The Quad Cities Disabled American Veterans Transportation Program is in need of drivers to carry our veterans to their medical appointments at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City.

Anyone interested in driving the DAV Van to Iowa City should call Commander Tom Simmons at 563-324-6329 or Adjutant Paul Janecek at 563-386-3533 or Serivce Officer George Nickolas at 563-391-1760.

Interested drivers are advised that they can select the day(s) of the month they are available. If you have any questions about the scheduling of driving or what hours you would have to volunteer for on the day and/or days that you are willing to drive, you need to call Adjutant Paul Janecek at 563-386-3533.

International theatre artist Audrey Leclair (Montreal, Quebec) is visiting Davenport for the next three weeks to develop a comedic theatre production with Quad Cities native Daniel Rairdin-Hale (Davenport, IA).

They call themselves 'Du Haut Duo' (pronounced 'duo duo') and they are planning to travel their physical comedy show to Montreal, New York City, and other places around the world...but they are premiering here in the Quad Cities first.

Audrey Leclair recently finished an artistic residency in India and is also developing a show with Théâtre de la Tapisserie, a company she co-founded in Montreal, Quebec.

Daniel Rairdin-Hale teaches and directs theatre locally at St. Ambrose University and recently finished acting in a feature film produced by Fourth Wall Films entitled "Sons & Daughters of Thunder."

Both of them received theatrical clown training at Dell'Arte International in California, where they met and worked with each other for the first time.

While here, they are also leading workshops in red-nose clown and slapstick through the Davenport Junior Theatre.

If you would like to see them perform, there are only four chances:

Sunday June 1, 2014 at the Davenport Junior Theatre at 1:00PM and 4:00PM

Friday June 6, 2014 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA at 7:30PM

and Saturday June 7, 2014 at the Establishment Theatre in Rock Island, IL at 9:30PM

For more information, images, or to set up an interview with either performer, please contact Daniel at Dan@duhautduo.com or call him at 563-940-3967.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), and U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX), today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) who provided extraordinary public and combat emergency services during World War II. Harkin and Cochran are the lead Senate sponsors of the measure while McCaul and Cuellar have led the effort in the House.  The legislation passed the U.S. Senate in May 2013 and now goes to President Obama's desk for signature.

"The Civil Air Patrol is one of the unique institutions in our country.  This legislation will offer long overdue recognition to a courageous group of individuals who answered the call to duty at our nation's time of greatest danger," said Senator Harkin, the Commander of the Congressional Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.  "Flying aircraft that were often only equipped with a compass and a single radio, and lacking any personal safety equipment, CAP members flew over 24 million miles during World War II, playing a vital role in protecting the nation. This Congressional Gold Medal will ensure that their story is told over and over again for future generations, and it recognizes CAP and its WWII members for their critically important service to our nation."

"Threats that arose during World War II were not just overseas, but also to our homeland.  Those in the Civil Air Patrols, including Mississippians who helped monitor the Gulf Coast, effectively deployed civilian aircraft to protect our shores from these dangers," said Senator Cochran. "I'm pleased that this legislation to honor the selfless service and sacrifice of the Civil Air Patrol will now go to the President to be signed into law."

"The awarding of the nation's highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, to the members of the Civil Air Patrol ensures that long overdue and proper recognition has finally been bestowed upon these brave men. The Civil Air Patrol's valiant efforts in defending our coastline, providing combat services, and flying dangerous humanitarian missions in America during World War II embodies the American Spirit of volunteerism. These brave men were an integral part in defending not only our homeland, but also our principles of freedom and liberty. I am proud Congress has taken this step to recognize all of the important work the Civil Air Patrol did nearly 70 years after its founding," said Representative McCaul, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Lt. Colonel of the Congressional Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.

"The Civil Air Patrol was comprised of volunteers who banded together on December 1, 1941 to create a volunteer air patrol to defend their country," said Representative Cuellar. "I am honored to recognize the Civil Air Patrol for their contributions and service to our country during World War II. This Congressional Gold Medal recognition is long overdue and well deserved."

In March of 1942, members of the Civil Air Patrol started an anti-submarine coastal patrol off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. CAP operations reported 173 submarines and found 325 survivors of attacks. There were more than 60,000 adult civilian members of the CAP in a wide range of positions, and CAP aircrews flew a total of approximately 750,000 hours during the war, most of which were in their personal aircraft and often at real risk to their lives. CAP operations were characterized by an exceptional emphasis on safety, discipline and organization. However, by the end of the war, 64 members of the CAP had died in service.

Measure to assist military students next returns to House for approval

SPRINGFIELD - May 19, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon on Monday applauded the Illinois Senate for passing legislation crafted by her office to ease the transitions of military students moving in and out of Illinois schools. Sponsored by state Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) and state Rep. Eddie Lee Jackson (D-East St. Louis), House Bill 3939 will align Illinois with national standards on the treatment of military students, many who transfer schools three times more often than their civilian peers. The legislation now returns to the Illinois House for final consideration.

"This measure has the potential to ease the transition for military students and keep defense jobs in our state,"  said Simon, chairperson of the Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee. "By better aligning with national standards, we can assist thousands of military students in Illinois and show how much we value their families. I commend Sen. Bush and Rep. Jackson for their work to pass this legislation."

In 2010, Illinois joined the Interstate Compact for Military Children and adopted the state's first-ever law recognizing the unique educational challenges of military students. In the 45 other Compact states, military students enter the same grade level at their new schools, retain previously earned credit and are offered opportunities for extracurricular activities. Illinois' law does not currently offer the same assurances. The Simon-backed legislation brings Illinois into alignment with other Compact states, providing protections military students deserve while also preserving local control. They include :

• Grade Level: Students must be allowed to continue their enrollment at grade level in the receiving state at the time of transition; subsequent evaluation to verify placement is allowed.

• Course & Program Placement: Schools shall initially honor course and program placement for military students at the time of transition, including Advanced Placement and ESL, provided that the courses are offered and space is available; subsequent evaluation to verify placement is allowed.

• Extracurricular Activities: Schools shall facilitate the opportunity for inclusion in sports and other activities to the extent that children are qualified and space is available as determined by the school principal.

The state of Illinois is home to approximately 10,000 military students, most of whom have at least one parent on active duty at major installations in North Chicago, the Quad Cities and Metro East. They may transfer schools up to nine times between kindergarten and high school graduation, a rate three times that of their civilian peers.

Simon added that with potential federal defense spending reductions and potential base closures on the horizon, this measure positions our bases for expansions, not drastic cuts.

During a series of listening posts hosted by the Simon-chaired Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC) held last year near Scott Air Force Base, Naval Station Great Lakes and the Rock Island Arsenal, families and military leadership consistently raised the issue of improving school transition.

As chair of the IMBSEDC, Simon helps coordinate the state's activities and communications relating to current and former military bases in Illinois.