Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack recently continued his fight against misguided cuts to Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) that provide care to many Iowans living in rural areas. Loebsack helped lead a bipartisan effort with 45 Members of Congress in calling on the President to refrain from including arbitrary cuts to CAH in his upcoming budget proposal.

"(Critical Access Hospitals) play an important role in communities by providing access to primary, emergency, and acute care services," the lawmakers wrote. "As you consider the FY 2016 budget, we believe that indiscriminate cuts to CAHs, similar to those included in previous budgets, are not the answer."

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

L&D15 begins their bi-weekly Meet Your Maker series with a silkscreen demonstration on Sunday, November 30 from 1-4pm. L&D15 co-founder David Balluff will talk about silkscreen printing and artist Andy Warhol. Balluff worked previously at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA as an Artist-Educator, and also prints t-shirts for the clothing line, General Assembly.

The Meet Your Maker series was conceived by co-founders David Balluff and Lopeti Etu as a way to provide artists and art lovers with a forum to share ideas, techniques and information about a wide range of artistic topics. Future events may include demonstrations, artist talks, and skill sharing workshops.

L&D15 brings a new style of retail to the Quad Cities, featuring clothing, accessories and housewares created by local and international artists and designers. The store is located at 520 W. 2nd Street in downtown Davenport. For more information, please visit http://www.landd15.com.

Coffee will be provided.

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WASHINGTON, DC - On Wednesday, December 10, 2014, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) will be joined by leaders of the U.S. House and Senate to present a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of members of the Civil Air Patrol whose valor and dedication saved countless lives during World War II.  Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.

Senator Harkin and Congressman McCaul introduced the legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Civil Air Patrol. The legislation passed the Senate in May 2013 and the House in May 2014. Their bipartisan bill received unanimous support and was signed by the President into law in May 2014.

"As the Commander of the Congressional Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, I am happy that the World War II members will receive this overdue recognition. Thousands of volunteers, many too young or too old to serve in the active military, took their own, often rudimentary, aircraft into the skies at great risk to themselves and successfully cleared the American coastline of enemy U-boats," said Harkin. "Between that mission, search and rescue missions, and even towing targets for live fire target practice, CAP helped us win the war and saved countless lives. I can think of no more fitting award for these men and women than the Congressional Gold Medal, and I am honored to have introduced this legislation."

"Decades after the end of WWII, it is long overdue and altogether fitting that Congress finally bestows this honor upon the WWII members of the Civil Air Patrol. The valiant efforts of these brave men and women who volunteered to defend our coastlines, provide essential combat support services, and fly dangerous humanitarian missions in America during World War II embodies the American Spirit of volunteerism. As the son of a WWII bombardier, this honor is especially significant," said McCaul. "I had the opportunity to meet with Jayne Price, a 92 year old member of the Civil Air Patrol earlier this year. I was impressed by her tales of perilous flights and inspired by her love for her country. This Gold Medal has been well earned by all members of the Civil Air Patrol, and I thank them for their dedication and service to our country."

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will take part in the bipartisan, bicameral ceremony.

If you've ever been told that you cannot do something, but you refuse to give up on your dream, you have something in common with Chalky White.

After repeatedly failing to achieve full ski instructor certification in the United Kingdom, then being repeatedly denied entry into another certification program, White eventually accomplished his goal of being a world-class ski instructor. He's been inspiring confidence in skiers of all levels for more than three decades.

"Adversity is simply the flipside of success; I was told that I had the 'wrong body shape' for skiing and I experienced three consecutive failures at achieving the full British certification," says Chalky, who flew across the world to New Zealand for training and certification there. Denied entry, his tenacity finally convinced the coach to take him on.

"The negativity I'd experienced in following my dreams only served to increase my determination. Also, I believe the difficulty I had helped me be far more empathetic as an instructor."

Chalky is the author of Amazon's bestselling "The 7 Secrets of Skiing." The enormous response to the how-to book enabled him to craft a new program for business professionals and celebrities, called Ski the World with Chalky White, (www.the7secretsofskiing.com).

He discusses lessons in skiing, both for the slopes and in life.

•  Keep in mind the "calculated risk factor." Of course, giving your all can be scary, because no matter how much you invest in time, effort and money, there's no guarantee it will work. And, even for experienced skiers, standing at the top of a big, steep hill with the intention of throwing your body down it - albeit with the intention of control - can be nerve-racking.

"That's where preparation and systematic training comes in," Chalky says. "You're not simply hurling yourself down the mountain; you're taking a calculated risk, estimating that your training and ability to stay calm and focused will serve your purpose. The same goes with any risk you take in life."

•  Always show up first. Whether you're the most gifted person in your field of passion or, like Chalky, you have the "wrong body shape," be so enthusiastic about learning and working, you're always the first one on the slope. Never take your talent or your experience for granted. The always-show-up-first mentality keeps you humble, hungry and sharp.

"I was extremely fortunate to have a ski instructor trainer in Peter Curtis; after I'd finally achieved my dream of becoming a fully certified instructor, he said to me, 'Congratulations, now go and learn to ski,' " Chalky says. "Initially taken aback at such a key juncture in my life and career, the simple command set me on the path that I still follow today. With each ski season, I try eking out that little bit of improvement that helps both me and my clients."

•  Skiing is balancing on a moving platform. Simply put, skiing is balance. An efficiently poised skier who has found his or her balance can ski harder, better and longer through difficult twists and turns. That's true for skiing and an excellent metaphor for attacking the slalom of life.

"The right balance of physical and mental preparation and determination can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go," he says.

•  Never take "no" for an answer; be willing to alter your plan to achieve your goal. In order to fund his attempt to make his living as a fully certified instructor, Chalky needed money. At age 26, he left his position as a British policeman and took a job that no one wanted as an encyclopedia salesman in Germany.

"Nearly every step along the way, I wanted to quit -- from the tedious job selection process to knocking on my first German door on a cold, wet evening to continuing the position month after month," he says. "But I did it, and I did it well, which taught me the rewards of persevering through the tough stuff. I didn't say 'no,' and I've since lived the life I've wanted. Sometimes, in order to fulfill a dream, one must do things that are not part of the original plan."

About Chalky White

For many years, Chalky White has been a professional ski instructor who is highly regarded for being able to help develop balance and confidence in beginners and new insights for intermediate and advanced skiers. Through his business, Seven Secrets International Ski Services LLC, he has taught students in the Alps, New Zealand and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, where he remains a longtime member of the esteemed Vail and Beaver Creek Ski School. Since 2011, his book, "The 7 Secrets of Skiing," (www.the7secretsofskiing.com), has been at or near the No.1 for ski books on Amazon. White is a sought-after inspirational/motivational speaker on his specialty subject and his keynote, "The Calculated Risk Factor - What a wonderful World - If you Don't Quit!"