was awarded the Downbeat Student Music Award for best small instrumental jazz group. Drew is very proud of these two accolades.
Drew Pierson began playing the saxophone in the sixth grade. His father, Rod Pierson, is an accomplished saxophone player and was Drew’s first teacher. Drew took up the saxophone, not because he wanted to, but because he thought it would please his father. And it did. Sharing a love for the saxophone has created a strong bond. And the elder Pierson continues to mentor his son by allowing him to play with his musical group, the Rod Pierson Big Band, in various local venues.
In addition to playing with his father’s big band, Drew Pierson improves his musical skills by taking lessons from University of Northern Iowa professor, Chris Merz. He also practices one to three hours per day, and spends a lot of time listening and emulating the styles of about fifteen jazz musicians including John Coltrane, Sonny Rawlins, and Michael Brecker.
Like many young artists, Drew loves to practice improvisation and dreads practicing the classics. Still, he does it. “Music theory is important to achieve musical independence on the horn. To get to a level where you don’t have to rely on that...not fun stuff...but you have to master it to become free from it,” explained Drew.
Drew’s mom, Deb Pierson, who is the director of the Penn Elementary Before and After School Program, has come to terms with Drew’s desire to become a professional musician. Being of a more practical nature, she has been encouraging Drew to major in something more marketable than Jazz Studies when he enters DePaul University this fall. But the many recent awards and accolades are gently shifting her sentiments toward realizing that her son is an especially talented saxophone player, and may be able to make a career of it.
As for Drew, he has not decided yet whether to go with his heart and major in Jazz Studies, or compromise and major in something his college advisor has suggested, Sound Technology, which would allow him to utilize his strong aptitude in mathematics.
In the meantime, Drew Pierson is having fun this summer. He is skateboarding, swimming, helping out with the Penn Summer Program, and hanging out with his friends and brothers, Nick and Matt. He played with nineteen other students in a united high school band at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and will be playing with his old trio, Jazz Attack, in Cedar Rapids at the Jazz Under the Stars festival August 5th. In the fall he will move to Chicago, the foremost city of jazz, to attend college and pursue his dreams of becoming a great jazz musician.
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