29 Apr 2014

As Lawmakers Make Final Decision on Fair Tax, 1,000+ Expected in Springfield to Deliver Message "Let the Voters Decide"

By Rick Martin

Senate expected to vote on Fair Tax Act tomorrow; citizens from all corners of the state will demand a 'YES' vote from legislators in both chambers to put Fair Tax on November ballot

 

Springfield - With just 72 hours until the deadline to pass the Fair Tax Act, over 1,000 citizens from all corners of the state will gather in Springfield tomorrow to demand lawmakers vote 'YES' on resolutions that would put the Fair Tax on the November ballot. A Fair Tax - with lower rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher incomes - is supported by 77% of Illinois voters.

 

The first four months of 2014 have seen a robust discussion about abandoning our state's unfair, regressive 'flat' tax - that results in low and middle income Illinoisans paying two to three times the tax rate that the richest 1% pay - and has put the Fair Tax on the brink of passage, which would continue the conversation into November and let Illinois voters have the final say.

 

Hundreds and hundreds of parents, seniors, small business owners, educators, health care and human service providers; and ordinary taxpayers will hold a rally and press conference at the Lincoln Statue in front of the Capitol Building at 11:30am.  Following the press conference, citizens will participate in one-on-one visits with their legislators to send them one final and resounding message: "We the People" deserve to decide on the Fair Tax for ourselves in November.

 

Under the Fair Tax rates proposed by Chief Senate sponsor Don Harmon and Chief House sponsor Christian Mitchell in SB350, 94% of Illinoisans earning up to $205,000 would receive a tax cut over what they currently pay - with residents earning the median income of $55,137 receiving a $303 break. The proposal would also avoid draconian cuts to vital services like education, health and human services, and public safety currently on the table if 2011 rates are allowed to simply expire.

 

Currently, Illinois lawmakers are prohibited?constitutionally barred?from enacting a Fair Tax. The Fair Tax Act simply allows citizens to vote in the upcoming November election on whether or not they want a Fair Tax.  The effective deadline for lawmakers to put a Fair Tax on the ballot is Thursday, May 1st.

 

***Media interested in covering the event can RSVP to  neal@abetterillinois.org***

 

What: With just 72 hours until the deadline to pass the Fair Tax Act, over 1,000 citizens from all corners of the state will hold a press conference and rally demanding their lawmakers vote 'YES' to allow Illinois voters the opportunity to choose for themselves on the Fair Tax on the November ballot

 

When: Tuesday, April 29th, 11:30AM

 

Where: Lincoln Statue, Capitol Building, Springfield

 

Who: Over One Thousand Illinoisans Voters

Kristen Crowell, Campaign Director of A Better Illinois

Sen. Don Harmon, Chief Sponsor of the Fair Tax Act and SB 350

Rep. Christian Mitchell, Chief Sponsor of the Fair Tax Act

Dan Montgomery, President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers

Chris Dupuis, Small Business Owner from Naperville

Rev. Marilyn Pagan Banks

A Child Care Provider

Others

In addition to the formal program there will be a number of small business owners, faith and community leaders, parents, child care providers, and ordinary taxpayers from all across Illinois available to speak to the media starting at 11:15 AM (and after the program, as well.)  Please contact Neal Waltmire, if you would like to schedule an interview.

 

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29 Apr 2014

The Arc of the Quad Cities Announces Grant Award

By Sarah Wright

Rock Island, IL - The Arc of the Quad Cities Area is pleased to announce that is has been awarded a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in the amount of $3,000,000. These funds have been designated for construction of no less than five group homes which will be licensed as Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) homes to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live in-community.

Funds from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity come from bond funds and are distributed to The Arc of the Quad Cities for capital expenditures. The Arc of the Quad Cities is most grateful to State Representative Pat Vershoore for sponsoring this grant. Says Kyle Rick, Executive Director for The Arc, "We are very grateful to Representative Verschoore for this transformational opportunity for The Arc and the people we serve." Mr. Vershoore is a long standing supporter of The Arc and friend to those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.

The homes will be occupied by up to eight individuals and will be located in the cities of Rock Island and Moline.

The Arc of the Quad Cities will be initiating a capital campaign to offset any costs not covered by the DCEO grant for the construction of the new CILA homes and for the repurposing of The Arc's Heritage 53 location and The Arc's Day Services and Administrative Offices on 9th Street in Rock Island.

The construction of these new homes in Rock Island and Moline, is a natural progression of a national trend to support Individuals with disabilities in-community to maximize each individuals fullest potential. The Arc of the Quad Cities has traditionally lead the way in this endeavor; these funds and the resulting CILA homes is a continuation of The Arc's legacy that values community placement and integration in all aspects of the quality services it provides.

Editor's Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc of the Quad Cities Area or The Arc not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered a title or a phrase.

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29 Apr 2014

Braley: Wind Energy is Good for Iowa, Critical to America's Energy Independence

By Rick Martin

Congressman continues work to extend Wind Production Tax Credit

 

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today told key Congressional leaders that renewing the Wind Production Tax Credit?which has created billions of dollars in energy investment in Iowa and created over 6,000 jobs?must be renewed if the United States wants to continue moving toward energy independence.

"Anyone looking across the Iowa landscape knows that wind energy is a big part of our energy future?and that the Wind Production Tax Credit has brought investments and jobs to our state," Braley said. "The path to American energy independence runs through Iowa and the wind production tax credit is critical if we're going to continue moving successfully down that path."

In December, Braley urged House Speaker John Boehner to extend the Wind Production Tax Credit?citing the creation of over 80,000 jobs nationwide attributable to the tax credit. Braley has repeatedly pushed for legislation that would extend the tax credit and provide certainty to investors and businesses in Iowa and throughout the nation.

"The benefits of this industry - local investment, domestic jobs, and energy independence - are exactly what Congress should prioritize," Braley wrote.

A copy of Braley's letter is available below and HERE:

April 28, 2014

 

The Honorable Dave Camp                           The Honorable Sander Levin

Chairman, House Committee                      Ranking Member, House

on Ways and Means                          Committee on Ways and Means

1102 Longworth HOB                            1106 Longworth HOB

Washington, D.C. 20515                          Washington, D.C. 20515

 

Dear Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin:

As you know, last year Members of Congress came together to pass the American Taxpayer Relief Act and preserve critical policies that benefit the American taxpayer, support our economy, and create jobs.  Included in this bill was an extension of the tax credit for wind production projects, which in 2012 directly supported 80,700 jobs across our nation and more than 6,000 in my home state of Iowa.  As you work to craft a tax-extension package to address expired provisions, I ask that you support the preservation of the production tax credit for renewable energy, including wind.

Preservation of the production tax credit would allow businesses to make critical investments in our nation's energy infrastructure. MidAmerican, for instance, is making an investment of $1.9 billion to build a 448-turbine energy project across the state of Iowa - increasing clean energy production and creating jobs.

Unfortunately, investors and manufacturers are once again dealing with the expiration of this credit - a credit that historically drives $15 billion a year on average in private investments into the U.S. economy.  The benefits of this industry - local investment, domestic jobs, and energy independence - are exactly what Congress should prioritize.  As the House continues to address expiring provisions, I urge you to preserve the production tax credit and the promise it holds for our nation's future.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

Member of Congress

 

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29 Apr 2014

Becoming a Maverick

By Ginny Grimsley

5 Rules for Becoming an Intellectual Maverick
Life Requires More Than a Whisper of Wisdom, Says Venture Capitalist

No matter how well our lives may be going, many of us seem to be at our wit's end when it comes to attaining that next level of success, but there is a solution to this challenge, says world-traveling entrepreneur Julian Pencilliah.

Whether we want to improve our relationships, spiritual development, emotional well-being, health or monetary ambitions, we so often find that we're our own greatest enemies, says Pencilliah, author of "The Jetstream of Success," (www.thejetstreamofsuccess.com).

"You see it time and time again - individuals rise out of the most devastating circumstances and transform their lives into greatness," he says. "If you're in a place where you feel that life's closing in on you, and you have a pressing urgency to transform your misfortune into a positive opportunity, then you must embrace the fact that realizing your potential is a process."

How does one start this process? Become a student of your own history and become an intellectual maverick, says Pencilliah, who reviews the attributes that must be developed to make progress possible.

•  Irrevocably change your world. Piece together an ever-fuller understanding of yourself with the intention of reinventing yourself a thousand-fold. We should always aim toward exponential achievements, with the wisdom of knowing that we are not chasing the achievement, but rather chasing the consciousness of who we need to become in order to materialize our success.

•  Think with sophistication. This is your capacity to become more strategic in your approach to life. This simply means that you need to become more process-oriented, rather than goal-oriented. Intelligence is knowing what's required of you. Sophisticated thinking is the process of making successful decisions over a lifetime.

•  Exceed probability amplitudes. Achieving success in any arena of your life is framed within your ability to eliminate innate weaknesses and biases. History tells us that not all greats have off-the-chart IQs, nor are they born with limitless freedom. In fact, it's the triumph over less-than-favorable circumstances and a determination to achieve that often builds the character necessary for success. Great individuals set out to achieve outstanding results, and make their decisions within intellectual criteria. All the greats have engaged a higher impulse, a higher bandwidth, and an inherent strength.

•  Smile with radiance. Life is beauty in every direction, but we are often unable to see it if we are too consumed with our lives. The simple truth is that you can touch more of the beauty of life only by touching your own beauty. If you look through the lens of love, gratitude and contribution, then you will be able to see and touch more of the infinite beauty that makes life on Earth a heaven. Learn to smile like sunshine every day and brighten up your world.

•  Get lucky. "I would love to tell you that your destiny is written in the stars, but it is actually written within the confines of your interpretation of life," Pencilliah says. "Luck has more to do with self-engagement than any random twist of fate. Be bold and champion your life to exceed the probability amplitude of any statistic of luck."

We are all endowed with the ability to achieve success in any facet of our lives; success is framed within the definition of the analytical tools and emotional disciplines necessary to champion your life forward, he says.

"Above all, I live by three simple words: compassion, love and gratitude," Pencilliah says. "We need to act on these three words daily. Doing so will irrevocably change your world."

About Julian Pencilliah

Julian Pencilliah, (www.julianpencilliah.com), is the author of the new book, The Jetstream of Success, (www.thejetstreamofsuccess.com), which is an Amazon Top 10 e-book best sellers in the self-help category. As a venture capitalist, he has taken a bold approach to life, which includes 20 years of accomplished business acumen. Whether it's going face-to-face on a dive with great white sharks in the depths of the Atlantic, racing Formula One cars throughout the world or being on a game drive with Virgin billionaire Sir Richard Branson, Pencilliah's lifestyle has served as a platform for him to draw analogies to connect with readers. This allows the reader to stitch together an ever-fuller understanding of their self, enabling progress toward their ambitions.

29 Apr 2014

MALLARDS PLAYOFF WATCH PARTIES RETURN TONIGHT TO FRIDAY'S, LODGE

By Brian Lavelle

Friday's, Lodge to Host Watch Parties Wednesday Night

If Semi-Finals Go to Seventh Game


MOLINE, Ill. (April 28, 2014) - Quad City Mallards playoff watch parties return to T.G.I. Friday's in Moline and the Lodge in Bettendorf tonight at 7:05 p.m. when the Mallards travel to Texas to meet the Allen Americans in game six of the Central Hockey League semi-finals and, if a seventh and deciding game is necessary, Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m.

Fans are invited to watch all the action of tonight's pivotal contest in the company of their fellow Mallards supporters at either watch party location. T.G.I. Friday's is located at 1425 River Drive in Moline, adjacent to the iWireless Center.  Fans who prefer to watch the Mallards in Iowa can enjoy the playoff action in the lounge of the Lodge Hotel and Conference Center, which is located at 900 Spruce Hills Drive in Bettendorf.  T.G.I. Friday's will offer half price appetizers to Mallards fans during the watch party.  Fans who flock to the Lodge can join the watch parties for just a $3 cover charge and enjoy $1.50 drafts and hot dogs.

The Mallards, who lead the best-of-seven series three games to two, are one win away from advancing to the CHL finals and a match-up with the Denver Cutthroats.  Should they overcome the Americans, the Mallards will play for a league championship for the first time since reaching the United Hockey League finals in 2003.

An Americans victory tonight would bring a seventh and deciding game in Allen and another chance for fans to take in all the action at either Friday's or the Lodge Wednesday evening.

For more information on the playoff watch parties, feel free to contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -
29 Apr 2014

Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre at the Muscatine Art Center

By Lynn Bartenhagen

ANNOUNCING A FREE PUPPET PRESENTATION

 

"Stories and Cuentos", a puppet show presented in both English and Spanish by Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, will offered for FREE on Thursday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Muscatine Art Center. The public is encouraged to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs as the performance will be held in the E. Bradford Burns Performing Arts Park (just west of the Musser House on Mulberry). In case of rain, the performance will be moved to Central Auditorium.

Developed and performed by Monica Leo and Mexican puppeteer Eli Portugal, co-founder of Mojiganga Arte Escenico, this performance includes two classic Mexican animal tales. "The Rabbit in the Moon", a well-known myth, gives a whimsical explanation for the shadows we see in the moon, while delighting audiences with the age old battle of wits between rabbit and coyote. "The Musical Ant", a less known tale, follows Hormiguita (little ant) as he learns to play the piano and brings peace to his ant colony through music. The production uses hand puppets, rod puppets, masked characters, and music.

Monica Leo has been creating and performing as founder and principal puppeteer of Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre since 1975. Eulenspiegel has toured in 28 states and four other countries and is a former winner of the Iowa Arts Award. Eli Portugal of Jalapa, Mexico, studied music, theatre, and dance at the University of Veracruz in Mexico. In addition to her performance and design skills, she has extensive experience teaching workshops to children as well as to teachers.

Reservations are not required to attend the puppet performance.

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29 Apr 2014

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Mark Jacobs to Meet with Area Residents in Bettendorf, Clinton

By Alissa Ohl

West Des Moines, Iowa - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Jacobs will return to eastern Iowa on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - making stops in both Bettendorf and Clinton.

Jacobs will be at the Pizza Ranch in Bettendorf and the Riverside Restaurant & Banquet in Clinton to meet with and answer questions from area residents.

The following events are open to members of the press:

 

Event: Bettendorf Meet & Greet

Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

Location: Pizza Ranch, 880 Lincoln Road, Bettendorf

***

Event: Clinton Meet & Greet

Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Time: 5:00-6:00pm

Location: Riverside Restaurant & Banquet, 517 North 2nd Street, Clinton

 

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Paid for by Jacobs for Iowa

29 Apr 2014

LINDAUER NAMED MIDWEST LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

By Marco LaNave
Moline native makes history, then earns league honor with nine hits, two-homer game, eight RBIs
DAVENPORT, Iowa. (April 28, 2014) - Moline, Ill., native Thomas Lindauer's historic first week with his hometown's Quad Cities River Bandits gained more recognition Monday, as the shortstop was named the Midwest League Player of the Week for April 21-27. Making his debut last Monday, April 21, Lindauer had nine hits and eight RBIs in his first six games, which included a two-homer, five-RBI game Tuesday in Clinton.
Before making his home debut at Modern Woodmen Park, the 22-year-old Lindauer has become the first River Bandit to win Midwest League Player of the Week since Anthony Garcia won the honor June 18-24, 2012. It was the first weekly honor for any River Bandit since Boone Whiting won Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for Aug. 20-26, 2012.
On April 21, Lindauer was transferred from Extended Spring Training to become the first-ever Quad Cities-native position player to appear for the Quad Cities Midwest League club. He is also the first metro Quad Cities native in 26 years to play for the franchise. The last was pitcher Mike Butcher, who pitched four major league seasons (1992-1995) with the California Angels and is the current eighth-year pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels.
In his Midwest League debut April 21, Lindauer had two hits, including a double, in a 7-6 loss at Clinton. On Tuesday, April 22, the Moline High School graduate and former University of Illinois shortstop homered in each of his first two at-bats and finished 3-for-4 with two runs and five RBIs in the 11-2 win at Clinton. It marked the first two-homer game and five-RBI performance by a 2014 River Bandit. Lindauer finished the week with a 2-for-4, three-RBI game in a 15-3 win over Peoria Sunday. He had a hit in five of the first six games, of which he started every one at shortstop.
The Houston Astros' 23rd-round pick in 2013 out of the University of Illinois, Lindauer played 51 games between short-season Class-A Tri-City and rookie-level Greeneville last season.
Lindauer carries a .346 batting average and .654 slugging percentage into the River Bandits' five-game, four-day homestand.
29 Apr 2014

Celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week

By QCCVB

Those of us in tourism usually talk in superlatives but it's no exaggeration that the Quad Cities will be the epicenter of tourism in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois during National Travel & Tourism Week on May 3-11, 2014, as we celebrate $7.6 billion in visitor spending in Iowa and $29 billion in Illinois.

Iowa's Power of Tourism motorcoach will make a stop at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum at the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott from  11:15 to 11:45 a.m. on Monday, May 5th.  This eye-catching motorcoach is making a 2,000 mile, 9-day visit across Iowa to showcase how vital tourism is to Iowa's economy.  You are invited to attend! www.traveliowa.com/epiciowaroadtrip

Then from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7th, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum will host the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association general membership meeting.  Nearly 100 tourism promoters from throughout Eastern Iowa will meet to discuss ways to promote Iowa and hear Dublin, Ohio, CVB Director Scott Dring speak on "License to Steal."

Join the Quad Cities CVB for the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for the new Visitor Center location at the Quad  City International Airport in Moline at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 8th.  The new location is near baggage claim. Refreshments and parking validation provided.

All of this follows the Quad Cities hosting nearly 75 international tour operators and journalists on FAM (familiarization) tours who attended IPW in Chicago in early April.

The U.S. Travel Association reports that visitors to Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois generated total direct expenditures of $810 million; $40 million in state taxes; $12.8 million in local taxes; and 7,680 jobs with a total payroll of $142 million.

That's the Power of Tourism!

29 Apr 2014

Convoy of Hope Responds to Tornadoes in Midwest

By Molly Erickson

Assessment Teams Headed to Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - April 28, 2014 - International humanitarian relief organization, Convoy of Hope, has assessment teams en route to affected areas throughout the Midwest where tornadoes ravaged communities yesterday.

"Our prayers are with the families whose lives have been impacted by these storms," says Hal Donaldson, president and co-founder of Convoy of Hope. "Our teams will provide crucial information that will help us as we make plans in the coming days and monitor additional severe weather forecasted in these areas throughout the week."

Online donation:

Those wishing to make a contribution to Convoy of Hope can make a secure online contribution by visiting: www.convoyofhope.org.

Text to Give donation:

To place a $10 donation on your cellular bill, text the word CONVOY to 50555. Standard text and data rates apply.

About Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope, a faith ­based organization founded in 1994, has a driving passion to feed the world. With a long history as an early responder in times of natural disasters, Convoy of Hope has been a Four Star Charity as recognized by Charity Navigator for 11 consecutive years. In the last 20 years, Convoy of Hope has served more than 65 million people. For more information please visit http://www.convoyofhope.org.

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