Krause to Miss Debate; Bring on Strawberries!

That three-person debate in Cedar Rapids tonight just lost someone. Bob Krause's campaign sent out a release that his plane had mechanical problems and won't be able to get him to Cedar Rapids for the debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Johnson County, IowaPolitics.com and The Cedar Rapids Gazette. Krause's campaign said he had the plane problems trying to fly out of Little Rock. A later flight from little Rock would have put him in Cedar Rapids at nearly midnight, hours after the debate ended. So he found a new connection that took him to Dallas with the hopes Mediacom (the cable company televising the debate) could "satellite" his appearance back from Dallas to Cedar Rapids. But the campaign said that wasn't worked out. So Krause had to pull out of the debate. So you might say...Krause was headed for the big "D", but he does mean Dallas. (yeah, that's some lame attempt at humor for you country fans:)

And then there were two... Let's see if Fiegen creates any of the drama he brought to the Channel 13 news studio this past Monday.

Here's my favorite announcement of the day. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey sent out a release to say strawberries are on the way! When I was little, my dad had a big garden. And strawberries covered nearly half our backyard. It was heaven. Although, I'm sure as a dumb, young kid I complained about picking them. I'm sure I never complained about eating them, of course. Mom would cut them up and put them in a big bowl with sugar and let them sit all day in the fridge. It made a great dessert that night! I could probably eat strawberries every day. Bring them on!

Here's Northey's release:

NORTHEY: MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND PRIME STRAWBERRY PICKING SEASON THIS YEAR
Bumper Iowa-grown crop expected this year

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today said fresh, Iowa-grown strawberries are expected to be in their prime for picking this Memorial Day weekend. Many growers are reporting a plentiful crop this year.

“Sweet and delicious Iowa-grown strawberries are a great start to the summer season and visiting a local ‘You Pick’ operation is a great way to enjoy them as a family,” Northey said. “By shopping Iowa-grown products when they are in season you get the best flavor, prices and nutritional value.”

Strawberries are one of the world’s most popular fruits being consumed by 94% of all U.S. households. They are also a healthy option, serving as a great source of Vitamin C, are low in calories and fat-free.

Fresh strawberries can be picked as part of a family outing at one of the many “You Pick” operations around the state, or when shopping at your local farmers market. It is good to call before going to a “You Pick” farm to make sure fields aren’t too wet to access the strawberries.

To get the best berries:
Look for strawberries with their green caps intact
Strawberries will not continue to ripen after they are picked and are best when eaten within a few days
The prime strawberry season has begun, so don’t delay in contacting a local grower to find if they have fresh strawberries read to be picked. To find strawberry farms in your area visit www.IowaAgriculture.gov .

Once you have the strawberries home they are versatile enough to be eaten fresh or served in your favorite dessert or salad. One simple recipe that is great for a Memorial Day gathering is chocolate dipped strawberries. The recipe follows here:

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
16 oz. milk chocolate chips
2 T shortening
1 lb fresh strawberries with leaves
Directions: Insert toothpicks in to the tops of strawberries. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert into Styrofoam cup for the chocolate to cool.
(recipe obtained from allrecipes.com)