We bought a new car this week. See, the wed- for Tots Chevy pickup came from there and he ding and the new house at the same time weren’t had a great experience with them. They simply enough after all. And no, I didn’t get rid of the weren’t a dealer for the three cars on Christy’s beat-up old Honda Passport I’ve been lamenting car model short list or they surely would have about. The lease was up on the good car and we made our dealer short list. And this is not say- decided to take care of it before we get married ing everyone else is bad -- certainly not. I’m just so we don’t have to rush it afterwards. saying these Nissan guys are good. They busted their hump to get my business and give customer My fiancee has done a little pre-emptive research service at every turn. After first meeting the very on the subject of new cars, and by that I mean cool Ken “Kenny Mac” MacNeil, he introduced she could go toe-to-toe with any salesman on any us to Nissan specialist Shane Lester, who contin- lot on stats, mileage, recent updates, and safety ued to help us throughout our shopping process, features. She’ll be driving this one so she gets to or as 365 Zen Master and 30-year car-selling choose. There was pretty much one criterion: It veteran Ralph Kluseman would say, “making an needs to get a zillion miles to the gallon. informed buying decision.” Seriously, Ralph has a Super Bowl ring encrusted with rubies or some- We had a half-dozen cars on our list to look at, so thing that means automobiles bow in his wake. where do you start? Well, some dealers didn’t fea- Personality of the salesman played a role for us. In ture the cars we were looking for, so though they the week it took us to finally decide on a car, our may be great dealers, they weren’t options this guy Shane not only found out he’s going to have time around. I said I’d like to go the Kruse-War- a child, he also proposed to his bride-to-be at than Dubuque Auto Plaza first. Actually, I said, the Kruse-Warthan company appreciation party. “Let’s go to Warthan’s.” I mean really, who talks I think it says a lot about how the staff feels about like that first line? What am I, a game show host? the place they work and the people they work with that he would choose to celebrate such a big In the past couple of years I couldn’t help notice life moment in their presence. I should also note how often my exploits crossed paths with commu- that Shane had the ring in his pocket to ask her to nity outreach done by Doug Warthan and his crew. marry him before he heard they were expecting, I’ve seen him donate more than one free used car so he totally scored on the timing there! to a fundraiser for a kid with cancer. I realize the car could just be sold or auctioned to the second- In thoroughness, we visited a few car dealers and ary market and money can be made from it. But test-drove a small handful of cars that week. As in these cases it was not. Hopefully he writes it all nice as Shane was, we were going to find the best off. But I thought it was nice to see the benefits of car for us at the best price. It’s not personal, it’s staying local and doing some real good. I then saw business. Some experiences were nice. Some cars some community events like Fireworks sponsored were nice and on a couple of occasions, I’ll admit, by Warthan while I was down there parking cars some experiences were not so nice. Just because as a volunteer. I’ve seen Doug on TV speaking out you might have the best-selling car in the world against violence against women for the Riverview does not mean you can sleepwalk through the cus- Center. And most recently I discovered through tomer service phase of the sale. I’ll just say that. my Veteran father that Doug Warthan has made the single largest contribution to the veterans’ ef- In the end, I think we found the best car with forts to date. Call it marketing if you will, but at Shane and I am confident we found a level of some point you have to start giving him some seri- customer service that bordered on obsession. ous community service points. And as community Even as we were leaving the lot, Shane was mak- service is pretty much my middle name, that is the ing sure we would call if we needed anything or single biggest reason I chose to give him the first had any questions. shot at my business. But it also does not hurt that Doug e-mailed me about advertising in 365ink. I So the lesson to be learned here? Once we de- guess our continuous impact on the community cided on models she wanted to test (I can’t blame made an impression on him, too. a dealer if they simply don’t carry lines that you are looking at), it was the face put forward in the So the chicken and the egg ... I’ve been meaning community that got me to the door. It was the to make note here about how impressed I have quality of product that kept me on the lot, it was been with their community impact efforts, one the deal that made us realize the car was in our more of which is the BMW Ultimate Drive, which budget, and it was the service, service, service raises money and awareness about breast cancer that made Christy sign on the dotted line. All 50 in conjunction with the Susan. G. Komen Founda- of them. tion. And now that I have had a number of impres- sive in-depth interactions with the staff, I thought I know there are dealers across the Tri-States that now was the time to say something. But as Kruse- pride themselves on service and great prices. And Warthan is also coming in to the publication as an for those that also go the extra mile and make an advertiser, I wondered if I am going to look like impact on the community, I salute you especially. I’m kissing up to an advertiser? Well aside from I don’t mean to slight you whatsoever if all these the fact that they’re already in and I don’t have to great traits describe you too and I did not write kiss up any more with this article, I guess I don’t about you personally. I just found all these traits care. I think they deserve a little kissing up. in a team of people to an extent that I thought it worthy of writing about. So no matter which Now I know there are other quality car dealers dealer you visit, look for these qualities and I in the area and some great people working there. think you’ll find yourself making an informed Runde Chevrolet has also been a great supporter buying decision, too. The 365ink crew... faces you already know! of the Tri-State365 website network. Dad’s Toys Tim Mike Tanya Jeff Kelli Ralph Gary Matt Lisa Chris Pam Joey Angela Ron Bob Roy Brad Bryce In this Issue... ISSUE # 63 AUGUST 21 - SEPTEMBER 3 Meet Gary Dolphin: 4 Community Shorts: 5 Silver Dollar Music: 6 An Irish Hooley: Page 7 Entertainment Shorts: 8 Pirate Party: 9 Pam Kress-Dunn: 11 Wando’s Movie Reviews: 12 New Dubuque365.com: 13 Throwdown on the River: 14 Tri-State Entertainment Briefs: 15 Live Music Listings: 16-17 Jammin’ Below the Dam: 18 New OTLAG Exhibits: 19 Mayor Roy Buol: 20 Budweiser Midwest Concerts: 21 Bob’s Book Reviews: 22 Upcoming Five Flags Events: 22 Mattitude: 23 Life Stiles - by Jeff Stiles: 24 Eating Healthy with Hy-Vee: 25 New Diggings Music Fest: 26 Crossword / Sudoku: 27 Trixie / Horoscopes: 28 Comedy: 30 All That Jazz: 31 The Inkwell Publisher: Bryce Parks ([email protected]) Editor & Chancellor: Tim Brechlin ([email protected]) Advertising: Kelli Kerrigan ([email protected]) 563-451-9365 Ad Design: Tanya Tjarks ([email protected]) Bryce, Tim & Mike Photography: Mike Ironside, Ron TIgges, Bryce Parks Issue 63 Cover Photo by: Kieran Leopold Writers & Content: Mike Ironside, Tim Brechlin, Bryce Parks, L.A. Hammer, Chris Wand, Mayor Roy Buol, Matt Booth, Robert Gelms, Angela Koppes, Pam Kress-Dunn, Jeff Stiles, Megan Dalsing and Pat Fisher Graphic Design & Layout: Tim Brechlin, Bryce Parks Director of Operations / Accounts Avoidable: Dan Chapman Special thank you to: Brad Parks, Bob & Fran Parks, Christy Monk, Katy Brechlin, Ralph Kluseman, Kay Kluseman, Jon Schmitz, Patty Reisen- Ottavi, Todd Locher, Everett Buckardt, Julie Steffen, Sheila Castaneda,, Jim Heckmann, Gaile Schwickrath, Ron & Jennifer Tigges, the crew of Radio Dubuque and all the 365 friends and advertisers for all your support. You are all 365. Dubuque365 • 210 West 1st Street, Dubuque, IA, 52001 Office Phone or Music/Events/Movie Hotline 365 @(563) 588-4365 All contents (c) 2008, Community, Incorporated. All rights reserved. We’ve hidden 365’s WANDO somewhere in this issue of Dubuque365ink. Can you find the master of movies buried within these pages? Hint: He’s tiny and could be anywhere, In a story? In an ad? On the cover? Good Luck! IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE WORDS TO THE IOWA FIGHT SONG, YOU’RE UNAMERICAN 4 There are two ways to experience the thrill But one doesn’t simply become a broad- was then the associate athletic director at hired, and that’s all she wrote.