03 Nov 2014

BRALEY SURGES IN PRE-ELECTION POLL

By Sam Lau
Race Tied as Braley Campaigns Across Iowa, Thousands of Volunteers Push Supporters to Vote

Braley surges from 4 points down in last Quinnipiac poll to tied today: 47-47

Braley leads 56-36 among those who have already voted

Des Moines, IA ?The final Quinnipiac poll before Election Day shows what the Braley campaign has been seeing for weeks: This race is very tight but Bruce is surging as voters take their final look at the candidates and are hearing from their friends and neighbors about what is at stake and how important it is to vote for Bruce and his plans to fight for the middle class, not the wealthiest few.

"This race is a dead heat but the energy and enthusiasm is with Bruce as voters make their final decisions and cast their ballots," said Sam Lau, Braley for Iowa spokesman. "We know that the more Iowans who vote, the better Bruce will do?and our superior field operation is reaching out to hundreds of thousands of our supporters in the final days to make sure they understand what is at stake and how important it is for them to vote."

This poll comes as Bruce campaigns across Iowa talking to voters about the issues and thousands of volunteers are reaching out to hundreds of thousands of voters to make sure Bruce's supporters are coming out to the polls in this critical and tight race.

With the exception of a single outlier, every single poll of Iowa voters in the last few days has shown this race to be a dead heat heading into Election Day with clear movement in Bruce's direction. Our campaign's modeling of the electorate shows that Bruce is headed to victory on the strength of his clear and significant lead among early voters, the superior Democratic ground efforts that will drive far greater numbers of supporters to the polls, and his strong and consistent lead among independent voters.
03 Nov 2014

Voter Info for Iowa Residents

By Human Rights Campaign PAC

Polls will be open on Tuesday, November 4, from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Find the location of your polling place by visiting the voter website.

Iowa allows for voter registration on Election Day. To register and vote on Election Day, you must go to the correct polling place for your current address with proof of your identity and address. The best way to do this is with your valid Iowa driver's license with your current address printed on it. If you do not have an Iowa driver's license, you may use a photo ID that is current, valid, and contains an expiration date. Get details on Election Day Registration.

We urge you to vote for these HRC-endorsed candidates and to encourage your friends and family members to vote for these candidates.

For United States Senate:
Bruce Braley (D)

For United States House of Representatives:
Pat Murphy (D, IA-1)
Dave Loebsack (D, IA-2)
Staci Appel (D, IA-3)
Jim Mowrer (D, IA-4)

Pledge to support pro-equality candidates - because every vote counts.

We can't wake up on November 5th knowing we could have done more to elect fair-minded politicians. Tell the world you plan to vote for equality on Tuesday. You'll send a message to your friends, family and the world that LGBT civil rights should be a top priority for our elected leaders

03 Nov 2014

Braley to Continue Two-Day "On Your Side" Tour

By Rick Martin
Braley to be joined by Sen. Tom Harkin and Sec. Tom Vilsack

Tour to focus on why Bruce is running for U.S. Senate: to create an economy that works for all Iowa families, not just the wealthiest few

Des Moines - TODAY, November 3, 2014, Bruce Braley will continue his two-day On Your Side Tour as Election Day approaches, meeting with Iowans in 6 stops across the state to give Iowans a final reminder about why he's running for Senate: to create an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.

Bruce will be joined at various stops on the tour by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and Secretary Tom Vilsack. The tour will conclude with a pre-election event in Waterloo at 8 p.m. on Monday.

"This election is about who is on the side of Iowa's working families, and I am thrilled to launch this two-day tour and share with Iowans my dedication to creating an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest few," said Bruce Braley.  "The energy and enthusiasm I've seen at the grassroots level has been incredible, and we are going to make sure Iowans know what's at stake in this election and how important it is to get out and vote."
03 Nov 2014

7 Ways to Cut Your Holiday Expenses

By Steve Burke

By Jason Alderman

When it comes to holiday spending, waiting in store lines all night and jostling for discounts will mean very little if you don't have a budget that shapes your finances year-round. With the average U.S. household spending $600-$700 in 2014 for the holidays, putting that money together shouldn't be a game of chance. Here are some tips to get it right:

1. Before you make a list, plan. How's your debt? Do you have an emergency fund or any savings put aside? Start the holiday season by getting a handle on what you owe and what you're spending day-to-day. Then plan a holiday budget (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/YourHolidayBudget) as early as possible that allows you to spend wisely.

2. See what spending is really necessary. It's tough to cut young kids off a gift list, so turn to the adults. If your finances are limited, it's worth asking adult friends and family members if they'd consider a gift swap or forego gifts altogether. They might actually think it's a good idea.

3. Attack your everyday expenses. Want to afford the holidays? Consider evaluating some expensive habits. Try reducing the amount you are spending on expensive nights out. Cook at home and bring your lunch to work. Use public transportation. Compare and cut your auto and home insurance premiums. Turn down the thermostat, dump magazine subscriptions, gym memberships and any other budget item you're not using. You'll find that savings build quickly.

4. Browse before you buy. Assuming you've made a tight gift list, create a gift budget (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/YourGiftLog) tracking precisely what you're willing to pay for every item. For must-have, non-negotiable gifts, you may have to pounce before Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday and Monday for both price and selection. Also, don't forget to budget for holiday entertainment www.practicalmoneyskills.com/EntertainmentPlanner). It's a potentially huge cost. Plan ahead and don't waver.

5. Create your own Holiday Club. Online savings and money market accounts can allow you to set aside your holiday budget in small amounts throughout the year and they'll pay better rates than the last few banks offering Holiday Club savings accounts.

6. Watch gas and shipping. Smart shoppers weigh the value of store trips versus online shopping. They also keep an eagle eye for advertised online and shipping discounts. Sign up for special deals and coupons, consolidate in-person trips to stores and make sure you review return policies at online and bricks-and-mortar stores before you buy. Paying return fees or missing a window to return a gift entirely can cost big money.

7. Keep good records. Whether you track your finances on paper or on a computer, develop a system that allows you to match your holiday list to what you spend every year. Good recordkeeping not only allows you to track the numbers, but also prevents you from duplicating gifts or overspending year to year. And it's always a good idea to keep a list of what you get from others to make sure you're thanking people appropriately.

Finally, consider whether it's worth making new holiday traditions that go beyond gift giving. Some families consider contributing throughout the year to a joint vacation or reunion fund to bring everyone together. You might also consider the needs of aging or needy relatives who need assistance with chores, transportation or pet care. The holidays are what you make them.

03 Nov 2014

Transgender Film and Panel Discussion

By Unitarian Universalists

no dumb questions will be shown at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities (UUCQC) at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 7, 2014. This documentary film will educate and spark dialogue about transgendered identity, human acceptance and love.

Uncle Bill is becoming a woman and his 6, 9 and 11 year old nieces are struggling to understand why and how. With just weeks until Uncle Bill's first visit as Aunt Barbara, the sisters navigate the complex territories of anatomy, sexuality, personality, gender and fashion. Their reactions are funny, touching and distinctly different. The film offers a fresh perspective on a complex situation from a family that insists there are no dumb questions.

The film runs 25 minutes and will be followed by a panel discussion.

This free event is sponsored by the UUCQC Social Justice team as part of the congregation's First Friday film series.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities

3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport
Phone 563-359-0816
Website http://www.uucqc.org/

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03 Nov 2014

Today is 3rd Anniversary of Former Top Iowa Educator Glass' Call to Action

By Jonathan Narcisse

 

DES MOINES, IOWA | November 1, 2014 -  "Three years after former Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass announced 'We have a system problem that we need to address,' Iowa's education system still needs reform," says Jonathan Narcisse.

[Below these comments is the November 1, 2011 news release issued by the Iowa Department of Education.]

Narcisse, is running for governor on the Iowa Party ticket and has been a long time observer and critic of Iowa's education system. He has called for the end of over $500 million of annual funding for public school students that do not exist.  While on the Des Moines School Board, he exposed the lack of transparency and accuracy in drop out and graduation statistical reporting.  And, his "Restoring Iowa's World Class Education System" white-paper includes a state education funding mechanism that follows the teacher and empowers families to take responsibility for their children's futures.  Click here to download white paper.

"Jason Glass was one of the few 'merit' hires in the most recent Branstad administration," says Narcisse referring to the national search conducted to find the top educator in America. "Three  years ago today, he issued a call to action in light of Iowa's massive stagnation, and he cited the fact that white kids were falling behind kids nationally, too."

Less than two years after this call to action, Jason Glass left his position as Education Director to be a superintendent of schools in Colorado.  "Jason Glass told the truth and he was shown the door for his honesty," says Narcisse. "No education chief leaves the state that has the school house on it's quarter to be a superintendent by choice," says Narcissse.
In an open letter to Iowa Educators, Narcisse outlined the top three reasons to vote for him and summarized Restoring Iowa's World Class Education System under ten categories:

1. Opting out of No Child Left Behind
2. Ending Common Core
3. Restoring True Local Control
4. Shifting from Age Grade Progression to Skill Based Progression
5. Restoring Balance Shifting the Focus From Funding High Priced Bureaucrats to Investing in Principals and Teachers As Instructional Leaders
6. Investing in Vocational and Technical Education
7. Expanding to K-14 and then Front Loading
8. Funding Should Reach The Classroom, Not Just the District Level
9. End The Over-Building Boom!
10. Provide No Cost College Education in Exchange for Community Service, and a Residency Commitment

Iowa Department of Education News Release
For Immediate Release
Nov. 1, 2011
For More Information:
Staci Hupp
Director Glass: Iowa's NAEP results are a call to action
Des Moines, IA - The nation's students took significant strides on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, while Iowa's results show a continued pattern of stagnation, Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass said today.
"I had hoped that today's results would show the tide is turning in Iowa - that the state had begun accelerating and improving on these key measures," Glass said. "Unfortunately, that's not the case."
NAEP, known as the nation's report card, is the only state-by-state comparison of student progress. Assessments are administered to a sampling of students periodically in mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography and U.S. history.
Today's NAEP results cover mathematics and reading for grades 4 and 8. The nation's results show substantial gains in those key measures from 2009 to 2011. The long-term trend for Iowa shows a troubling pattern of students falling to the middle of the pack across the board, from disadvantaged and minority students to white, relatively affluent students, since the early 1990s.
White students, who make up about 80 percent of Iowa's student population, have fallen behind their white peers nationally. This problem persists across the assessed grade levels and content areas.
"No single demographic group is to blame for our relative stagnation," Glass said. "We have a system problem that we need to address."
Findings from today's 2011 NAEP results include :
·         Iowa's average score in fourth-grade reading (221) is lower than the state's score in 1992 (225) and is unchanged from the state's score in 2009 (221).
·         Iowa has posted a two-point gain in eighth-grade mathematics since 1992, the smallest increase in the country. The largest gains have been made in North Carolina (28 points) and in Texas and Massachusetts (26 points).
·         Iowa's white students rank in the bottom 10 percent of states and jurisdictions nationally in eighth-grade reading and in the bottom 25 percent in fourth-grade reading, fourth-grade math and eighth-grade math.
·         The gap in achievement between students in Iowa with and without disabilities is among the worst in the nation.
The 2011 NAEP results represent a call to action. On Oct. 3, the Branstad-Reynolds administration and Director Glass introduced a bold set of reforms to improve Iowa's education system. The education blueprint focused on great teachers and leaders, high expectations for students with fair measures, and rekindling a spirit of innovation in schools.
Assessments on NAEP are administered to about 3,000 students in 100 schools in Iowa and other states for each grade and subject - a large enough sample to draw valid inferences about Iowa's population in comparison to other states.
"We should never over-rely on any standardized measure to tell us the complete story of the quality of a school system, but NAEP gives us the best state-to-state comparison information available," Glass said. "When we have several years of data consistently pointing in the same direction, we must take note and act on results."
NAEP 2011 results can be found at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.

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03 Nov 2014

LeClaire Civic Club Establishes Emergency Fund

By Jackie Stepaniak

The LeClaire Civic Club has established an emergency assistance fund for low-income residents in the greater LeClaire area whose immediate need is not fully met through local food banks, clothing closets, and individual churches. It will be operated by the "Christmas in LeClaire" subcommittee which will insure that ALL funds received for the project will directly assist individuals and family in need.

Does the need exist? "We thought so," said organizers, "but were overwhelmed by the support we received from business owners when announcing the project during a LeClaire Marketing Alliance meeting. We received our first donation before the meeting adjourned!"

The November 2014 "Trivia Night in LeClaire" proceeds have been designated for the benevolent fund, and grant applications have been submitted, as well.

"We're off and running, and excited by the support already received!" they added. Referral arrangements are being finalized with local churches and other likely referral sources. "We don't want to duplicate efforts, we want to provide additional help when existing resources cannot meet the need."

Members of the club said it is exactly the sort of project the Civic Club non-profit status promotes, "... the promotion of social welfare (with) primary activities (that) are engaged in promoting the common good and general welfare of the community."

Direct donations to the fund can be made by check payable to "Christmas in LeClaire," adding "Emergency Fund" on the notation line. Mail to: LeClaire Civic Club PO Box 562, LeClaire IA 52753.

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More information: Joyce Kuehl (H) 563-289-4205

03 Nov 2014

Jim Jelinske at Jordan Catholic School

By Janine Parr
On Tuesday and Wednesday October 28th and 29th, Nationally renowned speaker on the prevention of bullying and harassment, Jim Jelinske, spoke to parents, staff, and students of Jordan Catholic School. The students learned to say STOP!, to THINK of a plan, and to REPORT to adults any incidents of bullying and harassment.
03 Nov 2014

REDISCOVER SOUTHPARK MALL

By Aleisha Chiesa
New Energy and New Look for Moline's Favorite Shopping Center

MOLINE, Ill ? October 31, 2014 ? SouthPark Mall is ready for its big reveal. For the past 12 months, the center has seen significant enhancements and today, in partnership with the community, retailers and shoppers, the new SouthPark will be unveiled.

At 10am on November 13th, SouthPark will officially reveal the new shopping experience. Officials from the City of Moline, the Chamber and a special guest, Santa will attend. "Rediscover SouthPark" festivities will include a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a free family concert with The Blenders, the 44th annual Mr. Thanksgiving's press conference, the opening of the newly designed Children's Play Area, and a multitude of local performers including Rockridge Show Choir, CASI New Horizon Band and Black Hawk College Choir.

"For over 40 years, SouthPark Mall has been an anchor in the community," said Kathy Jurgens, Property Manager for SouthPark Mall. "We are committed to bringing in the best brands and elevating the experience. We invite everyone to help us celebrate this major milestone as we share the new SouthPark Mall."

In total, thirteen national retailers have reinvested new prototypes into the center including Journeys, Shoe Dept. Encore and Bath & Body Works. Improvements to the interior and exterior aesthetics are making the mall a completely new shopping experience. The new lighting, brighter colors and soft seating amenities are transforming the center. The newly designed Children's Play Area will be revealed on November 13th as well. Located next to Express and DEB, the new area will feature a tribute to our farming community.

More excitement is set for the center as DICK'S Sporting Goods is now under construction. Known for an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories to serve the athletes and outdoor enthusiasts of the Moline community, DICK'S will be a great complement to the shopping center. The store will open in summer 2015.

"The City of Moline is very pleased and grateful for the substantial reinvestment made by Macerich into SouthPark Mall symbolizing their commitment to the Moline and Illinois Quad Cities community," said Mayor Scott Raes. "SouthPark Mall has been the community's commercial anchor for many years and this revitalized shopping center, with new prototype stores from national retailers and the addition of DICK'S Sporting Goods, creates an entirely new shopping experience for all citizens in the Quad Cities. The city is appreciative of its partnership with Macerich to make this goal a reality."

For more information on free, fun events, visit www.shopsouthparkmall-il.com/events or follow us on Twitter @SouthParkMallIL and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthParkMallIL.

Macerich, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust or REIT, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States.

Macerich currently owns 57 million square feet of real estate consisting primarily of interests in 53 regional shopping centers. Macerich specializes in successful retail properties in many of the country's most attractive, densely populated markets with significant presence in California, Arizona, Chicago and the Greater New York Metro area. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company's website at www.macerich.com.

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03 Nov 2014

Governor Quinn and Mayor Emanuel Thank New Safe Passage Workers

By Katie Hickey

Nearly 700 Additional Workers Hired This Year to Serve 133 Schools, 69,000 Students Across the City

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials to welcome hundreds of newly-hired workers to the Safe Passage program at a rally today. The latest expansion to Safe Passage, a student safety program that has grown significantly under Mayor Emanuel, was made possible by a $10 million investment from Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois. This investment, on top of an additional investment made by Mayor Emanuel, will add nearly 700 workers at 133 schools to protect student safety on the walk to and from school.

"Nothing is more important than ensuring our students get to school safely each and every day," Governor Quinn said. "Our new Safe Passage workers will join the many others helping protect our children and give them the opportunity for a bright, positive future so that they can succeed and go onto college, career and beyond."

"The 700 new Safe Passage workers are joining a tremendous team of residents who help ensure our children can come school each day ready to learn, and focused on their studies, not their safety," Mayor Emanuel said. "I want to thank the Governor for helping expand this important program for our children and families because Safe Passage is about more than a route to school, it is about a route to college, a career and the world-class education they deserve."

Combined with other investments the City is making, there will be 40 new Safe Passage routes this school year, up from 93 routes last year, and tripling the number of routes since the Mayor took office in 2011. More than 69,000 students will be served under the overall expansion.

The Safe Haven program, a partnership between CPS and the Faith Community, is also expanding to an additional 40 after-school sites as part of Governor Quinn and the State of Illinois' commitment. The Safe Haven program, housed in the Office of Faith Based Initiatives of CPS, provides a "safe haven" for students during out-of-school time. The program is both a reliable and no-cost alternative place for students and parents.

"Ensuring that every child has access to a safe and nurturing learning environment is our top priority, which is why we continue to invest in our successful Safe Passage program," CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said. "It is with the dedication of our Safe Passage workers that we are able to deepen engagement in communities across the city and remove safety barriers that could keep students from the classroom where they belong."

Safe passage workers support students by not only being an extra set of eyes and ears to proactively identify and report safety risks, but also by building relationships with students and if necessary, de-escalating situations to prevent serious incidents from happening in the first place.

The District collaborates with 23 various community organizations, known as "Safe Passage vendors," to hire residents from the community to staff routes that ensure students get to and from school safely. The success of the program is credited to the positive engagement of Safe Passage workers with the students they serve.

Safe Passage has been successfully keeping Chicago school children safe as they travel to and from specific schools since its inception in 2009. Last year, the Safe Passage program doubled to provide 53 new routes to accommodate nearly 12,000 students transitioning to welcoming schools. Following this transition, there had been no major incidents involving students on Safe Passage routes near schools during the program's operational hours.

Chicago Public Schools serves 400,000 students in 664 schools. It is the nation's third-largest school district.

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