CARBONDALE - After convening listening posts in three Illinois defense communities, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today announced her office will continue soliciting input from residents and military families across the state. To extend her reach, Simon launched an online survey for individuals to share the issues facing communities that neighbor military bases or are home to National Guard and reserve units.

The community and virtual listening posts come as communities around the Metro East, Quad Cities and North Chicago areas struggle with the economic impact of sequestration and the possibility of future cuts.

"The listening posts enabled us to talk with residents, business owners, military families and others about how the state can help make their communities even better places to live and work," said Simon. "It is important that residents who weren't able to attend these meetings have a way to be heard, so I encourage people to participate in this survey. Together we can make Illinois the best state for military families."

The survey, which is being administered in partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA), will close Friday, Sept. 6. The brief online survey includes questions pertaining to business climate, education, workforce training and quality of life, and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

The Lt. Governor's Office will work with the IIRA to compile the survey data with information from the three listening posts held in the Metro East, Quad Cities and North Chicago, where she met with military families, employees of the U.S. Department of Defense, veterans, employers and educators this spring and summer. Though the communities surrounding Scott Air Force Base, Rock Island Arsenal and Naval Station Great Lakes are different, each share concerns on issues such economic development and education opportunities for children.

Simon will then present the findings to the Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC), which she chairs. The IMBSEDC coordinates the state's activities and communications relating to current and former military bases in Illinois, and provides advice and recommendations for base retention, realignment and reuse. 

The survey can be found here.

Family fun, polka music, wiener dog racing, and German-style food headline this event

GALENA, Ill. - Get your polka dancing shoes on and your wiener dog in tip-top racing shape for the 7th annual Galena Oktoberfest taking place on October 5. This event takes place at Depot Park, 99 Bouthillier St., just east of the Galena River near the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Park Avenue; from noon to 10 p.m. Galena Oktoberfest is hosted by the Galena Lions Club and all of the proceeds are donated to help individuals with sight and sound needs, as well as to support community projects.

People of all ages enjoy Galena Oktoberfest, as it features non-stop live music by three bands,  polka dancing and lessons, wiener dog races and parade, a beer stein endurance contest, a bean bag tournament, bounce houses and activities for the kids, and of course plenty of German-style food, soda, and beer. The day begins at noon with a cannon blast and the ceremonial tapping of the keg, followed by the popular wiener dog races. Online pre-registration is encouraged for both the wiener dog races and the bean bag tournament.

The big white tent provides plenty of seating and shade for eating and dancing. Take a spin on the dance floor and let Jennifer Mulcahey, of Ballroom by Jennifer, teach you how to polka. Back-to-back bands include two polka bands, the Jim Busta Band from Spring Grove, Minn. and The Goodtime Dutchmen from Kewaskum, Wisc., and local, up-beat favorite The Lonely Goats from Dubuque, Iowa.

Gate tickets to Galena Oktoberfest are $5 for adults and teens, children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free near the festival site. Festival goers can also take a ride on the free trolley that will be shuttling visitors from the Galena's historic Main Street to the festival.

For more information about Galena Oktoberfest and the Galena Lions Club, go to www.galenaoktoberfest.com or call 815.331.0180. Visit Galena Oktoberfest on Facebook for updates and to find out 'Where in the World is Otto?' Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or by calling 877.464.2536. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. for on-site assistance and countywide information.

DES MOINES, IA (08/06/2013)(readMedia)-- The 2013 Iowa State Fair is set to end on a high note on Extreme Sunday, August 18, with a boot tappin' Grandstand show and a full day of free entertainment. Fairgoers can receive discounted admission until 9 p.m. at $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-11. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, set August 8-18.

GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT:

Country superstars Alan Jackson and Gary Allan will take the Grandstand stage at 8 p.m. Jackson's authentic lyrics and connection to traditional country roots helped him produce anthems like "Chattahoochie," "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" and "Small Town Southern Man." Allan's ten studio albums have produced hit song after hit song including "Nothing on but the Radio," "Watching Airplanes" and "Every Storm."

Tickets are $39, on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800/745-3000 and through the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office. Convenience charges apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include admission to the Fair. Gate admission must be purchased separately.

FREE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT:

In 2013, Sevendust's album Black Out the Sun went to number one on Billboard's Top Hard Music Albums chart in its first week of release. The band has toured with Iron Maiden, Slayer, Stone Sour, Korn and Disturbed. Rock out with Sevendust at 8 p.m. on the Fairview Stage.

Vintage Trouble formed in 2010 and knocked out an album's worth of rock music in three days. This first album, The Bomb Shelter Sessions, was released in the U.S. in 2012 and was named one of the top 25 guitar albums of the year by Total Guitar Magazine. The group has opened for music legends Lenny Kravitz, The Cranberries and The Who. Catch Vintage Trouble at 8 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

The epitome of classic blues-rock slide guitar sounds, Foghat brings decades of experience to the stage. Their collection of 18 albums has received seven gold records, one platinum record and one double-platinum record. Favorite Foghat songs include "Slow Ride," "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and "Fool for the City." Foghat will perform at 8 p.m. on the newly-relocated Budweiser Stage. The Budweiser Stage will be moving west of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center to accommodate its large crowds.

The Henningsens, featuring Brian, Aaron and Clara, began writing music as a family in 2007. The group penned three singles for The Band Perry's second album including the chart-topping hits "You Lie" and "All Your Life." Their debut album featuring the top-twenty single, "American Beautiful," was released in early July. Listen to The Henningsens at 8 p.m. on the Susan Knapp Amphitheater.

During the day, grab a seat at the Anne and Bill Riley Stage for Bill Riley's Talent Search Championship beginning at 1:30 p.m. Over 350 talented acts from across the state qualified to compete in this year's competition. Six Sprout Champions will be showcased in the Championship Show. In the Senior division, nine finalists will compete for the championship title.

In addition to all the musical talent, Fairgoers can also enjoy one final day of grounds attractions like acrobatic circus duo Mango and Dango, extreme breaking experts Team Rock and the Timberworks Lumberjack Show to name a few.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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PORT BYRON, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, invites community members to share their concerns about state and local issues at his upcoming Colona Town Hall Meeting to be held on Wednesday, August 7 from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Colona Public Library located at 911 - 1^st Street in Colona.

"Knowing that there are many pressing issues that continue to weigh on our state and impact daily life in our district, it's crucial that I continue an ongoing discussion with local residents about their views and priorities," said Smiddy. "I encourage anyone who has questions or concerns or would simply like to listen to a legislative update to join me at this town hall meeting, because I need to hear from you to be a true voice for your needs."

Illinois' 71^st District includes all of Albany, Cleveland, Coal Valley, Colona, Como, Cordova, Deer Grove, Erie, Fulton, Hampton, Hillsdale, Lyndon, Morrison, Port Byron, Prophetstown, Rapids City, Rock Falls, Savanna, Sterling, Tampico, and Thomson and portions of Carbon Cliff, East Moline, Moline and Silvis.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, contact Smiddy's full-time constituent service office at (309) 848-9098, RepSmiddy@gmail.com, or toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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