06 Jan 2014

Tips on Protecting your Home from Ice and Bitter Cold

By Holly Anderson - State Farm

Mother Nature has blasted the area with cold and snow and it's only going to get colder by Monday. State Farm is already receiving claims on Frozen Pipes but there is still time to prevent others from getting hit with damage. Below are facts and tips for prevention.

The snow and cold can also bring Ice Dams to a home. An Ice Dam forms when the temperature in your attic is above freezing causing snow on the roof to melt and then refreeze in dropping temperatures. The pools of water behind those dams can cause leakage then into your home. See tips on how to prevent this below.

Frozen Pipes:

One-eighth-inch (3 millimeters) crack in a pipe can spray more than 250 gallons of water a day -- ruining floors, carpets, furniture and irreplaceable personal belongings.
Pipes can freeze anywhere due to exposure from cracks or holes in siding or because of pipes being placed in outside walls with inadequate insulation.
When it's especially cold where you live, let the hot and cold faucets drip overnight and open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks on exterior walls.
Insulate pipes in your home's crawl space or attic.
Seal leaks that allow cold air inside.
Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
If you are going away for an extended period of time, be sure to maintain adequate heat inside your home....no lower than 55 degrees.

Ice Dams:

Prevent warm, moist downstairs air from infiltrating the attic by appropriately insulating your attic's floor and using a dehumidifier to control water vapor. Seal all openings that would allow vapor to rise into the attic.
Research shows keeping the attic air temperature below freezing when the outside air temperature is in the low 20s can reduce the occurrence of ice dams. Provide good attic ventilation to replace warm air in the attic with cold outside air. Consult a professional for the best way to avoid ice dams and water damage in your home.
Do not routinely remove snow from the roof or attempt to "chip away" the ice of an ice dam. It will likely lead to shingle damage.
Do not install large mechanical equipment or water heaters in attics, especially in cold climates. Not only do they present an unwelcome fire hazard, but they'll also increase the temperature in your attic.
Do not use salt or calcium chloride to melt snow on a roof. These chemicals are very corrosive and can shorten the life of metal gutters, downspouts, and flashings. Runoff that contains high concentrations of these chemicals can damage nearby grass and plants.

After a Frozen Pipe Bursts

Preparing Your Home for Freezing Temperatures

Thawing Frozen Pipes and Preventing Water Damage

Ice Dams and Attic Condensation

Clear Your Roof of Snow

06 Jan 2014

Governor Quinn Announces State Preparedness Measures Ahead of Winter Blast

By Brooke Anderson

Governor Urges Residents to Stay Inside, Safe and Warm Ahead of Forecast Snow and Cold; Check on Neighbors

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced measures being taken by Illinois state agencies to prepare for the extreme cold and additional snowfall that is forecast for the next several days. He also urged residents to follow recommended winter safety procedures and to check on their neighbors during the bitter cold and snowy weather. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to keeping all Illinois residents safe and warm this winter.

"As we head into this extreme winter blast, state of Illinois personnel and emergency crews are working around the clock to help people stay warm and safe, while keeping roads open for those who must travel," Governor Quinn said.

"During this bitter cold and snowy weather, Illinois residents should stay inside as much as possible and limit their exposure to the cold temperatures. Don't forget to dress in layers, check in on friends and family who may need additional assistance, and bring pets indoors. Residents can also take advantage of our warming centers if necessary," the Governor added.

Residents are urged to take advantage of the state's more than 100 warming centers as temperatures dip to dangerous lows. These include Illinois Department of Human Services offices throughout the state, which are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or the Illinois Tollway Oases, which are open 24 hours a day. To find a warming center near you, call the IDHS hotline at (800) 843-6154 or visit keepwarm.illinois.gov.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway have their crews working around the clock to keep roads clear and passable. Motorists are urged to drive defensively and safely, travel only if absolutely necessary, slow down, and buckle up. In addition, a new state law prohibits motorists from talking on all but hands-free mobile phones while driving.

Other roadway safety tips to remember:

Don't crowd snowplows - an operator's field of vision is restricted.
Allow extra time for travel during the winter months.
Watch out for black ice on roads that appear clear but can be treacherous. Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady areas - all are prone to black ice, which is often invisible.
Pull over and dial *999 for emergency roadway assistance.

Check travel and road conditions routinely before any trip. You can get road condition information by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368), Illinois Tollway information by calling 1-800-TOLL-FYI or online at www.gettingaroundillinois.com and click on the "winter road conditions" icon.

The Illinois Tollway expects to double the number of Zero Weather Road Patrols it provides around the clock to assist drivers stranded in their cars along the 286-mile Tollway system. The Zero Weather Road Patrols provide roadway assistance when temperatures and/or sustained wind chills are below zero.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will continue to monitor the winter weather conditions throughout Illinois and stands ready to activate emergency state resources if necessary. IEMA also advises every household to have a disaster preparedness kit that will help residents stay safe for at least three days. The kits should include a battery-powered NOAA weather radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, non-perishable food, water, a first-aid kit, extra medications and special items needed for babies, disabled or elderly family members and pets.

If you must travel, IEMA and IDOT recommend you equip your vehicle with an emergency supply kit to keep you safe in case you are stranded along the road. A vehicle preparedness kit should include a cell phone and charger, flashlight, extra batteries, first-aid kit, snack foods and water, blankets, extra warm clothing, gloves and hats, sand or kitty litter, shovel, windshield scraper, booster cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, and a tool kit. Always keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to help prevent the vehicle's fuel line from freezing.

Before you depart, check weather and road conditions along your route and provide your planned route to a family member or friend. If conditions are dangerous, postpone travel until road conditions improve. IEMA and the National Weather Service have developed a Winter Weather Preparedness Guide that contains many more tips about winter weather safety. The guide is available at the Ready Illinois website at ready.illinois.gov.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) advises residents to be vigilant regarding two health conditions caused by cold winter weather that can lead to serious injury or death - hypothermia and frostbite. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk for these conditions.

Symptoms for hypothermia, a drop in body temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, include forgetfulness; drowsiness; slurred speech; change in appearance, such as a puffy face; weak pulse, slow heartbeat; very slow, shallow breathing; and in extreme cases, coma or a death-like appearance. If you notice these symptoms, wrap the person in a warm blanket and seek immediate medical attention. Do not give a hypothermia victim a hot shower or bath.

Frostbite typically affects exposed areas of the face, ears, wrists, hands and feet. Frostbitten skin is whitish and stiff, and the area will feel numb rather than painful. If you notice these signs, warm the affected part of the body gradually with blankets, other warm wrappings or warm parts of your body like your armpits, and seek medical attention immediately. Do not rub frostbitten areas. To reduce the chance of frostbite, stay dry and wear several layers of lightweight clothing; cover your head; wear mittens rather than fingered gloves; wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks or two pairs of lightweight socks; and cover your ears and lower face.

The Illinois Department on Aging is encouraging relatives and friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens living alone. Older people are more susceptible to the cold, so seniors should set their thermostats above 65 degrees. Those particularly vulnerable are older people who take certain medications, drink alcohol, lack proper nutrition, or who have conditions such as arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Tips for senior citizens to best handle cold temperatures:

· Dress in layers, both indoors and outdoors.

· Keep active. Make a list of exercises and activities to do indoors when you can't get out.

· Eat well and drink 10 glasses of water daily; stock up on non-perishable food supplies, just in case.

· Keep extra medications in the house. If this is not possible, make arrangements to have someone pick up and deliver your medications.

· Do not shovel snow or walk in deep snow. Plan now for someone else to shovel the snow. The strain from the cold and hard labor could cause a heart attack; sweating can lead to a chill and even hypothermia.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture advises residents to bring their pets indoors or ensure they have a warm shelter area with unfrozen food and water. Check frequently on any animal that remains outside.

Extreme cold temperatures are dangerous and can be deadly. Since 1995, more than 130 fatalities related to cold temperatures have occurred in Illinois, making it the second-leading cause of weather-related deaths in Illinois in the past two decades.

###

06 Jan 2014

Federal Officials Finalize Iowa Health and Wellness Plan Waiver to Improve Iowans' Health Outcomes

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced the State of Iowa has received final documents from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the approval of the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan waivers. The waiver was finalized on Monday, December 30, 2013.

"This bipartisan, innovative plan fits the needs of our state and is yet another example of Iowa leading by offering Iowa-based solutions to complex problems," Branstad said. "Most importantly, the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan will empower Iowans to take control of their own health and improve the health of our state."

More than 65,000 Iowans have applied for coverage under the bi-partisan supported waivers, which include premium contributions. These premiums promote healthy behaviors, without loss of coverage, for Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members beginning at 50 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The Iowa Department of Human Services' (DHS) website and contact center have accepted more than 14,000 applications since October 1, and the state streamlined the enrollment process for about 50,000 Iowans who had been on the IowaCare program and will now receive coverage through the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.

The State of Iowa worked with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to finalize this modern plan, which will be administered by DHS. Officials anticipate that over the next 3 years, about 150,000 Iowans will sign up for the Iowa Wellness Plan (0-100 percent FPL) and the Marketplace Choice Plan (101-133 percent FPL).

In addition, the waivers will provide mental health and disability services for many Iowans who were not previously eligible. That compliments the work of the state's Mental Health Redesign.

"I'm pleased we have finalized the agreement with the federal government on our unique approach, and we are moving forward with serving Iowans," Reynolds said. "The Iowa Health and Wellness plan has always been built around the belief that healthcare should be focused on making citizens healthier. The plan fits perfectly with our goal to improve Iowans' health and become the healthiest state in the nation."

DHS officials will continue to work with CMS to streamline the enrollment process for Iowans, who have faced some setbacks because of delays at the federal website, HealthCare.gov.

Currently, DHS is encouraging Iowans who applied through HealthCare.gov - and were told they may be eligible for Medicaid - that they should reapply through the state website at dhsservices.iowa.gov or by calling 1-855-889-7985. The DHS website and contact center have fielded nearly 4,000 applications since the announcement last Friday.

Applications will be processed based on the date received, so DHS encourages Iowans who applied through HealthCare.gov to reapply through the state as soon as possible. If eligible, Iowans will have coverage the first day of the month in which their application is dated.

"DHS is making every effort to help Iowans get the coverage they qualify for so that we can help improve health outcomes across the state," said DHS Director Charles M. Palmer.

###

06 Jan 2014

City Circle Acting Company Announces Auditions for Jesus Christ Superstar

By Emil Rinderspacher

City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will hold auditions for its production of Jesus Christ Superstar, January 12th from 1 pm -8pm at the Community of Christ Church, 2121 S Ridge Dr. in Coralville. The show is directed by Liz Tracey. Kent Keating is the music director.

Jesus Christ Superstar, the ground breaking rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is loosely based on the Gospel's account of the last week of Jesus' life, as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

This is a big cast and all ages are welcome to audition. Those auditioning should bring 30 seconds of a song to sing that shows of your voice and acting ability.

To schedule an audition, complete and submit the audition form at www.citycircle.org. Walk ups are always welcome. For more information call Liz Tracey at 712-249-6214.

Jesus Christ Superstar will be performed April 4-13 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

06 Jan 2014

Iowa Supreme Court Opinions January 3, 2014

By Iowa Judicial Branch

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format). Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 11-2087

STATE OF IOWA vs. DAVID LEE MILLER

No. 13-1271

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. DAVID L. STRAND

06 Jan 2014

American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop in Bettendorf is planning their annual It's Sumer Somewhere - A Cruise Wear Event Thursday, January 9th

By Rick Martin

We are ready to warm things up! The Bettendorf Discovery Shop in Cumberland Square invites you to join them Thursday, January 9th as they debut their cruise wear collection. Men's, Women's, and Children's swimwear, clothing of all kinds, shoes, accessories, and lots of fun things for your home will be waiting for you. If you are planning a vacation, a cruise, or are just plain tired of your winter clothing; join us for a chance to purchase a wonderful fresh spring wardrobe.

The shop welcomes donations of gently used or new men's, women's and children's clothing, accessories, jewelry, collectibles, and items for the home. Donations are accepted any time the shop is open and a tax receipt is always available.

The Discovery Shop is owned and operated by the American Cancer Society with the proceeds going for cancer research, education, patient services, and advocacy. The shop is an upscale resale shop selling gently used items all donated by the community. The shop is staffed with over 80 volunteers, but would be thrilled to have a few extra hands. If you are interested in volunteering ask us about it next time you are in the shop. All clothing is cleaned and ironed before it is sold. All dry cleaning is donated by Burke Dry Cleaners.

Regular shop hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

06 Jan 2014

LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Announcements - 01/03/2014

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

Saturday, February 1, 2014. Chamber Annual Awards Dinner

Davenport County Club 25500 Valley Drive, Pleasant Valley, IA

5:30-6:30 Cocktails (cash bar) and Silent Auction

6:30 Awards

7:00 Dinner

8:00 Live Auction

6-10 Music by Keep Off the Grass

Please RSVP by January 24 to First Central State Bank at 563-289-2265 or dmulvania@firstcentralsb.com $35 per person paid in advance. Make check payable to LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 35, LeClaire, IA 52753. Casual Party Attire. To donate for auction items, take items to First Central State Bank or email chamber for more information.

Time to Renew your LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Membership or Join for 2014! Go to www.leclairechamber.com to renew or join, or see the attached form to complete and return. Deadline to renew, February 1, 2014. Thank you for your membership!

CALENDAR

January 11th - LeClaire Recreation Center - Join us for Family Nights! 4:00-6:30pm, $2 per person; 3 and under free. Concessions available. Open gym and movie "Goonies" All movies start at 5:00 pm - www.leclairereccenter.com

Now thru Jan. 12th - Enright's LeClaire Super Car Wash - Annual Holiday Token Sale - 8 tokens for $30. Each token has a value of $6.50. Stop in for tokens and to register for weekly winners drawings! Tokens Make Great Gifts! Stock up for winter!

January 14th - Chamber Networking Lunch - Happy Joe's - LeClaire - noon - everyone welcome!

January 21^st - Civic Club Monthly Bunco Game Resumes Bunco will be held at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The cost will be $2.00 a person. Please bring a dessert to share. Coffee and drink will be provided. Pop can be purchased for $1.00. The prizes will be for most buncos, most wins, and most losses. 50% of the money will go towards the prizes and 50% will go to the Civic Club for the rental cost. Call Debbie Smith 289-4458 for more details.

January 22nd - Need online help? Make the most out of Schwab.com Explore Schwab's web-based tools for managing finances, research, and trading. 2:00pm. Charles Schwab, Eric Johannes, 5345 Elmore Avenue #300, Davenport, IA 52807. Please R.S.V.P 563-275-3663

January 25^th - Freedom Rock Trivia - LeClaire Fire Station Come help raise funds for the Freedom Rock, coming to the LeClaire levee as the chosen site for all of Scott County! Doors open at 6:00 pm and trivia will start at 7pm. Cost is $10 per person. All proceeds will go to the Freedom Rock fund. You don't have to be good at trivia - come for the fun and to support this great cause! To reserve a table, email freedomrockscottcountyiowa@gmail.com or contact Barry Long - 563-949-6969.

Save the Date

February 1^st - LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner

Davenport County Club 25500 Valley Drive, Pleasant Valley, IA

5:30-6:30 Cocktails (cash bar) and Silent Auction

6:30 Awards

7:00 Dinner

8:00 Live Auction

6-10 Music by Keep Off the Grass

February 8^th - TugFest Trivia - LeClaire Fire Station Doors open at 6:00 pm and trivia will start at 7pm. Cost is $10 per person. You don't have to be good at trivia - come for the fun! To reserve a table, email iowatugfestfan@gmail.com

March 1^st - Rock and Roll Bingo! LeClaire Rec Center - Fund raiser for Freedom Rock. Songs will be played and you identify the songs on bingo cards. There will be 50/50 and other raffles. Event will be hosted by Cody Tucker of B100! More details to come!

FYI

Visit the NEW LeClaire Chamber of Commerce website www.leclairechamber.com and see our updated Facebook page!

New Lunch Menu at Blue Iguana - all lunch entree options are 9 dollars.

Faithful Pilot - Every Wednesday 1/2 priced wine night with Chef's Tapas menu to go along side. Don't forget to book all of your holiday parties with The Faithful Pilot or bring Chef Robert into your home and let us cater your holiday event! Now open for lunch, 12-2, Wed-Sat.

Buffalo Bill Museum Expansion "It's an exciting time in the museum's almost 57 year history," said Robert Schiffke, Executive Director of the Buffalo Bill Museum & River Pilots' Pier, "as we start another expansion of our facility." The women who were members of the LeClaire Women's Club, who founded the museum in 1957, wouldn't recognize the building today, but they would see many of the items first exhibited in its original location at 114 North Cody Road, LeClaire. Included will be an Archival Workroom allowing careful access to the museum's extensive print and photograph collection, a "hands on" classroom for children visiting the museum, and exhibits that highlight LeClaire's role in the region's economic growth through its shipyards, button factories, and river pilots who opened the region to river commerce. An architectural drawing of the expansion is available for public view at the museum during regular hours, and donations towards the expansion are being accepted. "We appreciate the support of the community in this project, and donations of artifacts and funds are always welcome. We are truly a community institution, and volunteers have grown the museum into the LeClaire landmark that it is today" said Connie Curlott, President of the Board of Directors. The museum is open 9am - 4pm, Mon.-Saturday; 12noon - 4pm, Sundays. Call 563-289-5580 for more information or to donate to the expansion.

Commercial Property Available - 1295 and 1297 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, Iowa. There are two in-line units available consisting of 2,160 sq. ft. each or 4,320 sq. ft. combined and suitable for either retail or office user. The location provides plenty of parking just off Highway 67/Cody Road with an overview of the Great River Road. It has excellent visibility with an elevated monument sign, and is located close to the first Iowa exit on I-80. Current co-tenants include Slagle Foods, Subway, First Central State Bank, and Style with PM Interiors. Please call: Mike Burke - Mel Foster Co. mburke@melforsterco.com, Mobile: 563-349-2705, Direct: 563-823-5272

Commercial Space for Rent - 204 Jones St. - Call 563-370-2386 for more information. Will show by appointment. Commercially zoned only.

Park Run Apartments/Newbury Living complex - 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms Available - 1701 Iowa Drive, LeClaire, Iowa 52753. Washer & dryers in every unit along with all other appliances. Each apartment has either a balcony or a patio. Considerable storage in each 1 BR, 2 BR or 3 BR unit. Call (563) 289-5159 for a tour and more information today!

Do you have Residential or Commercial property available? If you own residential rental property or commercial property that is available for lease or sale in the greater LeClaire region, please contact the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, leclairechamber@gmail.com, with a property description, complete contact information including phone numbers and rental or purchase pricing. As a service to the community, we would like to have the information available so we can share the most up-to-date information on our website!

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire Meals for Seniors at the church every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon. Good food and a time to visit with others. Please call 563-289-3646 and make a reservation 2 days in advance.

LeClaire Recreation Center Calendar - Join us for Family Nights!

4:00-6:30pm, $2 per person; 3 and under free. Concessions available.

January 11th - Open gym and movie "Goonies"

February 8th - Open gym and movie "Casper"

March 8th - Open gym and movie "ET"

All movies start at 5:00 pm - www.leclairereccenter.com

06 Jan 2014

This Week in Downtown Davenport: 1/3 - 1/8

By QC Chamber

Fans of Green Day are in for a treat this week! Hear the story of three lifelong friends forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia during the Broadway smash-hit musical, American Idiot! Based on Green Day's Grammy Award-winning album, this unique musical is one you don't want to regret missing while it was in your own backyard.

Family fun, refreshments, gift shop discounts and more...all of this can be found at the German American Heritage Center this Sunday at their Open House! Now's your chance to see what the GAHC has to offer all for FREE! Here's an opportunity to also see images from GAHC's trip to Germany along with the exhibition of winning photos from the photography contest.

The Figge Art Museum is making room for new exhibits for the new year! With that said, be sure to head to the Figge before Sunday to see the New Deal for Illinois: The Federal Art Project Collection of Western Illinois Exhibit before it closes. While you're there, make a run through the 1934: A New Deal for Artists Exhibit, too, before it closes on Monday. Make sure you also mark your calendar for the next PechaKucha Night set for January 30.

Black Friday comes more than once a year at My Favorite Frame Shop. Find most in-house custom black frames on any full custom framing order at a discounted price every Friday for the month of January. Remember, MFFS also offers frame repair, stitch/fabric art work, shrink wrapping, and more!

Start 2014 off right by eating fresh and shopping local! See the various offerings of fresh vegetables, delicious baked goods, quality crafts, and more at the indoor Freight House Farmer's Market. You even have a chance to enjoy a massage from a licensed massage therapist while you're there. Make a day out of it by bringing the whole family and stopping at Antonella's or Me and Billy's for lunch afterward. Click here for a list of even more delicious places to try downtown!

Catch Jordan Danielsen at Rhythm City this weekend, and if you love wine and supporting the local music scene, mark your calendar to attend RME's annual Winter Wine Experience on January 18. In the meantime, check out some QC talent at Winter Blues and Blues Cafe. Since it's freezing out, you might as well do some ice skating at River's Edge while you're out!

See you downtown!

This Week's Events: January 3 - 8

Friday, January 3

Black Friday

Where: My Favorite Frame Shop

Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Price: 40% off Select Black Frames with Custom Full Order

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