To emphasize Herbert Hoover's history for feeding those in need, donations of nonperishable items will be accepted for the West Branch Food Pantry at the Visitor Center and at the Presidential Library and Museum.

Horse-drawn wagon rides on Friday and Saturday evenings start at 5:30 p.m. from the Visitor Center of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. The rides take visitors through the historic site and historic downtown West Branch.  The last wagon rides begin at 8:00 p.m.

A park ranger will demonstrate the art and craft of blacksmithing in the Blacksmith Shop on Friday and Saturday nights until 8:30 p.m. Try snowshoeing with a ranger on Main Street next to the U.S. Post Office Friday and Saturday nights between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The park has some snowshoes to lend, or bring your own. Historical interpreter Sarah S. Uthoff will appear in character as Laura Ingalls Wilder telling historic stories in the Visitor Center on Friday at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. For more information about programs and activities at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site call (319) 643-2541.

Visit the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum's annual holiday exhibit of Christmas trees. Each of this year's 20 trees will represent one of Shakespeare's plays.

Also at the Presidential Library and Museum, The Young Footliters will perform A Seussified Christmas Carol on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Performances are free and there is no reserve seating. The Uncalled Four quartet will sing Christmas carols in the rotunda Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information about programs and activities at Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum call (319) 643-5301.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today led a call to Congressional leaders to take action and extend the job-creating Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before the 113^th Congress adjourns. Loebsack joined with Senator Tom Harkin and Representative Bruce Braley in writing to the leaders of both the House and Senate calling for Congress to provide the wind energy industry the stability it needs to operate. The three have been longtime proponents of the wind energy industry.

"Like all businesses, the wind industry seeks certainty and predictability so that long term project decisions and investments can be made. Without that stability, we once again risk losing many of the jobs, infrastructure and investment that the wind industry has created," the Members wrote. "Time is running out for us to pass an extension of the PTC and ITC to help to avoid further layoffs and divestment. It is imperative that a vote to extend these important provisions occurs before the 113th Congress adjourns sine die."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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MOUNT VERNON, IA (11/17/2014)(readMedia)-- The wind ensemble, composed of about 55 students, performed a concert on Nov. 7 in King Chapel.

Tony Clifton of Bettendorf was one of the performers.

Andrew (Drew) Klocke of Coal Valley was one of the performers.

Margaret (Maggie) Stone of Rock Island was one of the performers.

The ensemble and performs both original wind band music and transcriptions of pieces for this specific instrumentation. This ensemble has performed works by Holst, Vaughan Williams, Dello Joio, Persichetti, and Rorem, as well as marches by composers such as Sousa, Alford and King.

The Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Martin Hearne, offer performance opportunities in vibrant, well-respected groups to all students by audition. Approximately 80% of members are non-music majors.

Cornell's small size allows students to become soloist or concerto performers. Students also enjoy leadership roles for their own parts and those of their section, giving a feeling of ownership of the ensembles in which they participate.

One of the 40 "Colleges That Change Lives," Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. The One Course schedule provides students the chance to dive into their studies, focus more intensely on the disciplines of their choice, and learn authentically with the unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship-all without missing out on other classes. Cornell has been recognized by numerous publications for the value its education offers and for academic excellence. This year it was named one of the 20 "Best Buys" in higher education by the "Fiske Guide to Colleges," and one of the 100 best values in liberal arts education by Kiplinger's. It has also been called a "Great School at a Great Price" by U.S. News and World Report. Ninety-three percent of Cornell graduates earn their degrees in four years, compared to the national average of slightly more than five years. In 2013 Cornell was named one of the 25 colleges with the best professors by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. For more information, visit www.cornellcollege.edu.

Governor Participates in Memorial Dedication Service, Announces Additional State Relief Toward Recovery Process

WASHINGTON - One year after deadly tornadoes devastated several areas of Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today visited two of Illinois' hardest-hit communities, Washington and Brookport, to visit with families and participate in the dedication of a new memorial to mark the tragedy. The Governor also announced additional state recovery assistance to aid the two communities who are still in the process of rebuilding and recovery one year later.

"One year ago we saw unimaginable destruction in central Illinois, and today we gather together to reflect on the healing process," Governor Quinn said. "Tragedy struck Illinois last November, but we refused to give up on these towns no matter how long it took for them to get back on their feet. Rebuilding Washington and Brookport has been an amazing demonstration of what can be done when communities come together in the face of hard times. It's important that we continue to support the local governments, businesses and families affected by this disaster until the recovery process is completed."

The Governor's additional investments announced today are from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and total $1.3 million between Illinois' two hardest hit communities. The $398,283 for Washington and the $938,100 for Brookport will help local governments rebuild tornado-damaged infrastructure.

Including today's announced funding, Washington has received $13.4 million and Brookport $2.9 million in state assistance to recover from the November 17, 2013 tornadoes. The investment is the latest in more than $19.5 million in state assistance provided to date for tornado damaged communities from the November disaster.

"Our community thanks Governor Quinn for his commitment to Washington's recovery," Washington Mayor Gary Manier said. "He was here immediately following the storms and has been back frequently to see how we are doing and to provide the assistance we need. We can't say enough about what the Governor has done for our community, and we welcome him here today to help us remember what happened one year ago and to honor those we lost."

"Governor Quinn literally saved our community from bankruptcy, because without this state assistance to help with tornado-related expenses we wouldn't have been able to survive," Brookport Mayor John Klaffer said. "The state relief package has made all the difference in the world. The Governor kept his word, and we welcome him back with open arms today to join us in our day of remembrance."

The state's multi-agency relief package for local governments included assistance from DCEO, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Finance Authority, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The local government entities that have received state assistance to recover from the storms a year ago include :

·         Braceville Township, $219,744

·         City of Brookport, $2,971,202

·         Champaign County, $44,528

·         Champaign County Highway Department, $1,753

·         Claypool Drainage & Levee District, $14,625

·         Village of Coal City, $446,096

·         Compromise Township, $394,546

·         Compromise Township Road District, $17,416

·         City of Danville, $43,258

·         Douglas County, $1,086

·         City of East Peoria, $522,179

·         Village of Diamond, $433,590

·         City of Fairfield, $3,281

·         Village of Garrett, $750

·         Village of Gifford, $750,996

·         Grundy County Sheriff, $7,944

·         Massac County, $23,549

·         Metamora Township, $5,581

·         City of Minonk, $12,339

·         Murdock Township, $425

·         Newman Township Road District, $757

·         City of Pekin, $100,688

·         Tazewell County, $33,511

·         Village of Tilton, $1,202

·         Tuscola Township, $1,348

·         Tuscola Township Highway Department, $780

·         Vermilion County, $2,085

·         City of Washington: $13,440,177

·         Washington Community High School, $5,077

·         Washington Park District, $15,658

·         Washington Township Road District, $8,676

·         Woodford County, $26,757

TOTAL:  $19,504,334

Shortly after the deadly storms on November 17, 2013, Governor Quinn surveyed the damaged areas and activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the deployment of state resources and personnel in support of local response and recovery efforts. He ordered state agencies to step in when federal disaster assistance for local governments was denied. However, the Governor was successful in getting federal disaster assistance for families and businesses in 15 Illinois counties which has topped $23.5 million.