06 Sep 2014

Braley Asks Iowans to Share Their Stories Dealing with Student Loans

By Kirsten Hartman

In continued effort to address student loan debt and college affordability, Congressman reaches out to Iowans

Washington, D.C. - After a recent report showing a 12-fold increase in the cost of college tuition in the last 30 years, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today called on Iowans to share their stories receiving and repaying student loans. Braley will share the comments he receives with Department of Education in his continued effort to address the student debt crisis and college affordability.

"I was lucky to receive college student loans when I attended Iowa State, but my experience pales in comparison to present-day graduates who have the highest level of student loan debt in history," Braley said. "We've got to find solutions to rising tuition costs and rising debt burdens, and a big piece of that hearing and sharing the first-person stories of those facing these challenges."

 

Braley is seeking personal stories from Iowans that have taken out student loans and/or are repaying those loans, and the challenges they have faced to further their education goals. Stories can be shared on his website at: braley.house.gov

Braley recently sponsored the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, allowing individuals to refinance their student loan debt at lower interest rates, helping address the record high levels of crippling loan debt and delinquencies increasingly affecting millions of students and their families. The U.S. Department of Education estimates this new legislation would benefit 311,000 Iowa student borrowers.

Student loan debt today totals $1.2 trillion, $864 billion of which is backed by the federal government. More than 70 percent of students who graduated from college in 2012 had student loan debt.

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06 Sep 2014

Adjutant General addresses Soldiers' concerns regarding fiscal constraints

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/04/2014)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard conducted a town hall-style meeting at Camp Lincoln, in Springfield, Illinois on Sept. 4 to address issues related to the postponement of September drill training and other fiscal constraints.

The town hall was also broadcast via the internet to reach Soldiers and families who could not attend in person.

"As a traditional Guardsman for 35 years, I am well aware of how changes in drill dates and uncertainty affects many of us who depend on our drill checks, and who must balance our family life and jobs with our military commitments" said Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

A panel of other leaders from the Illinois Army National Guard including the director of training and the chief fiscal officer joined Krumrei to answer questions about pay and retirement issues related to the postponement of September's weekend drill training.

Last week the Illinois Army National Guard cancelled most travel, military professional development courses and non-critical training events planned for the month of September in response to a national-level projected budget shortfall for the remainder of the federal fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

The budget shortfall is affecting the Army National Guard of all 54 states and territories. The National Guard Bureau intends to ask Congress to reprogram appropriated funds from other areas in order to address the shortage to support September's drill training. The Illinois Army National Guard moved the September drill to the end of the month, allowing time for congressional action.

The budget shortfall is largely due to fewer mobilizations, higher than expected training attendance and historically high graduation rates at schools. The National Guard is committed to resolving the issue with the least impact on its citizen-Soldiers while ensuring the force is ready for missions at home and overseas.

"Our number one priority is our Soldiers and families," Krumrei said. "We will strive for as much stability as possible as we adjust to these fiscal constraints and ensure we continue to be ready to help our neighbors, protect our state and defend our nation."

For more information, contact the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569 or ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil

06 Sep 2014

Local students participate in Culver-Stockton College's Extreme Dome Makeover 2014

By Heidi Lanier

CANTON, MO (09/04/2014)(readMedia)-- Over 550 Culver-Stockton students, faculty and staff participated in the sixth annual Extreme Dome Makeover, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, volunteering their services to fix up 16 different sites in Canton, Missouri.

Local students who participated in this event include :

Austin Pyrtle, freshman musical theatre major of Davenport (52806)

Alex Draper, sophomore biology major of Muscatine (52761)

Volunteers spent the day doing various activities like painting, landscaping and cleaning. Project sites included both public areas and private residences. Public sites included Canton Senior Housing, City Hall, Martin Park, the Mississippi River Park, the Canton Community Garden and more.

Extreme Dome Makeover provides the opportunity to introduce incoming students to the community of Canton, as well as to their classmates, advisors and neighbors.

"We want our students to know that being a servant leader is important. Hopefully by the time they graduate they will know that importance and they'll be able to lead service projects in their own community ," said Dean of Students Chris Gill.

Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.

06 Sep 2014

MILITARY COST CUTTERS, opens in Hilltop Campus Village Studio Offices

By Scott Tunnicliff
Main Street Iowa Grant Business Innovation Grant helps start ups and small businesses.

A new business is starting in Davenport, thanks to the vision of entrepreneur and Marine Corps veteran Aaron Serrano, with assistance from the manager of an office building in the Hilltop Campus Village, and a grant obtained by the Hilltop Campus Village. The QC Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at 11:00AM Friday Sept. 5 to help welcome them to their new offices at the Priester Building, 601 Brady Street, #301.

The journey began when Ted Priester, local attorney and the building's owner and Scott Tunnicliff, Hilltop Campus Village Director got together to apply for a Main Street Iowa Business Innovation Grant, which was offered last year to Main Street District throughout the state. The proposal called for the HCV and Ted to commit resources in equal amounts to the conversion of space on the third floor into office suites, with costs to be matched by the Main Street Iowa grant.

"We are proud and pleased to have Military Cost Cutters as our first tenant under this program", said Ted. They are performing a great service to the region, and we're glad our unique product matches their needs." The suite is one of several being made out of what used to be a large office area built for and occupied by Priester Construction Company, who built the building over 50 years ago. "We have some supporting amenities, such as copying, a microwave, a refrigerator, free parking, utilities and internet connections, but it is basically for the service provider needing space for their service, room for their laptops and cell phones or whatever."

"The office suite concept is an option that really speaks to a niche in the market", says Tunnicliff. "We were aiming at start-ups, not for profits and home-based businesses, and anticipated having to do a lot of marketing and promotion to get this going. But networking and word of mouth has achieved a lot. Ted is in charge of negotiating with prospects, and we are pleased that leads have been furnished by the Small Business Development Center, among others."

Military Cost Cutters is an online platform that connects military-friendly businesses with current military members and veterans. At the ribbon cutting CEO Aaron Serrano will explain more about the company and about the official launch of their Loyalty Rewards program. Contact him at admin@militarycostcutters.com, and learn more by visiting the website at www.militarycostcutters.com
06 Sep 2014

Quad City Parrot Head Club Supports Local Shelter

By Ann Ring

Rock Island, IL - The Quad City Parrot Head Club has provided Christian Care with a $4,100 grant from its June annual golf outing. Funds will help provide direct therapy to children?our silent victims?during their stay at Christian Care.

"Children who arrive with their mothers at our domestic violence shelter have been traumatized by what they have seen and experienced," said Dr. Elaine Winter, Christian Care's chief executive officer. "This grant through the Quad City Parrot Head Club will allow Christian Care to continue to provide the services that help our children begin to heal and overcome the childhood scars that come with physical, emotional, and mental abuse, and help them feel safe and secure again. Our warmest thanks go out to all the golfers and volunteers who made this generous gift possible."

T.J. Griffiths, one of the event's co-chairs, along with Sue Wesselmann, was also thrilled with the club's generosity. "Even though we were a little late getting our annual golf outing organized this year, we still pulled off an amazing day at Saukie Golf Course," said Griffiths.

Christian Care is transforming the lives of homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illness. Its two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to those in need. Its services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the goal of nourishing the bodies, minds, hearts and souls of the men, women and children who come seeking a new way of life. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care crisis hotline any hour of the day or night at (309) 788-2273.

The Quad City Parrot Head Club was sanctioned in Dec. 2003, and is one of 239 member clubs in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The Parrot Heal Club is a collection of people of all ages and backgrounds who embrace the music of Jimmy Buffett and the lifestyle he writes about so others may benefit. Club members also believe in leaving things just a little better than they found them, while holding fast to their motto, "partying with a purpose."

06 Sep 2014

News Release from the Illinois Korean Memorial Association

By Karen Le Seure

The Illinois Korean  Memorial Association has published a booklet, " A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KOREAN WAR". It has a tear proof cover, actual headlines, photos from Department of Defense, peace talks, maps, American Commanders & more, all from 1950-53 era. 

A must for any teacher who wants to hold a class, or a student who wants to write  a paper on the Korean War. To receive a copy, send $10 check or money order to Illinois Korean Memorial Association, P.O. Box 8554, Springfield, Illinois 62791.  100% of all funds go to the book project to send this booklet to Illinois schools & libraries at no charge.

06 Sep 2014

ISU Extension Calendar mid-October 2014

By Joy Venhorst

Oct. 15, 2014 Roadside, Forest, and Aquatic Pest Management, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00 am-11:30 am

Oct. 23, 2014 Mosquito and Public Health Pest Management, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00 am-11:30 am

Oct. 28, 2014 Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

05 Sep 2014

Camp Courageous Train Engineer Passes

By Charlie Becker
In 2007, Tom & Nan Riley of Marion, IA donated a train to Camp Courageous.  It included the engine car, a flatbed car, and caboose.  Gerry Rohr, of Monticello, Iowa was quick to volunteer his services to make this dream come true for the nearly 7,000 campers with special needs that come to Camp Courageous each year.   Gerry took full responsibility for the laying of the track, switches, and the train itself.
Gerry Rohr quickly determined the existing train engine was not large enough to pull the many campers that would travel through the woods at one time.  So he ordered a large diesel engine, pulled the old engine out, and put the new one in.  "Gerry was a genius...he could fix or repair anything," according to Charlie Becker, the camp's director and long time friend of Gerry Rohr.  The new engine was just what was needed, as two new passenger cars were designed and added in the next few years.
Along with everything affiliated with the train, Gerry oversaw the camp's three large generators that power the camp during a power outage and he assisted the maintenance staff with hundreds of projects over the years.  "Gerry was always there to help Camp Courageous, at any hour of any day," said Charlie. "Gerry was at that stage of life that he was imparting lots of knowledge to James Kurth, the camp's Maintenance Director," said Charlie, "they had a wonderful relationship."

Gerry's final gift to camp was the expansion of the train to Lake Todd, a newly constructed Lake at Camp Courageous. Gerry, along with several hard-working volunteers, spent the past spring and summer laying the track. All that remained to be done was a little balancing of the track before campers would have the opportunity for a new and longer train ride. Unfortunately, due to Gerry's death of an apparent heart attack, he was not able to take that inaugural ride.

"Gerry brought an incredible amount of joy and happiness into the lives of thousands of campers with special needs.  The train ride was a highlight of their stay at camp.  Gerry leaves a huge void at Camp Courageous, but his legacy lives on with every train ride," said Charlie.
05 Sep 2014

University of Iowa student Lindsey Bushman to study abroad in Italy

By Stephanie Grebe

IOWA CITY, IA (09/04/2014)(readMedia)-- Lindsey Bushman, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, has been selected to study abroad this summer with the University of Iowa Consortium Institute for Management and Business Analysis (CIMBA) Italy program. Bushman, who is majoring in Marketing, will be studying abroad for 12 weeks in Paderno del Grappa, Italy at the base of the Italian Alps.

While abroad, students complete 12-18 credit hours in the areas of business, journalism, communication, and Italian. Students have the opportunity to indulge in Italian culture through excursions in local towns, participate in international company tours, network with students from around the globe, and travel Europe during over 25 days of independent travel. This fall, 12 University of Iowa students were selected to attend the CIMBA Italy program.

The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business is the degree and credit-granting institution for CIMBA. The Consortium is made up of 35 universities across the United States that annually send over 450 students and faculty to CIMBA's campus in northern Italy. CIMBA trains future professional leaders during undergraduate, graduate, and MBA study abroad opportunities. CIMBA's location in the Veneto region of Italy provides an environment rich with history, art, and an entrepreneurial spirit. To learn more about CIMBA, visit CIMBAItaly.com.

05 Sep 2014

YOUNG FOOTLITERS PRESENTS THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE SEPTEMBER 12-14

By Megan Flanagan

Young Footliters presents Joseph Robinette's adaptation of the C. S. Lewis novel The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe for 4 performances, September 12-14 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  The production features 32 local children in 4th grade through 10th grades and is directed by Matt Falduto.  Hills Bank is the supporting sponsor.

Performances are at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts Friday, September 12 at 7pm, Saturday, September 13 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday, September 14 at 2pm.  Tickets are $7 - $12 and are available online at www.coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the CCPA box office (1301 5th Street) and Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th Street).

Robinette's adaptation features the characters of the novel - the four children, the talking animals, the White Witch and her followers, and the great lion Aslan - in a timeless setting that contemporary children can identify with.   Director Falduto worked to create an empowering experience for the children who are in the cast and those in the audience, helping them understand the themes of the story.  For example, he says that as a child, he "loved that Edmund could screw up, find forgiveness, and then become the hero.  To me, that's a very powerful message for our kids to learn."  This adaptation also presents a strong, brave Susan and a Peter who finds strength in emotion and empathy, portrayed by real life siblings Emma and David Bluder.

Young Footliters is a program of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts offering children and teens fun, creative, and educational theater arts opportunities in a safe, positive, and professional environment.  Young Footliters aims to produce quality productions and classes that promote responsibility, confidence, leadership, cooperation, and arts appreciation.

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