22 May 2014

4th annual BBQ and Craft Brew

By IOPRO

June 21st and 22nd 2014 BBQ and Craft Brew will take over LeClaire Park in Davenport, IA.

On the 21st from 12-5 there will be a craft brew tasting including local wine and specialty cheese and sausages.

At 4 the park will come alive with music provided by Rascals Live from Moline, IL.

BBQ Teams have been checked in and will start prepping to cook the BBQ. The 4th Annual Kansas City Barbeque Society will be underway with 30+ World Class Teams as seen on Pit Masters competing for cash, trophies, points and bragging rights.

On the 21st there is an Amateur BBQ Competition. Registration and meat inspection begin at 8 A.M. followed by a cooks meeting at 10 A.M. From 4:25-4:35 P.M. teams will turn in their ribs. Trophies will be awarded at 5 P.M.

On the 22nd at 11 A.M. registration for the Brew Cruise Bike Ride opens. The ride will start and end at Front Street Tap House and stops will include Great River Brewery, Sippi's, and both the Rock Island and Moline Bent River locations. The ride begins at noon and prizes will be awarded 4:30 P.M.

BBQ Judging will start Sunday at noon. Trophies will be awarded at approximately 3 P.M.

This event is benefiting the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.

For more information call IOP at 309-799-7469 or visit www.IOPRO.net

22 May 2014

Are E-Cigs Really Safe

By Ginny Grimsley

4 Reasons Why Some E-Cigs Are a Safer
Alternative to Traditional Smoking
CEO Applauds FDA's Proposed Regulations

The Food and Drug Administration is trying to get a handle on new smoking products, including electronic cigarettes, with newly proposed regulations that include banning sales to minors and requiring manufacturers to register all of their products and ingredients with the FDA.

"I like these proposals; the public needs clarity on smoking alternatives because we have 42.1 million adult tobacco smokers [CDC, 2012] who may be able to benefit from them," says Anthony Sarvucci, CEO of American Heritage International, (www.americanheritageonline.com), a company that develops e-cigarettes expressly for adult tobacco smokers who want to quit but have not succeeded.

"The bottom line is that we know how terrible traditional cigarettes are for people, but there has been a vacuum of information about e-cigs, which leads to a great deal of misinformation, some fear-mongering, and even simply making stuff up."

Sarvucci gives four reasons why some e-cigarettes are easily a better alternative.

•  According to the American Lung Association, the average cigarette contains acetone, found in nail polish remover; acetic acid, an ingredient in hair dye; ammonia, a common household cleaner; arsenic, used in rat poison; benzene, found in rubber cement; butane, used in lighter fluid; cadmium, active component in battery acid; carbon monoxide, released in car exhaust fumes; formaldehyde, embalming fluid; hexamine, found in barbecue lighter fluid; lead, used in batteries; naphthalene, an ingredient in moth balls; methanol, a main component in rocket fuel; nicotine, used as insecticide; tar, material for paving roads; and toluene, used to manufacture paint.

•  "Adult consumers of e-cigarettes deserve to know what they're smoking," says Sarvucci, who adds that minors "absolutely should not be smoking or vaping, period." American Heritage's vapor fluid contains water and three food-grade quality ingredients - kosher vegetable glycerin and vegetable propylene and natural flavoring, and the nicotine is derived naturally. "We're the only e-cigarette company for which all of the e-juice ingredients are sourced and mixed in the United States," he says. "Fluid for most other e-cigarettes is sourced and mixed in China and it often contains dozens of ingredients."

•  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarettes harm nearly every organ in your body and cause dozens of diseases. Cigarette smoke causes more deaths - combined - than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol consumption, motor vehicle injuries and gun incidents. "We've made significant progress against cigarette smoke in recent decades, but it's not only a problem of the past," he says. Almost half a million Americans will continue to die each year, even though they know the statistics as well as anyone, because they are severely addicted. "Mimicking an authentic smoking experience, like my company tries to do, at least gives these people a better option that's also healthier for the people around them," Sarvucci says.

•  Smokers deserve hope ... In American culture, we have a can-do attitude that is unique to the world, which largely accounts for our influence. We often have a tough time, however, admitting that an individual has a problem that's beyond his or her control. Smoking cigarettes is that problem for more than 40 million of our friends, family and neighbors.

"Look – I wouldn't have gotten into this business if it were to create new smokers," Sarvucci says. "I went this route because, yes, it's a highly profitable space, but it's also an extremely helpful alternative for traditional smokers. If you're a nonsmoker, ask yourself: What would you rather have in your body, a few edible compounds, water and naturally sourced nicotine, or nicotine accompanied by the chemical used to exterminate rats?"

About Anthony Sarvucci

Anthony Sarvucci is the CEO of American Heritage International, (www.americanheritageonline.com), a publicly traded company that manufactures, distributes and sells disposable premium electronic cigarettes. The product uses ingredients that are exclusively sourced and mixed in America, and is designed strictly as an alternative for tobacco smokers and chewers. Sarvucci is past president and co-founder of Prairie West Oil and Gas Ltd. and serves as an investment banking consultant.

22 May 2014

Grassley Urges U.S. Trade Review for Steel Pipe Makers Including Camanche Facility

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is among the U.S. senators urging the Administration to give full consideration to the domestic steel industry's concerns about unfairly priced imports in a case that the manufacturer says caused reduced operating hours at a facility in Camanche in Clinton County.

"We write to express our concerns with the Commerce Department's preliminary determination in the antidumping investigation of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) imports from Korea," Grassley and fellow senators wrote to Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. "This case has nationwide economic implications, and any final determination must be based on accurate data and objective methodologies.  As the Department continues the investigation, we ask that you fully consider the domestic industry's allegations and take action against any unfair dumping to the fullest extent of the law."

The trade case before the U.S. Department of Commerce involves Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG).  These products are used for domestic oil and gas exploration ? especially shale ? and are produced by companies including TMK IPSCO.  The company has reduced operating hours at several facilities, including its facility in Camanche, over "increasing pressure from unfairly traded imports."

Grassley and his fellow senators urged the Department of Commerce to consider all of the data associated with this case and fully enforce U.S. trade laws to ensure American businesses and workers are not harmed by unfairly priced imports.

The letter Grassley signed is available here.

A press release from TMK IPSCO is available here.

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22 May 2014

New Pilot Program Offers Coverage for Fruits and Vegetables, Organic and Diversified Farms

By USDA Office of Communications
2014 Farm Bill Expands Crop Insurance Options, Provides Premium Discounts for Qualified Operations

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new risk management option that will be available for fruit and vegetable growers and producers with diversified farms. The policy, called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, will provide flexible coverage options for specialty crop, organic and diversified crop producers. The program will be implemented in counties across the country and will expand in availability over the next several years.

Whole-Farm insurance allows farmers to insure all crops on their farm at once, rather than insuring commodity by commodity. Traditionally, many fruit and vegetable crops have not had crop insurance programs designed for them?making it less attractive for a farmer that primarily planted a commodity crop like wheat or corn to use another part of his or her land for growing fruits and vegetables or other specialty crops. This allows farmers greater flexibility to make planting decisions on their land.

"Crop insurance has been the linchpin of the farm safety net for years and continues to grow as the single most important factor in protecting producers of all sizes from the effects of unpredictable weather," said Vilsack. "Providing farmers the option to insure their whole farm at once gives farmers more flexibility, promotes crop diversity, and helps support the production of healthy fruits and vegetables. More flexibility also empowers farmers and ranchers to make a broader range of decisions with their land, helping them succeed and strengthening our agriculture economy."

The 2014 Farm Bill requires a whole-farm crop insurance policy option, and paves the way for the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to make it broadly available to specialty crop, organic, and diversified growers. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors (FCIC Board) approved the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection pilot policy for RMA to offer it through the federal crop insurance program in 2015.

USDA has taken many steps to provide effective insurance coverage for diversified, organic and specialty crops. The whole-farm crop insurance policy provides flexibility to meet the needs of specialty crop growers, organic producers and those with diversified farms, and who have farm production and revenue history, including five years of historic farm tax records. This policy is also part of USDA's commitment to small and mid-sized producers managing diversified operations.

USDA has been strengthening crop insurance by providing more risk management options for farmers and ranchers. The policy offers coverage levels from 50 to 85 percent; recognizes farm diversification through qualification for the highest coverage levels along with premium rate discounts for multiple crop diversification. The Market Readiness Feature, as outlined in the Farm Bill, simplifies insurance coverage for producers under the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection pilot policy by allowing the costs such as washing, trimming, and packaging to be left in the insured revenue instead of having to adjust those amounts out of the insured amount.

The new Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policy combines Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and AGR-Lite along with several improvements to target diversified farms and farms selling two to five commodities, including specialty crops to wholesale markets. The new policy is also designed to meet the risk management needs of diversified crop or livestock producers including those growing specialty crops and/or selling to local and regional markets, farm identity preserved markets, or direct markets.

As part of the pilot, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection will be available where AGR and AGR-Lite are currently offered, and will expand to other counties as data are available for underwriting and actuarial ratemaking. RMA will release information on the policy later this summer when it becomes available. This information will be announced on the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov.

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22 May 2014

An Evening With PEARL JAM Friday, October 17

By Stephani Nagle

The iWireless Center in Moline, IL

***Tickets Go On Sale Friday, May 30 at 10:00 AM***

 

PEARL JAM ANNOUNCE FALL U.S. TOUR DATES

 

BAND ADDS 10 SHOWS AROUND PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL HEADLINING PERFORMANCES

 

FIRST EVER QUAD CITIES PERFORMANCE!

SEATTLE - Pearl Jam announced today that they will perform 10 additional concert dates this October around their previously announced headlining slots at Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Pearl Jam's fall dates kick off in Cincinnati, OH on October 1st and wrap in Denver, CO on October 22nd. This tour includes the band's first ever stops in Tulsa, OK, Lincoln, NE and Moline, IL and marks the first time the band will return to Memphis, TN since 2000.

Public tickets for all tour dates go on sale Friday, May 30th at 10AM. A special ticket pre-sale begins today for current Pearl Jam Ten Club members (as of Tuesday, May 20th).

As announced last month, Pearl Jam will headline both weekends of Austin City Limits Music Festival (October 3-5 and October 10-12). ACL will release further details about the band's exact performance dates over the coming months. For tickets and more information, visit: www.aclfestival.com.

Pearl Jam Fall 2014 Tour Dates:

DATE                           CITY                           VENUE

October 1                      Cincinnati, OH              US Bank Arena

October 3                      St Louis, MO                Scottrade Center

October 3-5                   Austin, TX                     Austin City Limits Music Festival

October 8                      Tulsa, OK                     BOK Center

October 9                      Lincoln, NE                   Pinnacle Bank Arena

October 10-12                Austin, TX                     Austin City Limits Music Festival

October 14                    Memphis, TN                 FedEx Forum

October 16                    Detroit, MI                     Joe Louis Arena

October 17                    Moline, IL                      iWireless Center

October 19                    St. Paul, MN                  Xcel Energy Center

October 20                    Milwaukee, WI               BMO Harris Bradley Center

October 22                    Denver, CO                    Pepsi Arena

 

Pearl Jam released their much-anticipated tenth studio album, Lightning Bolt, through Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records on October 15, 2013. Lightning Bolt debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart as well as #1 on iTunes in over 50 countries and is available now at www.pearljam.com, via iTunes and all major retailers.

Please email review ticket and/or photo credential requests to sarah@pearljam.com.

www.pearljam.com / www.facebook.com/PearlJam / www.twitter.com/PearlJam / www.instagram.com/PearlJamOfficial

Tickets On Sale Next Friday, May 30 at 10:00 AM

Reserved seat tickets & general admission floor tickets ($69.50) will be available at the iWireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com. Four ticket limit - strictly enforced.

For More Show Information Contact:

Mike Lynskey, Jam Productions, 312-440-9191, mike.lynskey@jamusa.com

Stephani Nagle, iWireless Center, 309-277-1332, snagle@iwirelesscenter.com

Brought to you by Jam Productions

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22 May 2014

Loebsack Welcomes Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today welcomed the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. Loebsack presented the members of the Honor Flight with copies of the Congressional Record statement he submitted in recognition of their service, as well as a pocket Constitution. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight brings World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans to Washington to visit our nation's capital and Memorials built in their honor.

"I look forward to welcoming each Honor Flight to our nation's capital so they can see the memorials that were built in their honor. Being able to welcome these veterans today was especially meaningful," said Loebsack. "We cannot thank these veterans enough for their service to our nation. I was honored to present them with a copy of the statement I made for the official Congressional Record to recognize their service, as well as a pocket Constitution."

The Honor Flights are all fully paid for, and the veterans are typically accompanied by volunteers who donate their time to ensure that the veterans have a safe trip. This group included 84 veterans. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight left from the Eastern Iowa Airport this morning and will return tonight.

Loebsack is an avid supporter of our veterans. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he has worked to improve care and benefits for our servicemembers and veterans, including expanding Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for the National Guard; expanding access to mental health care; helping our veterans find civilian jobs; and opening new Community Based Outpatient Clinics to improve access to VA services for Iowa veterans. He also co-introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for servicemembers wounded in combat.
21 May 2014

Courtney Wachal Performs in Mount Union Concert Choir Tour

By Joni Poorbaugh

ALLIANCE, OH (05/21/2014)(readMedia)-- Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, IA, performed on tour with the University of Mount Union's Concert Choir in the northeastern United States from May 11-17. Wachal is a junior French and international studies major.

The program, entitled "My Singing Soul," included works by Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Pachelbel, Daniel Elder, Stephen Chatman and Dan Forrest, among others. In addition, the program included arrangements of traditional spirituals by Moses Hogan and Eugene Thamon Simpson. The choir is directed by Dr. Grant W. Cook III, associate professor of music and director of choral activities at Mount Union.

Open by audition to all students on campus, the Concert Choir comprises musicians from a wide variety of academic disciplines and thus truly represents the University's strong liberal arts foundation. Serving as an ambassador of the University, the Concert Choir performs annually throughout the continental United States and undertakes an international tour every four years. The Concert Choir is dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of the highest quality choral literature from the Renaissance through the 21st century, including spirituals, gospel music, folk songs and music celebrating a global perspective. Recent performances include the annual University of Mount Union Christmas Festival as well as Joseph Haydn's Mass in B-flat, the so-called Theresienmesse and Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection") with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann.

For more information, visit www.mountunion.edu/choir.

About the University of Mount Union

The University of Mount Union, founded in 1846, is a four-year, private institution grounded in the liberal arts tradition. Mount Union offers an array of broad-based and career-specific undergraduate and graduate programs to its 2,200 students who experience outstanding opportunities for success after graduation. Ranked as one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, the University is committed to providing a student-centered approach and an exceptional educational experience, as evidenced by its mission to prepare students for fulfilling lives, meaningful work and responsible citizenship. The University's 115-acre campus is located in Alliance, Ohio, 80 miles of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and more than $100 million has been invested in the construction and renovation of modern facilities throughout the course of the past decade. For more information, visit www.mountunion.edu.

21 May 2014

Braley Continues Years-Long Pursuit to Measure 'True Cost of War'

By Rick Martin

Congressman's amendment aiming to measure the long-term costs of Iraq and Afghanistan Wars heads toward House vote

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today continued his years-long fight to require the government to examine the full long-term costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by introducing his True Cost of War amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act currently being debated on the House floor.

"It's embarrassing that over a decade after these wars began, we still don't have a true accounting of the long-term costs because both the Bush and Obama administrations would rather avoid the numbers than see the price we've really paid," Braley said. "The decision to go to war is the most important one the government makes, and if you're going to make it responsibly you need to know the basic facts and you need to understand the costs involved."

The True Cost of War amendment would require the President, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense, State and Veterans Affairs to report on the long-term costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in human and financial terms.

The report would cover the current and previous costs to date of the wars in terms of number of troops deployed, casualty statistics, pending veterans claims, and the costs associated with caring for wounded veterans.

The report also asks for estimates of future costs based on scenarios of continued troop deployments, estimated number of troops needed, estimates of future casualties, and healthcare cost projections.

Since 2001, Congress has appropriated an estimated $1.5 trillion dollars for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, much of it in supplemental spending bills. During those conflicts, more than 6,600 servicemembers have been killed in the line of duty, and more than 50,000 have been wounded, many with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, severe burns and amputated limbs?injuries that can often require a lifetime of medical and psychological care. This means the true cost of the wars is much higher than the $1.5 trillion Congress has directly appropriated.

Braley first introduced the True Cost of War Act in 2008 and has worked in subsequent sessions of Congress to pass the bill into law. In 2013 the legislation was passed by the US House in a bipartisan vote.  However, the True Cost of War Act has never advanced to the President's desk for his signature into law.

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21 May 2014

CHURCHES UNITED TO HOST BACON FESTIVAL TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HUNGER, SHELTER MINISTRIES

By Rhonda Johnson

Churches United of the Quad City Area is very proud and excited to announce the first annual Big Bacon Bonanza, a fun, bacon-themed festival to raise funds and awareness of Churches United of the Quad City Area and our Hunger and Shelter ministries.

The event will take place at The RiverCenter in Davenport on June 7, from 3 - 10 p.m. Tickets are $30.00 for individuals, $45.00 for a family, and are available online at www.BigBaconBonanza.com, and by phone at Churches United, 563*332*5002.

Sponsored by: Ascentra Credit Unions, Fareway Economical Food Stores, the River Cities' Reader, and Tyson Fresh Meats.

Partial list of participating festival vendors: Antonella's Pizzeria, Aunt Hattie's, Bier Stube - LeClaire, Chocolate Manor, Creekside Winery, DeBord's Catering, Mississippi River Distillery Company, RiverCenter, Scott County Community College Culinary Arts Dept., The Davenport Bakery, Video Games Etc., and Whisk Away Café.

Please join us for a great time, and for a great cause!

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21 May 2014

Niabi Zoo to Feature Princess and Pirate Day

By Marc Heinzman

Coal Valley, IL - May 21, 2014 - Niabi Zoo announced today that it will be holding an all-new event on Saturday, May 24. The event is titled Princess and Pirate Day and will feature games as well as treasure and scavenger hunts. Niabi Zoo is encouraging kids to come to the Zoo dressed as either a princess or pirate as they join in on the fun.

Princess and Pirate Day will feature a variety of fun princess- and pirate-themed games such as "pin the kiss on the frog" and "walk the plank" for children of all ages to enjoy. "We are very excited to bring this all-new event to the community," said zoo director Marc Heinzman. "This new theme day is just one of the many ways that Niabi Zoo brings fun and excitement to the Quad Cities."

Niabi Zoo will also be offering a free carousel ride to all children ages 12 and under who come to the Zoo dressed as a princess or pirate. In addition to all the other fun and games, there will be a parade of all the princesses and pirates in attendance at 1:00 PM. All festivities will take place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Niabi Zoo will be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last admission at 4:00 PM. Regular admission rates will apply.

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