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The Surf Ballroom & Museum Prepares for 2015 Winter Dance Party

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The Surf Ballroom & Museum Prepares for 2015 Winter Dance Party Volume 13 - Number 1 The January 2015 Clear Viewwww.cityofclearlake.com A newsletter for the Citizens of Clear Lake Surf Ballroom & Museum Prepares for 2015 Winter Dance Party The Surf Ballroom & Museum is pleased to they first performed here in 2012. This year, they plan announce the artists who are schedule to appear at to pay tribute to the late Ritchie Valens, who was a the “2015 Winter Dance Party” event, scheduled tremendous influence upon their musical direction,” for Wednesday, January 28th through Saturday, he concluded. January 31st. Frankie Avalon will headline the The event kicks off on Wednesday with “Three Stars Memorial Con- a Winter Dance Party Family Sock Hop cert” on Saturday night. “We featuring entertainment by The Whiteside- are thrilled to have Frankie Avalon walls. involved in our 2015 event. As one of the Thursday night features Lou Chris- replacement headliners during the 1959 tie and Bill Haley Jr. and The Comets, who Winter Dance Party Tour, he has strong ties will be making their first to the Winter Dance Party story we work hard Surf Ballroom Winter Dance to promote,” said Laurie Lietz, Executive Director. Party appearances. Additional Additional performers on Saturday evening will in- performers on Thursday include clude The Crystals, who appeared during the 1996 and original 1959 Winter Dance party 2002 Winter Dance Party events; Brian Hyland who ap- guitarist, Tommy Allsup, along with The peared in 2001 and 2009; and John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party, Whitesidewalls, who are known for keeping every- who will return to bring an authentic and heartfelt tribute to Buddy one rockin’ & rollin’ all night long. Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson during the Friday night’s Sock Hop, traditionally known as “The Mad “Three Stars Finale” at the conclusion of the event. Saturday’s show will Hatter’s Tea Party”, will feature Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, L.A. also feature the legacy of Ritchie Valens, as Chris Party Dolls and Cadillac Casanovas. “The Friday night Sock Hop has Montez returns to perform and pay tribute, once always been a fun night for fans to dance to the songs they remem- again, on the very last stage that Ritchie played. ber best from the era,” said Event Producer, Shane Cooney. “That For complete weeklong series of events and tradition continues with our Friday evening entertainment line-up. In updated information about the event, please visit addition, this year’s Sock Hop will feature special guest Big Sandy and www.surfballroom.com or contact the Surf’s office at His Fly-Rite Boys, who made a fast impression on our guests when (641) 357-6151. Marian Park Skating Rink The Clear Lake Parks & Recreation Department maintains an outdoor skating rink, which is located in Marian Park on 2nd Avenue N. & N. 12th Street. When the The Clear Lake Police weather is cooperating and stays cold, Parks & Department and the Public Recreation staff begin to put layers of water on the rink to build up the base of the rink. It is a Works Department would like time consuming process and can only be done to remind everyone that the during ideal temps….not too cold and not too Snow Removal Ordinance is in warm. Once the rink is set, skating is permitted at any time (unless water is being applied to the effect through April 1, 2015. rink). Warming house hours are Monday thru Friday, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday night is designated as “High School” night. Skating is free to the public, but we do ask that you abide by posted rules at all times Happy New Year Pannkuk hired I am writing this article as we are about to as new embark on a new year. This is always a rele- vant time to reflect on the past, as well as look Library Director forward to the future. As we come to the end of another successful year here in Clear Lake, I Jill Pannkuk, a native of North Iowa now want to thank each of you for your help. Over working in Washington state, has been the years I have come to realize that Clear hired as the new director of the Clear Lake Lake’s success is owed in large part to the over- Public Library. Mayor Nelson Crabb whelming number of positive, civic-minded, Pannkuk is originally from Forest City and her husband is from people who call this Community home. Britt and his family still farms in the Britt area. Clear Lake has much to celebrate as we turn the pages of the calen- She has been a library director for nearly 19 years, including 12 dar to 2015. The City continued to remain aggressive with infrastructure years in Harlan, Iowa; a little more than six years in Liberal, Kansas; improvements in 2014. Construction work commenced on several major and most recently in Sedor-Wooley, Washington, a city of about capital improvement projects, including: N. Shore Drive/N. Lakeview 10,000 population where she worked for the Central Skagit Library Drive Street Reconstruction ($2.3 million); N. 6th Street, between 10th District. Ave N. and US Hwy 18 ($150,000); Northwest Water Tower ($2.3 “When I got the opportunity to come back to North Iowa, I million); City Hall/Police Department Renovation ($1.3 million); 12th jumped at the chance. I like Iowa – and this will give me a chance to Ave S. Street Resurfacing ($225,000); and Water Treatment Plant Pump be closer to family,” stated Pannkuk. Replacement Project ($400,000) just to name a few of the most notable. Jill did her undergraduate work at Grandview College in Des Fortunately, through the stewardship of the City administration, we were Moines and earned a master’s degree in Library Science from Clari- able to secure State and Federal grants for several of these projects to on University in Pennsylvania. defray the costs to the citizens of Clear Lake. “I’ve always liked libraries, ever since I was a child. I like work- Economic development was a high priority of the City in 2014. ing with the public and having the opportunity to provide informa- Many new commercial and industrial development projects began con- tion to them,” stated Pannkuk. struction. The City saw tremendous activity in the business park with the Mrs. Pannkuk, who will begin her new duties on January 5th, construction of a new pediatric dental clinic; expansion by Mercy with succeeds Jean Casey who retired after serving as library director for a new clinic; and construction of a new building for TTI. A new Dollar 30 years. General store also began construction on US Hwy 18. Soon, a new Quick Star Convenience Mart will also break ground east of the I-35 & US Hwy interchange (east of Willow Creek Court). Additionally, it would be remise of me not to mention project Tales from the Vault Windmill Realty, LLC. The $65 million warehouse & distribution center by Jennifer Larsen, City Clerk project spearheaded by the City that a current Fortune 100 company will soon call home. It was a very cold late evening in January of 2014, when One of my responsibilities as City Clerk is to record and representatives of the project contacted City Administrator Scott Flory preserve the official minutes from the meetings of the Clear and I, after months of negotiations between the City and the developer, Lake City Council. Here are some excerpts from the min- to announce their decision to select Clear Lake. It has been exciting utes of a Clear Lake City Council meeting from the “old over the past year to dialogue with project representatives about what a days” which you may find interesting. business and construction friendly City we have. These statements are from individuals doing construction work all over the United States and “The City Council met in Special session on May 29, 1959 at directly reflect on the pro-business attitude of the administration of this 7:30 o’clock P.M. with the following members present: Mayor City. The building superstructure itself is slated to be complete with con- Secory and Councilmen Nesbit, Jorgenrud, Anderson, Eddy struction in April of 2015. Following that, the interior of the building and Johnson. “Councilman Jorgenrud informed the Council will begin to be outfitted with “state-of-the-art” equipment pertinent to that Earl Ashland was willing to sell to the City all of the its operations. It is anticipated the facility will be operational in Novem- former Clear Lake Lumber Company property located between ber of 2015. Main Ave. and 1st Ave. N. with the exception of the portion Clearly, availability of housing and workforce will be major issues of the property now occupied by the Coffee Shop and Jacobson’s our Community must address in 2015 and beyond. These are not issues Barber Shop, for the sum of $45,000.00. It was his suggestion that face Clear Lake alone. Many cities in Iowa and beyond are strug- that the City Hall, jail and fire department building be built gling with those same concerns. on the 1st Ave. No. side of the property and the present city hall I remain most grateful for the opportunity you have given me to be sold and the present city office building and police station serve this Community. I love Clear Lake and all who call this great City be torn down and the area converted for park use.
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