El Rio Spa and Wellness - Area's first luxury spa and wellness experience opening November 20, 2014

You are invited to attend the Grand Opening of El Rio Spa & Wellness, the area's first comprehensive luxury spa and wellness experience on Thursday, November 20, 2014, 2 - 7 p.m.
El Rio is located at 1000 Stagecoach Trail in LeClaire, Iowa.

Ribbon Cutting by the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce will occur at 2 p.m. followed by guided tours and chances to win fabulous gifts! This event is open to the public.

About El Rio Spa & Wellness

El Rio Spa & Wellness is over 9,000 square feet, overlooking the majestic Mississippi River, dedicated to guest's mind and body. Guests are invited to embark on their fitness path and to indulge in relaxation, peace, and renewal in the spa. El Rio is fully equipped with a spa, nail room, group fitness classes, café, and a boutique, locker rooms, and a cardio room. Coming by the end of the year, an 18x25' indoor pool. El Rio goes far beyond equipment, services, and amenities. With a hand-picked staff, their team has remarkable skills and a genuine passion to provide the highest level of service to ensure everyone receives a signature experience.

November 2014 (Muscatine, IA) Gilda's Club, Susan G. Komen Quad Cities, Flickinger Learning Center, and the Diversity Service Center Muscatine are partnering to put on a free of charge breast cancer awareness luncheon in Spanish. A $50 gas card will be raffled off. It will take place Saturday November 22nd at 12:30 p.m. at Flickinger Learning Center 413 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine, IA. Please call the Diversity Service Center Muscatine at 563-264-8883 to register.

The LeClaire Chamber of Commerce is now accepting candidates for upcoming openings on our Board of Directors. All who are current Members of the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce are welcome to submit a brief letter of interest. All candidates will be added to the ballot that will go out in December, 2014, along with the ballot for Annual Award Winners to be voted upon by Chamber membership.
Please submit a brief letter of interest by noon, Monday, November 24, 2014, to:

LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 35

LeClaire, IA 52753

For more information, please contact the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, leclairechamber@gmail.com or 563-289-9970

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor in advance of a vote on the approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

*As Prepared for Delivery*

"Mr. President, I oppose this legislation to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This is one more step in the wrong direction, one more capitulation to our fossil fuel habit, and one more accelerant for the global warming that threatens our children's future.

"We have known that burning fossil fuels is bad for our air and water for well over 50 years. When we passed the Clean Air Act in 1970, and again when we strengthened it in 1990, we did so largely because of the harmful impacts of fossil fuels, because of the air pollution coming from burning fossil fuels in our power plants, our homes, our industrial facilities, and our vehicles. In those years, when we faced the clear evidence of widespread air pollution, we took strong actions. I remind you that those bills passed with bipartisan majorities of over 89 percent here in the Senate.

"We have known for over 30 years that burning fossil fuels increases carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. We have known for 20 years that those increases are likely to cause global warming and climate change. And for the last 10 years, we have had solid, overwhelming, incontrovertible evidence that the earth - both the continents and the oceans - is indeed warming. According to NOAA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, 9 out of the earth's 10 warmest years on record since 1880 have occurred in just the past 13 years, and 2014, is on track to become the warmest year of all since 1880.

"And in the face of this all of this evidence, what are we doing? We frequently find ourselves seeking to open new fossil fuel resources - or to expand production - and if that isn't enough we are going to do it by increasing production from a notoriously dirty source, the tar sands of Canada.

"Mr. President, decreasing our use of fossil fuels is a monumental task. I recognize the very extensive role that energy resources, including fossil fuels, play in our lives - from easing my travel here this morning, to providing the lighting and heating and electronic services we're using in this Senate chamber here and now, to enabling the construction of our cities and highways. But that is where we should be focusing on our energies - on reducing not increasing this reliance.

"But reducing fossil fuel dependence also creates a huge opportunity - and unlike building the pipeline it also offers major opportunities for creating new jobs. Proponents of the pipeline like to talk about the jobs it will create - and it will create a few jobs for a few years. But if instead of building the Keystone pipeline we committed to retrofit our buildings sector at an accelerated pace - to weatherizing our homes, our offices, and our schools and institutional buildings we would generate more and better jobs while also realizing low cost ways to actually reduce emissions.

"One study found that retrofitting residential and commercial buildings had the potential to reduce consumer demand by 30 percent by 2020 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.1 gigatons each year - at a savings of $680 billion. A second study found that retrofits could save $1 trillion in energy spending over 10 years and reduce CO2 emissions by 600 million metric tons each year - that is fully ten percent of our emissions.

"And what would retrofitting do for jobs? According to the Rockefeller Foundation it could create 3.3 million new jobs. Far more than construction of one pipeline could ever hope to generate and jobs that would last more than a couple of years.

"We already know how investments in renewable energy pay off. Up until about 10 years ago, Iowa produced essentially no energy. All of the energy used in Iowa -- for farming, for heating and air conditioning and lighting our buildings, and for transportation - came from outside the state. Today, Iowa gets over 25 percent of its electricity from wind. Iowa offers a similar success story when it comes to transportation fuels. Because of our 12 biodiesel plants and our 42 ethanol biorefineries, Iowa now exports about as much liquid fuel as it consumes. And both the wind production and biobased industries have meant good jobs for the people of my state - jobs that will be around longer than it takes to lay some pipe.

"Mr. President, the Keystone XL pipeline is one more shortsighted effort to increase our reliance on fossil fuels. It is a sad excuse of a jobs project - particularly when we know the way to create more and better jobs while simultaneously reducing emissions and saving money. I call on my colleagues to join me in opposing this Keystone XL pipeline bill."

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There are no words to describe the pain of losing a child, but Jayna Lindell of Milan, IL, has found a way to help. She makes infant burial gowns from donated wedding dresses. Royal Neighbors of America will now help Jayna by surprising her with a check for $2,250 from its Nation of NeighborsSM Program to expand her efforts and comfort even more families.

Jayna lost her daughter, Lila, at birth. When Lila was brought to her, the baby was wearing a boy's outfit. Jayna didn't want other parents to have that type of lasting impression so she began donating dresses to area hospitals. Today, she is turning her idea into a non-profit, Lila's Dresses, through which she and other volunteers create hand-made burial gowns from wedding dresses. The gowns are gift-wrapped and include a special note from Jayna.

What: $2,250 check presentation to Jayna Lindell

Where:  MVP Collision Repair, 300 W. 10th Avenue, Milan, IL

When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 4:30 p.m.

Contact: Lynnette Tarchinski, (563) 340-7419

Media is invited to attend: meet in the MVP parking lot at 4:15 p.m.


Focusing on its history of standing strong for women, Royal Neighbors has given more than $1.5 million to nearly 1,200 families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through its Nation of Neighbors Program. The program, which was launched in 2007, demonstrates Royal Neighbors' vision of protecting women financially and empowering them to improve their lives, families, and communities, the philosophy on which Royal Neighbors was founded more than a century ago.

Through the 2014 program, determined women of strength and courage are empowered with financial assistance to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. One of the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry, it has the financial strength and stability to ensure its nearly 200,000 members are protected when the expected, and unexpected, happen. In addition to insurance products, Royal Neighbors provides member benefits at no additional cost which currently include scholarship opportunities, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization's local chapters. Royal Neighbors' philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.


Royal Neighbors is headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.

Lt. Governor will address challenges to rural ambulance service

 

SPRINGFIELD – Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will address emergency medical service providers and local stakeholders Wednesday at the second annual Illinois EMS Summit.

The summit brings together first responders, medical service organizations and local officials for workshops and panel discussions about the recruitment and funding challenges facing ambulance services in rural Illinois.

Simon was among those who called for the summit's creation. As chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Simon has advised the General Assembly on improvements to EMS in rural communities.

 

DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 19

TIME: 12:45 p.m.

LOCATION: Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Drive, Springfield

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Cyber Monday has amusements and merchandise specials; Stocking Stuffers, ticket packs to go on sale
DAVENPORT, Iowa (November 18, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits will bring the baseball season's greetings to the upcoming holidays, with several ways to spread the joy, including merchandise and amusement special offerings on Cyber Monday, Dec. 1, Holiday Ticket Packs available through Dec. 10, and Holiday Stocking Stuffers on sale through Dec. 19.
Cyber Monday, Dec. 1, includes a one-day special for season-long amusements passes. A pass for unlimited rides - including the award-winning Ferris wheel, zip line, Space Camp gyroscope and Mediacom Drop'N Twist - will be $39 (separate baseball ticket admission required on game days) - savings of more than 40 percent off the regular unlimited-ride pass price.
Also on Monday, Dec. 1, for one day only, the online team store will have special offers at riverbandits.com/banditwear. Customers may choose either free shipping on an order over $100 (using the promo code CYBERSHIP) or choose to receive a 20 percent discount on an order (using the promo code CYBER20).
The Cyber Monday specials will only be available from midnight until 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on Monday, Dec. 1.
Now through Dec. 10, fans may also choose from two Holiday Ticket Packs. One package includes four box seats and four Ferris wheel ride tickets for any 2015 River Bandits home game, as well as a Rascal Holiday Gnome and a limited edition River Bandits sweater T-shirt, all for just $49 plus shipping. Another package includes a book of 10 upper box seat vouchers for any 2015 River Bandits home games, a Rascal Holiday Gnome and two River Bandits sweater T-shirts for $99 plus shipping.
The holiday season continues with team store specials through Friday, Dec. 19. A Holiday Stocking Stuffer package is just $40 and includes a River Bandits pennant, a River Bandits logo ball, a stuffed plush of River Bandits mascot Rascal, baseball card sets from the 2012 and 2014 seasons, and a $10 gift card to the River Bandits team store - for a total package value of $50.
Also through Dec. 19, gift cards of a $25 value or more can be purchased with no shipping costs. The gift cards can be redeemed in the ballpark or over the phone for merchandise purchases only.
More information and links to take advantage of the specials are available by visiting riverbandits.com or calling 563-324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.
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Farmer panelists and industry experts will weigh the pros and cons of Big Data analytics and ownership at the 2015 Farm Futures Business Summit, held January 7-8 at the Hilton at the Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis.
ST. CHARLES, ILL., (11/18/2014) - Farm Futures, the leading U.S. ag business information resource for farmers and producers, will feature a special session focusing on the pros and cons of Big Data, one of the hottest topics in agriculture. The Big Data debate is one of 21 sessions that will take place during the 2015 Farm Futures Business Summit, to be held Jan. 7-8 at the Hilton at the Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis.
Big Data promises to help farmers on the profit side, but issues of ownership and control continue to unfold.
"While companies have collected and analyzed agronomic data for some time, the amount of real-time information we can collect now is staggering," says Brian Marshall, a Missouri farmer who will speak at the summit. "It is a big change that is cause for both excitement and concern."
Several agricultural equipment firms have introduced technology whereby the data from combines is uploaded every few seconds to the Cloud. Real-time yield data is available to whoever controls those databases. But more important, who owns and controls the data?
"A farmer's information is valuable, so farmers should have a say in and be compensated when their data is sold," says Marshall. "Farmers need to protect their data and make sure they bargain wisely as they share it with suppliers and interested companies."
Along with Marshall, the panel includes Mary Kay Thatcher, American Farm Bureau Federation; Bruce Erickson, education distance and outreach director, Purdue University; and Jim Krogmeier, Open Ag Data Alliance.
Max Armstrong, co-host of the popular This Week in Agribusiness TV program and Farm Progress America radio programs, will emcee the debate.
Better risk managers
The summit will also focus on risk management in 2015. "We're gearing up to help farmers combat difficult economic challenges by boosting their business and marketing skills," says the magazine's Executive Editor, Mike Wilson.
Sessions will focus on global demand, marketing, estate planning, employee management, business and landlord relationships, crop budgeting, crop insurance choices, the new farm bill, and future technology such as drones used for agriculture.
The summit is held in early January so young people on college break can attend.
"Whether you are a young farmer or a senior manager, this meeting is all about getting better so you are prepared for tighter profit margins in the year ahead," adds Wilson.
Early bird discount
Farm Futures' earlybird registration discount ends Dec. 1, 2014. Participants who register by that date pay $349 per person, a savings of $150 off the regular rate; early bird partners can attend for just $299. The student rate is $199 per person.
For agenda, registration and hotel booking links, go to www.farmfutures.com/summit2015. If you prefer to register by phone, call 1-800-441-1410. The Hilton offers summit attendees a special rate of just $85 along with free parking. To book hotel by phone, call (314) 421-1776.
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The Library Wants Your Opinion - Rock Island Public Library Hosts Open Community Forums for Building & Feasibility Study

Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Public Library is planning ahead for future library needs and it wants your input. The library will host open community forums with veteran library planner George Lawson on Monday, Nov. 24 and Tuesday, Nov. 25.

The forums will be held at 6:30 pm on Nov. 24 and at 2:00 pm on Nov. 25 at the Rock Island Main Library downtown, 401 19th Street. Ample free parking is available in the library lot, just off 4th Avenue and 20th Street. The open focus group forums will allow the public to share their ideas for future library services and facilities.

"Providing comfortable, responsive spaces that meet current and emerging patron needs is part of our four-year strategic plan," said Angela Campbell, Rock Island Public Library Director. The sessions are designed to provide the library's planning team with information on community needs for library spaces and services.

Lawson is an Ames, Iowa based library space needs consultant with 39 years of library experience. He focuses on building, strategic and operational planning, and has consulted on more than 400 library building projects, including studies for Moline, East Moline, River Valley Library District (Port Byron,) and Clinton Public Libraries.

The Rock Island Public Library board of trustees engaged the team of Gere Dismer Architects, George Lawson Library Planning, KJWW Engineering Consultants and Missman Civil Engineers to create a Library Master Plan Study that will include a facility assessment of all three branches and planning recommendations for each.  Since Oct. 15, the study team has been working on a library needs assessment, which includes touring the three library locations, observing operations, interviewing staff, and reviewing worksheets.

Once the needs assessment portion of the study is completed, the team will develop recommendations and a final report, which could include recommendations for building, space utilization, conceptual design, engineering needs, site planning, and cost estimates.

Buildings included in the study are the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street, and the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.

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Washington, D.C - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that his office is now accepting applications from Iowa college students to participate in a Congressional internship program in his Washington, D.C. office. The internship program is open to undergraduate students and recent graduates, regardless of major. Spring internships typically begin after January 1st and run through Memorial Day, though specific dates can be set for each individual.

"As a former educator, I have seen the benefits that internships can provide by giving students a firsthand look into the government process," said Loebsack. "I encourage all hardworking, motivated students and recent graduates to apply."

Interns will have the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and the federal government by working closely with the legislative, communications and constituent services staff members. Interested candidates should email their cover letter, resume, a short writing sample and a letter of recommendation to  LoebsackInternship@mail.house..

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