Ask the Times: Ken's Railroad Chili; Quad-Cities Web cam

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| Tuesday, March 16, 2004 9:02 PM CST | () comments

Jama Clark

Q: We are looking for the company that sells Ken's Railroad Chili Seasoning Mix. A sample was given to our son-in-law at a meeting. It was a very good chili seasoning mix. We would like to purchase this product, but don't know how to find it.

� Joan, West Liberty, Iowa

A: Ken's Railroad Chili was developed by Ken B. Jamin, a railroad worker in the outskirts of Chicago during the 1970s and 1980s. Ken used to make chili during cold winters and bring in a crock pot full for his co-workers. Eventually train crews began to call ahead to find out if chili was being served that day. If it was, the crews would park the trains and hike through the snow to the control tower for a bowl. To save time, Ken began to pre-measure seasonings and store them in his cupboard for later use. Co-workers began to buy the seasoning from Ken, and the rest is history.

Now, Ken, along with Warren Newhauser, sell the chili spice to raise money to preserve the Dynamometer train car. A five-ounce spice jar is available for $7.50. One jar makes about 70 cups of chili. To order, send $7.50 to Ken's RR Chili, c/o Mill Creek Systems Inc., 3233 N. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 303, Arlington Heights, IL, 60004. This information was found at www.millcreeksystems.com/X-5000.htm.

Q: I moved to Phoenix seven years ago from Davenport and enjoy the Web cam shot of the Government Bridge. Where is the camera located? Is it mounted on the building or in the parking lot?

� Julia, Glendale, Arizona

A: The Web cam that anyone can view on the QUAD-CITY TIMES Web site, www.qctimes.com, is located in a second-floor window inside the building. The picture shown on the Internet is updated every 15 seconds and shows the Government Bridge that connects Arsenal Island and Davenport across the Mississippi River.

The camera was installed three years ago, and is moved only twice a year during the Bix celebration in July. The camera will show the QUAD-CITY TIMES parking lot during the QUAD-CITY TIMES Bix 7 post-race party and the streets of downtown Davenport during the street festival.

� Jama Clark