PELLA, (05/28/2013)(readMedia)-- The following local students graduated from Central College Saturday, May 11. The ceremony was held at H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse in Pella, Iowa. There were 348 graduates from 15 states and one foreign country.

Patricia Braun, of Davenport, graduated summa cum laude with a major in biology, Spanish and international studies-Latin American.

Erik Grunder, of Wilton, graduated with a major in social science.

Stephanie Hasken, of Davenport, graduated with a major in exercise science.

Nancy Huddleston, of Muscatine, graduated magna cum laude with a major in mathematics.

Emily Huegel, of Bettendorf, graduated magna cum laude with a major in elementary education.

Justine Jackovich, of Eldridge, graduated magna cum laude with a major in biology.

Maaike Mielenhausen, of Davenport, graduated magna cum laude with a major in elementary education.

Gregory Oldsen, of De Witt, graduated with a major in environmental studies.

Rachel Pashon, of Sterling, graduated with a major in business management.

Allison Redman, of Davenport, graduated magna cum laude with a major in elementary education.

Samantha Scheckel, of Long Grove, graduated cum laude with a major in art.

Shannon Skalla, of New Boston, graduated with a major in theatre.

Kelly Spavin, of Bettendorf, graduated summa cum laude with a major in English.

Kevin Templeton, of Muscatine, graduated magna cum laude with a major in music education-vocal.

Andrew Weaks, of Fulton, graduated cum laude with a major in accounting and actuarial science.

Treaver Willis, of Muscatine, graduated with a major in athletic training.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

Jacob taught English and American Literature, and Linguistics at Cheyney University of Pensylvania from 1970 to 2005. He also designed and taught African American Literature. One of his colleagues, Edythe Scott Bagley, at Cheyney University is the sister-in-law of Martin Luther King, Jr. which made it possible for Jacob to meet Mrs.Coretta Scott King. His paper "The Rhetoric of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." was published in 1999 and was also presented at the MLKJr Center in Atlanta.. Jacob now lives in Moline, Il so that he and his wife can be close to their children. He has been participating in Independent Scholars Evening programs since 2005.

Independent Scholars Evenings. 7.00 p.m., Thursday, May 30th.. 2013
1530 Fifth Avenue, Moline, Illinois
309-762-9202 or 762-8547
Doors open at 6.30 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Dress code: business casual.

Elevators are located through the 16th Street entrance.

The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, LTD is a 501(c)3 at State and Federal level organization under US laws since 1996.
Please visit http://www.qcinstitute.org to see our archives.

Chicago, IL - Hurricane Gumbo will headline the 24th annual Gumbo YaYa fest in downtown Rock Island, Illinois on Friday, June 7th 2013 followed by an encore performance on Saturday, June 8th.

Chicago's Hurricane Gumbo combines zydeco, rhythm & blues, jazz and funk to create some of the finest in Louisiana party music. Through an energetic mix of eclectic originals and cover material, the eight-piece group has performed together for more than 10 years at festivals and clubs throughout the Midwest, including the House of Blues in Chicago, Milwaukee's Summerfest, and the Taste of Chicago.

"We are very excited to once again be a part of this incredible fest!" says Bill Rosas, lead vocalist and keyboardist with HG. "Gumbo YaYa is one the best festivals in the country! It captures all the sights, sounds and atmosphere of New Orleans."

Please visit www.hurricanegumbo.com

For more information on all upcoming show dates.

 

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today as various local, state and federal agencies make preparations for the possibility of damaging flooding.

"As the danger of damaging floods continues to threaten Eastern Iowa, I remain in close contact with University of Iowa officials, local officials, as well as officials at the Army Corps of Engineers to monitor the situation.  I commend the University for taking precautionary actions to prepare for any flooding that may occur.  With the 10th Anniversary of the Floods of 2003 approaching, we have learned a great deal about how to prepare in advance for the worst situation.  My office and I will continue to coordinate with officials on all levels to determine the best way to move forward."

###

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."

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

Pages