(DES MOINES)  - Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds today was named to the 2013 Republican Lieutenant Governors Association (RLGA) Executive Committee by the Republican State Leadership Committee President (RSLC), Chris Jankowski.

Priorities for the RLGA Executive Committee include growing jobs, improving education, supporting economic development and improving tourism.

"I look forward to using my position on the RLGA's Executive Committee to share the positive initiatives we're spearheading in Iowa," said Reynolds. "In using our best practices, other states will learn from Iowa's successes in job creation and education reform. In the same regard, I look forward to learning from other states as we apply additional meaningful economic development measures in Iowa moving forward. The states are leading the new reform efforts, and moving this country forward as a whole."

The full list of the Executive Committee includes: Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki - Chairman, Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves - Vice Chairman, Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, New Mexico Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

The RLGA is the only national organization committed to raising money and assisting Republicans in their campaigns for Lieutenant Governor, an office that has served as a springboard to elected positions such as Governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, or appointments to the President's Cabinet.  The RLGA currently claims 30 of the 45 Lieutenant Governor offices nationwide, a record number for the organization. Republicans currently hold 15 of the 19 independently-elected positions and 15 of the 26 team-elected/appointed seats.

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Spring has almost sprung -- it's time to start planning and planting your garden. You'll find a wealth of information and inspiration in Sierra Club Books' Edible Landscaping, by gardening expert Rosalind Creasy.

Order your copy from the Sierra Club's online store in the next 48 hours (by March 21) and receive a handy canvas garden tote -- a $16.99 value -- as our gift.
Do you have a passion for the environment? Love spending time outside? Enjoy telling your friends about your adventures? Do you want to have the Best Internship on Earth?

This summer, two young adults will travel around the country with the Sierra Club's activist and outings programs and video blog their experiences. They'll also receive $1,000 gift cards from primary sponsor The North Face.

Submit your video application by April 9, then share it with your friends and family. The top five videos with the most comments will receive a Sierra Club swag bag with a surprise from The North Face.

Three-year Agreement Ratified by Union After Longest Negotiation in History

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today praised the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 members' approval of the new union contract covering some 35,000 state employees. Negotiations took more than 15 months and the agreement was ratified by AFSCME members over the past two weeks. Today's development is part of the governor's commitment to restore fiscal stability to Illinois.

"This is the best contract for all taxpayers in Illinois history," Governor Pat Quinn said. "This contract recognizes the fact that the state is facing unprecedented financial challenges. I want to thank the members of AFSCME who approved the agreement and the women and men who negotiated at the table for more than a year to get this job done. Even in difficult times, the process can work. This is a win for all of our taxpayers and a win for state workers as we continue to move Illinois forward."

AFSCME announced ratification of the contract this evening. The approved agreement will result in $900 million in healthcare savings over the life of the contract. The contract puts an end to free retiree healthcare in Illinois to ensure all retirees will begin paying a modest portion of their health insurance premiums starting July 1. In addition, the contract includes the most modest Cost of Living Adjustments in state history at a rate of 0 percent, 2 percent and 2 percent. Combined with step and longevity adjustments, this will total about $200 million over the life of the contract. The contract calls for new hires to start three steps lower, which amounts to about 9 percent less starting salary, which will save taxpayers money for years to come.

The contract also settles the pay raise litigation that has been tied up in court. As part of the agreement, the union and the administration have agreed to seek approximately $140 million in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 wages from the previous contract that were never appropriated.

This 15-month negotiation was the longest in the state's history.

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An anonymous veteran from the State of Oklahoma has made an extremely generous donation to Veterans Workshop Class A-225 which consists of blind veterans from Oklahoma training to become relay operators assisting deaf veterans. Donated equipment has bridged a gap with measurable results for the vision disabled veterans that are now able to use it in the virtual Google+ classroom.

Oklahoma City, OK (PRWEB) March 19, 2013

This March five blind Oklahoma Veterans began training as relay operators on a Google+ platform to make phone calls for deaf veterans.  Funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) of Oklahoma City and the State of Oklahoma, Department of Rehabilitation Services has allowed these veterans to embark on a training mission that has literally changed their lives.

Veterans Workshop Class A-225 began as a group of strangers but quickly evolved into a band of brothers.  Whether it was showing a classmate where to click on a screen or finding someone to take them to a house to adjust a setting they never hesitate to help each other in need. The group of veterans quickly established a strong sense of camaraderie helping each other day or night.

One of the veterans in training, Chuck Smith says "When you lose your vision you can't get around without asking someone for help and that's frustrating.  I can't even begin to tell you how this training class has changed my life.  I am now able to ask one of my classmates to come pick me up and together we can go anywhere we want.  We are part of a team that has opened up a whole new world of opportunities.  I am excited to push forward and I knew with the right equipment we could make it happen.  I feel honored to be a part of this group".

Early on it became apparent that monitor quality and screen size created obstacles for some of the veterans.  Being a close knit group they rallied together to help each other in every way possible.  A veteran connected to one of the students got wind of this hurdle and immediately stepped up to the plate.  Within 24 hours new monitors were purchased and installed at the homes of the veteran students that needed them most.  One of the recipients Martin Brown says, "My new monitor is a 99.5% improvement.  I was praying in my garage yesterday and next thing I know the fellas came with a 40" monitor.  I have served as a deacon in my church for the last 15 years helping others and this training is opening doors to continue helping others in need."

For David Fox the new monitor is described as "clear, bright, easy to get to, a split second to get to one end of the screen to another and fabulous".  The classroom has opened David to other vision disabled veterans in ways he never would have imagined and has provided for "real moments of brotherhood."

As student George Lamb puts into perspective, "When people are visually impaired people think they develop super powers like hearing and that's just not true.  They have to struggle with tasks that other people take for granted and it takes them about six times as long.  These new monitors make training substantially easier and lower frustration levels.  The fact that someone cared enough to give us new, state of the art monitors motivates me.  What solved our problem was a veteran stepping up."

One blind veteran in training is 90 Year Old, WWII Navy Veteran Emory Finefrock. Emory believes that this training is helping to "build worldwide circles" and that he is now able to "connect with veterans in ways I could not do before."

Robert Anderson, lead instructor for the training says, "The Google team has been just amazing with their support.  However, there are many challenges that vision disabled veterans face while learning Google plus hangout technology to assist deaf veterans.  These monitors are a real game changer. I am honored to have the opportunity to be part of a team that guides these veterans down the path as they prepare for this mission critical service."

On their own the group has adapted a quote from Emerson and see it as the future for both themselves and the blind veteran - deaf veteran relay program "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

About the Veterans Workshop: With offices in Rhode Island and Washington, DC, the Veterans Workshop has developed unique training programs for a subset of the disabled veterans community to include blind, deaf and paralyzed veterans. Training for blind veterans is underway, with training for deaf and paralyzed veterans expected in early fall.

Washington, DC?Pacific Justice Institute is filing complaints today with the Washington D.C. Bar against nine federal attorneys over their handling of litigation involving the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  The complaints, brought by more than 900 people, allege that federal attorneys litigating cases challenging the constitutionality of DOMA intentionally took action to sabotage the case and prejudice the federal defendants that they were charged with defending.  

For years federal lawyers defended DOMA, stringing together a number of court victories across the country.  However, in February of 2011, Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner informing him that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will no longer defend the law.  Next week, oral arguments will be presented to the U.S. Supreme Court over the constitutionality of DOMA.  

"What has become particularly troubling is that instead of handing over the files and substituting out of the case, the Department of Justice attorneys remained in the thick of the litigation, filing papers against their own client, the United States of America," said PJI President Brad Dacus.  "When this Solicitor General steps up to the podium in the Supreme Court to argue this case in less than ten days, the first question that the Justices should ask is: 'Counsel - Exactly who do you represent?'" Dacus continued.

PJI is encouraging citizens across the country to visit NoWayDOJ.com to become official complainants.

It should be noted that last week the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Solicitor General to participate in oral argument against California's Proposition 8.  Oddly, the federal government is not a party to that litigation.

Happenings at the GAHC

Eiermarkt Spring Craft Fair
Saturday, March 23 10am-3pm

Free Admission to the Fair!

We have many great vendors for our 2nd annual Eiermarkt! Come shop the arts and crafts, try hot pretzels or fresh baked pie, check out the many things you can do and make with the incredible Egg!

1848 to Today a presentation by    Dr. Joachim (Yogi) Reppmann
Sunday, March 24th 1:30pm

Come to GAHC for a social starting at 1:30, then at 2:00 Dr. Reppmann will speak about this interesting and influential group of immigrants in early Davenport. A wreath ceremony will follow. This program is sponsored by the German Roundtable

Healing Lotus Acupuncture is now open for business!

Moline, IL - March 20, 2013 - Healing Lotus Acupuncture is proud to announce its new home inside Moline Chiropractic Clinic, located at 4300 12th Avenue in Moline, IL.  We are now accepting new patients.

Healing Lotus Acupuncture is owned and operated by Scott Stewart, LAc, Dipl. a licensed and board certified acupuncturist.  The clinic will offer treatments in acupuncture, herbal therapy, cupping, and other modalities.

Healing Lotus Acupuncture clinic treats many types of conditions ranging from chronic pain, stress, anxiety, metabolic disorders, infertility, and digestive problems.

Scott Stewart, LAc., Dipl. is board certified by the NCCAOM and licensed in the state of Illinois.  He received his Masters of Science in Acupuncture degree from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL.  Scott has taken several post-graduate courses in infertility, endocrinology, herbs, and digestive conditions.

Prior to opening his own practice Scott travelled through South East Asia studying different traditional medicine systems.  While living in Thailand he volunteered and Wat Thung Bo Paen Rehabilitation Center where he offered free acupuncture to patients recovering from stroke.

You can contact Healing Lotus Acupuncture by phone at (309) 764-4753.  Appointments can also be made online at www.healinglotus.co.

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Contact:

Healing Lotus Acupuncture

Scott Stewart, Lac, Dipl.

4300 12th Avenue

Moline, IL. 61265

(309) 7.64.47.53

The 31st Annual CASI St. Patrick's Day Races Presented by Russell Construction was a tremendous
success! We had more than 2,800 runners and several thousand spectators filling the streets and
sidewalks of Downtown Davenport on March 16! The race committees and two hundred plus volunteers
did an outstanding job in organizing and staffing the event.

With all the support and involvement from our community, CASI (Center for Active Seniors, Inc.) raised over $60,000 from this year's event!! 100% of these proceeds will go to provide services and programs to seniors and their families, living in the Quad Cities Area.

The success of this race was due to the fantastic support of our sponsors, donors, participants, volunteers and the City of Davenport - Events of this magnitude would not be possible without generous contributions from all!

For participants that have questions about receiving their plaques or t-shirts please call contact CASI at
563-386-7477.

For more information, please call: Sarah Arp at 563.343.0038 (cell) or email at: sarp@casiseniors.org

CASI, 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, Iowa. CASI is open Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm.

www.CasiSeniors.org

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CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn issued the following statement regarding the Sangamon County Circuit Court's dismissal of lawsuits pertaining to Senate Bill 1313, which will allow the state to proceed with enacting the law:

"I am pleased with the court's action today to uphold this important law. This is good news for the taxpayers and another step forward in our effort to restore fiscal stability to Illinois."

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