You are cordially invited to attend a Community Town Hall Meeting at:

December 11, 2014   10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Coralville Public Library - Schwab Room

1401 5th St, Coralville, IA 52241 

Open to all Veterans, their families and caregivers as well as to members of Congressional Offices, Veteran Service Organizations, and Media.

'Listening Sessions' Aim to Seek Feedback, Improve VA System

IOWA CITY - Senior leaders from the Iowa City VA Health Care System and the Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office will hold a Veterans' Town Hall from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Dec 11 at the Coralville Public Library Schwab Room, in Coralville, IA.

The town hall is designed to gain open and honest feedback from Veterans, their family members and other beneficiaries. VA also welcomes input from congressional stakeholders, Veteran service organizations, nongovernmental organizations and other community partners.

VA facilities around the country are holding town hall meetings on a quarterly basis "to improve communication with, and hear directly from, Veterans nationwide." "Caring for Veterans is a calling, and our first commitment is to provide Veterans and their families the timely, quality care and benefits they have earned and deserve through their service to our Nation," said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. "As we seek continual improvement and to rebuild trust among Veterans, it is critical that we continue to listen and learn directly from those who use our system."

The library is located at: 1401 5th St, Coralville, IA 52241

We, at Churches United of the Quad City Area are excited to remind you that the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is just one day away, so please mark your calendar!

When: Friday, December 5th, 12:00 - 2:30 (train arrives at 1:45, but come early for hot cocoa, cookies, local entertainment, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and goody bags for the first 250 children!)

Where: Modern Woodman Park

Why: To support Churches United's 26 food pantries

Cost: Non-perishable food item or cash donation

Entertainer on train: Canadian award-winning country music artist Kira Isabella

For more information on this event, please contact Anne Wachal or Thea Hansen at Churches United, 563-332-5002.

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Quad City seniors and their families invited to experience a variety of cultural desserts and beverages on December 12

DAVENPORT, IA (December 1, 2014) - Senior Star at Elmore Place is thrilled to hold its first International Holiday Dessert Tour for all Quad City seniors and their families from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, December 12 at 4500 Elmore Avenue, Davenport.

The free event will feature ethnic desserts and beverages from a variety of countries around the world.  Upon arrival, attendees will receive a passport and partake in a self-guided tour to sample specialty desserts and beverages chosen in compliment with the dessert and culture, many of which were prepared by the chefs at Senior Star at Elmore Place.  Mouthwatering delights are from:

·       France:  Assorted Petit Fours, Crème Brulee Tartlet, Lemon Cream Shortbread, Berry Dacquoise

·       Germany:  Apple Strudel, Salted Carmel Van Crunch Cake, German Chocolate Cake

·       British Isles:  Irish Cream Bash Pie, Bailey's Irish Cream Cake, Assorted Scones

·       Italy:  Individual Tiramisu, Brulee Ricotta Cheesecake, Lemon Italian Cream

·       United States:  New York Cheesecake, Apple Spice Cake, Carrot Cake

·       Central/South America:  Dulce de Leche, Xango Cheesecake, Pina Colada Cake

"We are thrilled to offer this fun event for our Quad City seniors and their families," said Marc Strohschein, executive director of Senior Star at Elmore Place.  "Our chefs have created an exceptional representation of several international desserts and those tastings are a highlight of our food offerings at Senior Star."

Completion of passport stops will provide attendees the opportunity to be included in a special drawing for prizes including a night at the new Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Davenport with a $50 credit at the hotel restaurant and a $100 Visa gift card for shopping.  Two other $100 Visa gift cards will also be given away for those who have completed the passport tour.

Space is limited so RSVPs are requested on or before December 10 by calling 563.484.5114.  While the event is free, donations will be accepted and given to the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

For more information about Senior Star at Elmore Place or to schedule a tour, call 563.484.5114 or visit the web site at www.seniorstar.com.

About Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place, a Senior Star community, features 236 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 20 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents three distinctive living experiences:  independent living, assisted living and memory care.  For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

For most children in America, the holiday season is a wonderful time, with tasty treats, vacation from school, and plenty of toys and gifts that seem to magically appear.

Of course, parents know it's not magic -- those gifts cost money! Not having to worry about that part of it is a gift found only in childhood, but young children do need to learn to appreciate the value of a dollar, says C. Ernie Nivens, the 2005 Father of the Year for Charlotte, N.C. - so designated by the American Diabetes Association.

"As a parent, grandparent and veteran financial advisor, I can talk all day about what I can do for an individual's specific needs, but so much of it comes down to the basics of how we're raised," says Nivens, (www.nivenswealth.com), a celebrated financial specialist since 1990.

"When children are 'spoiled' and never taught the value of money, parents have neglected to empower them with the ability to budget and prioritize resources."

Nivens, author of "Baker's Dozen: 13 Insights from Highly Successful Financial Advisors," says that a percentage of money children earn or receive as gifts this holiday season should be put aside for at least one of four pockets.

•  Pocket 1: College savings. College graduates in the Class of 2014 share a sad historical fact - they're the most indebted class ever. The average graduate with student-loan debt has to pay back some $33,000, according to an analysis of government data published in Edvisors, a group of websites about planning and paying for college.

"Hopefully, we'll have a better handle as a country on student debt in the future," he says. "Teaching children the importance of this pocket from a young age is important. They'll understand the concept and need for establishing a budget for their future betterment."

•  Pocket 2: Fun and games: Dream Pocket. Children need to know that the entertainment they consume on a regular basis - including TV, movies, internet and video games - isn't free. Having them help pay for a video game or a summer trip is a direct and concrete way for a child to experience the necessity of giving up something in order to gain something they'd like to have. It also helps them become more discerning about requests for toys, games and outings.

•  Pocket 3: God Pocket. While the ability to save money is a virtue to a child's future well-being, giving part of one's savings to a higher purpose is a way of acting on their values. Giving donations to a church, charity or to buy a friend a treat teaches children that money isn't the ultimate goal in life.

•  Pocket 4: Saving for the future. Can a child always predict her money needs to the last dollar? Can adults? Of course not, and that's why a pocket for general expenses is useful. It could be that a charitable effort takes off within the community, which could require travel. Or, she may accidentally break a window while playing catch with her friend. However the money may be needed for future use, it's great to be able to supplement the other pockets with savings.

About C. Ernie Nivens

C. Ernie Nivens, (www.nivenswealth.com), entered the United Methodist Church ministry while working his way through college. After completing his bachelor's degree in English from Francis Marion University, he earned his Master's of Divinity from Emory University's Candler School of Theology. He retired from the ministry in 1990 and began his career as a financial professional. Nivens completed his Master's in Financial Services, MSFS, with an AEP (Accredited Estate Planner), in 2002, as well as a National Social Security Advisor NSSA. A popular speaker, he is also the author of three books: "Bakers Dozen," "A Light in the Darkness: Insights of a Southern Christian Gentleman," and "Southern Fried Hope," a mystery. This latest book is Popa's Britches. He's been married to Rosemarie for 47 years. They have three daughters and six grandchildren.