Loan will build and improve transmission lines

Waterloo, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that the Central Iowa Power Cooperative has been approved for a $40,121,000 guaranteed loan by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funds will be used to build and improve 115 miles of transmission line and make other system improvements in 51 counties. The loan amount also includes $866,000 in smart grid projects and the project will improve electric service to thousands across the state.

"It's good to see this loan coming to Iowa to improve our transmission lines and the smart grid project," said Braley. "I am encouraged by the USDA and its funding to improve the status of rural development in our state."

Counties effected by the loan include Adair, Adams, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Cass, Cedar, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Fremont, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Webster.

 

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CREATE Project on Illinois Route 38 to Create 340 Jobs, Reduce Delays, Improve Emergency Response and Enhance Safety

WEST CHICAGO - October 3, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn, joined by Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider and other state and local officials, today announced the plan to construct an overpass bridge at Illinois Route 38 and Kautz Road over the Union Pacific Railroad, marking the 1000th bridge improvement to move forward since Governor Quinn took office. The nearly $26 million dollar project, funded by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, will create nearly 340 construction jobs, reduce traffic delays, and improve safety for travelers in DuPage and Kane Counties.

Today's announcement underscores Governor Quinn's commitment to building a 21st century transportation infrastructure in Illinois.

"Illinois is moving forward to build a 21st century transportation network that will pave the way for future economic growth," Governor Quinn said. "This 1000th milestone bridge symbolizes our efforts to put people to work building a transportation system that is the strongest and safest in the Midwest and the nation."

Illinois Route 38 is one project in the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) plan which involves a new bridge and grade separation to eliminate traffic delays due to train crossings. The goal of CREATE is to address critically needed improvements to increase the efficiency of the region's passenger and freight rail infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents. The project will provide a grade separation and bridge to carry Illinois Route 38 and Kautz Road over the Union Pacific Railroad near Geneva.

"Thousands of vehicles are delayed at this location as a result of heavy rail traffic consisting of 75 freight trains and 54 commuter trains passing through this crossing every single day," said Secretary Schneider. "Thanks to Illinois Jobs Now! and the Governor's commitment, this much needed CREATE project will move forward to minimize the delays to the traveling public, improve emergency vehicle response times, improve access for businesses and enhance safety in the area."

Currently, the Union Pacific Railroad crosses Illinois Route 38 at a skewed angle just east of the signalized intersection of Kautz Road, which has caused delays and safety hazards for motorists. The proposed improvement will also place a T-intersection with signals on the new bridge structure at Kautz Road and Illinois Route 38. The project will widen and reconstruct Illinois Route 38 on a new alignment from east of Kirk Road to east of Technology Boulevard, providing two lanes in each direction. Construction is expected to start in November and the project is expected to be complete in 2014.

Governor Quinn spearheaded the state's first capital construction program in a decade. The $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program is the largest in Illinois history, supporting an estimated 439,000 construction jobs. The program includes $14 billion for transportation, $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. Of the $14 billion in the program dedicated for transportation needs, $11 billion has been invested on projects throughout Illinois. These projects have improved 6,900 miles of roads and 1000 bridges, creating or supporting approximately 140,000 jobs.

In July, Governor Quinn authorized $1.6 billion for road, rail and transit projects as a part of the next phase of Illinois Jobs Now! The capital funding includes $211 million for 15 CREATE projects during 2013. More than $1.7 billion in road construction projects are scheduled for 2013.

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The Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Quad City Arts kick off the season on November 17 with an extravaganza featuring electric violinist Mark Wood, founding member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Quad City Arts Visiting Artist. Conductor Michael Gagliardo leads a cast of local talent like never before assembled, including the Quad City Symphony Orchestra; the Sanctuary Choir of First Presbyterian Church, Davenport; the Holiday Pops Children's Chorus; and for the first time ever, the Holiday Pops Youth Ochestra. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the i wireless Center with the holiday favorites you've come to expect, mixed with many of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's greatest hits.

 

Tickets go on sale Monday, October 8, at the i wireless Center box office, by phone at 800.745.3000, or online at www.qcsymphony.com. One dollar from every ticket will benefit the Genesis Music Therapy Programs.

 

Holiday Pops is sponsored by John Deere.

 

For the Masterworks season premiere, Quad City Symphony Orchestra is putting on a blockbuster performance featuring Dvorak's Eighth Symphony, Wagner's Rienzi Overture, and new Concertmaster Naha Greenholtz performing Bruch's First Violin Concerto. These concerts will be performed on October 6 and 7, and are sponsored in memory of Isador and Judith Katz. Saturday evening's concert will be held at the Adler Theatre in Davenport at the new time of 7:30 p.m., and followed on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall in Rock Island. Tickets for this concert can be purchased in person at the QCSO Box Office, 327 Brady Street in Davenport, by phone at 800.745.3000, or online at www.qcsymphony.com.

Canadian violinist Naha Greenholtz was born in Kyoto, Japan, where she began her studies on violin at the age of three. She made her solo debut at age 14 playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and was quickly reengaged for performances of concerti by Tchaikovsky and Mozart. In addition, she has been a featured soloist with the Burnaby Symphony, Kelowna Symphony Orchestra, National Repertory Orchestra (Breckenridge, CO) and Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra in works by Sarasate, Bruch, Tchaikovsky and Bach. Last season, as part of her Concertmaster candidacy, Ms. Greenholtz was guest Concertmaster for the QCSO's February Valentine's Day concert and the War Requiem. This performance will mark her first official performance with the QCSO since accepting the position of Concertmaster.

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is excited to provide Inside the Music at the hip and historic Hotel Blackhawk. The lectures series will still be held on the Thursday previous to each Masterworks program at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar available.

Music Director Mark Russell Smith will also be available at Kai Swanson's Concert Conversations, held in the concert hall an hour before each of the weekend's concerts. At Concert Conversations the audience members will be given a quick tour of highlights from the program they are about to experience. This look into the background of the concert's repertoire, sponsored by Rich James of Wells Fargo Advisors, is in its fifteenth year and has become an audience favorite.

After the Saturday night performance, the audience is invited to mingle with the musicians and Mark Russell Smith in the lobby of the Hotel Blackhawk at Afterglow. The evening includes free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. The October Afterglow is sponsored by The Planning Center in Moline.

21st Annual Wapsi River Ecology Day

Footsteps into Iowa's Past

Saturday, October 13, 2012

10:00 to 11:45 A.M. ~ Native Skills ~ Come learn a variety of native skills including: rope making, cattail toys or baskets and hunt our version of the wild Mastodon using early hunting techniques.

12:00 to 1:00 P.M. ~ Lunch at the Ring-of-Pines ~ Please bring your lunch.  A grill and roasting sticks will be provided for grilling.  

1:00 to 2:45 P.M. ~ Iowa's Fossil Past ~ Join members of the University of Iowa's "Geo-Science" Department to learn about fossilized creatures found in the ancient oceans that once covered the state.  Participants are invited and encouraged to bring their fossil finds for identification.

3:00 to 4:45 P.M. ~ Prehistoric Indian Cultures in Iowa ~ Bernie Peeters, Vice-president of the Quad City Archeological Society, will present a slide show and discussion of the lifestyles, artifacts and culture of Iowa's Native Peoples.  Participants are invited and encourage to bring any artifacts they might possess for identification.

7:00 to 9:00 P.M. ~ Eastern Iowa Star Party ~ The Quad City Astronomical Society hosts this annual event at the Monsignor Menke Astronomical Observatory.  They invite the public to join them for this celestial celebration.

Please call to register for this action-packed day!!! 
(Moline) - Zimmerman Honda will be having the ribbon cutting and Grand Opening Celebration at the new Honda facility at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, 2012.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, there is an invitation only grand opening VIP celebration. Mark Zimmerman of Zimmerman Honda will present a $5,000 check that evening to an area school that has won the Zimmerman Honda Spirit Award. A contest, where students and friends were encouraged to vote for their school was held online and the winner will be announced Thursday evening.

This year is also the 60th anniversary for Zimmerman Honda.

Honda has allocated additional inventory just for the grand opening celebration of the new dealership.

Zimmerman Honda moved into their new $10 million building completed at the end of August. It is a state of the art building for today's car buying and service needs.

The newly annexed property by the City of Moline is at 70th Street and John Deere Road in Moline. The building is 43,000 square feet that includes: Environmentally-friendly heating provided by waste-oil, Heated outside sidewalks, Modern waiting lounges with a computer center that has wifi access, 27 Service Bays, Three-lane "Express Lube" oil change stations, expanded hours in all departments and expanded shuttle services.

iowa Library Services has announced that the Davenport  Library has met the conditions for state accreditation as outiined in "In Service to iowa: Public Library Standards Fifth Edition."  Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality iibrary  services. Of Iowa's 544 public iibraries, 349  including the Davenport Public Library - are accredited.

The Davenport Public Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of iibrary operations inciuding governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access, and facilities. The accreditation is valid through June 30, 2015.

lowa's accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for exhibiting excellence in their provision of library services. More than two-thirds of all Iowans have active public iibrary cards, and use of our public libraries continues to increase each year. Iowa libraries play key roles in workforce and economic development, lifelong learning and government activities. Iowans use their libraries to find jobs, do homework, locate a good book to read, research medical conditions, access government information, and more.

Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through Iowa Library Services' Enrich Iowa program. They also receive a Certificate of Accreditation signed by Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kirn Reynolds, State Librarian Mary Wegner, and Iowa Commission of Libraries Chairperson Monica Gohlinghorst.

Said Wegner: "The director and board of trustees of the Davenport Public Library and the City of Davenport are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community."

The Scott County Extension Council was presented recently with a certificate celebrating 100 years of service to Scott County citizens. The first county agent in Scott County was hired in 1912. Extension programs offer research based, unbiased education for citizens in the areas of horticulture, youth, parenting, nutrition, money concerns, manufacturing assistance, and community building.

Council 100 Years pic.jpg

Picture: back, left to right - Bob Owen, Regional Director, Council members Mary Schwarz, Jane Weber, John Maxwell, Jodi Blake, Chuck Buel and Assistant to the ISU Vice-President of Extension and Outreach, Sherry Glenn. Front, left to right, Council members Michael Ryan and Susy VenHorst and Scott County Extension Director, Becky Bray. Not pictured: Council members Roger Fuerstenberg and Bonnie Beechum.

Six young whooping cranes began their ultralight-led migration Friday from the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area in Green Lake County, Wis. This is the 12th group of birds to take part in a project led by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), an international coalition of public and private groups that is reintroducing this highly imperiled species in eastern North America, part of its historic range.

WCEP partner Operation Migration will use two ultralight aircraft to lead the juvenile cranes through Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia to reach the birds' wintering habitat at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) along Florida's Gulf Coast. The cranes are currently in Columbia County, Wis.

"Despite the fact that we have done this before, each year we learn something new about these wonderful birds," said Joe Duff, CEO of Operation Migration and leader of the ultralight team. "This year's flock seems more attentive, and we hope to make better progress. Our target is to arrive in Florida before Christmas."

In addition to the six birds being led south by ultralights, biologists from WCEP partner, International Crane Foundation, are currently rearing six whooping crane chicks at Horicon NWR in Dodge County, Wis. The birds will be released later this fall in the company of older cranes from whom the young birds will learn the migration route south. This is the eighth year WCEP has used this Direct Autumn Release (DAR) method.

Whooping cranes that take part in the ultralight and DAR reintroductions are hatched at the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Md., and at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wis. Chicks are raised under a strict isolation protocol, and to ensure the birds remain wild, handlers adhere to a no-talking rule and wear costumes designed to mask the human form.

The 12 ultralight-led and DAR chicks are joining two wild-hatched chicks in the 2012 cohort. These two wild-raised chicks will follow their respective parents on migration. In addition to the 14 juvenile cranes, 102 whooping cranes are currently in the eastern migratory population.

Whooping cranes were on the verge of extinction in the 1940s. Today, there are only about 600 birds in existence, approximately 445 of them in the wild. Aside from the WCEP birds, the only other migratory population of whooping cranes nests at Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta, Canada and winters at Aransas NWR on the Texas Gulf Coast. A non-migratory flock of approximately 20 birds lives year-round in the central Florida Kissimmee region, and an additional 17 non-migratory cranes live in southern Louisiana.

WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please give them the respect and distance they need. Do not approach birds on foot within 200 yards; remain in your vehicle; do not approach in a vehicle any closer than 100 yards. Also, please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you. Finally, do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view or photograph whooping cranes.

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership founding members are the International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration, Inc., Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and National Wildlife Health Center, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and the International Whooping Crane Recovery Team.

Many other flyway states, provinces, private individuals and conservation groups have joined forces with and support WCEP by donating resources, funding and personnel. More than 60 percent of the project's budget comes from private sources in the form of grants, public donations and corporate sponsors.

To report whooping crane sightings, visit the WCEP whooping crane observation webpage at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/whoopingcrane/sightings/sightingform.cfm.

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