Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House leaders, Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, to work to bring legislation to the floor that can be passed by both Chambers and signed into law to prevent student loan rates from doubling.  Student loan interest rates are currently 3.4 percent, but are set to double to 6.8 percent on July 1st.  If Congress does not act, that average borrower's debt would increase by $1,000.  As the only member of the Iowa delegation to serve on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Loebsack, a cosponsor of the Student Loan Relief Act of 2013 (H.R. 1595), has helped lead the fight to ensure students do not see a raise in interest rates.

"If the interest rates are allowed to rise, the average borrower's debt would increase by $1,000.  As Iowa borrowers have some of the highest student loan debt in the nation, this increase will have a disproportionate effect on the students and families I represent," Loebsack wrote to House Leaders. "We need to address student loan debt in the interest of our economy.  We must prepare our students for the kind of middle class jobs that will drive our economic recovery forward.  Our graduates are not able to fully participate in our economy by purchasing cars or homes or starting a family when they are saddled with insurmountable student loan debt."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

As a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Loebsack has championed numerous pieces of legislation to increase access to higher education, including:

·         College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) Loebsack helped craft and pass this legislation, which makes college more affordable and accessible for all Iowans by increasing the maximum Pell Grant scholarship and expanding eligibility;

·         Year Round Pell Grants Loebsack authored a provision that created year-round Pell grants in the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which was signed into law in 2008.  However, the year-round Pell grant was unfortunately eliminated in 2011.  In response to the ongoing need for more flexibility, Loebsack partnered with Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) to introduce legislation which would reinstate the flexibility that was provided by Loebsack's provision in 2008.

·         Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act Loebsack was a cosponsor of this bill, which will save American taxpayers $61 billion by making the student loan process more efficient.  The bill further expanded the maximum Pell Grant available from $5,550 in 2010 to $5,975 in 2017, granting Iowa students more than $291 million for higher education. This bill was the largest single investment in student aid in America's history, and will make college more accessible, transform the way student loan programs operate and strengthens community colleges

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Come Meet and Connect with Fellow Chamber Members!

Thursday, June 6
5-8 p.m.

Black Watch Room
3851 Forest Grove Drive
LeClaire, IA

$15 per person
appetizers and cash bar
 
Please RSVP
by 5:00 pm, June 5

All Members and Guests Welcome!

Education Series offered by the Iowa Finance Authority,
Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the
Iowa Home Ownership Education Project

QUAD CITIES - On Wednesday, June 5 the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project are partnering to bring Quad Cities area home buyers a free educational session.

One in a series of seminars entitled, Free Home Buyer Education Series: Unique Iowa Programs & Information to Get You Started, the program will provide information on state mortgage and down payment assistance programs, homeownership benefits and the steps towards owning a home. Iowa Finance Authority staff will present the information, and housing counselors will also be on hand to answer questions. The event will be hosted by the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Quad City Area REALTOR® Association
1900 State Street, Bettendorf

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Registration


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Gaming Unplugged

Drop in to the Moline Public Library on Thursday, June 13 between 2:00 and 4:00 to play board and card games. Choose from our selection or bring your own. This program is open to young adults ages 11-18. No registration required. For more information call 309-524-2440 or visit us at 3210 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265 or online at http://www.molinelibrary.com.

Around the World in 80 Bites

Young adults ages 11-18 are invited to the Moline Public Library on Wednesday, June 19 at 2:00 to taste a sample of food from several local ethnic restaurants. Enjoy food from Italy, Mexico, Vietnam, China, Greece, and more! Registration is required. Call 309-524-2470 to sign up.  For more information call 309-524-2440 or visit us at 3210 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265 or online at http://www.molinelibrary.com.

BELOIT, WI (06/04/2013)(readMedia)-- The following local students have been named to the spring 2013 Dean's List at Beloit College.

Devin Lundy of Davenport, IA. Lundy is a Junior.

Beloit College is a residential, liberal arts college offering 40 majors to its 1,250 students. Located 90 miles northwest of Chicago, Beloit is one of the nation's most international colleges, drawing students from 41 nations as well as 49 states.

The Moline Foundation awarded almost $20,000.00 in scholarships to 20 college-bound students this spring. The following scholarships were awarded:

Dolores A. Hulse-DiIulio Scholarship: Tracy Pollock, Moline High School, $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to a deserving female student graduating from Moline High School who plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, engineering or pre-medicine. Pollock plans to attend Loyola University, Chicago, IL to pursue a degree in Chemistry. Hulse-DiIulio was a chemistry teacher at Moline High School for 36 years, retiring in 1994.

Lee Womack Memorial Scholarship: Brandon Sanchez, Moline High School, $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduate who plans to obtain a degree in education. Sanchez plans to study History at Carthage College, Kenosha, WI. The scholarship was established by Womack's wife, Peggy and the Lee Womack Memorial Golf Outing Steering Committee. Annually since his death, a golf outing has been held in his memory to raise funds for a local charity. In 2004, the scholarship fund was established and is now administered by the Moline Foundation.

Moline High School Class of '59: Aubrey Foulk and Abigail Ryser, both graduates of Moline High School, $1,000.00 each. Foulk plans to major in Environmental Science at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Ryser plans to major in Biology/Pre-Medicine at Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. The fund was established by the Class of '59 as a way to commemorate their 50th class reunion. Funds are raised by class member and volunteers through various fundraisers.

Maggie Webb Scholarship: Alejandro Raya, Moline High School, $1,500.00. Raya plans to major in Acting at Illinois State University, Normal, IL. The fund was established as a memorial to Maggie Webb, a 2001 graduate of Moline High School who was killed in December 2007 in a mass shooting at an Omaha Mall.

Clem T. Hanson Scholarship: Karim Hosameldin, Amanda Johnson and Brandon Sanchez, all graduates of Moline High School, $1,500.00 annually for the next four years. Hosameldin plans to major in Civil Engineering at Bradley University, Peoria, IL. Johnson plans to major in Deaf Education/Sign Language Interpretation at MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL. and Sanchez plans to major in History at Carthage College, Kenosha, WI. The fund was established through the generosity of Clem T. Hanson (1901-1985), a former Moline businessman and community leader.

DARE Scholarship: Becky Lankford, Aubrey Foulk and Jared Larson , $1,000.00. . The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduate based on academic merit, good citizenship, attendance, and active involvement in school and community. Lankford plans to major in Materials Engineering at University of IL, Champaign-Urbana, IL. Foulk plans to major in Environmental Science at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Larson plans to attend Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. The DARE scholarship is based upon the principles of the former DARE anti-drugs program in Moline-Coal Valley elementary schools.

Lee McAllister Scholarship: Taylor VanHyfte and Amanda Johnson, $1,000.00 each. The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduate planning to major in education. VanHyfte plans to major in Psychology at BlackHawk College, Moline, IL and Johnson plans to major in Deaf Education/Sign Language Interpretation at MacMurray Colllege, Jacksonville, IL. This scholarship was established in memory of Lee McAllister who taught in the Moline Schools from 1948 to 1981.

Stan Woods Scholarship: Allison Condit, $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduate based on community involvement and leadership and academic achievement. Condit is majoring in American Sign Language Interpreting at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN. This scholarship was established in memory of Stan Woods who was a teacher, guidance counselor and dean of students in Moline School District No. 40. Former students, co-workers, parents, and the community have contributed to the Woods Scholarship Fund.

Srikanth Yerra Scholarship: Karim Hosameldin, $500.00. This scholarship provides funds to a Moline School District graduate or community college student based on financial need and potential for future personal achievement. Hosameldin is majoring in Civil Engineering at Bradley University, Peoria, IL. The family established this scholarship in memory of Srikanth Yerra, a 2005 graduate of Moline High School.

Moline Kiwanis Scholarship: Aubrey Foulk, Michael J. Ryan and Becky Lankford, $1,000.00 each. Foulk plans to major in Environmental Science at Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Ryan plans to major in Psychology at Bethel University at St. Paul, MN and Lankford plans to major in Materials Engineering at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, IL.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to benefit health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which help the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Henderson and McDonough counties in Illinois. The Moline Foundation has a current endowment of approximately $17 million.

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today named former state Sen. Larry McKibben and construction business owner Milt Dakovich (pr: "DOCK-o-vitch") to the Iowa Board of Regents.

McKibben and Dakovich begin their terms today and will serve through April 30, 2019.

"I have chosen two passionate public servants who will help guide our Regents institutions through the next six years," said Branstad. "Larry's legislative expertise and Milt's construction background will provide both of them with the knowledge and experience needed for these two seats on the board."

"We are pleased they agreed to serve on the Board of Regents at this important time," said Reynolds. "Larry and Milt understand the importance of this new role, and are committed to offering a world-class education for all students.

McKibben, 66, served in the Iowa Senate from 1997-2008, where he chaired the Ways & Means Committee, also serving as the president pro tem. He earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, served as a graduate teaching assistant at Iowa State University and earned his J.D. from the University of Iowa. He is currently an attorney with the firm of Moore, McKibben, Goodman & Lorenz, LLP, in Marshalltown.

"I believe education is the foundation for the growth, development and well-being of future generations of Iowans," said McKibben. "I have spent my entire professional life as a problem solver. I believe that my educational background, leadership skills and breadth of lifetime experiences gives me the depth of knowledge and skill to contribute in a positive way to achieving high standards of educational excellence at the Regents institutions.

Find McKibben's photo here: https://governor.iowa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Larry-McKibben.jpg

Dakovich, 58, has a B.S. from Iowa State in both civil engineering and construction engineering. He currently serves as the president of Aspro, Inc. in Waterloo. He is a past president of both the Associated General Contractors of Iowa and the Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa.

"I am the product of Iowa public higher education and recognize its importance," said Dakovich. "It is vital that this state have quality, affordable education. Our future workforce depends on it."

Find Dakovich's photo here: https://governor.iowa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Milt-Dakovich.jpeg

McKibben and Dakovich will be up for Senate confirmation in the 2014 legislative session.

The Iowa Board of Regents consists of the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, and the Iowa School for the Deaf. For more information, visit http://www.regents.iowa.gov/.

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June 8 Ceremony Recognizes 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team

SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/04/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 10 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized June 8 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for the 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team based in Springfield will be 10 a.m. at Camp Lincoln; 1301 MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield.

The Soldiers mobilized in June 2012 and deployed to Kuwait. The 633rd was the first National Guard unit mobilized to provide operational control over the Theater Gateway at Ali Al Salem, Kuwait.

Soldiers were responsible for the initial reception, staging and onward movement of personnel deploying to the Central Command area of responsibility (CENTCOM AOR). The 633rd also coordinated the reception, lodging and movement of personnel from all branches for the rest and recuperation leave, emergency leave, and temporary duty in the CENTCOM AOR.

The team processed more than 40,000 deploying or redeploying troops. They also processed more than 35,000 individuals participating in the Theater Rest and Recuperation Leave program and issued more than 1,200 identification cards.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered

commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and should notify the Public Affairs Office by 3 p.m., June 7 to be granted access onto Camp Lincoln. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard

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June 6th. 2013 :  7.00 p.m.
Does Six Sigma work?

Reviewing management principals  of Six Sigma.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s Six Sigma was the new method: "Transforming the way we work" : Six-Sigma was the new  customer-centered, profit-driven, defect-reduction,  people-power, process-power method of American business as publicized by management gurus and consultants to American business, and subsequently, to world business.
Did it work?
Do we continue this method or do we transform it to the next level? If so, what will this new level be?
( If you are unaware of the principals of six sigma, basic information principals will be provided)
Open discussion:
Free and open to the public.
This Thursday June 6th. 2013  evening:  Independent Scholars' Evenings:
At
The Phoenix Fine Art Gallery
1530 Fifth Avenue.  Moline. Illinois.
7.00 p.m
309-762-8547 for the Moline Club
309-762-9202 for The Institute.
light refreshments, wine and beverages are served.
doors open at 6.30. Please use the 5th Ave entrance.  The event will be held in the Dragon Gallery next to The Phoenix.
Independent Scholars' Evenings are sponsored by
The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd. a 501(c)3 at state and federal level since 1996

Quad Cities pulls one-half game ahead of Beloit into second place before series with Cedar Rapids

BELOIT, Wis. (JUNE 3, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers Colton Cain and Mike Hauschild combined to limit the Beloit Snappers to just one run, and third baseman Rio Ruiz drove in first baseman Jonathan Singleton for both runs in a 2-1 victory at Pohlman Field Monday night.

After winning three of four games in Beloit, the River Bandits (32-24) pulled one-half game ahead of the Snappers (32-25) for second place in the Midwest League Western Division. Quad Cities had fallen out of second place after losing to Beloit at home on May 19.

Beloit scored its only run of the night in the second inning against Cain, as right fielder John Wooten drew a two-out walk and scored on a Ryan Delgado double that dropped just inside the right-field line. Cain worked five innings and allowed one run or fewer for a fifth straight outing. He allowed two hits to put runners at first and second base in the fifth inning but got two ground balls to end the threat.

Singleton and Ruiz put Quad Cities on the board in the sixth inning, as right-hander Derek DeYoung issued a one-out walk to Singleton and allowed a double by designated hitter Jesse Wierzbicki. With runners at second and third base and one out, Ruiz flied to left fielder Ryan Mathews, bringing in Singleton with the tying run against DeYoung, who allowed four hits through the first six innings.

Hauschild (4-0) started the bottom of the sixth inning with a 1-1 tie and got the first four batters he faced before allowing consecutive singles by Wooten and Delgado. But he got second baseman Christopher Bostick to hit a ground ball that shortstop Carlos Correa charged and threw on the run for the second out. With runners at second and third, left fielder Ryan Mathews lined toward deep left field, but Jordan Scott made a running catch to end the inning and preserve a 1-1 tie.

In the eighth inning, Singleton grounded a ball past a shifted defense down the third-base line for a double with one out against right-hander Vincent Voiro (3-2). After Wierzbicki grounded out, Ruiz battled Voiro to a 2-2 count before grounding a single into right field for his second hit, second RBI and the second run Singleton scored in the game.

Hauschild preserved the lead by pitching a perfect eighth inning. In the ninth, he allowed a leadoff single by third baseman Renato Nunez before first baseman Matt Olson hit into a double play. Wooten then grounded to Ruiz, who threw to Singleton for the game's final out.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, June 4. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, June 4.

The River Bandits have their final scheduled off day of the first half Tuesday before they begin a three-game series with the first-place Cedar Rapids Kernels Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in Cedar Rapids.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

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