01 Apr 2013

Governor Quinn Launches Cyber Challenge

By Rick Martin

Competition Connects Veterans and Students with Careers in Cybersecurity

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by the Cyber Aces Foundation to announce the Illinois Governor's Cyber Challenge, a statewide competition that will fill mission-critical jobs in the emerging cybersecurity workforce. The announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to increase public safety and help Illinois residents find employment. The Cyber Challenge is designed to provide a pathway of learning and workforce training for Veterans and students.

"As technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, the threat to our nation's cybersecurity continues to grow," Governor Quinn said. "Connecting our highly-skilled Veterans and students with these 21st century jobs is a solid way to increase national security and create another pathway to employment."

Illinois is one of the first states to hold a Cyber Challenge. Federal officials are quickly expanding cybersecurity forces to counter evolving threats from abroad. For example, the Defense Department's Cyber Command plans to increase its workforce to 4,000, up from 900. Private sector opportunities in cybersecurity are also rapidly expanding. Currently, cybersecurity careers are the second-fastest growing positions in information technology (IT). They also are among the most secure and the highest salaried in the IT field.

The Cyber Aces Foundation is utilizing Governors' Cyber Challenges across the country to help identify individuals will the necessary skill set for cybersecurity jobs in order to help meet the growing demand for the profession.

"Similar to our shortage of fighter pilots at the start of World War II, we now have a critical shortage of skilled cyber defenders," Cyber Aces Founder Alan Paller said. "And like the pilot training programs of that era, Cyber Aces initiatives, such as the Illinois State Championship, are how we will create the specialists we need."

The cyber initiative includes advanced online training in cybersecurity at no cost to Illinois residents, a special Veterans Cyber Camp for the top performing Veterans and the championship competition to identify the state's top cyber talent for public and private sector opportunities.

To ensure Veterans know of this opportunity, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will use its IllinoisJobLink.com system to contact more than 20,000 Veterans. IllinoisJobLink.com is the state's help-wanted job board that helps employers identify new hires, and ensures that business owners are aware of available state and federal tax incentives as well as other programs designed to help grow our economy.

Veterans who believe they have the skills and aptitude for cybersecurity are invited to take a free entry-level education and testing program that focuses on fundamentals with emphasis on three critical modules: networking, operating systems and system administration. A tutorial is included in each module and registration is open today. The quiz competition is April 16-29. Top-performing Veterans will be invited to the Summer Cyber Camp. Another entry-level testing competition will occur in the fall and be open to Veterans, students and other job seekers. A state championship event featuring top-performers from both quiz cycles will occur in the spring.

About Cyber Aces

The Cyber Aces Foundation is a not-for-profit working to discover talent and provide a pathway to employment in critical cybersecurity jobs. The foundation challenges students, Veterans and jobseekers with training and competition, develops their abilities with cybersecurity education and prepares them for cybersecurity careers. It is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit cyberaces.org.

About U.S. Cyber Challenge:

U.S. Cyber Challenge (USCC) is a program of the National Board of Information Security Examiners (NBISE), a 501(c)(3) organization, and has the mission to significantly reduce the shortage in the cyber workforce by serving as the premier program to identify, attract, recruit and place the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. USCC's goal is to find 10,000 of America's best and brightest to fill the ranks of cybersecurity professionals where their skills can be of the greatest value to the nation.

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01 Apr 2013

Gov. Branstad to lead governors' trade mission to China

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad today announced he will lead a trade delegation, including four governors, to China in mid-April. This brief trip to China was at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and will include meetings with senior government officials, current and potential business partners, a U.S. - China Governors Forum and celebration events to recognize Iowa's 30th anniversary of a sister state with the Chinese province of Hebei.

 

"Our state has a long and unique history with China's new President, Xi Jinping," said Gov. Branstad. "President Xi visited our state in 1985 and saw firsthand that Iowans are hardworking and sincere people who take pride in the work they do and the products they produce. He never forgot the people and the memories from his first trip to Iowa.  We hope to foster our unique relationship with President Xi and the people of China leading to stronger economic partnerships benefiting both the people of Iowa and the people of China."

 

The Governor and his delegation will spend four full days in China and visit the cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Baoding City and Shijiazhuang.

 

"International trade is extremely important to the people of Iowa as it supports tens of thousands of jobs right here in our state," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. "China is an important trading partner with Iowa, importing $3.2 billion worth of goods last year. We want to foster our trading partnership with China to provide our safe and reliable products to feed their population of over 1.37 billion people."

 

The following governors will participate in the trade mission led by Gov. Branstad:

 

Gov. Eddie Calvo (Guam)

Gov. Bob McDonnell (Va.)

Gov. Scott Walker (Wis.)

 

The following organizations will be represented on the trade mission with Gov. Branstad:

 


  • Iowa Economic Development Authority
  • Iowa Corn Growers Association & Iowa Corn Promotion Board
  • Iowa Farm Bureau
  • Iowa Soybean Association
  • ACT, Inc.
  • ADM
  • CMB Regional Centers
  • DuPont Pioneer
  • Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
  • John Deere
  • Monsanto
  • Pella Corporation
  • Sukup Manufacturing Co.
  • The University of Northern Iowa
  • Iowa State University
  • University of Iowa
  • Iowa Sister States
  • Cargill
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01 Apr 2013

Explore Leadership Issues at Lunch & Learn Event

By Jim Vana
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - "Great teams do not hold back with one another. They are unafraid to air their dirty laundry. They admit their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their concerns without fear of reprisal."
That profound quote on the nature of teamwork comes from Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. His many best-selling books have sold nearly 3 million copies. Lencioni was a speaker at the national leadership event, Leadercast 2012, and a video of his presentation will be shown at the next 2013 Chick-fil-A Leadercast Recap Lunch & Learn event, sponsored by Results Marketing and St. Ambrose University.
The Lunch & Learn event featuring Patrick Lencioni will be held noon to 1 p.m., Friday, April 5 at the St. Ambrose University Downtown Education Center, located in the New Ventures Center at 331 W. 3rd St., Davenport, IA 52801. Cost to attend is $15 and includes lunch from Chick-fil-A. The Lunch & Learn event will be facilitated by a St. Ambrose faculty member.
"The speakers who present at Leadercast each year are internationally known leadership experts, and it is an honor to help share their vital messages with the Quad-Cities," said Todd Ashby, Managing Partner of Results Marketing. "At our Lunch & Learn events, attendees can watch videos of presentations from the previous year and discuss their content with other area professionals."
For the past three years, Results Marketing and select sponsors have been bringing simulcasts of the Chick-fil-A Leadercast to the Quad-Cities area. Each year, Leadercast is broadcast live from Atlanta, Georgia, to audiences in metro areas worldwide.
"We will be hosting a new day-long QC Leadercast event on May 10, 2013," Ashby said, "so anyone thinking of attending the Spring 2013 event should attend these Lunch & Learn sessions beforehand, to get a feel for the topics to be discussed. Leadercast has a different theme every year, and this year's theme will be Simply Lead."
To register for the Leadercast Recap Lunch & Learn event or to find out more, call Marcia Brandt of Results Marketing at 563-322-2065 or email  Marcia@resultsimc.com. Feel free to befriend Leadercast Quad Cities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/qcleadercast.
-- End --
01 Apr 2013

New Alzheimer's Support Group

By Sharon Wren
Speak-Easy, an Alzheimer's caregiver support group, meets the second Tuesday of every month from 1-2:30 p.m., starting April 9th in the Fellowship Hall (basement) of St. James Lutheran Church, 1705 Oak Street in Bettendorf. The meetings are drop-in. Please enter through the lower level, south entrance. All Alzheimer's caregivers are welcome to attend.  Please contact Richele Larson with questions at (563) 265-1814 or richelel@livwellseniors.com.
01 Apr 2013

Eastern Medicine and Lifestyle Transformations

By Scott Stewart

Celebrating National Public Health Week

Healing Lotus Acupuncture and Moline Chiropractic Clinic will be hosting some special events for National Health Week, April 1st - April 5th.  All events will be held at 4300 12th Avenue in Moline from 6pm - 7:30pm.

On Tuesday April 2nd Scott Stewart, LAc, Dipl. will be discussing, "How acupuncture works?" This will be one of many successive topics in an Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine Series, which covers some of the theoretical aspects of Eastern medicine.

Wednesday April 3rd Scott Stewart, LAc, Dipl. and Dr. Davis will be discussing chronic fatigue syndrome, its causes and treatment options.  This will be the first in a sequence of dialogues called the Lifestyle Transformation Series, which will explore the debilitating effects of a Western lifestyle, and what we can do to counteract this; while instilling an attitude that promotes healthy choices and healthy living.

Friday April 5th we will be screening the movie 9000 Needles.  The story of how Traditional Chinese Medicine changed the life of a recent stroke patient, whose insurance refused to cover his therapy.

To reserve a seat for any of these events you can contact Healing Lotus Acupuncture or Moline Chiropractic Clinic by phone at (309) 764-4753.  Reservations can also be made by email at healinglotustcm@gmail.com

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01 Apr 2013

Governor Pat Quinn Takes Clemency Action Mar 30, 2013

By Alicia Anderson

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today granted 87 and denied 135 clemency petitions. This action marks another step in a series of clemency decisions aimed at eliminating a backlog of more than 2,500 cases that built up during the previous administration.

The 222 clemency petitions acted upon by Governor Quinn are part of dockets ranging from 2005 through 2012. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police's Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS).

A granted clemency request for a pardon with expungement allows the petitioner to seek expungement of their conviction through the court system.

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has acted on 2,459 clemency petitions. Governor Quinn has granted 929 and denied 1,530 petitions. Those actions include granting 909 pardons and authorizing 20 people who had previously received pardons to seek expungement of their convictions.

For additional information on the granted clemency cases, please contact Ken Tupy at the Prisoner Review Board at (217) 782-7274 or ken.tupy@illinois.gov.

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01 Apr 2013

NCAA Basketball Finals at the Putnam

By Putnam Museum
NCAA Finals April 6 & 8
Seating begins 30 min prior to tip-off.
Putnam Snack Shop will be open - alcoholic beverages available for purchase!

No outside food or drinks allowed. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
with a maximum of 12 people per reservation.
Space is limited, to reserve your spot today call
(563) 324-1933 or email your name/phone number
01 Apr 2013

LeClaire Chamber Annouincements - 3/29/2013

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

CALENDAR

 

March 30th - Wide River Winery Easter bonnet Contest! Be creative and have fun! Judging at 3:30p.m. Tasting room is open 11AM-7PM

Wide River Winery now open in their new location! Next door to the former location. It is beautiful, so visit them to check it out for yourself. Congratulations, Wide River!

 

March 31st - Bier Stube - Special Easter Sunday Brunch - 9am - 12pm. Seatings begin on the hour.  Price $13.99 for buffet or $19.99 per person with unlimited Bloody Mary's and Mimosas. Also taking reservations for Mothers Day Brunch (May 12th). 1001 Canal Shore Dr., LeClaire. 563-289-2121

 

Save the Date

 

April 3 - "Dinner with Mrs. Dawley" The museum's fundraiser at the Dawley Home (Crane & Pelican Café) is SOLD OUT! Dinner in a riverboat pilot's home, joined by the couple's friends and family. It will be an enjoyable evening!  If you would like to be contacted if any reservations are cancelled, please send an email to: BuffaloBill@iowatelecom.net, or message the museum on FaceBook:  Buffalo Bill Museum LeClaire IA (Please include your phone number, and number in party).

 

April 5th - First Friday in LeClaire!  5:00-8:00 p.m.

Food and Beverage Samples at Mississippi River Distilling Company www.mrdistilling.com 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Wine samples at Wide River Winery www.wideriverwinery.com

Karaoke at Sneaky Pete's Every Friday Night 9:00 P.M.-1:00 A.M. 207 North Cody Road Le Claire, IA (563) 289-4277.

Aunt Hattie's Fanciful Emporium will be open late - go in for a free red velvet cupcake!

Razzleberries will be open late. Come in to shop and get free samples of booze cake (while it lasts)!

Restaurants and several other shops will be open late, too!

April 6th - Zion Lutheran Church, Princeton Announces - One Show Only!

Benefit Performance of "Johnny Cash and the Sun Rocket Railway: A Tribute to the Music of Sun Records 7:00 P.M. Enjoy AJ Haut performing the songs of Johnny Cash, as well as Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley accompanied by Tristan Tapscott and Kyle Jecklin. Tickets: $10 each, available at the door. Princeton Community Center, 428 S. River Dr. Princeton, Iowa. Doors open at 6:30 PM

 

April 13th - Zion Lutheran Church hosting Benefit for Norman Sawyer at Princeton, Iowa Fire Station Princeton. Dinner from 4:00 P.M to 7:00 P.M.. Live auction and entertainment to follow. Tickets are available at Iowa locations of the Blackhawk Bank and Trust. The cost is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 6 to 12 years old (5 and under free. life-long resident of Scott County, Norman has led an active farmer's life raising beef cattle. Sawyer Beef is a staple at Davenport's Farmer's Freight House Market.  The family is actively involved in Zion Lutheran Church and the community of Princeton.   Norman graduated from North Scott in 1964 and Iowa State University in 1968.  He then served in the U. S. Navy.  On April 19, 2012, Norman broke his neck in a farm accident. He was airlifted to a neuro-trauma hospital in Rockford, Illinois.  In critical condition, Norman was paralyzed, on a ventilator and unable to speak or swallow. He had three surgeries to stabilize his neck. Norman spent six months undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the Minneapolis VA Spinal Cord Injury Center.   After a year of rehabilitation and recovery, Norman is finally returning to the family farm.  However, their home requires extensive renovations to be handicapped accessible:  ramps, wheelchair lift, handicapped bathroom, ceiling lift, etc.  The purpose of the benefit is to raise funds to help defray the cost of the renovations to the Sawyer home. Please join us on April 13 at the Princeton Fire Department.  Help us to help the Sawyer family .·www.facebook.com/NormanSawyerRoadToRecovery

 

FYI
 
 

Grace Marine and Captain's Quarters, a 3rd Generation Family Tradition boat dealer. We specialize in Crownline, Skeeter, Alumacraft, Manitou, Yamaha, and Mercury. We not only sell boats, but we also buy boats and repair boats. We now offer Pontoon, and Jet Ski rentals. We can be found at www.gracemarine.com, and also on Facebook.

 

The Buffalo Bill Museum offers admission discounts for group tours!   School groups, 4-H, fraternal and civic clubs, family reunions, etc. Call 563-289-4603 for more information and schedule a guided tour! Reservations are required and can be made months in advance! 

"LIKE" the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce on FaceBook Visit the chamber's Face Book page and discover a great source of news, business announcements, events, and other information that is updated frequently. It's a useful source of updated information for all members and non-members!

(ext 1135) or email Cindy Bruhn, Tourism Manager, at Info@VisitLeClaire.com

 

Chamber 2013 Networking Events - Everyone welcome to attend!

April 9 - Wide River Winery - after hours - 5-8pm (tentative)

May 14 - Great River Financial - after hours

June 6 - Black Watch Room - after hours - 5-8pm (1st Thursday)

July 9 -  Blue Iguana - Lunch -noon

August 13 - Big Dave and Holly's - lunch -noon

September 10 - Steventon's - after hours - 5-8pm

October 8 - Hungry Hobo - lunch - noon

November 12 - Faithful Pilot - after hours -5-8pm

December 10 - Happy Joes - lunch -noon

January 14, 2014 - Sneaky Pete's - lunch -noon

 

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

Meet and greet Pastor Melody any Wednesday from 1-3 pm at Happy Joe's. Pastor Melody from First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire, will be at Happy Joe's in LeClaire, every Wednesday, from 1-3 pm, sipping on a soda, reading and waiting to visit with you and your friends. Stop by and say hi. Or, if you have a prayer request or a question, just let her know.  Meals for Seniors at the church every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon. Good food and a time to visit with others. Please call 563-289-3646 and make a reservation 2 days in advance.

 

Trivia Nights in LeClaire at the LeClaire Civic Center

2013 Trivia Nights:

April 6 - LeClaire Little League

May 4 - LeClaire Lions

June 8 - Buffalo Bill Museum

July 13 - Hosted by First Presbyterian Church - Hurricane Sandy Victims

LeClaire Trivia Nights have raised over $95,000 for local non-profit organizations! Thank you for your continued support!

LeClaire 2013 Events Calendar

Spring - Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt (Hollyhock Park)

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

May 17-18 - French Market Days

June 7-8 - LeClaire Garage Sale Days

June 21-22 - Girls' Getaway Weekend - Details to come!!

Summer - City-Wide Water Explosion (Hollyhock Park)

Summer - Bike Parade & Decorating

August 8-10 - Tug Fest - www.tugfest.com

October 6 - Dogtoberfest (rain date - Oct. 13)

October 13 - Apple Fest

October 24 - Hallowine

October 26 - Witches' Walk

December 6-8 - Christmas in LeClaire

www.LeClaireChamber.com and visit the Chamber on FaceBook!

01 Apr 2013

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Friday, March 29, 2013**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

 

Bill No.: HB 1188

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Resolves issues related to a 2012 tax referendum in Palos Fire Protection District.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

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01 Apr 2013

What 'Argo' Fails to Tell Us About the Lives of American Diplomats

By Rick Martin
3 Surprising Facts About the Men & Women
in the Foreign Service

The Academy Awards' "Best Picture" tells the story of the rescue of six U.S. diplomats during the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979-80.

But, for all that it's a movie about diplomats, it tells nothing of the men and women who represent the United States abroad, the challenges they face and how prepared - or ill prepared - they are to face those challenges, says Nicholas Kralev, an expert on international affairs and diplomacy and author of a new book, "America's Other Army: The U.S. Foreign Service and 21st Century Diplomacy," www.americasotherarmy.com.

Why should Americans care?

Because the work of U.S. diplomats affects every American's safety and security, Kralev says.

"Their success - or lack of it - affects our ability to travel; our employment opportunities; our prosperity."

The U.S. Foreign Service is much less visible than the U.S. military - in spite of the attention it has received in recent months. The 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Libya, where Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans died, raised greater awareness of our Foreign Service workers. Additionally, media attention on the globetrotting former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who oversaw the department, captured the public's imagination.

Kralev, a former Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent covered the State Department for 10 years under four secretaries of state. He visited more than 50 embassies and interviewed 600 American diplomats to learn about who they are, what their daily lives are like, and what they do. He says Americans would be surprised by what we don't know about the Foreign Service.

• Parties are the last thing on a diplomat's mind. Their multiple missions range from helping lift people out of poverty to influencing public opinion in the countries where they're posted to watching out for threats to U.S. interests. For the past 10 years, the goal of U.S. diplomacy has been to ensure security and prosperity by removing the conditions that foster conflict. That means a diplomat must be a jack of all trades. They roll up their sleeves to provide hands-on help building schools and hospitals; aid victims of natural disasters; work with refugees. Diplomats also intercede on behalf of Americans who run into problems while traveling abroad; seek grants for local projects, and build relationships among the local populace and leaders.

• American diplomats risk their lives every day. Chris Stevens was not the first diplomat to die in the line of duty. Violent crimes including kidnapping, carjackings and robberies are ever-present threats. In 2008, a 33-year-old embassy employee was killed in Sudan while returning home from a party at the British Embassy. In 2002, a 60-year-old diplomat was killed in Jordan. In 1983, a car bomb killed 63 employees of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
"Our Foreign Service workers tell harrowing stories of near misses," Kralev says. "But they also understand that the adventure that makes that lives so appealing to them is not without risks."

• Foreign Service workers have surprisingly little training. To be eligible for the service, applicants must by U.S. citizens at least 21 years old and no older than 60 on the day you are appointed, and available for worldwide assignments. They also must pass a Foreign Service Officer exam. "They are ordinary Americans -- former lawyers, nurses, restaurant managers, teachers and journalists. They come from every walk of life," Kralev says. "Much of what they do is based on intuition, luck and gut. Officers learn on the job almost everything they need to know."

The work of the Foreign Service is too important to remain a mystery, says Kralev, who details countless individual stories in "America's Other Army."

"Strong and effective U.S. diplomacy is essential to our security, prosperity, even our freedom. Americans should pay attention to whether we're providing them with all of the tools they need."

About Nicholas Kralev

Nicholas Kralev is an author, journalist and lecturer on international affairs, diplomacy and global travel. A former Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent, he has traveled around the world with four U.S. secretaries of state, including Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice, and visited more than 80 countries. He is the author of "America's Other Army: The U.S. Foreign Service and 21st Century Diplomacy" and "Decoding Air Travel: A Guide to Saving on Airfare and Flying in Luxury." He is also the founder and CEO of Kralev International LLC, an air travel consulting and training company. He holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

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