One Small Donation Provides Flowers for a Year

Christian Care, in cooperation with Colman Florists and Greenhouses, is offering a unique fundraising opportunity. For a one-time donation of only $20, you will receive a seasonal bouquet of flowers each month for a year and half the proceeds will go to Christian Care to provide shelter and services for the homeless and survivors of domestic violence in our community. This outstanding value means that you will have the opportunity to brighten up your home or office with flowers while you brighten up the lives of others?all year long. This opportunity only lasts from October 1 to November 30, so please act quickly.

Every month has its own theme. For example, February's bouquet is Love Bunch, July offers the Sizzling Summer Bouquet and November features the Harvest Bouquet. Each bouquet is sure to bring color, fragrance and beauty to even the darkest day. Becoming a part of this select group allows you access to other great values at Colman. For example, when you buy a half dozen roses, you will receive the second half dozen FREE! You can also opt to trade your monthly bouquet for $10 off a purchase of $35 or more. Do this twice and you've made your original investment back.

For more details, please contact Lindsey at (309)786-5734 or email lprobizanski@christiancareqc.org. Colman Florist and Greenhouses is located at 2754 12th Street, Rock Island, Illinois and in the East Village in Davenport, Iowa. You can also visit them on the web at colmanflorist.com. Monthly bouquets must be redeemed at the Colman location in the state in which you reside.

Christian Care's services are available in the Quad Cities to a growing number of homeless men and abused women and children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through their two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?they provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to anyone in need. They serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and the mentally ill. Their vision is to transform the lives of those they serve by providing their residents with an opportunity to start a new, more productive life. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care Crisis Hotline at any hour of the day or night at (309) 788-2273.

For more information about Christian Care, please go to their web site at christiancareqc.org or to Facebook at facebook.com/christiancareqc.

###

Washington D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce in Davenport and the Bi-State Regional Commission in Rock Island, Illinois, will receive $162,500 to develop plans for the creation of a regional advanced manufacturing innovation hub. The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) award will help diversify the region's economy by focusing on the growth of the vital metal and multi-materials manufacturing cluster. The funds come from the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Economic Adjustment Assistance program.

"I am pleased that the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Bi-State Regional Commission received this funding to continue their important work of developing and implementing a comprehensive manufacturing strategy for the region," said Loebsack. "We must focus on growing our economy and putting Iowans back to work. Investing in economic development planning and supporting public-private partnerships will both help strengthen the regional economy and promote job creation."

This competitive grant was designed to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing and help cultivate an environment for businesses to create well-paying manufacturing jobs in regions across the country. Each FY 2013 IMCP investment supports the development of strategic plans to build public-private partnerships that result in targeted investments in workforce training, infrastructure, research, and other key assets.

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO - September 25, 2013. Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon returned to her alma mater, Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, on Wednesday to encourage civic involvement, promote Illinois and discuss the important role of women in government as the keynote speaker at the university's second annual Women in Leadership Luncheon.

"Whether in Springfield, Illinois or Springfield, Ohio, we need more strong and smart female leaders to ensure all our voices are heard," Simon said. "Women leaders broaden the debate and help advocate for people who may otherwise be forgotten."

At the Women in Leadership Luncheon, Simon addressed a large crowd of leaders from across the campus, community and Ohio. Following the event, Simon visited an urban politics class, fielded questions, discussed Illinois government and her office's duties.

As lieutenant governor, Simon has acted as the governor's point person on education reform and is leading efforts to increase college completion, inspire ethical government, protect military bases from closure, improve services in rural areas, advocate for survivors of abuse and keep waterways clean and safe.

While at Wittenberg, Simon was an All-American high jumper as well as president of the Student Senate, the university's student governing body. She was also the recipient of the prestigious M. Alice Geiger Award for outstanding contributions to the university community. Simon graduated summa cum laude and received a coveted NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in 1983.

The Women in Leadership Luncheon was held in the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning at 737 N. Fountain Ave. in Springfield, Ohio.

###

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for projects in 22 states that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs. Funding will also allow producers to use renewable energy technologies in their operations and conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Grant and loan funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O' Brien made the announcement on behalf of the Secretary.

"REAP continues to help farmers and rural businesses reduce their energy consumption and by doing so, improve the bottom line of their operations," O'Brien said. "This important Farm Bill program and others like it would not be available without a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill."

REAP helps producers reduce energy costs and increase efficiency. For example:

• Weber Land LLC in Halstead, Kan., will use a $26,000 REAP grant to help purchase three energy-efficient electric irrigation systems that will replace an out-of-date and inefficient diesel system. The new systems will better irrigate 490 acres and is projected to reduce current energy usage by 74 percent annually.
• Casa de San Pedro B&B, LLC in Hereford, Ariz., will use a $41,000 grant to assist with the installation of ground-mounted solar panels. Once operational, the bed and breakfast is expected to eliminate 83 percent of its current electricity costs.
• In New York, 18 maple syrup producers will use more than $132,000 in REAP funds to purchase reverse osmosis systems, evaporators and preheaters to improve the energy efficiency of their operations. By utilizing these new technologies and practices, producers will reduce the amount of energy consumed by approximately 75 percent during the production process.

Under the terms of REAP, up to 25 percent of eligible project costs can be funded through a grant, and additional support can be provided in the form of a loan guarantee. Since the start of the Obama Administration, REAP has helped fund nearly 8,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide.

REAP offers financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other private funding sources. REAP also helps the conservation of natural resources and the development of new forms of energy that reduce America's dependence on fossil fuels and creates a stronger rural economy. Follow this link to view the complete list of recipients announced today under the REAP program.

Today's REAP announcement helps support the June 2013 announcement of President Obama's Climate Action Plan, which outlines a comprehensive approach to reduce carbon pollution and better prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change. USDA continues helping rural America innovate to lead the world against modern climate challenges, and a summary of the USDA's efforts are available at www.usda.gov/climatesolutions.

More information about USDA's role and accomplishments in renewable energy can be found here: www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=ENERGY featuring access to agricultural, forestry, economic, and socio data on energy through several web-based tools: the USDA Renewable Energy Investment Map, the Renewable Energy Tool and Energy Matrix. These tools focus on USDA's investments and projects for energy, energy efficiency, and conservation programs; provides information and data to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including: farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, managers, lenders, community developers, related companies, small businesses, researchers, developers, and federal, state and local government agencies.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as the Department implements sequestration - the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act.

USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)