Quad Cities Live, Aug. 11

Live from the KWQC Broadcast Center in downtown Davenport with Morgan OTA and Kyle Keel. This is Quad Cities Live. Today on QCL, a preview of the upcoming Culture Bright Summer series now just days away. We'll show you who's hitting the stage at the brand new Redstone Room as it opens to the public for the first time. Plus an elementary school leader, volunteer, and dedicated Big Sister. We will introduce you to the next student being recognized as part of Purina's Beyond the Classroom Contest. And as more homeowners think about aging in place. Your bathroom is an important space to plan for. Seifert is here with tips and ideas to improve organization and functionality. Hello and welcome to Quad Cities Live. Thank you for joining us. I'm Morgan OTA alongside my co-host, Kyle Keel. Well, you can discover the unexpected this week at alternating currents. The free festival brings more than 230 events to more than 50 venues across three downtowns. Incredible. And one of those events is the Idea Factory with three different but equally engaging sessions being offered this coming Saturday. And joining us with those details. is Andrea Olson. Andrea, good to see you here today. Yeah, great to see you guys again. Yeah, so let's talk a little bit more about the Idea Factory. Sure. You've been doing it at alternating currents for several years now. Talk about, I guess, the idea behind the idea. The idea behind the idea. Yes, so Idea Factory was kind of spawned out of this deed for cultural and humanities programming. And it was inspired a little bit by TED Talks, right? Sure. That's one of the things we do as well on the side is do TED Talks in the Quad Cities. And so we took that and said, what can we do that kind of our own format and style and topics? Because Ted has its own requirements. And that's where the idea factory was born. to partner with alternating currents maybe a year or two after they started and said, would this fold into your festival and event? And they said most definitely, you know, it'd be fleshed out just quite nicely. Yeah, I get to hear some interesting stories from people. So let's start with one of them that is planned for this Saturday. The first one being how to make this an idea factory cooking event with Chef Chad Cushman. So that's happening. This is all happening at the last picture house, by the way. And this is noon to one. What can we expect from Chef Chad? Okay, well, you know Chef Chad. I think a lot of people in this community know Chef Chad from the Kitchen Brigade and he's also the crepe guy. He's got a whole spread that he's going to go through and kind of teach the audience how to make something. I won't reveal today what that is. Okay. Got to show up, yeah. It's kind of like the Today Show food segment where it's like kind of go through step by step, explain the history of the food, talk about, you know, where it came from, how to make it. the best and most important part is that everyone gets free samples. Oh, yes. Got to try it. Got to try the food. And he is good. Let me tell you. We love Chef Chad. And people can ask questions as well. So there'll be like a live Q&A afterwards. Exactly. If you're terrible in the kitchen like I am, come ready with some questions. Yes, well, something I think you and I are a little better at.

talk show, as I struggle to say my words, but a talk show. So the next one you have is coming up at 1.30 on Saturday at the Last Picture House. It's the Idea Factory Live, a QC talk show. Right. So, I mean, of course it sounds like there's a theme here. Everything's inspired by something else. Yeah. So think of those late night shows, you know, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, where there's kind of an intro segment, there's a little bit of comedy, there's a couple guests, and the goal is to have Quad City guests, you know, people that maybe, you don't know, something special, a different angle about city's culture and then we have a kids segment and the kids segment's super fun they're gonna show talents and they're gonna do it right in front of a live audience and maybe they can take questions and answers too so that would be fun yeah that's gonna be a lot of fun gonna get the opportunity to have and hear some conversations with some QC Legends is what's written here so once again we're not gonna give anything away you gotta be part of the event to see how it unfolds but that will be a lot of fun and then we have the idea I love this a pitch off so again as you were mentioning this one's kind of like Shark Tank a little bit where you know people are going to come up on the stage and give their pitches yes exactly so inspired by Shark Tank yeah so everyone has three minutes to pitch their idea. You don't have to bring a presentation or any materials. All you have is three minutes to say what your idea is, why you think it's important, and how you see it coming to life. And there'll be four judges, a panel of four judges, that will also give you a couple questions afterwards, and then we'll have prizes for best pitch, best idea, and judges choice. Okay. Any helpful tips or advice for anybody that's going to be participating in this? Good question. We still have a few more applications open. Okay. So anybody last minute saying, should I do this? Do it, right? You have nothing to lose. Yeah. I would say the most important thing is to be concise and focused. Think of it kind of going back to the beginning like a mini TED talk. Yeah. You want to focus on what you want to communicate in three minutes and practice, right? Time your pitch. Take a few moments to say, okay, how can I deliver it? And how do I deliver it with confidence? Yes. Great advice, Andrea. Thank you. Sounds like a great time. The Idea Factory is just one of many things happening, many activities happening in alternating currents. It runs from Thursday, August 13th through Sunday, August 16th, for a look at the full schedule for each day. Be sure to download that alternating currents app. It is available for Apple and Android users. You can also visit online at alternating currents QC.com. Andrea, thanks so much for being here today. Great. Thank you guys. It was a blast. Coming up on Quad Cities Live from the Last Picture House to the stage at Common Core's Redstone Room, we'll get details. on a Culture Bright Summer Series performance you won't want to miss. Quad Cities Live continues. The countdown to the Culture Bright Summer Series is on. As we know, it is an eight-day celebration showcasing the incredible collaboration among the Cultural Trust legacy partners. Yeah, and one of the signature events is taking place at CommonCord in an exciting new space. Joining us with more on what to expect is Jen Lewis Snyder, president and CEO at the Cultural Trust, along with Tyson Danner, executive director at CommonCord. Welcome back to both of you. Yes, thanks for having us. Yes, thanks for being here. This is a very exciting time.

You know, it seems like so many of our guests have great things to share, which we love. So for anybody who may have missed your previous appearances, Jen, can you just go over a little bit what Culture Bright is? Absolutely. Culture Bright is an invitation from the Cultural Trust and our legacy partners like Common Cored to experience the Quad Cities in a different and unique way. Culture Bright harnesses the unique talent and mission of all of our legacy partners and we come together to provide a really great experience. Yeah, Tyson, talk about how this Culture Bright collaboration has already been beneficial to your organization, Common Core. Oh, the way we've been able to work with our partners, it's a level we've never seen before. And we, you know, we've been partners for years and years and years. But getting to know our friends at the Figgie, our friends at the Putnam, and work together at this level has been so great for us. It allows us to share our expertise. But more importantly, too, for us, as we open a new space, we've been able to be in contact with artists like the ones you see in this series, who are some awesome, amazing artists. We don't get to talk to their management very much. So that's great for us because it's opened a lot of new doors into who we can bring to Davenport to perform for our community. That's exciting. Okay, so you kind of alluded to it, Tyson already, but included in this Culture Bright initiative is this summer series, which of course is kind of our focus today. But tell us a little bit more about this eight-day celebration because, you know, as alternating currents winds down, we still have so much to look forward to. The afterglow. Absolutely. Yeah, so tell us a little bit about that, Jen, and the summer series and just how it came together and where this idea came from. Well, everything about the cultural trust is really about our legacy partners. So it was built in partnership. You know, we take their feedback annually and we try to make adjustments and evolve. And as we continue to provide unrestricted funding, which for anyone out there donating, it is the best way that you can support a nonprofit. We will continue to do that. But we also asked, what more can we do? How better can we partner together? the leader enriching art and culture for all. Let's do it thoughtfully. And together we came up with this summer series. It allows them to further their strategic plans, their missions, and work together in a way that avoids duplication and fosters collaboration. And Tyson is the curator of this festival. He is the one that organized the dates with our legacy partners. So it was a trusted peer really bringing it all together. Do you want to do they? What was it like? curating this entire thing and now that you're kind of seeing it come together. Ask me on August 24th. You know, I think people see, you know, oh cool shows have been announced. So I want to go and it sort of falls into like here's another event. These really aren't just another event. These at their core. are matching as Jen said the cultural trust has its initiatives each legacy partner is different and the way we've succeeded is by recognizing and celebrating the differences not all trying to do the same thing so the mixture of our skill and event production and the figgies beautiful building and their their art of the brew event you mix those together it's something better than ever before so each of these events all week long is something really unique and and i hope folks don't miss out just by thinking well

It's just another concert I'm going to go to. Absolutely, yeah. So speaking of, you got a concert coming up on August 20th during your part of the Culture Right Summer Series. But it's very exciting because as we've talked about before, you're finally opening the new Redstone Room. We are. That's exciting. And it definitely will be open and ready next Thursday. Any construction project, of course, is a big project. But we really want to do a line our opening of our new space with this week of events, this Culture Bright Summer Series. It was the moment to do it. And as we're all succeeding together and making all this happen, it just... We could have taken another month and our superintendent from Estes Construction would have loved me for it. But they've been incredible partners on board all the way through to make this happen. So we have Robert Randolph, which many folks will remember from River Roots Live festival back in the day. And he just seemed like the perfect choice to step on stage as the first act to open this new chapter of the Redstone Room. Yeah. And, you know, it will be an opening night for much of the Quad Cities. But over the next, you know, months everyone will get the opportunity to experience an opening night at this space which I think you know makes it feel even more special right it's something that we've that we've talked about in the past so I'm excited I know I know a lot of folks are really excited to see the space yeah so a very exciting times ahead for the summer series as well so if you want more information about the Culture Bright summer series or to purchase tickets to the event that we talked about today visit culture bright.org Jen Tyson thank you so much for being here and looking forward to all the fun yeah thank you We'll see you there. Very much. Yes. Coming up on QCL, better ways to use the square footage of your bathroom. Seiford Building Supplies is here with some smart remodeling ideas that can improve both function and organization. Quad Cities Live continues. If your bathroom is feeling a little retro, you are certainly not alone from oversized, jetted tubs maybe that rarely get used to outdated layouts that just don't make the most of the space. Homeowners are looking for ways to make their bathrooms more functional. Joining us now with some renovation ideas is Jeremy Deval, Vice President of Seifert Building Supplies. Jeremy, welcome back. Thank you. Yes, thanks for being here. Well, when you walked in today, I said I was excited about our topic because I can only dream of a bathroom room. and so maybe it's closer than I think, right? I hope so. Okay, so let's start there talking a little bit about budget because when somebody is looking at the spaces in their home, rarely are they saying this is the only thing I ever want to remodel or work on. Oftentimes they have a list, right? I want to do something in my kitchen and want to do something in my bathroom. Right. So, but this is a more manageable budget-wise. It is. I mean, from a space perspective, it's not the easiest space to work in in your home, but it's the one that you probably use the most. And so if you're looking at wanting to put an investment in there,

take advantage of the spaces that you use that you want to get more out of. Yeah. Kitchens and bathrooms are the two of the biggest. Yeah, I've always heard that. Mostly from, you know, folks working like within the real estate industry, they always say, like, if you are going to update and remodel, like, the kitchens and the bathrooms are really where it's at. So is that something that you all go over your team at Seifert when somebody is looking at remodeling a bathroom and that budget? Can things be done? Is it workable? Anything is workable. The biggest thing you have to consider is what is going on in your existing bathroom and what you want to change. And that's the good conversation to start with. Come in and see us with great ideas. You brought up a little while ago the very large jetted tubs from the 90s. I've been in more homes that they use them for their potted plants than they do actually use them for anything else. So yes, that's a lot of space you can take out. That's a great place to start if you have one. Yes. Yeah. No, I just, I thought that was so funny. So talking a little bit now about functionality and that kind of going along with what you were just saying about the jetted tub, we're looking at some before and after photos as well on screen. That's one we just did recently. That's one that you just did recently. Okay. So yeah, functionality is a real big one. So what are some things that we can be thinking of beyond the jetted tub that can make everything work a little bit better considering, you know, all the changes in the industry as far as like bathrooms are concerned? Everything, a lot of stuff is going vertically integrated. You know, heights usually never an issue. It's more about width and depth. So there's cabinets, there's things that you can put in shelves that will allow you for more storage and organization. Okay. One of the pictures that we have in there, they had a closet on one side of their bathroom and that was their master closet. Open up the wall. Yeah. Created more space, gave them space for a larger shower for the gentleman that was handicapped at the time. So looking at a space not just from what you have, but what can be changed structurally in your home in order to give you a little bit more workable space. Okay, now a question that I personally have is like, will somebody from Seifert, you know, go to your home and take a look at your bathroom? If you're looking at it and you're going, I know what I want, but you're not the professional here and you don't know if it's possible. Will somebody come and tell you if it is or not or maybe give you some ideas? Absolutely. All of our designers have been in the business for a long time. They're remodels. They understand what it takes, not just to change something that's happening in the bathroom, but to actually make it a livable space. So they will gladly come out to the house. take some dimensions, take some before pictures, come back and work up a couple of options for you. Oh, nice. And then have you come in and start looking at products. Oh, that's the fun part. That's the fun part. Something that was mentioned as well as accessibility and just being able to look at your home and feel like you can age within your home. There is a lot there as far as bathroom remodels that... can help with that. Absolutely. The biggest thing we have right now is walk-in showers. Okay. There's a lot of baby boomers out there that are like, well, should I go to a condo? Right. You can stay in your home and actually redesign your bathroom to make it more feasible for you when you find yourself, you know, it's a struggle sometimes to step over a large tub. So a walk-in shower with maybe just a small soaking area, taller. toilets to help for ease of use. There's a lot of different things you can do. Grab bars is huge. I mean, that's, I mean, even for myself, you know, be able to have something to be able to hold on to, you know, in cases like that, especially in a shower or a bathroom. It's nice to have that in.

Absolutely. And the Cyfert team will be there as well as we've talked about in the past when we've been on the show every step of the way from start to finish, which is, you know, very comforting, I think when somebody is taking on a big project to connect with Cyphert. Go online to cyfertlumber.com. You can also call the phone number on your screen or visit their showroom on West Kimberley Road in Davenport. And Jeremy, as always, thank you for joining us and just sharing some of your expertise. Thank you. You're next, by the way. Your bathroom's next. Let's hope so. up on QCL we are celebrating a fifth grader who is making a big impact at her school and in her community meet our August beyond the classroom honoree next You're watching Quad Cities Live. Well, as you know, here on QCL, we love sharing stories about people making a difference. So we are teaming up with Purina for a new contest series called Beyond the Classroom. Yeah, the program recognizes students who go above and beyond through leadership, volunteering, kindness, and their service to others. And joining us now, our August winner, Rufeda Ibrahim, along with her school mentor. Sierra Yave and of course we have Aaron Daniel who is joining us from Purina. Thank you all for being here today. Thank you. You're welcome and Rufeda congratulations on being selected as our Beyond the Classroom student of the month. So what was your reaction when you got the call that You're a winner. I was excited and happy. Yeah, you should be. You've obviously really stood out to Sierra here. So Sierra, tell me a little bit about your relationship with Rufeda and why you wanted to nominate her for this. Yeah, well, she just impresses me so much. Not only does she do well at school, attending every day and good grades, but we do go above and beyond in the community. We volunteered. I couldn't even tell you how many times. She'll just text me like, I'm bored, can we volunteer? Aw. What a way to cure the goal around. I love it. Yeah, so she's just driven to, like, help her community and make it a better place. So she inspires me. That's wonderful to hear. Yeah, so tell us about everything you're involved in in school that really makes you go above and beyond the classroom. I did choir. I did student council. And then. After school, I would help for the school events and then I was certified as a babysitter at the Red Cross. I'll have to get your number. Certified babysitter, first aid, yes. So the list seems like it goes on and on, especially with the volunteering that you were just talking about. So, Erin, why is it so important for Purina to recognize students like Rufeda? Yeah, it's great to be back, and we've had a lot of fun this summer, getting to know different students in the community, and Rufeda had

great story. We got to know each other a little bit and just the little things that you're doing make a really big impact even if it's in your own backyard and so Purina really wants to recognize that that you know, practice that curiosity. And we really like to encourage students to get out of their comfort zone and try things that they never have before. And I think Rufat is doing that. Yeah, I think you're right. Yeah. And Siri, you know, we've already talked about some of the things that Rapheda is doing outside the classroom. Some things we haven't mentioned, she volunteers at the food pantry as well as planting community gardens. So seeing her do all of these things in the community as well as excelling in school, I mean, how do you think she balances all these responsibilities? Yeah, she's just an intelligent young lady. She seems driven to succeed. I see that in her, so I just want to broaden her horizons. She's like, see me do public speaking at school board meetings, which might always be fun, but, you know, she's learning so much. Yeah. Stepping outside the comfort so much, you're saying. Yeah, seems like it. And Rufita, you are also a big sister. So what do you like about being a big sister? Because that is so beyond the classroom, right? And she perked up when you said that. She grew up with siblings. So, yeah, what do you love about? being a big sister. I teach them like ABC seeds and stuff. I love like really teaching them good so they can know. That's so sweet. That is sweet. Yeah. It's a special bond. It really is and yeah I think you're teaching them a responsibility as well and then someone who they can look up to. So Aaron what does Rapheda story really how does that resonate with the Beyond the classroom initiative? Well, I just love the idea that you're starting early because the things that you're doing right now will carry on with you. And on behalf of Purina and all the employees that work there, we're just really proud of how you're demonstrating integrity and passion throughout the community. And we hope that you continue to do those things and being a student and going beyond what you are required to do every day. You're doing it because you want to do it. Awesome. Yes. And if you know a student who may be making an impact on their community and going beyond the classroom, be sure to nominate them for Purina's Beyond the Classroom Contest. All you have to do is visit Kidop the QC.com and enter your information. Rapheda, congratulations. And Erin, as well as Sierra, thank you so much for being here. And we got a goodie bag for us as well from Peerina. Yes, some gifts. All right. Thank you so much. And thank you for watching QCL. We will see you next time. Have a great rest of your day.