What’s this you say? That isn’t a picture of mountain biking… well, I’d have to beg to differ my friends. This is a picture of what happens AFTER you mountain bike. Fizzy beverages, grillable things like trout (on the rock in foil) and brats, and fun people. Oh yes, and a fire. Nights like this one literally sweep winter’s heavy weight off your back and remind you why it is awesome to live in such a unique place.

Peddle… dammit….

(From Inspire(d) Magazine, Spring 2011, by: Benji Nichols) ***See the UJE Play LIVE on Friday evening, April 15 at the Elk’s Lodge in Decorah from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm, or Monday evening, April 18 at The Hub in Cedar Falls!

In the early 1990s something invaded the Oneota River Valley. No, it wasn’t locusts, RAGBRAI riders, or deer; it was jazz. Literally – through the National Endowment for the Arts’ “Rural Residency Arts Initiative,” jazz invaded Northeast Iowa… with a passion. From August of 1992 to the summer of 1994 the Unified Jazz Ensemble took up residency in the middle of a “jazz desert.” This April, they are coming back to Eastern Iowa for a “mini-residency.”

“When I first moved to Decorah in 1986 I was stunned by the lack of jazz,” says Decorah High School band director Jim Fritz. “You couldn’t find it on the radio, there was no jazz band at the high school, and the Luther Jazz band was primarily student-run. It was pretty bleak.”

But as jazz-barren as the valley may have been, it was also this precise detail that lead to the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) placement of a professional residency. Renata Sack, former executive director of the Cedar Arts Forum recalls: “In 1991, the National Endowment for the Arts solicited input from Cedar Arts Forum in regard to a Chamber Music Rural Residency program. We enthusiastically embraced the idea and formulated a partnership with the Jesup Community Schools, Upper Iowa University in Fayette, and Luther College.”

Educator Jim Fritz, along with former Luther College Dean Tom Kraabel, teamed up to link the program between the city, public schools, Luther College, and community. Fritz and Kraabel specifically requested a jazz ensemble and the idea piqued the NEA. A search came up with the Unified Jazz Ensemble – a quintet of young, professional, modern jazz musicians willing to relocate to the rural Midwest for a minimum of 10 months.

The five-piece ensemble consisted of vibraphone and trombone player Mike Noonan, saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk, pianist Tim Harrison, Marty Morrison on drums, and Ray Parker (originally) on bass, with John Pineda eventually stepping in on the bass. Each member – with wide roots from Canada to Texas, and England to Missouri – all took on new territory by moving to Iowa. They found themselves gigging in grocery store aisles and teaching elementary students how to improvise on plastic recorders, but by the end of their first few months, the band felt at home.

“Living in rural Iowa was at first a little challenging for the ensemble members,” Noonan recalls,  “but the community of Decorah embraced the opportunity to be exposed to America’s true art-form.”

A weekly gig at Orsey’s (RIP!) in Decorah presented not only a unique improvised concert each week, but a chance for local students and residents to sit-in with the band. In addition, countless school clinics and concerts across the region exposed an entire generation to a music style they may have never known.

“Students of all ages learned about jazz, jazz musicians, and performing jazz.  Everyone from kindergarten to high school, and college to adults picked up on jazz from the UJE,” says Fritz. “UJE shook things up. They are outstanding, great guys, and fine educators.”

In those early years, the UJE honed their craft, both individually as well as through their ensemble playing. With influences from classic jazz to West African rhythms, the group created heavy modern jazz grooves.

“It was an incredibly invaluable springboard that helped launch and sustain us,” says Noonan, who – a decade and a half later – still leads the group on weekly Tuesday night escapades… only in Maryland, not Iowa.

For the past 14 years the group has resided in Annapolis, Maryland and play almost every Tuesday night at 49 West. They have a loyal following of fans and musicians – both professional and students, who continue to learn and collaborate with the band. And the ensemble itself has continued to evolve. The UJE is now a quartet featuring Noonan on vibes and trombone, with John Pineda on bass, Grammy award winning trumpet and flugelhorn player Tim Stanley, and drummer Dominic Smith.

2010 proved to be an exciting year for the ensemble, with the release of their eighth record, “Cradle Song”. Eight appears to be the magic number, as the ensemble was also one of eight groups chosen from across the country to participate in the Chamber Music America’s Residency Partnership Program. Through the program the UJE will be performing and in residence in schools and communities across Maryland and the Washington D.C. area through the 2011 school year, in addition to keeping up a regular gigging schedule and travel to Iowa.

Two decades after seeing their start in Decorah the experience gained from life in small town Iowa hasn’t faded for the ensemble.

“The UJE maintains friendships with families and individuals created through the residency to this day and looks forward to returning,” says Noonan.

When prompted about what sets the UJE apart from the masses, Jim Fritz quickly responds, “Longevity – while there have been personnel changes, the basic mission of UJE is still vibrant, as is their commitment to jazz education. It’s a passion they have as musicians and as a band.”

The Unified Jazz Ensemble brings their diverse brand of jazz back to Northeast Iowa in a mid-April mini-residency. They will be presenting workshops and concerts in Des Moines, Ames, Decorah, Cedar Falls, and Calmar. See the pull-out on this page for full details, and see them play live on Friday evening, April 15 at the Elk’s Lodge in Decorah from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm, or Monday evening, April 18 at The Hub in Cedar Falls.

For more information and to listen to the UJE visit www.unifiedjazz.com.

4/12 – IA Jazz Championships, Des Moines

4/13 – Iowa State University – student clinics, Ames

4/14 – Luther College – student clinics, Decorah

4/15 – Public Concert, Decorah Elk’s Lodge, 7:30 pm

4/18 –Public Concert, The Hub, Cedar Falls, IA, 8 pm

4/19 – Luncheon gig, Northeast Iowa Community College

So the Conert For Epilepsy V went off without a hitch March 26. Chad Barth put together an amazing team of people from across the country to pull the concert off and the 1,000+ people that showed up had an amazing time.  Josh Turner & Little Big Town put on a fantastic show and we can’t wait to see what Chad comes up with for 2012!!! See you in DC next Spring!

If you want to see more pics from the event feel free to click here….

In spite of what some may think, we’re not always latched to our desks here at Inspire(d) HQ. Nope, sometimes we tear our house apart! In fact, we often tear our house apart and occasionally even put pieces of it back together. Let’s see, there’s been the gutting of the basement, the re-tuck pointing of the limestone walls, the shoring up of the entry-living room ceiling (super fun…), tearing out carpet, painting, sidewalks, roofing, painting, etc. It’s an old house, and that means a work in progress… maybe forever!

Our second bedroom upstairs has been a few things thus far in our relationship with the house. It was the original Inspire(d) office, until we converted our dining room into the ultra-awesome-fantastic Inspire(d) HQ that it currently is. We also have dreams of using it as a guest room, at least until a screaming miniature life form comes into play. So in these hopes, we bashed out of the plaster walls last night that we’ve been plotting against for some time. Interesting enough, this (picture above) is one of the treasures we found behind it. A pipe with a cork in it. Awesome.

I’m totally curious as to what this was. My best guess may be that it was some sort of gas pipe, abandoned years ago -  possibly from gas lights or some other heating type device, as the room doesn’t appear to have ever been any kind of bathroom. The other end of it is capped off in our stairwell, so the light theory may hold up. Hard to say… or perhaps a former owner once had kool-aid on tap. Hmmm, delicious.

The adventure continues no matter – Aryn has her eye on the entry way ceiling next, and having got a taste for plaster dust, I’m almost worried what will be next. On with the adventure!

The words above are from a life long acquaintance and fellow Decorah’n Chad Barth. Chad and I grew up together – went to the same church, same school, same trip to Costa Rica. We hadn’t spoken much in the years following high school and leaving Decorah until a class reunion a few years ago when Chad explained to me what he had been up to – an incredibly fascinating (to me) career in political consulting. Granted, our political views were far from similar – but I’m not one to judge a person merely on politics, and Chad and I quickly found that we had some strong common interests, including putting on events and concerts. But his reasons for presenting events were a bit more unique than most that I get to work with. You see, Chad’s sister Christina was diagnosed with Epilepsy as a baby. His family has been through just about every high and low you can imagine and Christina is now in her mid-20′s. I could tell you the story here, but Chad’s words are most effective – read them here.

The cool part is that a few years ago Chad decided to throw a concert in benefit of the Epilepsy Foundation. Ok, so in truth, the first “concert” was a Karaoke battle between Chad & a friend, but since then every year has gotten a bit bigger – a roof top concert near the capitol with Crossin’ Dixon, a party boat cruise concert on the Potomac, etc. So this year Chad is blowing things out of the water – a full blow concert at the Gaylord National (on the Potomac) with multi-platinum MCA recording artist Josh Turner, and three time Grammy/CMA/AMC nominee Little Big Town. Both of these acts are top-notch, young, and above all – fun.

So here’s the part where I challenge you – and explain why I’m writing this! Your’s truly, on behalf of Inspire(d) Media will be in DC helping produce the 5th annual Concert for Epilepsy, and I know you all can’t be there, but you ARE invited, and you CAN help support the event even if you can’t attend. Click on the image at left to find out how you can help support the benefit, buy tickets that will be given to the DC area USO for a soldier to attend the show, or donate directly to Chad’s team for the National Walk for Epilepsy on March 27, 2011.

Here’s to thinking BIG – not wasting a moment -and making good things happen for fantastic causes!

I know it’s been said a million times, but I think this is one of those pictures that I’ll just allow to save me 1,000 words. Life it, at times, a fascinating combination of beginning, end, and all point between. I just hope I have a few more years on the snowshoes before I inherit Grandma’s walker.

We’ve survived another January in Iowa – an event worth noting for any soul. February rolled in with a grand billzard that dumped a ton of snow just south of us, and just enough in our corner of the world to really put the cross country skiing back in shape. Decorah is an awesome place for trails any time of the year, and if you enjoy cross country skiing, there is plenty to keep you entertained. From the flat easy going river bottom in the Decorah Prairie to the rolling hill-top loops of Van Peenen Park, to the serious ups and downs of Pallisades Park – there is something suitable for skiers of all ages.

The Decorah Park Rec also does a bang up job of keeping the about mentioned spots groomed in the winter time. The trails do get used heavily by people – some also walking & snow shoeing, etc, but for the most part you can find a good track. If you adventurous, there is plenty of single-track that is not maintained, but usable off of both Van Peenen and Pallisades, as well as other locations.

So as long as there is winter to be had, get out there &  burn off the cabin fever! See you on the trails!

It seems obvious, but at times inspiration can be found very close to home, right where it ought to be. Just last week Aryn & I took advantage of Vesterheim’s Free Thursday’s program to check out an exhibit that we had yet seen and take in a few old favorites at the museum. None to our surprise and much to our enjoyment we found that although it hadn’t been that long since we had been to the museum that our inspiration was peeked. In fact, it was the highlight of our “date night”.

At left is one of my favorite pieces in the entire museum, as I think it embodies so much of the Norwegian / American crossover culture that came up in our corner of the world. I mean, wouldn’t you love to have an awesome rosemaled fridge door? Call me crazy… or Norwegian… or a lover for pop-skandahoovian-influenced art.

The real highlight of this trip to the museum was the ‘Norwegian Art & Craft Club of Brooklyn’ exhibit that is up through September 2011. It includes several pieces from Vesterheim’s collection including some favorites by Bernhard Berntsen who’s early works reflect on a career as an ironworker and other great 1900′s scenes of New York and beyond. Several of his sketches and mock-ups are also featured on the exhibit done on newsprint, which are great pieces.

The whole collection is worth a really good viewing – and is only about 40 pieces in total. And with Vesterheim’s Free Thursdays it is super easy to swing in to take a look – my guess is that you’ll be easily distracted by some of the other great folk-art pieces long before you reach it, but see for yourself! It was a great reminder to both Aryn & I that the generations before us certainly had something to show for those long winter nights where the darkness stretched on, only to be broken by the light of a fire or lamp – like this awesome kubbestol from 1914. Hmmm, I might just start carving something…. see you at the museum!

And if you need any other tips on fun things to do on these winter days, swing by & check out the latest edition of Inspire(d) online, including our calendars!

I can find no better first post of 2011 than one about my wife, partner, and love! She’s truly the inspiration – and the leader of the Inspire(d) pack – and she’s even gotten nominated as one of Decorah’s “Business Professionals of the Year”! Whoohoo! This of course means she will have won “employee of the month” here at Inspire(d) HQ and has the coveted parking spot to prove it…. ok, we only have one car, but she still WINS!

Congratulations baby and here’s to an amazing start to the new year!

Any more, credit card offers go directly into the shredder as received, but this one really took it over the top earlier this week. You see, mail time at Inspire(d) HQ is an exciting time of the day. The clink of the mailbox signals outside contact with the world – excitement – glossy printed things and Menard’s fliers – so we get a little excited. As Aryn plopped through the day’s postal bounty a beautifully designed invite looking envelope flipped over – silver insignia seal and all… and it had MY name on it. Ohhhh, an invite?

Hell no… well not for anything of good! It was a full on designer like invite – heavy felted paper, with few giveaways save for the auto-address bar code and lower insignia on the front. But what blew my mind even more (…I know, it’s not a huge explosion…) were the contents. Not only was it again an almost professional looking invitation – the kind that cost big $ for weddings and events, but it was complete with another silver insignia stamp and a vellum insert. Seriously.

Now, A: I’m pissed enough that your sending me a credit card offer that I don’t want. And to cap that, it has a huge annual fee to boot.

B: The amount of resources that went into this credit card offer are absolutely shameful – to everyone, as clearly those costs are going straight to people who are deeply in debt, not to mention the environmental impacts.

C: The true capper was that as soon as I shredded it, ANOTHER offer EXACTLY THE SAME showed up for me 2 days later! I mean, it was still fun to open it and pretend we were getting invited to some sort of presidential inaugural ball, but what a TOTAL WASTE.

The saddest part of course is that there is more or less no way to stop them. I’m never going to apply for the card, even though they do promise that I’ll somehow “Stay Richly Rewarded” by applying for their lousy credit card and running myself so deep into debt that I can’t afford bananas. I digress… just one of my few pet peeves. At least the paper burns nice, and we can use all the extra heat we can get this winter!