22 May 2014

Gov. Branstad signs Senate File 2344 into law

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed the following legislation into law: 

Senate File 2344 an Act relating to renewable fuels, by providing for bio-butanol and bio-butanol blended gasoline, modifying the rate of the E-15 plus gasoline promotion tax credit and extending provisions for a biodiesel production refund, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

 

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22 May 2014

Summer Fun at the R.I. Libraries

By Lisa Lockheart

Paws to Read

Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival - All Ages!

Saturday, June 7, Noon to 3:00 pm,

Rock Island Main Library parking lot, 401 19th Street.

Come to our carnival to register for summer reading and pick up your summer reading registration prize, while supplies last. The carnival includes events for the whole family -- adults, children and teens! The fun includes a bounce house, animal events, costumed pet parade, K-9 police dog demo, special games, mascot visits, face-painting, and magic.

The carnival schedule includes:

  • Noon - registration, games & snacks

  • 1:00 pm - Costumed pet parade - enter now!

  • 2:00 pm - K-9 police dog demo by the Rock Island Police Department

Free hot dogs and pop will be available, and you can also purchase Kona Ice for dessert.

Register your pet now for our costumed pet parade by May 31. If your pet has paws and can walk on a leash or be carried in a secure carrier, it qualifies! Prizes for best reading theme, best pet/person match, most original entry.

To sign up your pet, download this entry form and return it to any Rock Island Library.

 

Paws for Reading. A reading program with therapy dogs.Promotes continued reading over the summer as children read to therapy dogs, who provide a calm, loving and non-judgmental audience. All ages in the family. Offered from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at:

  • 30/31 Branch - June 10, July 1, July 22

  • Southwest Branch - June 18, July 9, July 30

  • Main Library - June 27, July 18

Lego Block Club. Use your imagination to build something out of Lego-brand blocks. All ages. Wednesdays, 4:00 to 5:00 pm, at:

  • Main Library - June 11 and July 9

  • 30/31 Branch - June 18 and July 16

  • Southwest Branch - June 25 and July 23

Morning Storytimes. Help your child get ready to read with talking, singing and reading activities. Ages birth to five.10:30 am to 11:15 am at:

  • 30/31 Branch - Tuesdays, June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29

  • Southwest - Wednesdays, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30.

  • Main Library -  Friday, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25. No storytime July 4 due to holiday.

Paws for Math Club. Explores math concepts in a fun new way. June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 3:15 to 3:45 pm. Main Library.  For ages going into 2nd grades and up.

 

Friends of the Rock Island Library Half-price Book Sales, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Thurs., June 5. 2014, Rock Island 30/31 Branch Library, 3059 30th Street. Used book and material sale. Sales good at 30/31 Branch only. Pick up a treasure or two!

 

Monday, June 16, Mad Science of Iowa Plus, Hands-on science experiments that make science fun and approachable. All ages, family program. 10 am to 10:45 am, Main Library. Repeats at 1:00 pm, at Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.

 

Thursday, June 19, Reptile Experience, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Main Library. Join us as reality television contestant Serengeti Steve brings his reptile experience show of snakes, aliigators, lizards and more creepy-crawlies for a fun program with plenty of audience participation. Steve shows, tells and thrills audiences of all ages with just a small portion of his collection of more than 200 species of reptiles and arachnids. One performance only.

 

Friday, June 20, Living Lands and Waters, 2:30 to 3:30 pm, Main Library. Mike Coyne-Logan, of Living Lands and Waters, will talk about the history and mission of the group, the importance of rivers, recycling, and how one person can make a difference.  For ages 13 and older.

 

Thursday, June 26, See a Juggler! Be a Juggler! High energy pro-juggler Jason Kollum presents a funny, interactive, total participation program where the audience becomes the juggler.  First the Rock n' Roll variety show, then the fun continues with a hands-on skills workshop. Everyone learns cool balancing and juggling skills. Perfect for all ages & families. 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Main Library. Repeats at 1:00 pm at Southwest Branch.

 

Friday, June 27, Family Movie Fest, 1:00 pm, Main Library. Come in out of the heat and watch a newer movie with popcorn - for free! All ages.

 

Friday, June 27, Star Gazing, 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm,
Rock Island 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street. Head  to the 30/31 Branch for a special evening program with the Popular Astronomy Club and their Mobile Observatory. Club members will help you see stars and planets. Bring your questions! Parking available at the Greek Orthodox Church.The Library will be open for this special night-time event. Ages 12 and older.

22 May 2014

The Love Kitchen is Back in Town!

By Holly Nomura

Little Caesars® Love Kitchen® Serves Hot Pizza Meals to People in Need in the Quad Cities on May 23rd, 5pm

Little Caesars Helps Make a Difference by Supporting The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities' Family Service Center @ 301 W. 6th Street

QUAD CITIES, USA - The Little Caesars Love Kitchen will be in Davenport to provide fresh, hot

pizza for people who have hit tough times. To support the work of the Family Service Center, a Salvation Army program working to help the homeless and displaced population in the Quad Cities, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen will visit feed approximately 150 people on Friday, May 23rd at 5pm.

A big-rig pizza kitchen on wheels, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen travels across the continental United States and Canada meeting the needs of the hungry, the homeless and disaster survivors.

Little Caesars created the Love Kitchen to provide quality meals for people who need them, and there is a great commitment to helping people in need.

The Bettendorf Little Caesars at 2307 Cumberland Square Drive headed by Norbert Dams is in charge of manning the Love Kitchen, as well as providing the product needed to make the pizzas.

"I met the Love Kitchen in the summer of 2010, and they really impressed me. The Love Kitchen is an example of a company that cares and gets involved at the most basic level - feeding the poor and needy. I commend Little Caesars for this effort." said Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator.

The Family Service Center, the only family shelter in the Quad Cities area, 301 W. 6th Street, Davenport provides housing and meals to over 100 people every night. Right now, there are 43 children living at the Center. Over a year's time, over 90,000 meals will be served at the Family Service Center along with nearly 30,000 nights of shelter.

About Little Caesars

Little Caesars Pizza founders Michael and Marian Ilitch opened their first restaurant in Garden City, Michigan, in 1959. Little Caesars, the fastest growing pizza chain, built more stores in the world in 2008 than any other pizza brand and today is the largest carry-out chain globally with restaurants on five continents. Little Caesars is growing in prime markets across the country, and is offering strong franchisee candidates an opportunity for independence with a proven system. For the third year in a row, Little Caesars was named "Best Value in America"* of all quick-serve restaurant chains. In addition, Little Caesars offers strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized and appealing characters in the country, Little Caesar.

In addition to Little Caesars Pizza, Ilitch companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries include : the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Uptown Entertainment, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, and a variety of venues within these entities. Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers. Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel. For more information about the Little Caesars and available franchise opportunities, visit www.LittleCaesars.com or call 1.800.553.5776.

"Highest-Rated Chain - Value for the Money" based on a nationwide survey

 

About the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information about local programs, go to http://www.salvationarmy.org/quadcities.

 

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22 May 2014

New Jiffy Lube® Grand Opening Celebration

By The Buzz Gallery of modern Art

"Car Care just got more convenient. Two Jiffy Lube location now open in the Quad Cities."

Davenport, IA- "Jiffy Lube® is North America's largest network of fast-lube service centers and our customers receive excellent value for their car-care dollar," said Dan Dabizljevic, Vice President of Operations. "We are dedicated to delivering high-quality service and demonstrating to our customers that we want to be their trusted, vehicle preventative-maintenance choice for life."

A day of celebration is planned to kick off the official grand opening of both Quad Cities Jiffy Lube locations. At the 3430 Elmore Ave location in Davenport the #22 Shell NASCAR will be making an appearance; along with NASCAR simulators and a live remote from Dwyer & Michaels. Events begin at 9 am including an official ribbon cutting at 11 am.

The 2777 18th Street, Bettendorf location has a day of events as well, starting off with a Jumpin' Joey's bounce house for the kids. Zany Janie will also be making an appearance for face painting and balloon animals as well. The Bettendorf Jiffy Lube will also receive an official ribbon cutting at noon.

Both locations will be offering savings on our Signature Service Oil Changes all weekend long. Along with the service savings, customers will also be receiving FRN gas cards and certificates good towards their next oil change valued at over $45. At both locations you can also enter to win a pair of tickets to see Tim McGraw in Chicago and get access to a pre-concert appearance.

As always, Jiffy Lube® customers receive free top-offs on motor oil and vital fluids between service visits for up to 3,000 miles.

  • Other preventative maintenance services available at Jiffy Lube® will include :

  • Automatic transmission fluid exchange

  • Fuel filter replacement / fuel system cleaning

  • Light bulb replacement

  • Serpentine belt replacement

  • Battery cleaning & replacement

  • Engine air filter & passenger cabin air filter replacement

  • Radiator antifreeze/coolant replacement

  • Windshield wiper replacement

  • And more...

About Jiffy Lube

Jiffy Lube® pioneered the fast oil change industry more than 30 years ago, today with more than 2,000 locations in North America over 22 million customers each year rely on the brand to keep their vehicles running right. Jiffy Lube® helped define vehicle preventive maintenance by upholding the values that the company was founded upon: convenience, speed and quality service. But Jiffy Lube® understands that vehicle maintenance can be stressful. Today, Jiffy Lube® continues on the journey to help every driver be free from the anxiety of keeping their vehicle in top shape. Jiffy Lube® helps keep your vehicle running right for the long haul, so you can Leave Worry Behind.

Contact

To learn more about Jiffy Lube Quad Cities visit: www.jiffylubequadcities.com

22 May 2014

Play Along with Dora and Diego in New Exhibit Dora & Diego - Let's Explore!

By Rick Martin

Bettendorf ? Get ready to explore with Dora and Diego at the Family Museum in the new exhibit Dora and Diego?Let's Explore! The exhibit features beloved characters Dora and Diego from Nickelodeon's hit preschool series Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!, along with their friends Boots, Map, Backpack, Isa, Tico, and of course Swiper, now in their own exhibit for your preschooler to explore as they learn and play along.

This new, interactive traveling exhibition was created by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Nickelodeon, presented by the WellPoint Foundation, and made possible locally by DHCU Credit Union, Scott County Regional Authority, Anne E. Whitman, Riverboat Development Authority, and the Family Museum Foundation. The exhibit will be open Saturday, May 24 through Sunday, September 14, 2014.

Media and their families are invited to the ribbon cutting and member-only opening on Friday, May 23 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. The QC Chamber will cut the ribbon at 5:30 pm.

 

Dora the Explorer follows the adventures of the 7-year-old Latina heroine Dora and her friends in an imaginative, tropical world. Go, Diego, Go! stars Dora's 8-year-old cousin Diego, a bilingual animal rescuer who protects animals and their environment. The exhibit gives children and their families the opportunity to go into the worlds of Dora and Diego to engage in problem-solving and active play. Young children play along as they join an adventure and learn how to solve problems, be a good friend, and care for animals and the environment. Spanish vocabulary is incorporated throughout the exhibit to introduce Spanish-speaking skills to preschool children.


Dora the Explorer is a ground-breaking children's series that draws kids into an interactive quest using a variety of learning techniques in every episode. Dora and Diego?Let's Explore! carries the play-along theme throughout the exhibit as children are encouraged to actively play while they solve problems, share and learn about the natural world.

Favorite friends and places from episodes of Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Do! are incorporated in the exhibit including:

The Purple Planet

Visit the Purple Planet with Dora and Boots! A Purple Planet home invites young visitors to climb inside and slide down on the surface of the Purple Planet.

 

Rocket Ship

Dora's outer-space friends want to go back to the Purple Planet and need help getting there. Aboard the Rocket Ship, preschoolers are invited to put on a spacesuit, pilot the ship, and test their memory with images of colorful planets as they help Dora and Boots take their outer-space friends home.

Constellations

On the way to the Purple Planet, Dora and Boots encounter some interesting star groupings. Children and their families are invited to help identify the patterns made out of stars by inserting star shapes to light-up a constellation.

 

Isa's Flowery Garden

Dora's friend Isa the Iguana demonstrates how to take care of flowers, plants, and animals. Preschool visitors can tour Isa's Garden to pick flowers, interact with bird, butterfly, and insect puppets, and pretend-fly with toddler-sized bird and butterfly wings. Even the littlest visitors will enjoy smelling the flowery scents and picking soft-fabric posies.

 

Tico's Tree and Car

Dora is a good friend to Tico the squirrel and young visitors are invited to be a good friend to Tico too. Tico needs help picking nuts from the tree for a family picnic. Children can play along with Swiper to swipe the nuts and watch as they shoot up and over to fill Tico's basket. Tico's car is in need of fuel! Visitors can help Tico fill up his car with nuts so he can begin his journey.

Pirate Ship

In the Pirate Ship, preschoolers can join the Pirate Piggies crew and dress like a pirate to pretend-play along sailing the ship and divvying up the treasure. Visitors can raise and lower the Pirate Piggies' flag, look through the telescopes to spot the treasure chest and then divvy up the coins into the Pirate Piggies' banks and help them share the treasure.

 

Animal Rescue Center

Young children can practice caring and helping rainforest animals in Diego's Animal Rescue Center. Preschoolers can be an animal rescuer, like Diego, as they diagnose and address an animal's problem from the 'Scanner' bed, bandage and apply cold packs at the 'First-Aid Station,' and bathe stuffed animals at the 'Care Station.'

Rainforest Maze

Preschoolers will explore a rainforest to locate rainforest animals. Active play is encouraged as children swing across the Bobo Brothers' monkey bars, crawl through a fallen tree, climb across Jaguar Mountain, and jump or hop across the River Rocks.

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22 May 2014

Scott Country Regional Authority Supports Local Shelter

By Nicholas Depew

Rock Island, IL - The Scott County Regional Authority (SCRA) has awarded Christian Care with a $6,100 grant, which will provide for new shelves in a food pantry at the domestic violence shelter, and new kitchen ware for its homeless rescue mission.

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.

22 May 2014

FIGGE ART MUSEUM TO PARTICIPATE IN BLUE STAR MUSEUMS

By Dan McNeil

Figge Art Museum is one of more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense

 

Davenport, IA (May 21, 2014) - Today the Figge Art Museum announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation's active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The program provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move. The complete list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/national/blue?star?museums.

The Figge currently offers free admission for active duty military personnel and their families all year round, but this partnership with Blue Star Museums provides a platform to showcase the museum to the military community nationwide. "We have world-class traveling exhibitions that are constantly changing, so it is exciting that active duty military members and their families have the opportunity to experience those exhibitions first-hand free of charge anytime they wish," said Figge Executive Director Tim Schiffer.

This is the fifth year for Blue Star Museums and there are more than 2,000 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa taking part in the initiative. Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer.

About Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America. The program runs from Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 through Labor Day, September 1, 2014.

The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173?1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military ? Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps ? and up to five family members. Some special or limited?time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly. To find participating museums and plan your trip, visit arts.gov/national/blue?star?museums.

All summer long, Blue Star Museums will share stories through social media. Follow Blue Star Museums on Twitter @NEAarts and @BlueStarFamily, #BlueStarMuseum, on Facebook and read the NEA Art Works blog for weekly stories on participating museums and exhibits.

Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov, or Wendy Clark at 202?682?5451.

This is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families. Other NEA programs for the military have included the NEA/Walter Reed Healing Arts Partnership; Great American Voices Military Base Tour; and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour.

About Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street.  Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military families. With our partners, Blue Star Families hosts a robust array of morale and empowerment programs, including Books on Bases, Blue Star Museums, Operation Honor Corps, Blue Star Careers and Operation Appreciation. Blue Star Families also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, State and Federal government to bring the most important military family issues to light. Working in concert with fellow nonprofits, community advocates, and public officials, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable. Our worldwide membership includes military spouses, children, parents, and friends, as well as service members, veterans and civilians. To learn more about Blue Star Families, visit www.bluestarfam.org. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.

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22 May 2014

Loebsack Praises Inclusion of SECTORS Act in Workforce Development Overhaul

By Joe Hand

Legislation works on the local level to train workers to compete in 21st Century global economy

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that large portions of his signature legislation, the SECTORS Act, were incorporated into the bipartisan, bicameral agreement to improve the nation's workforce development system. This plan, introduced by Senator Tom Harkin, Rep. John Kline, Rep. George Miller and Rep. Virginia Fox, among others, is designed to improve the nation's workforce development system through new legislation, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Loebsack's SECTORS Act links together businesses, labor organizations, local stakeholders, and education and training providers connected to a particular industry. These partnerships work to develop or implement plans for growing or saving that targeted industry, promoting long-term competitiveness and advancing employment opportunities for workers. The inclusion of the legislation will ensure employees on the local level are properly trained so they can effectively compete in the 21st Century global economy. Loebsack first introduced the SECTORS Act in 2009 and the House of Representatives unanimously passed it in 2010. While it was not taken up in the Senate, Loebsack has continued to fight for its passage.

"As I meet with business leaders in Iowa, I hear time and time again that they are unable to find workers with the skill sets they need to hire, despite high unemployment rates. There is a gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and the kind of skills that businesses need. That is why my SECTORS Act is so important. Sector partnerships will work to address this gap by targeting workforce development efforts to foster the kind of skills that local businesses need right now.

"Sector partnerships have proven effective in revitalizing our manufacturing sector and helping to create high-skill, high-wage jobs here at home. They work at the local level to ensure employees are properly trained so they can effectively compete in the 21st Century global economy. I am pleased that the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act adds a requirement at the local level for implementation of sector partnerships and I will continue to fight to provide additional supports for these collaborations."

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act represents a compromise between the SKILLS Act (H.R. 803), which passed the House of Representatives in March of 2013 with bipartisan support, and the Workforce Investment Act of 2013 (S. 1356). It has been over a decade since the Workforce Investment Act has been reauthorized.

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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.

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