Local jazz band Popcorn Button invites the community to a free big band dance, titled Let Freedom Swing, on Saturday, July 18th at the Atlantic Elks Lodge. The group of volunteer musicians has been putting on semi-annual dances in Atlantic since 2010. Events feature three hours of live music, with experienced and beginning dancers filling the floor throughout the night.

Veteran Popcorn Button member Sam Johnson says “It wouldn’t be summer in Atlantic without playing trumpet at a big band dance with my friends.” Johnson is a 2010 graduate of Atlantic High School and a music major at Iowa State University. The band’s membership varies from dance to dance, but largely consists of Atlantic High School alumni and students, and citizens from the surrounding community.

Kyle Sloup, a frequent soloist in the group, will be featured again on alto sax. Sloup was a prolific musician during his time at Iowa State (Political Science ’12), noted for his work in the jazz and athletic bands.

A foundational tenet of the volunteer band has been bringing music and dancing to the community. Early dances featured group lessons in swing dancing, and long-time dancer Jake Auerbach will be available at Let Freedom Swing to teach beginning steps to anyone interested. Since 2012, Popcorn Button has offered a semi-annual scholarship for middle and high school students to attend honor bands, band camps, and music lessons.

Prior to the dance, the Atlantic Elks Lodge invites you join them at five o’clock for an evening breakfast. The cost is $8 per person and all are welcome. Let Freedom Swing will be held from 7-10 pm on Saturday, July 18th at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic. The event is free, with free-will donations accepted at the door to help cover the band’s expenses. Dancers and listeners of all ages are encouraged to attend.

For more information on Popcorn Button, its scholarship, or Let Freedom Swing, visit www.popcornbutton.org or email info@popcornbutton.org.

Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around 4:25-p.m., Friday, of 35-year old Peggy Sue Gurney, of Red Oak. Gurney was taken into custody following a traffic stop in the 500 block of N. 6th Street, for Driving While Suspended, Operating a motor vehicle without registration, and having a defective muffler. Gurney was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

As spectacular as Fourth of July celebrations can be, drifting smoke following the fireworks can cause breathing problems for some. If the air is stagnant, fine particles can be trapped near the ground and build to unhealthy levels. The Iowa DNR encourages sensitive individuals to stay upwind a safe distance away from
fireworks displays. People with asthma or respiratory difficulties, the elderly,
children and pregnant women are most likely to suffer.

Smoke contains fine particles and gases, which can be hard on the lungs. Fine
particles in fireworks’ smoke are produced from the black powder used to shoot
fireworks skyward along with the metals that produce brilliant colors. Those unable to avoid areas of dense smoke should limit outdoor activity and contact their health care provider if they experience difficulty breathing.

An air pollution monitor in Davenport recorded unhealthy levels of fine particles
after Fourth of July fireworks in 2008.

The Creston Police Department today (Friday) reports two arrests took place, Wednesday. 41-year old Jennifer White, of Creston, was arrested at her home on a warrant out of Kentucky, for Failure to Appear in court for sentencing. White was being held in the Ringgold County Jail while awaiting extradition to Kentucky.

And, 30-year old Cassandra Larkin, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Department of Corrections warrant for Parole Violation. Larkin was being held without bond, in the Ringgold County Jail.