Home Improvement meets Happy Days

DETROIT -Tim Allen's character "Tim the Toolman" adored hot rods, almost as much as Henry Winkler's Fonzie loved hanging out at Arnold's. Combine those two passions, along with some great baby boomer humor, and you get author Ron Lundmark's first novel.
"Dream Machines" is the humorous tale of two Detroit men who, as teens, drove an unfinished drag race in 1965 on Woodward Avenue, America's first highway. Fifty years later, the men recognize each other at their grandchildren's wedding. They kept their grudge and their hot rods for five decades, just in case.
"I lived in the earlier days of Woodward in the 1960s, when there were lots of drive-in restaurants to cruise and everybody drag raced in-between the stoplights," Lundmark said. "Woodward was considered the biggest illegal drag strip in the world. It was "American Graffiti" times a thousand."
The story takes place during the Woodward Dream Cruise, the largest one-day automotive event in the world, which brings 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars to Detroit each year.
"The book is really the story about the Woodward Dream Cruise and its history in the Motor City," Lundmark said.
For more information about the book, visit http://www.ronlundmark.com/; for more information about the Woodward Dream Cruise, visit http://woodwarddreamcruise.com.
Dream Machines
By Ron Lundmark
ISBN: 978-1-45821-070-8
Available in softcover, hardcover, e-book
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Abbott Press
About the author
From Detroit, Michigan, Ron Lundmark grew up in the heyday of Woodward Avenue - America's first highway - in the 1960s, when there were drive-in restaurants to cruise and the biggest illegal drag strip in the world on which to race. He is a small business owner in Bay Village, Ohio.
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The Standard Process 21-day program combines whole food supplements with a whole food diet to cleanse the body

MOLINE, IL.  February 5, 2014–Daily exposure to toxins, including pollutants and diets high in processed foods, can ultimately disrupt the body's endocrine, immune, nervous and reproductive systems. To help patients purify their body, Healing Lotus Acupuncture, offers a 21-day purification program, developed by whole food supplement manufacturer Standard Process Inc. The program uses whole, organic and unprocessed food, along with whole food supplements to help cleanse the body.

Although the body rids itself of toxins naturally, eventually it can become overburdened. Purification, also known as detoxification, can help remove toxins. The Standard Process 21-Day Purification Program is designed to lighten the toxic load, improve digestion and help maintain a healthy weight.*

"It gave me so much more energy, it helped me feel well . . . it kind of opened my eyes to how unhealthy I'd been eating," says Janet, patient of Healing Lotus Acupuncture.  "I think I lost a total of 12 lbs., and I'm thrilled with the results!  I would highly recommend it!"

 

Join us on March 3rd at 6pm, when Healing Lotus Acupuncture will be having a free special program, A New Healthy You, to introduce the 21-day purification process and explain in further detail the benefits of purification. To get started on your journey to optimal health and a New Healthy You, visit www.healinglotus.co or call Scott at (309) 764.4753 and register for this special event.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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About Healing Lotus Acupuncture

Scott Stewart, LAc., Dipl., is a graduate of National University of Health Sciences and has been serving the Quad Cities area for the last 2 years. The clinic is located at 4300 - 12th Avenue in Moline.  Scott is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist, who also studied and did research in South East Asia for 2 years.  His goal is to educate his patients so they can have a higher quality of life, with less pain and suffering.  For additional information about Healing Lotus Acupuncture, or to schedule your appointment, call (309) 764.4753 or visit www.healinglotus.co.

 

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Congratulations to the following students who have made the Rivermont Collegiate 2nd Quarter Honor Roll!

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

High Honors (All grades B+ or higher or B or higher for courses designated as Upper School level)

Asha Alla

Elizabeth Decker

Clayton Douglas

Faith Douglas

Jessica Elliott

Aislinn Geedey

Jacob Hansen

Mary Aisling McDowell

Elizabeth Paxton

Jozef Porubcin

Grace Sampson

Anna Senjem

Jack Westphal

 

Honors (All grades B- or higher or C+ or higher for courses designated as Upper School level)

Christopher Cumberbatch

Evan Didelot

Giavanna Eckhardt

Kenton Fee

Chirag Gowda

Jonathon Kokoruda

Allyson Lewis

Dwira Nandini

Lauren Schroeder

Genevieve Strasser

Nikhil Wagher

 

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

Headmaster's List (GPA 3.85-4.00)

Adam Dada

Jennah Davison

Anastasia Eganova

Maram El-Geneidy

Tejasvi Kotte

Summer Lawrence

Amanda McVey

Benjamin Nordick

Manasa Pagadala

Emilia Porubcin

Michal Porubcin

Shravya Pothula

Suhas Seshadri

Alexander Skillin

Loring Telleen

 

Distinction (GPA 3.50-3.84)

Christian Elliott

Shivani Ganesh

Ryan Howell

Victoria Mbakwe

Grace Moran

Thomas Rodgers

MingSui Tang

Pavel Yashurkin

Merit (GPA 3.00-3.49)

Hema Chimpidi

Aditya Gohain

Nathan McVey

Hayley Moran
5 Tips for Ensuring Desirable Lifestyle from
Exxon Manager-Turned-Life Coach

With reports of the unemployment rate dropping to 7 percent, lower than it was even five years ago and down from a peak of 10 percent in October 2009, many are breathing a sigh of relief. But the effects of a long bout of high unemployment are sure to have thrown off the balance of employee well-being, says former Exxon executive Bob Epperly.

"Of course, the rate does not take into account those who are underemployed, including over-skilled workers in menial jobs and those with too few hours. For those lucky enough to have decent employment, many feel insecure and are willing to skew their work-life balance into a tailspin, with exaggerated emphasis on their career," says Epperly, a CEO who realized at age 55 that even a very successful career cannot fulfill every aspect of life.

"Most people cannot afford to simply refuse the demands of their job, so what's a worker to do?"

Epperly, author of "Growing Up After Fifty: From Exxon Executive to Spiritual Seeker," (www.bobepperly.com), offers tips for correcting lifestyle imbalance.

• It's never enough. Ambition is admirable, but if it's all that drives you, no matter how much you accomplish, it will never be enough. If professional ambition is more important to you than anything else in your life, that's a red flag that your life is dangerously unbalanced. The consequences will be painful feelings of emptiness, lack of fulfillment, and having missed out. Take steps now to restore balance, beginning with personal, non-work relationships.

• No one ever says, at the end of their life, that they should have worked longer and spent less time with family. When it's all said and done, life is short, and many realize that time is life's most precious resource. Intense focus on work tends to deprive professionals of opportunities with their loved ones - moments and memories that cannot be replaced. Set goals for how much time you'll spend giving your family 100 percent of your attention each day and week, and stick to them!

• Make communication a top priority! The importance and value of real communication cannot be overemphasized. "More important than speaking is listening," Epperly says. "My relationships immediately improved when I began listening very carefully to what was being said."

• Only you are responsible for your life. The Serenity Prayer goes a long way in work-life balance; it reads: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Epperly says that recognizing he is responsible for his life and focusing on the aspects of it over which he has influence while recognizing those he needs to let go has been pivotal.

• Accept who you are. This can be challenging; it demands courageous self-reflection and letting go of the need for external approval. "When a friend asked me, 'Do you think the world is ready to accept Bob Epperly just as he is?' I suddenly saw that I had always felt I had to accommodate; that I wasn't okay as I am," he says. "I started to give myself permission to be me."

About Bob Epperly

Bob Epperly worked in management at Exxon Research and Engineering Co. for more than 20 years, finally becoming a general manager, and later was a senior executive in two startup companies. Having spent much of his professional life creating win-win environments for employees and employers and co-authoring a book entitled, "Interactive Career Development: Integrating Employer and Employee Goals", he now coaches people who seek life-transforming career change. During the last quarter century, he has made spiritual self-realization and psychological integration his top priorities. Epperly and his wife, Sarah, live in Mountain View, Calif., and have three grown children and four grandchildren.

Heeding some cold weather cautions can keep pets safe during storms Maximus and Nika

New York, N.Y.–In anticipation of multiple winter storms hitting the central and eastern U.S. this week, the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) urges pet owners to take measures to keep their families and pets safe. Winter storm Maximus has already affected 30 states, many of which will also be affected by Nika later this week.

"With such heavy amounts of snow, it's important to bring your pets inside and know what dangers your pets face in these extreme conditions," said Dr. Dick Green, senior director of Disaster Response for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. "Winter storms create risks for both humans and pets alike."

The ASPCA urges pet owners to develop an emergency plan that accounts for the safety of their animals, to stay up to date on community storm warnings, and to check with their local Office of Emergency Management for important information.

The following tips will help pet owners prepare for winter storms:

  • If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pet. Never leave your pet outside during a snowstorm for longer than you would want to be out there with them.
  • Don't let your dog off leash after heavy snowfall, as they can easily become lost.
  • Clean off your dog's paws and belly with a moist washcloth after going outside. Snow-melting salt can be very painful to dogs' feet and can make them ill if ingested. Clumps of snow can accumulate between toes and cause pain as well. Dog boots and salves can be purchased to protect sensitive dog paws.
  • Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification. The ASPCA recommends micro-chipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification.
  • During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep underneath cars for shelter. Bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give any resting cats a chance to escape.
  • If you lose power, be sure candles aren't in a location where your pet can knock them over.

To prevent your pet from going stir-crazy during this week's storms, try these tips:

  • Give your pet a puzzle toy stuffed with food, such as a kong.
  • If pets get all their toys at once, they'll get bored. Keep toys in rotation throughout the week so they feel new again.
  • Provide a perch where your cat can watch the action outside.
  • Hiding treats around the house can keep pets active and engaged. Keep in mind that any additional treats should be factored into their daily diet.
  • Going up and down stairs is a great way to help your dog exercise indoors, but be careful to avoid injury.

For more information on disaster preparedness and cold weather pet safety tips from the ASPCA, please visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness.

The Scott County Sheriff's Office would like to introduce a new procedure for applying for weapon permits. Effective February 5th, 2014, Weapon Permits may be ordered online and now have the option to pay using a credit or debit card.

Prior to the new system, Scott County Residents applied in person using paper applications during business hours for weapon permits. The online system allows applicants to apply online 24 hours a day / 7 days a week and from the convenience of your home. There is a $4.00 convenience fee for applying online plus any credit or debit card fees that may apply.

For those citizens who may not have access to an Internet connected device, you may apply in person at the Scott County Sheriff's Office inside the Scott County Courthouse where we will place a kiosk for weapon permit applications. Paper applications will no longer be accepted.

All orders require a valid e-mail address or phone number to communicate the status of your order. You will be notified via e-mail and/or phone whether your application has been approved, denied, or require additional information. Once approved applicants are required to appear in person to the Sheriff's Office to show your valid I.D. and training documentation.

There will be a press conference on Wednesday February 5th, 2014, at 10:00 am in the Sheriff's Office Pavilion Conference Room to demonstrate the online application system.

More information may be found on our webiste after Wednesday February 5th, 2014 at
http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/sheriff/weapon_permits.php.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on a new report from the Congressional Budget Office showing that the new health care will damage economic growth.  The report is available here.

"You can read dozens of analyses of the health care law, and some are clearly biased.  The Congressional Budget Office is the independent authority turned to by Congress.  According to CBO, the law will hurt economic growth, cause the loss of 2.5 million jobs, and add $1 trillion to the deficit.  No doubt, too many people lacked health insurance before Obamacare and needed help.  But Obamacare upends a big part of the economy while trying to achieve its goals.  Congress and the President should abandon Obamacare.  We ought to help the uninsured without disrupting jobs and adding debt."

Visit every floor, peek into closed rooms, and satisfy curiosity through this all-access pass to the Brucemore Mansion during the Nooks and Crannies Tour - March 6 and 20 at 6:00 p.m. Marvel at the Skinner pipe organ room, discover the architectural oddities in the attic, and experience the sight and sound of a "rain storm" in the basement Tahitian Room. Examine the superior craftsmanship and learn about ongoing preservation work. The tour is not recommended for children under ten or individuals who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Admission is $15 per person and $12 per Brucemore. Space is limited; purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org or by calling (319) 362-7375.

The Nooks and Crannies Tour is part of Brucemore's Thursday Night Lineup. Every Thursday night Brucemore will feature a different specialty tour focusing on topics for all interests, including arts and culture, Midwestern industry, gardening, landscape design, architecture, preservation, behind-the-scenes at Brucemore, and growing up in the early twentieth century. For more information on the Thursday Night Lineup or other upcoming tours, visit www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375.

About Brucemore

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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JOIN OUR WEBCAST

Think a zero-trans-fats label means there are no trans fats in your food? Think again. Your food can have up to 0.5 grams of trans fats per serving and still boast it's trans-fat-free.

With all of the chatter and uncertainty around trans fats, we think the subject warrants a little more exploration, so we created the Trans Fats: Moving Off the Menu webcast with a powerhouse of food experts to cut through the confusion and find out what's really important when it comes to trans fats. Whether you are a professional working in the food industry or a concerned consumer, our webcast will give you straight talk on the subject and answer questions like:

  • What are trans fats and why were they developed in the first place?
  • What is the difference between naturally occurring trans fats and man-made trans fats?
  • If I grew up my whole life eating trans fats, am I in trouble?
  • What are some common foods that contain trans fats that may surprise me?
  • Besides looking for trans fats on the nutrition label, what are the hidden names for trans fats so I can look for them in the ingredient list?
  • What are good substitutes for trans fats?
  • What's going on with the FDA's proposed rule against trans fats, and how will this affect the food I eat?

Join us Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 2-3 p.m. Central (3-4 p.m. Eastern) for some straight talk on the subject.

PELLA, (02/04/2014)(readMedia)--  Central College freshman Emma Simmons, native of Davenport, competed in the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Lincoln, Neb. the week of Jan. 20. KCACTF is an annual festival dedicated to celebrate and improve the quality of collegiate theatre, while providing professional opportunities. The Region V festival drew 1,525 students from 81 colleges and universities.

Simmons was one of 316 nominees for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. The scholarship provides recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers who wish to pursue further education.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

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