After a lengthy winter full of cancellations, the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center will happily “warm up” the stage this St. Patrick’s Day welcoming the Eastern Iowa Brass Band on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at 2:30 in the afternoon.

For over 30 years, the Eastern Iowa Brass Band has been entertaining audiences throughout Iowa, the mid-west and even beyond. The band grew from a brass ensemble that was originally a part of the Mount Vernon, Iowa, City Band. The band was incorporated in 1986 and formed the foundation for one of the longest-standing amateur brass bands in the country and the only year-round brass band in the state of Iowa.

The 35-member band performs from a repertoire which features original works for brass bands. These include marches, medleys, hymn tune arrangements, folk songs, American patriotic offerings, Broadway showtunes, and novelty features. EIBB conforms to the unique British band style -- featuring conical bore horns, producing a rich, mellow sound that is both dynamic and colorful. In place of the trumpets, French Horns and woodwind instruments used in concert bands in the United States, the British Brass Band uses cornets, flugelhorn, tenor horns, euphoniums, baritones, trombones and tubas, as well as percussion. As the only brass band of this type in Iowa, the EIBB presents a truly unique musical experience.

Plan now to attend! General Admission Tickets (Adults $15/Students $10) are available online at WashingtonAuditorium.org, or two weeks before the show at the Washington Chamber of Commerce, 205 West Main Street, 319-653-3272.

Easteren Iowa Brass Band Poster

The 4-H Kids in the Kitchen after school club started last year at Stewart Elementary and thanks to key volunteers and financial support it has expanded to be hosted at Lincoln Elementary this year as well. This club is teaching members to have kitchen sense and safety while they learn about the major food groups and making healthy choices for their growing bodies. As 3rd-5th graders gain more independence, food preparation and choices are more often a decision of theirs and not only their parents. This is the perfect audience to experience the Kids in the Kitchen content.

Members started the club March 12 learning about safe food preparation with proper handwashing and food washing. They read the recipe and learned the importance of preparing ingredients before beginning the recipe. They made Breakfast Splits from the ISU Eat Smart, Spend Smart healthy recipes. Each week they will also do fun exercises together and use the healthy MyPlate to identify food groups.

Washington County Extension is bringing this club to 20 Lincoln Elementary students. The Kids in the Kitchen curriculum is a product of Iowa 4-H. This afterschool club is being taught by volunteers Nicole Bruty with assistance from Carrie Rich and Macy Driscoll.

The Washington County Extension Office hopes to expand this club in future years, please contact them if interested in sponsoring or volunteering or with any questions about this Healthy Living Club or how to get involved with other youth activities as a member or volunteer.

Kids in the Kitchen were divided into duties as they prepared Breakfast Splits. Ada T and Christopher P were in charge of dishes.