SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement regarding the Illinois Senate Executive Committee's passage of House Bill 183, an alternative proposal that would keep local public safety ordinances across Illinois, such as Chicago's assault weapons ban, on the books:

"Senator Kwame Raoul's legislation provides a reasonable framework that would protect critical gun safety ordinances across Illinois.

"This bill would place reasonable limits and restrictions on guns in Illinois while protecting the important principle of home rule. We must ensure that Illinois municipalities can continue to take additional steps to ensure public safety for their residents.

"I thank Senator Raoul and Senate President John Cullerton for their hard work and commitment to public safety. I will continue working with them to pass this common-sense legislation."

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PORT BYRON, Ill. – Reaffirming his commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of local residents and fighting overly restrictive legislation out of Chicago, state Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) is hosting two concealed carry permit classes on Sunday, June 2 at the Cordova Civic Center located at 910 3rd
Avenue S. in Cordova, with the first class from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the second class from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

"As the legislature drags its feet on passing strong concealed carry legislation that respects the rights of gun owners, residents can get a head start on applying for a carry permit that is valid in every state that borders Illinois," Smiddy said. "Chicago gun-grabbers are losing the fight on concealed and carry, so they're trying another gun restriction by banning certain firearm magazines -- we won't let them. They will continue trying to take away the guns of law-abiding citizens and I will continue fighting them tooth and nail."

These classes are taught by SAFE Gun Permits, LLC, who will take the necessary photographs, fingerprint
students, and mail the student applications after the course is completed. Students will be eligible for a concealed carry license through the State of Utah. The Utah license is recognized in Utah and 30 other
states, including every state that borders Illinois.

Smiddy is a vocal gun rights advocate and a sponsor of concealed carry legislation that respects gun owners' rights, Senate Bill 2193, which passed the House overwhelmingly. Smiddy is opposing a new highly restrictive measure introduced in the Illinois Senate that would prevent many law-abiding gun owners from carrying in public and create burdensome, extensive gun-free zones throughout the state.

"I am opposing all proposed concealed carry legislation that makes it difficult for gun owners to obtain a permit and legally carry," said Smiddy. "This new Senate plan creates a patchwork of localized concealed carry laws so confusing that it would be impossible for gun owners to obtain a permit and legally carry as they travel throughout the state. Illinois and its law-abiding citizens do not want a watered-down, ineffective bill passed in Springfield."

The fee for the concealed carry permit classes is $100 plus a $51 processing fee to the State of Utah.

Residents can sign up online at www.safegunpermits.com/classes. For more information, contact Smiddy's office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll free at (855) 243-4988.

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SEWARD, NEB. (05/28/2013)(readMedia)-- More than 450 undergraduate and graduate degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded at Concordia University, Nebraska during its 2013 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11.

Commencement speaker Dr. Douglas Tewes used Concordia's theme Bible verse for 2012-13 -- "You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of His household." - to explain a Christian's obligation to serve.

"I think that as citizens of God's kingdom, we have responsibility in our citizenship here in America," Tewes said. In addition to delivering the commencement address, Tewes also received the honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Concordia.

Undergraduates earning degrees from Concordia were eligible for distinction or high distinction honors. Up to 10 percent of those who earned, at minimum, a 3.75 GPA were designated as graduating with high distinction. An additional 15 percent of those who earned degrees with a minimum 3.5 GPA were graduated with distinction. Departmental awards were also announced.

The following are Concordia University, Nebraska graduates from your area:

Caleb Davison, Davenport, Iowa, Bachelor of Arts;

Lee Johanson, Davenport, Iowa, Bachelor of Arts;

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Neb. Concordia currently has over 2,200 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership. For more information, visit www.cune.edu.

WALCOTT, IOWA - Iowa 80 Truckstop has been nominated by the Quad Cities Convention and Visitor's Bureau as the 8th Wonder of the World in Virtual Tourist's current online contest..

Voting is open until September 30th.

Entries have been received from all over the world.  Anyone can vote. Voters can help put the Quad Cities on the map by voting for Iowa 80 Truckstop at http://www.virtualtourist.com/8thwonder.

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Now heading into its 18th year in 2013,  Rock Camp USA is one of the country's top summer music camps, offering participants a once in a lifetime experience.  Rock Camp USA was founded in 1995 by renowned Austin, TX guitarist Dave Sebree, who also founded the Austin School of Music the same year.  Each camp is two weeks long and culminates with our young rockers giving a live performance, in a professional live music venue - such as the Redstone Room at the River Music Experience (RME) right here in the Quad Cities.  2013 marks RME's 8th year as a national affiliate of Rock Camp USA.  

Rock Camp USA in the Quad Cities is sponsored by Mediacom/OnMedia, West Music Company, and HAVlife Foundation, and is produced by the River Music Experience (RME).

The Rock Camp USA experience goes far beyond just learning how to play a few rock songs with friends and other players, but delivers life lessons about working with others towards a common goal of creating, rehearsing and performing music as an artistic unit.  Students rehearse for two weeks, record their dress
rehearsal, and then perform live to a full house in the Redstone Room for family, friends and fans.  The icing on the cake is when they receive a professionally-edited DVD of the show from Mediacom, as well as when the concerts air on Mediacom Connections Channel 22!

Rock Camp USA activities include :

Forming a band - picking your own material - rehearsing like pros - option to write your own original songs

- refining your skills - taking home a CD recording of your dress rehearsal and a DVD of your final concert
performance - improving teamwork abilities - working with seasoned area musicians and veteran Rock Campers - and performing live in a state-of-the-art venue.

Rock Camp USA franchises across the country have included: Austin, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Rio Grande Valley, TX, Davenport, IA, Chicago, IL,  New York, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY,  Miami, FL, and Hawaii.  

National sponsors include Fender, D'Addario, Sabian, Planet Waves, Vic Firth, PreSonus, and Evans Drumheads.  Fender Passport sound systems for Rock Camp USA rehearsals in the Quad Cities are provided by our friends at West Music Company.

This year you can register for Rock Camp USA - Quad Cities 2013 online at www.rivermusicexperience.org
...or visit the RME admissions desk for registration forms. Rock Camp USA - Quad Cities tuition is $425 per camper/per two-week session.  Deposit (applied towards tuition) is $200.00, with balance of $225.00 due thirty (30) days before session starts. Tuition is non-refundable without a medical excuse or family emergency.  Discounts are available for those attending multiple summer sessions, and for families with two or more campers participating in the same session.  Limited financial assistance is also available to those with a demonstrated need, courtesy of our friends at The Terry Lunardi Foundation, The HAVlife Foundation, The Moline Foundation, and also via the Karli Rose Kell Music Scholarship Fund at RME.  Submission of a separate financial assistance request form is required by those seeking assistance, and those forms are available online at www.rivermusicexperience.org and at the RME admissions desk.

For more information on Rock Camp USA in the Quad Cities, contact: Ellis Kell, Director of Rock Camp USA - Quad Cities,RME Director of Progr. & Community Outreach
RIVER MUSIC EXPERIENCE
129 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa  52801

Phone: (563) 326-1333, ext. 113  

Email: ellis@rockcampusa.com  Web Site: www.rivermusicexperience.org

The RME is a registered nonprofit helping build the Quad Cities music scene - through diverse live music and unique educational programming.


WASHINGTON, May 28, 2013 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service's Conservation Stewardship Program will provide about $175 million in funding for up to 12.6 million additional acres enrollment this year.

Although applications are accepted all year, farmers, ranchers and forestland owners interested in CSP should submit applications by June 14 to their local NRCS office to ensure they are considered for this year's funding. The deadline was extended from May 31.

The voluntary program allows producers to go the extra mile in conserving natural resources while also maintaining or increasing the productivity of their operations.

"CSP is different than our other financial assistance programs," said NRCS Acting Chief Jason Weller.  "It offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. It's about conservation activities on the entire operation, focusing on multiple resource concerns."

Playing a significant part in conserving and improving our nation's resources, producers enrolled an additional 12.1 million acres in CSP last year, bringing the total number of acres to more than 50 million.

Many of the CSP enhancements improve soil quality, which helps land become more resilient to extreme weather.

Several other improvements are available for producers, including intensive rotational grazing, intercropping and wildlife friendly fencing.

Because of the extreme weather in 2012, more interest and participation in the cover crop enhancements is expected this year, according to NRCS experts.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements and payment types.

For the checklist and additional information, visit the CSP website

(http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp/) or visit your local USDA NRCS office.

As part of CKE Restaurants' partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures for the release of "Man of Steel," Hardee's presents a super burger for super fans - the Super Bacon Cheeseburger.

Available now at all Hardee's locations, the epic new burger includes a charbroiled beef patty, American cheese, mayonnaise, tomato, onion, lettuce and a super serving of bacon, with six full bacon strips woven together into a crispy bacon nest.

The commercial for the Super Bacon Cheeseburger, titled "Potholes," features "Man of Steel" star Henry Cavill and was directed by the film's director, Zack Snyder. It highlights the unsung, everyday heroes in Superman's world, all of whom deserve a super-satisfying burger. Check out the ad, airing now, on Hardee's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVCJIEjQd6g

Amana - The Old Creamery Theatre welcomes back Keith Allynn, winner of the 2009 and 2010 Tribute Artist of the Year and the 2010 and 2011 Tribute Show of the Year. Direct from Branson Mo, Allynn will perform two great shows on The Old Creamery's Main Stage, Saturday July 6

In A Tribute to Neil Diamond, you'll experience the "Feel of Neil" in this non-stop show that tells Neil Diamond's life through his songs. You'll hear favorites from the 60's, 70's and 80's such as Cherry Cherry, Cracklin' Rosie, America, Solitary Man, Play Me, Song Sung Blue, Sweet Caroline and many more. Don't miss A Tribute to Neil Diamond on Saturday, July 6 p.m.

At 8 p.m, Allynn takes to the stage again for On the Road Again with Willie Nelson and Other Outlaws, where he will showcase not only Willie Nelson, but also Waylon Jennings, Joe Cocker, Roger Miller, Elvis and many others.

Tickets to each show are $25 per person or come to both shows for just $40 per person!

Call The Old Creamery box office at 800-35-AMANA (800-352-6262) online at www.oldcreamery.com

This special event is not included as part of any Season Ticket or Discount Ticket Package.

Coupons, gift certificates, complimentary tickets or $20 ticket vouchers will not be accepted to purchase tickets to this special event.

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit live, professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 42 years of bringing live professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

Rock Island, IL - The Rock Island Arsenal Welcome Club has awarded a $500 grant to help Christian Care publicize information about those veterans who reside at Christian Care's rescue mission, the various benefits Christian Care provides them, and news and events that pertain to veterans.

"Christian Care is grateful to the Rock Island Arsenal Welcome Club for supporting those veterans we serve on a daily basis," said Dr. Elaine Winter, Christian Care's executive director. "On any given day, up to 35% of the men residing at our rescue mission are veterans. This grant will help us disseminate information about these exceptional individuals who deserve our attention, and help those veterans in need."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. It serves homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illnesses.

Christian Care's community meal site is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays Monday through Friday, and for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m.

If you know of someone in need, call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at christiancareqc.org.

Davenport, Iowa (May 28, 2013) - Beginning at noon on Thursday, May 30 the plaza in front of the Figge Art Museum will be transformed into a green space, Astroturf and all,  for Project Greenspace: Street Art on the Plaza. This is a family-friendly free event for the public.

Aerosol artists Kevin Lonergan II and Gary White, who both have ties to the Quad Cities, will demonstrate their art form by creating a large mural using spray paint. Spectators will get to witness their creation while also having the chance to try their hand at "controlling the can" as the artists provide helpful tips.

"I jumped at the chance to showcase my talent at the Figge, I can't wait to show people how to get down with a rattle can," said Lonergan.

At 5 pm the party on the plaza begins. There will be live music by the band Fire Sale, food for purchase from the Figge grill as well as sides, cold beer, water, soda and wine. The evening will end with a projection of artwork projected ON the Figge by WIU art professor Bruce Walters.

The final version of the mural will be on display at the Figge beginning June 4th.

About the 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.

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