17 Jul 2012

Hotel Blackhawk's Bix Bistro Is Wine Spectator 2012 Award of Excellence Recipient

By Tim Heim

Yearly national award recognizes theme, selections in choosing recipients

Davenport, IA - Bix Bistro, the restaurant within Hotel Blackhawk, has been chosen as a 2012 Award of Excellence recipient by Wine Spectator, the preeminent voice of the wine industry. The award will be featured in the August issue of the magazine (hitting newsstands July 24th).

An Award of Excellence is received by a restaurant whose lists offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 selections. The recognition is part of Wine Spectator's annual Restaurant Wine List Awards.

"We're delighted to have Bix Bistro recognized by Wine Spectator," said Hotel Blackhawk General Manager Tim Heim. "It's very rewarding to see our food and beverage team, including Abe Blair, our Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, setting this standard in the Quad Cities."

Wine Spectator began in 1976 as a tabloid newspaper with circulation of under 5,000. It is now the most widely-read wine magazine in the world. In 1996, it launched www.winespectator.com and is the online source for news and information about the wine industry. The site includes archives of over 250,000 wine reviews.

Hotel Blackhawk re-opened December 15th, 2010. The hotel retains its 95-year-old historic character while featuring modern conveniences throughout the 130 guestrooms and extended-stay suites, six meeting rooms and up to 300-person banquet capacity in the signature Gold Room.

Other features include wireless internet, a fitness center, business center, swimming pool, hot tub, Spa Luce (lu-CHAY), Milan Flower Shop, the Bix Bistro restaurant, the Beignet (been-YAY) Done That coffee shop and Blackhawk Bowl & Martini Lounge. The hotel is part of the Summit Hotels & Resorts group (www.summithotels.com) and the Historic Hotels of America network (www.historichotels.org).

For more, visit www.hotelblackhawk.com or find us on www.facebook.com (Search: Hotel Blackhawk).

-30-

17 Jul 2012

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden to Campaign for President Obama in Iowa

By Randy Stalsberg

Biden's Trip Focused on Outreach to Veterans and Military Families

DES MOINES - On Thursday and Friday, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, will campaign for President Obama in Iowa. He will lay out the differences between President Obama and Mitt Romney's plans for veterans and their families. Biden is a major in the Delaware Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2008.

The President knows that sacred trust we have with those who serve and protect our nation. It's a commitment that begins at enlistment, and it must never end -- we owe our veterans and their families the care they were promised and the benefits they have earned.

July is Veterans for Obama Month, which was announced during the launch of the Veterans & Military Families for Obama Steering Committee on July 2.

Thursday, July 19

1:30 PM

WHAT:          Iowa Veterans for Obama Meet and Greet with Attorney General Beau Biden

WHERE:        Iowa Veterans Home, Malloy Leisure Resource Center, 1301 Summit St., Marshalltown, IA

 

5:45 PM

WHAT:          Des Moines Veterans Meet and Greet with Attorney General Beau Biden

WHERE:        Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 33, 2501 Bell Avenue. Des Moines, IA

 

Friday, July 20

WHAT: Friday Details to be Determined
17 Jul 2012

Saturday: Actress Gabrielle Union Hosting "We've Got His Back" Block Party in Davenport

By Rick Martin

DES MOINES - On Saturday, Actress Gabrielle Union will host a "We've Got His Back" block party in Davenport as part of an African Americans for Obama outreach effort.

Gabrielle Union will talk about how President Obama and Mitt Romney offer African Americans and all Americans two fundamentally different visions of how to run the country.  President Obama is focused on creating jobs and restoring economic security. He understands that too many African Americans have been hurt by a decade of declining wages and unemployment and he's fought for policies that give everyone a fair shot and the opportunity to succeed.

In 2011, President Obama appointed Union to the National Committee for Violence Against Women. In February, she first campaigned for President Obama at North Carolina Central University.

Saturday, July 21

1:00 PM - Block Party Starts

2:00 PM - Gabrielle Union Speaks

WHAT: Actress Gabrielle Union hosting a "We've Got His Back" Block Party

WHERE: Cork Hill Park, corner of Farnam and E 10th St, Davenport, IA

17 Jul 2012

Governor Quinn Launches Production of Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in Normal

By Nafia Khan

Company Moves Production of New Crossover from Japan to Normal; Keeps 1,200 Jobs in Illinois

NORMAL, Ill. - July 17, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined executives with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) to launch production of the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in the U.S. market. Mitsubishi has invested $45 million to retool its Normal, Ill. facility to begin production of the new Outlander Sport Crossover Utility Vehicle, which was previously produced in Japan. Mitsubishi's expansion in Illinois follows Chrysler's growth from 200 jobs in 2009 to more than 4,000 jobs this summer and Ford's addition of a third shift of workers in Chicago.

"Illinois' automobile industry has seen tremendous growth over the last few years," Governor Quinn said. "Mitsubishi Motors had a choice and they chose Illinois as the place to build their new Outlander Sport. That's because our state is a great place to invest and grow, and our workers are the best in the world."

The Outlander Sport is built upon the same highly flexible vehicle platform used for the Lancer compact car and Outlander SUV. In Feb. 2011, Mitsubishi announced that production of the new vehicle would be a part of the corporation's global strategy and would significantly increase production at the Normal facility. Sales of the Outlander Sport, which received "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, are already up 13 percent compared to this time last year.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Managing Director in charge of global production Tetsuro Aikawa noted that bringing production of the Outlander Sport to the Normal plant reinforces MMC's commitment to the U.S. market.

Mr. Aikawa estimated that about half of the Outlander Sports produced will be exported. "We will build vehicles here not just for the United States, but for many nations around the world," he said.  "This is the chance for employees at the Normal plant to prove that its quality and productivity are competitive in the global automobile market."

Last year, Governor Quinn announced a targeted investment package which bolstered Mitsubishi's expansion in Illinois and enabled the automaker to keep 1,200 jobs at its Normal plant. The state investment consists of Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credits, which are based on job-creation, and Employer Training Investment Program job-training funds that will help enhance the skills of the company's workforce. Mitsubishi is also located in an Enterprise Zone.

Since January 2010, Illinois has added 136,000 private sector jobs and 40,700 manufacturing jobs.

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for any business, visit www.illinoisbiz.biz.

###
17 Jul 2012

Register Now to Ride State Fair Express

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (07/17/2012)(readMedia)-- There are only two weeks left to reserve your spot on the State Fair Express. The convenient and affordable State Fair Express provides round-trip transportation to the Iowa State Fair from 42 locations throughout the state. The 2012 Iowa State Fair runs August 9-19.

Each State Fair Express ticket includes:

• Round trip transportation on a deluxe Windstar Lines motor coach

• Fair admission

• A complimentary bottle of water

• Fair coupon book offering food and drink discounts with more than $30 in savings

• Daily Program with map of the Fairgrounds

• Easy pickup and drop off in the Fair's North Lot at Gate 15

The State Fair Express will arrive at the Fair at approximately 10 a.m. and will depart at 6 p.m. Adult fare includes ages 12 and over, child fare includes ages 5-11 and children under 5 ride free. Persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Ticket pricing varies by location. A complete list of routes, pricing and pick-up locations is attached.

New in 2012, the State Fair Express will offer four non-stop routes. These routes include Cedar Rapids (August 9), Charles City (August 10), Sioux City (August 10) and Ames (August 12).

To register, call Windstar Lines Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 888.494.6378 or visit www.gowindstar.com/iowa-state-fair.php. Payment must be made in full at the time of reservation. Windstar accepts Visa and MasterCard.

Reservations can be made up to one week prior to departure. The State Fair Express runs rain or shine and no refunds will be issued. A minimum of 30 people must book for the trip to run. If the trip does not meet the minimum requirement, cancellation of the trip will occur seven days prior to departure and you will be notified by Windstar Lines. If a cancellation occurs refunds will be given.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

* * *

17 Jul 2012

Lt. Governor Simon welcomes nation's lieutenant governors to Illinois

By Rick Martin

Conference to promote Illinois tourism, spotlight education and veterans issues

CHICAGO - July 17, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will host the nation's lieutenant governors in Chicago this week as the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) convenes its 50th annual conference in Illinois.

Expected to generate over $600,000 in hotel, transportation, restaurant and tourism revenue, 30 lieutenant governors and their staffs will meet at the Drake Hotel on Wednesday through Friday to identify policies that can improve college completion rates, link veterans to employment, increase access to locally grown food and combat domestic violence, among other issues.

Simon, the NLGA's Midwest Region Chair, and Governor Pat Quinn will conduct the conference's opening ceremonies Wednesday morning.

"I value this opportunity to showcase Chicago and share innovative strategies to grow our state and nation," Lt. Governor Simon said.

Following Wednesday's opening remarks, Simon will introduce the conference's opening session on higher education. Jeff Mays, executive director of the Illinois Business Roundtable, and Dewayne Matthews, vice president of policy and strategy at the Lumina Foundation, will discuss higher education policies that can improve college certificate and degree completion rates and connect graduates to good-paying jobs.

Simon recently advocated for passage of legislation that aims to reduce remedial needs at colleges and universities by implementing the state's first math curricula for middle and high schools. The models should lead to more high school seniors enrolling in math courses that prepare them for college and careers. Building on this success, Simon is asking the NLGA to pass a resolution in support of state-specific solutions that will boost high school graduation and college readiness.

"America's lieutenant governors are making a difference and as we welcome them to Illinois, this is a wonderful opportunity to share best practices and develop solutions," Governor Quinn said. "We are grateful for our own Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, who is leading the way on education as she pushes to reach our goal of 60 percent graduates by the year 2025."

On Friday, Simon will moderate a discussion on the role states should play domestic violence prevention, and be joined by the Acting Director of the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women, Bea Hanson. The Violence Against Women Act, which enhances the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, is up for reauthorization before Congress.

 

Simon's office is piloting a program that connects domestic violence survivors in underserved areas with family law attorneys for free via Skype. The Virtual Legal Clinic currently operates out of shelters in Peoria and Jacksonville at no new cost to taxpayers and is expected to expand later this year.

 

The NLGA is a bipartisan, nonprofit, professional organization for elected officials who are first in line of succession to the governors in the United States and five territorial jurisdictions. Since 2000, at least 20 lieutenant governors have succeeded governors, including former Lt. Governor and current Governor Pat Quinn. The NLGA last held a conference in Chicago 50 years ago.

###
17 Jul 2012

U.S. and South American Farmers Unite to Support Biotech

By United Soybean Board
United Soybean Board Directors and South American Farmers Meet with European Union Officials
ST. LOUIS (July 17, 2012) - Farmers who produce 90 percent of the world's soybean exports have joined forces to support biotechnology in the European Union.

Soybean farmers from the United States and their counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, though competitors in global soy trade, are presenting a united front in meetings with members of the European Union (EU) food and feed chain and representatives of the EU government. The farmers, part of a group formed in 2007 known as the International Soy Growers Alliance, plan to discuss the importance of biotechnology to feed a growing population and how slow government-approval processes and restrictions based on non-scientific reasoning cause trade disruption.

"This has been a very important meeting for us," says Bob Metz, soybean farmer from West Brown Valley, S.D., and vice chair of USB's Global Opportunities program. "The European Union is a very important customer for us and obviously a large population. They only produce about two percent of their protein needs in the European Union so they have a great dependence on the rest of the world for soybeans."

USB and the soy checkoff help collect and disseminate information about the safety of biotech soybeans to keep decision makers informed. The EU has a lengthy approval process on new biotech varieties, which have not only affected soy exports to these 27 countries, but also to other European countries as well as countries that trade with the EU.

"We have delivered a very strong message as we stand together with our South American friends saying that the market is moving forward with biotech events, not only from the United States but from universities in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as well," adds Metz. "As these new traits come forward, the European Union really needs to find a way to accept these traits in a more timely fashion."

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

17 Jul 2012

USDA Announces 2.0 Version of Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass

By USDA Communications
Updated Compass offers new case studies, updated map data, and enhanced search functions

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2012–USDA today unveiled an updated version of its Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. The KYF Compass is an interactive web-based document and map highlighting USDA support for local and regional food projects through successful producer, business and community case studies.

"Local food is a rapidly growing trend in American agriculture. It offers additional market opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food business entrepreneurs while enabling consumers to develop a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "The new stories and data in the 2.0 version of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass offer a comprehensive look at the impact local food is having across the country."

The updated version includes new case studies and additional mapped data, including locations of farmers markets, food hubs, and meat processing facilities. The map also features enhanced search functions that allow for easier navigation.

To celebrate the release of the Compass 2.0, USDA and the White House Office of Public Engagement are co-hosting a Google+ Hangout on Tuesday, July 17, at 3 pm EDT. The event will be moderated by Deputy Secretary Merrigan and White House Director of Public Engagement Jon Carson. The Hangout will feature women leaders in local food from around the country and can be viewed on www.Whitehouse.gov/live or on the White House Google+ Page. USDA will also host a follow-up #ASKUSDA Twitter chat on local food and the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative on Thursday, July 24, at 1:30 pm.

In September 2009, USDA launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative to coordinate USDA resources and expertise on local and regional food systems. In February, 2012, USDA first released the KYF Compass to document the ways in which USDA has collaborated across its 17 agencies and additional offices, enhanced transparency and met congressional mandates from the 2008 Farm Bill on local and regional food. KYF is not a separate USDA program or agency. It is a management initiative to increase inter-agency coordination.

For more information, visit the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food website at www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer or join the conversation on Twitter by using the hash tag #KYF2.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

#
17 Jul 2012

SCRLC Constitution and Bylaws ratified!

By Michael Elliott

***Below is the letter sent out from C.J. Sissel, Chairman Pro Tem of the newly formed Scott County Republican Liberty Caucus (www.scottcountyliberty.com).

C.J. Sissel may be contacted by phone:563-284-4062 or E-mail: c.sissel@gmail.com
Fellow Liberty Leaders
It is my pleasure and privilege to present to you the ratified Constitution and Bylaws for the Scott County Republican Liberty Caucus (attached)!  After years of brainstorming, much personal discussion, three separate sessions of debate, and a style committee review the Constitution and Bylaws were accepted by unanimous vote at approximately 7:30 PM on July 13, 2012.  Much thanks are in order to Mr. Elliot for composing the original draft and acting as one of our parliamentarians, to Mr. Angelos for his parliamentarian services and for handling credentials, and to Mr. Berntsen for handling secretarial duties along with hosting the final debate and signing ceremony in his beautiful home.  Last, but certainly not least, are all of you who sacrificed your time and effort to debate over and shape this document into the masterpiece it is now.  Without your hard work and dedication to the cause of Liberty we would not have this statement of our ideals to serve as an organizational foundation for the future of politics in Scott County.
Friday evening was the first affirmation ceremony for members of the SCRLC and those eligible for captain status were credentialed by Mr. Angelos as such.  Also Friday evening served as a formal signing ceremony.  Following affirmations the newly credentialed captains set the standing meeting time, date, and location as:
  • First Tuesday of every month
  • Downtown Central Perk, 226 W 3rd St.,  Davenport, IA
  • 6:30 PM social hour
  • 7:00 PM Meeting called to order
If you are interested in being affirmed as a member of the SCRLC, pursuant to the guidelines of Article IV of the Constitution, and/or attended any of the three conventions and did not sign the ceremonial signature page, but would like to, please attend the first regular meeting or contact one of the Pro Tem officers (myself, Mr. Berntsen, Mr. Elliott, or Mr. Angelos) for more details.
A Wonderful thing is happening here and I am honored to be a part of it.  The Revolution was fought by ordinary citizens who did extraordinary things in the name Individual Liberty.  Count yourselves amongst them.
With Liberty and Justice for All,
C.J. Sissel
Chairman Pro Tem, Scott County Republican Liberty Caucus
WC Precinct Delegate
17 Jul 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action Monday, July 16, 2012

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - July 16, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

 

Bill No.: HB 4314

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Extends the date by which a business must certify job relocation to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in order to be exempted from certain utility taxes.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

###

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar