11 Oct 2013

RIVER CLEANUP CRUSADER IN FINAL 10 FOR "CNN HERO OF THE YEAR"

By Rick Martin

East Moline, IL/October 10, 2013 - Chad Pregracke, President & Founder of Living Lands & Waters, a Quad City-based not-for-profit, organization dedicated to cleaning up the Mississippi River, has been named to the final 10 for CNN's Hero of the Year.

The contest is sponsored by CNN and designed to support and recognize people and organizations who put themselves before others. To view the contestants, and vote for Pregracke, visit,  www.CNNHeroes.com, click "vote now". You can vote via email and/or through Facebook. Voting is limited to once a day per person and closes Sunday, November 17th at 11:59pm PST.

"This is a real honor to be one of the finalists for this reward, however I know this organization would not be what it is without the media's support.  Without their help in getting the message out about what people can do to clean their own rivers and streams, we wouldn't be able to make the progress we have.  This effort literally takes thousands of volunteers and the media has helped us rally those volunteers and have made a real difference," expresses Pregracke.

Each of the Top 10 CNN Heroes will receive a $50,000 grant.  One of the honorees, as voted by fans around the globe, will be named the CNN Hero of the Year and will receive an additional $250,000 grant to further aid their cause. Voting for the 2013 honorees can be done at www.CNNHeroes.com. Voters will also be able to view the honorees' profiles on the site.

For the latest information about the Top 10 CNN Heroes, viewers and online users are encouraged to visit CNN Heroes on Facebook, follow @CNNHeroes on Twitter and use the hashtag #CNNHeroes.

About Chad Pregracke

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats. LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a-River-Mile programs and the Million Trees Project.

 

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11 Oct 2013

Government Accountability Office Report Analyzes Regulations for Eligibility in Federal Farm Program

By Grassley Press

This week I released a report by the Government Accountability Office.  I asked for this analysis of what are known as "actively engaged" regulations for eligibility in the federal farm program.

The report clearly shows that some people are exploiting the farm program for personal gain.  This hurts the case for keeping a safety net to ensure a safe and affordable food supply.

The findings of the report are important as the House and Senate look to hammer out a deal on the farm bill which expired on October 1st.  In fact, after I released the report, members of Congress representing Southern agriculture were quick to say that they planned to pull out the common sense farm payment reforms that are included in both the House and Senate bills.  That's bad news for people who want to maintain a safety net for farmers who need it most.

The legislative language in the pending farm bill that I authored substantially limits farm program payments and makes it easier for the Farm Service Agency to enforce eligibility rules.

It's the kind of reform that should strengthen support for the farm program by keeping the program focused and working as intended.

I'm fighting for reforms and pressing the conference committee to keep their hands off these common sense provisions.

Click here to see video.

11 Oct 2013

Iowa Farmers Talk GMO

By Iowa Farm Bureau

Hundreds of protestors, many who've never been on an Iowa farm, are heading to our state next week to protest progress in farming.  They don't believe in genetically modified crops and no amount of peer-reviewed science or speeches from Nobel laureates will convince them otherwise.  Just as they have the right to voice their opinions and be heard, the Iowa men and women who spend years in the field growing your food also hope you will hear their stories, and let common sense prevail.

That's because for decades, these thousands of Iowa farmers have seen what progress in farming can do.

Paul Vaassen has been growing corn and beans on his Dubuque county farm since 1962.  Although he'll proudly admit being 'old fashioned,' he says there are some things that nostalgia can't cure, like hunger.

"I don't 'think there's any doubt in my mind that the genetic improvements that seed companies have developed have given us the opportunity to see greater yields, despite what Mother Nature can dish out.  We can't forget that feeding people is really what this is all about.  Last year, for example, we were very dry and even though yields were not up to what we considered 'normal', they were much better than, say, 10 to 15 years ago when we had the same drought conditions, but didn't have these great seeds that were more resistant to drought or pests.

Years ago we used planters with seeds in one box and insecticide in another, which meant we were using a lot more insecticide.  I'm happy that old planter sits idle on my farm now, because our GMO seeds help us defeat pests like rootworm and corn borer," says Vassen.

Roger Zylstra...a longtime corn, soybeans and hog farmer from Jasper County, has seen a lot of changes, too.  If he can be more productive and more sustainable, he can also keep farming in the family, and that's why he favors GMO crops.  "The reality is we're trying to build and grow for the future. My youngest son just came back full time to the farm.   I work hard to build a sustainable farm for his return and only innovation helps us do that."

Innovation has brought incredible progress to Iowa farms.  Between 1980 and 2010, U.S. farmers nearly doubled corn production, yet thanks to better seeds, better equipment and conservation practices, are using less fertilizer than they put on the ground, back with Zylstra and Vassen first got started farming all those years ago.  According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), farmers grew 6.64 billion bushels of corn using 3.9 pounds of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) for each bushel in 1980.  Just a couple years ago, that yield busted the bins at 12.45 billion bushels, using 1.6 pounds of nutrients per bushel produced.   I'm no math genius, but by any assessment, that's more than an 87 percent increase.  How many other industries can claim that?

When you look at the science, the numbers, the sustainability that GM crops bring and meet the men and women who grow your food, it's hard to swallow the hysteria that the 'anti' crowd is selling.  Young farmers just getting started believe it's the 'disconnect' that folks may have today with farmers; they just haven't met one.  Colin Johnson is a young family farmer from Wapello county who grows corn, soybeans and hay.  He says the farmers growing food today have more in common with folks asking the questions than many realize.  Knowledge-seeking is a good thing, so long as both sides are sought out.  "Of course GMO is safe.  Of course it's all about feeding more people, but the bottom line for me is that as a family farmer with young kids, I'm not going to put anything in the ground that's not safe for us, or our environment.   We're eating this food, too," says Johnson.

Progress has brought us safer cars, cell phone coverage in the country, the internet, and countless improvements in the fields of health care and fitness.  Progress has also brought consumers more choices at the grocery store and that includes healthier choices from GMO food: fortified with calcium, vitamin A, and other vitamins and minerals.  Providing choices is what keeps farmers moving forward. "The farming practices we've used, the no-till and everything, it's a great advance from where we were. I have no doubt we will continue to move forward. That's what we do," says Zylstra.

11 Oct 2013

Governor Quinn Congratulates Illinois' 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools

By Rick Martin

21 Public and Private Illinois Schools Awarded Top Educational Honor

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today congratulated all of Illinois' 21 nationally recognized 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools while at Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary School in Chicago. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to give every child the opportunity for a high-quality education.

"It is my distinct privilege to congratulate our state's Blue Ribbon Schools and to celebrate with the students at Queen of Angels," Governor Quinn said. "This award is a top honor for our high performing schools and is a direct reflection of our hard-working teachers and principals. We are proud of every Blue Ribbon School across Illinois."

Every year the United States Department of Education selects public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students' academic achievement. This year, 12 public and nine private Illinois schools were chosen for the educational honor.

"The students and staff at these schools work hard to show high performance and improvement and should be proud of this honor," State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch said. "They are among a select few that have been singled out for the award and their communities should be proud of what they are achieving."

Illinois' 21 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2013 include :

•           Frazier International Magnet School, Chicago

•           Greenbriar Elementary School, Northbrook

•           Lincoln Elementary School, Morton

•           Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School, Chicago

•           Northside Catholic Academy, Chicago

•           Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, Chicago

•           Prairie Crossing Charter School, Grayslake

•           Queen of Angels School, Chicago

•           Roslyn Road Elementary School, Barrington

•           Saint Joan of Arc School, Chicago

•           Saint Andrew School, Chicago

•           Saint Francis Xavier School, Chicago

•           Saint Michael School, Chicago

•           Saint Norbert School, Chicago

•           Saint Peter Lutheran School, Arlington Heights

•           Sandburg Middle School, Elmhurst

•           Scott Elementary School, Mascoutah

•           The Skokie School, Winnetka

•           Twin Groves Middle School, Kildeer Countryside

•           United North Elementary School, Alexis

•           Wescott Elementary School, Northbrook

Queen of Angels is one of only 50 private schools in the nation to earn a National Blue Ribbon for 2013. To earn the award, Queen of Angels students placed in the top 15% in the nation in both math and reading standardized tests in 2013.

On September 24, United States Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the 286 award-winning schools will be honored at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 18-19 in Washington, D.C. In its 31-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized nearly 7,500 of America's schools.

Governor Quinn has been leading a strong education agenda to build a brighter future for all Illinois students. In 2011 the Governor signed landmark education reform laws that gained national attention. These reforms have improved school report cards, so that parents are empowered with more information about the schools that educate their kids and also set clear benchmarks for teacher evaluation and put performance above tenure. In August, he enacted a new law that lowers the compulsory school age for students in Illinois in order to ensure all children have the opportunity to build a solid foundation for academic achievement and to help combat truancy.

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11 Oct 2013

Iowa Supreme Court Opinions October 11, 2013

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. 12-1515

JOSHUA N. THOMAS vs. OFFICERS TIM GAVIN, CHUCK TYGART, JESS BERNHARD, and ADAM OLSON; DEPUTY SHERIFF LUKE HRUBY; RESERVE DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSHUA GERSTEN; the CITY OF NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA; and JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA

No. 13-0480

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. BRIAN JESSE NELSON
11 Oct 2013

Craft & Vendor Fair

By Janine Parr

When:  Sunday October 20, 2013

Time:  9:30am - 2:00pm

Where:  Farrell Hall, 2901 - 24th Street, Rock Island

Over 50 crafters of homemade items and vendors of home-based companies. Lunch and bake sale- join us for the day!

11 Oct 2013

Edgar Allen Poe Works on Stage Monday at Rock Island Library

By Lisa Lockheart

Words of Edgar Allen Poe on Stage at Rock Island Library on Monday

E. A. POE: Edgar Allan Poe's Imagination: Monday, Oct. 14, 6:00 pm, Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street. Free and Open to the Public

Rock Island, IL: Actor Dan Haughey (pronounced Hoi) will bring the words of Edgar Allen Poe to life in EA. POE: Edgar Allan Poe's Imagination! a one-man show on the work of Edgar Allen Poe, at 6:00 pm on Monday, October 14, at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

Dan Haughey becomes a modern literary critic for a prominent newspaper as he interprets excerpts from some of Poe's most entertaining and creative works. In this 45-minute drama some of Poe's greatest poems, short stories, and satires will be presented. Haughey both performs and critiques Poe's work in the guise of a skeptical critic. Works will include The Raven, Annabel Lee, The Bells, and The TellTale Heart.

The event is free and open to the public.

11 Oct 2013

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Tips

By Larry Whiteley

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.?Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Tips presents free, seasonal how-to tips from professional fishing and hunting experts.  Each weekly tip offers practical advice to improve your skills.

Tips offered for November include :
· The best position to spot big bucks isn't always where you'd think.  Get expert advice from RedHead© Pro Hunting team member, Bob Foulkrod.
· The little things count when hunting ducks.  Larry Whiteley, host of the award-winning Outdoor World Radio show, offers tips on how to take home the limit.
· The pros and cons of hunting deer in the rain are explained by Jerry Martin, member of the RedHead© Pro Hunting team.
· Hitting the mark of a moving target takes practice and dedication.  RedHead© Pro Hunting team member Allen Treadwell shares his practice tips.
· Food for thought.  When hunting for food, a doe can be a tasty choice.  Angie Ryan, RedHead© Pro Hunting team member, contributes her knowledge of why a doe may be a better option.

See the attached document for all of this month's tips or visit http://www.basspro.com and click on New & Tips.

11 Oct 2013

Happy Joe's Kids Foundation Luncheon

By Kristel Whitty-Ersan

Happy Joe's is not only known for its pizza, but for the good work they do in their communities. The company has a stellar reputation for giving back and Happy Joe Whitty has dedicated the company to many causes, mainly those that involve children with special needs.

On November 13th Happy Joe's will host the Second Annual Ladies Precious Luncheon at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. Doors open at 10:30am for our shopping boutique. We have several unique vendors lined up so you can start your holiday shopping early. Miss Iowa, Nicole Kelly, will emcee the event, and our keynote speaker is Brock Davis. Brock is 23 years old a senior at the University of Wisconsin majoring in Media Arts and Game Design. Brock has Cerebral Palsy and is confined to a wheelchair for mobility and uses an augmentative device to communicate. Come and hear Brock share his positive outlook on life and his commitment to making a difference! Individual tickets are $45, corporate tables of 8 are $400, and proceeds will benefit the Happy Joe's Kids Foundation.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Happy Joe's Support Center 563-332-8811. You can also register online www.happyjoeskids.org and click on the events tab.

If you would like more information, please contact Kristel Whitty-Ersan at 563.332.8811, Ext. 203, or via e-mail at kristele@happyjoes.com.

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11 Oct 2013

Quad Cities Interfaith October Newsletter

By QC Interfaith

Welcome to Quad Cities Interfaith Newsletter

October 2013

Register now for .... "Fire of Faith!"

QC Interfaith's 5th Annual Individual Donor Fundraising Breakfast
Thursday, November 7th, 2013, 7:30 am - 8:30 am

(Registration begins at 7:00am)
Rogalski Center at Saint Ambrose University
518 W. Locust Street, Davenport, Iowa

Reservations are required. RSVP : 563-322-4910

This one hour event will showcase our work as people of faith who
are transforming our community and establishing justice. There is no cost to attend the breakfast. Guests will be asked to make a charitable gift to support Quad Cities Interfaith's mission. It is through community support that QCI is able to build local leadership and create systemic change.

There are other ways to support QCI- place an ad in our Ad Book for our Breakfast
Breakfast Sponsor

(Includes Ad, Sponsor Sign at event)              $500.00

Full Page Ad (Includes 2 tickets)                     $350.00
Half page Ad (Includes 2 tickets)                     $200.00
Business Card Ad (Includes 1 ticket)              $100.00

Leadership Actions and Events

Transportation and Jobs Equity


QCI leaders joined Gamaliel of Illinois to meet with Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider in September. Our leaders successfully achieved the placement of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP)  at Black Hawk  College. HCCTP is a training program designed to place more minorities and women in the construction trades. The HCCTP class begins in 2014.  

The next meeting of the Transportation Equity/100 Ready Workers Project will be Wednesday, October 23rd at 10:00 am at Martin Luther King Center - 630 7th Avenue Rock Island, IL  61201.


We continue to develop the 100 Ready Workers project, and have developed a survey tool to assess what skills potential participants may have an may need to work on. We are working with community groups and congregations to create a pipeline of workers who want to prepare themselves for jobs in construction and other fields.

Reverend Michael Swartz, Ann Schneider, Illinois Secretary of Transportation, QCI Director Leslie Kilgannon and Jobs Equity Task Force Leader George Barajas.

Immigration

Gamaliel leaders gathered October 8th in Washington, DC as part of a Day of Action of community activists and faith leaders to call on Congress to move the House Immigration reform bill to a vote. QCI is organizing local meetings with our Congressional delegation this fall to discuss their support for the House Immigration bill and call on our Members to keep immigration reform moving forward.

Health Equity

The Task Force continues to work with the local health systems to ensure equitable access to medical translation services for those whose first language is not English. Task Force members is in dialogue with Genesis and Trinity Health Systems. By working together, our community is removing barriers to access to professional medical translations services for those in our community.

Rekindling Our Congregations (ROC) Listening Campaigns Have Begun

This Fall, four local congregations - Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Anthony's Church, All Saints Lutheran and St. Mary's Church, Davenport, are engaging in the Rekindling Our Congregations (ROC) Listening Campaign within their congregations. A listening campaign is a campaign of intentional, deep listening to the members of a congregation, to develop relationships and to strengthen congregations.

That deep listening is being done by a team of congregation members who conduct one to ones with their fellow members. A one to one is a natural, but uncommon conversation with someone you want to know better, to learn about their values, life and motivations. It's a relationship building tool for congregations . When we are relationship with one another, that is when we can see our values exercised in the world.

When the ROC listening campaigns are finished, the congregations will debrief about what they have learned, and then work on a plan to engage leaders in ministries and to reach out to deepen their engagement in the community. Rekindling the Fire of Faith!!!!!

For more information about the ROC campaign, call Leslie at 563.322.4910.

QCI Director training leaders at St. Mary's Church, Davenport in the One to One as part of the ROC Listening Cmapaign.

QCI holds Trivia Nite Fundraiser

The competition was fierce, but friendly, at September's trivia night fundraiser. Watch this space for our next trivia night fundraisers in January and March 2014. Thanks to all who came out and supported QCI!!!!

Community Events

Saturday, October 12th . Poverty Simulation Experience. 9:30am-12:30pm. Just Faith, MLK Center, Churches United and U of I Extension. At the St. Pius X Catholic Church - Farrell Hall - 2502 29th Avenue, Rock Island, IL. For registration 309-738-0002.


Sundays - October 27, November 24, 2013 & January 5, January 26, February 23, March 30, April 27, and May 25,2014. Music Session at 4:30 p.m. Vespers at 5:00 p.m.


Celtic Music Session And Celtic Vespers
at Gloria Dei Presbyterian Church, 4200 -12th St., Rock Island
309-788-8986


Music sessions is a time for musicians of all instruments and styles to come together for sharing and learning Celtic tunes. Musicians are invited to share some of the tunes during the vespers. Music for the vespers will be available in advance.

Saturday, November 2 Dia De Los Muertos - Free Family Fiesta Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Casa Quad Cities and Figge Museum.

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos at the Figge! Families will enjoy making a variety of projects including skeleton masks, clay figures, and learn to make and decorate traditional sugar skulls. Special snacks, music, story time and a film will also be on the schedule along with gallery activities. Ballet Folklorico will cap off the scheduled activities with their performance of traditional dance in the Grand Lobby.

9 a.m. Saturday, November 2 Día de los Muertos 5K Race/Walk

A partnership between Casa Quad Cities and the Figge Art Museum

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos and Halloween by dressing up for this family-friendly run/walk on the Davenport Riverwalk (Ripley St. at Biederbeck Dr.). To register visit www.casaqc.org.

QCI is On the Move - Really! Office Relocation!!

The QCI office has relocated to the Priester Building - 601 Brady Street Suite 208 in Davenport. Just three blocks up on Brady Street from the old office - more office space and still close to downtown IL and Davenport!

We do have a few needs - we are in need of a bookcase to replace the built in we had to leave behind, and a medium sized meeting table - round or rectangular . Please call the QCI office at 563.322.4910 if you'd like to help. Also would appreciate anyone who is especially good at hanging pictures.

Drop by for visit!

QCI Leadership Assembly meets Tuesday, November 12th at 6:30 pm at St. Mary's Church at 516 Fillmore Street in Davenport.

About the Quad Cities Interfaith Newsletter

We hope you are enjoying our newsletter. QCI welcomes information about justice,and faith-based activities to post to our newsletter. We reserve the right to edit for space and content. If you like this, please forward to your friends. QCI is a 501c3 and donations to QCI are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Visit our website for more information and to donate!

601 Brady Street Suite 208 Davenport Iowa 52803 qcinterfaith@gmail.com - 563.322.4910

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