wrestling in Olympics

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today released a letter, co-signed by a bipartisan group of 33 governors, calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to keep wrestling an Olympic sport. After asking Iowa's congressional delegation to co-sign a letter to the Olympic committee, Branstad began focusing on bringing together governors in an effort to keep the great sport in the Olympics.

The letter, sent to International Olympic Committee Executive Board President Dr. Jacques Rogge, urges the committee to reconsider their recent decision to remove wrestling as an Olympic sport, effective in 2020.

"The Olympic Games are meant to provide a venue for people from all nations to overcome differences and forge lasting relationships and wrestling has contributed to these Olympic attributes," the governors write.  "We believe that renewing or renovating the Olympics should respect key Olympic traditions. We would also encourage a transparent voting system for future votes on which sports should be included as part of the Olympic Games. As public servants, we hold transparency as a sacred principle and we would encourage the IOC to abide by that same principle."

The following is the full text of the letter, including the bipartisan list of governors who joined Gov. Branstad in signing on to the letter:

 

March 5, 2013

Dr. Jacques Rogge

President, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board

Château de Vidy

Case Postale 356 1001

Lausanne Switzerland

 

Dear President Rogge:

As governors of states with rich wrestling traditions, we write to express our concerns regarding the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to remove wrestling as an Olympic sport in the 2020 Olympic Games. We strongly urge the IOC to reconsider its position and vote to extend wrestling's long legacy within the Olympic Games.

Wrestling was a key sport in ancient civilization and its inclusion in the Olympics has continued to enrich the ongoing Olympic tradition. Early Olympic organizers recognized wrestling's unique and global importance by including the sport in the 1896 Olympic Games held in Athens. Wrestling has been a key part of the Olympic movement ever since.

The same spirit of competition that drove ancient wrestlers has transcended generations, and our states are the beneficiaries of this spirit. Wrestling accelerates character building. At its core, wrestling is an instinct and embodies the human qualities of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. Dan Gable, an Olympic gold medalist and former US Olympic wrestling coach, succinctly summarized wrestling's character building characteristics when he stated, "Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy."

Wrestling's positive impact goes beyond our states and the United States of America. Forms of wrestling have been important parts of cultures worldwide, including China, Ukraine, Japan, Russia, Turkey, and many other countries. Soviet and Russian wrestlers have won 77 gold medals at past Olympic Games. Moreover, wrestling federations exist in approximately 180 countries and the recent London Olympic Games had wrestlers from over 70 countries.

The Olympic Games are meant to provide a venue for people from all nations to overcome differences and forge lasting relationships and wrestling has contributed to these Olympic attributes. We believe that renewing or renovating the Olympics should respect key Olympic traditions. We would also encourage a transparent voting system for future votes on which sports should be included as part of the Olympic Games. As public servants, we hold transparency as a sacred principle and we would encourage the IOC to abide by that same principle.

We encourage your prompt reconsideration of your decision regarding wrestling. We hope that wrestling will continue to be an important part of the Olympic tradition.

Sincerely,

Terry E. Branstad,Governor of Iowa

Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama

Sean Parnell, Governor of Alaska

Mike Beebe, Governor of Arkansas

John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado

Dannel P. Malloy, Governor of Connecticut

Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware

Nathan Deal, Governor of Georgia

Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois

Sam Brownback, Governor of Kansas

Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana

Paul LePage, Governor of Maine

Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland

Rick Snyder, Governor of Michigan

Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota

Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana

Dave Heineman, Governor of Nebraska

Brian Sandoval, Governor of Nevada

Maggie Hassan, Governor of New Hampshire

Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey

Pat McCrory, Governor of North Carolina

John Kasich, Governor of Ohio

Mary Fallin, Governor of Oklahoma

John Kitzhaber, M.D., Governor of Oregon

Tom Corbett, Governor of Pennsylvania

Alejandro García Padilla, Governor of Puerto Rico

Lincoln Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island

Dennis Daugaard, Governor of South Dakota

Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee

Gary Herbert, Governor of Utah

Peter Shumlin, Governor of Vermont

Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin

Matt Mead, Governor of Wyoming

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[DUBUQUE, IA] Dubuque County Fine Arts Society is proud to announce that they will present Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Conductor William Intriligator with the 33rd annual Elisha Darlin Award at a reception on Friday, March 29 at the Hotel Julien  Dubuque. Each year, the Fine Arts Society presents the Elisha Darlin Arts Award in recognition of the contributions of an individual or group who impact the cultural landscape of the Dubuque community. Past recipients include artists in various mediums, arts organizers, advocates, patrons, educators, and those involved in the promotion of arts and culture.

This year, Fine Arts Society presents the award to William Intriligator. In his 13th season as Music Director and Conductor of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Intriligator has guided the orchestra through an exciting period of artistic and organizational  growth. Under Intriligator's direction, the orchestra is performing at higher levels of musical excellence. During his tenure the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra has added staged opera, staged ballet, a chamber series, programs designed for young professionals, additional educational youth concerts, new education initiatives, the re-introduction of family concerts, and large scale festivals such as the MozartFest and the Multicultural Festival.

An annual award presented by the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, the Elisha Darlin Arts Award honors an individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the arts. Named after the late Elisha Darlin, an educator and founding board member of Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, past recipients of the award include Ruth and Russ Nash, Sue Riedel, Lenore Howard and Doug Donald, Sue Flogel, Bob Woodward, Gail Chavenelle, Sandye Voight, Gene Tully, Fran and Ellen Henkels, former Dubuque City Councilwoman Ann Michalski, and the Dubuque Cultural Preservation Committee among many others.

Founded by Russ and Ruth Nash in 1976, DCFAS is a non-profit organization that works to encourage, promote, and present local and regional arts. Current programming includes Dubuquefest Fine Arts Festival, Dubuque Fine Arts Players One Act Plays, Dubuque Writers Guild, Nash Gallery, Voices from the Warehouse District and Rogue Collections.

The Elisha Darlin Awards Dinner supports the sustainability of vibrant and low-cost arts programming provided by DCFAS, and is set for Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Grande Ballroom of the Hotel Julien.

Dinner/event tickets available at the door or in advance. For more information, email EDAwards@dcfas.org or call 563-513-7007.
Limbs took root in the Summer of 2011, the seedling of an impromptu collaboration between EDM maestro DJ Kage, freestyling MC Ty James and the psychedelic rock group, The Messy Blend, consisting of drummer Nick Jenkins and guitarists/bassists Travis Patten and Alex Fischels . The fivesome wasted no time establishing their chemistry and synthesizing their musical characters and influences into a danceable, funky and melodic sound that has stumped concert goers striving for classification. Creative tags such as "Funk-hop Jamtronica" have been tossed about, and the band has been compared to diverse acts ranging from MGMT and Joy Division to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Iggy and the Stooges. While their genre has been hard to pin down, their appeal has not. Limbs turns wallflowers into participants, and those in the front row into loyal fans. The sound is experimental, but the songs are catchy, accessible, deeply felt and range dynamically in energy. Limbs move in many moods, lyrically and musically. The fellas have been pulling audiences into the groove from Chicago to Des Moines over the past year with their high-energy live show, and long to see you soon.
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Limbs is currently in the studio working on their second full length album due out in APRIL.

http://www.reverbnation.com/limbsband

https://www.facebook.com/we.are.limbs

https://www.musicpage.com/limbs

 

Recent poll examines gun laws/gun violence solutions

Recent poll data shows that there is an overwhelming belief among Illinois voters that the best way to reduce gun violence in the state is to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, and strictly enforce Federal gun laws.

The poll conducted by the Freedom to Choose PAC on February 27, which surveyed 804 registered Illinois voters, found that 95% of respondents would be likely to vote for a candidate who supported reforming mental health laws to keep firearms from the mentally ill.

88% want to charge people accused of violating gun laws under Federal statutes, which require mandatory prison terms if convicted. 

87% agreed the court systems should be monitored to make sure that people charged with gun violations are prosecuted for the violation, and not allowed to plea bargain out of the charges.

Also, 74% said they would be likely to vote for someone who supported conceal and carry legislation for legal gun owners.

"The poll clearly shows that while the people of Illinois want actions to reduce gun violence, it should be not be accomplished by limiting their choices of how they protect themselves, their loved ones and their property," said Josh Powell, chairman, Freedom to Choose PAC. "Action needs to be taken to work with legislators in passing the conceal and carry law mandated by the Supreme Court. This legislation should include the same limitations applied equally for both citizens and lawmakers themselves. It's time Illinoisans have The Choice to protect themselves shared by the other 49 states in the country."

Specifically, the poll indicated that 61% voters would support conceal and carry legislation that contains the same language for private citizens as public officials, but would exclude law enforcement.

Pollsters also delved deeper to determine solutions for curbing gun violence.

Less than a majority, 41 %, believed that banning the sale of fire arms between private citizens would reduce gun violence.

Only 22% believed that economic sanctions, or discouraging banks and investors from investing in Illinois companies that manufacture or distribute assault weapons, were an adequate route to preventing gun violence. Such economic restrictions could force those companies to close, costing Illinois over 5,000 jobs.

87% were for background checks for those buying guns at gun shows.

25% of those polled believe that the current debate is being driven by public safety concerns, versus 45% who believe it's political in nature.

Of those polled, 43% came from households that own a gun, but 54% felt a gun would be the best form of protection against acts of violence like assault, robbery, rape or home invasion, rather than 35% who preferred just calling the police.
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"The Freedom to Choose" poll was conducted by McKeon and Associates, February 27, 2013. The poll surveyed a sample of 804 registered voters in Illinois. Full cross-tabs and additional information can be found by loading the image below, or on www.freedomtochoose.us.

Moline, IL - March 13, 2013 - West Music Quad Cities is proud to host the Steinway Living Legends Tour beginning March 13 through March 20. For this limited time, West Music Quad Cities will have three select pianos in-store that have been played by some of the world's greatest piano artists, including Billy Joel, Diana Krall, Harry Connick, Jr. and more.

People interested are encouraged to visit West Music Quad Cities to see and play the very Steinway pianos that music legends have performed and recorded upon. Artists that have played on the Living Legends pianos include :

Billy Joel, David Benoit, Yefim Bronfman, Ramsey Lewis, Regina Spektor, Diana Krall, Lang Lang, Bruce Hornsby, Harry Connick Jr., Jason Moran, McCoy Tyner, Emanuel Ax, Allen Toussaint, Fred Hersch, Keith Jarrett.

West Music Quad Cities is located at 4305 44th Avenue in Moline, Illinois. Due to the limited time these pianos will be present in the store, it is encouraged to call ahead to set up a private appointment. Please contact the West Music Pianos team by calling 309-764-9300 to schedule your time to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.

About Steinway and Sons Piano Company
Since 1853, Steinway pianos have been handmade to last for generations. A treasured possession that grows in value over the course of time. Steinway is the choice of 99% of concert artists, and it is, quite simply, the standard by which all other pianos are compared.  Details about Steinway & Sons may be obtained by calling (800) 366-1853 or by visiting www.steinway.com.

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music's mission to "Enrich peoples' lives through participation in music" is at the root of its success and continued growth. West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has six retail locations in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. For more information, visit West Music's comprehensive online website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

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DES MOINES, IA - The Braley for Iowa campaign announced Tuesday that the Great Plains Laborers' District Council has endorsed Bruce Braley in his 2014 campaign for US Senate.
The union is the second major organized labor group to endorse Braley.  The Iowa State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced their endorsement last week.
Bill Gerhard, Secretary-Treasurer of the Great Plains Laborers' District Council, said, "Bruce Braley grew up working hard and he's never forgotten where he came from.  He gets things done in Congress that make life better for the middle class.  That's why the Great Plains Laborers' District Council is proud to endorse him for US Senate.  We know he'll be an even more effective voice for working families in the US Senate."
Rep. Bruce Braley said, "I'm excited to have the support of the Great Plains Laborers' Council.  These men and women know what it means to get up every day and work hard to get the job done.  We could use a lot more of that spirit in Congress these days, and that's why I've taken the first steps in this campaign.  I hope to keep fighting to expand opportunities for middle class families in the Senate."
The Great Plains Laborers' District Council represents 19 different Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) local unions. These local unions cover northern Illinois outside Chicago, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.  Over 4,000 construction workers and public employees are represented by Great Plains Laborers Council unions across the state of Iowa.
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SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Illinois comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch:

"I join with everyone in Illinois to mourn the passing of a great public servant.

"Dawn Clark Netsch was a strong advocate for education and a pioneer for equal rights for all people. As the first woman elected to a statewide constitutional office in Illinois, Comptroller Netsch blazed a trail for women in public office.

"As an elected delegate to the Illinois constitutional convention in 1970, she spearheaded the movement to modernize our constitution. I witnessed firsthand her dedication to honest government when we served together as state treasurer and comptroller.

"Most importantly, Dawn was a straight shooter, and not just at playing pool. She always told the people of Illinois what they needed to know.

"Throughout her life, Dawn Clark Netsch taught us all about the right way to move forward in our democracy. We are all better off because of her purposeful life."

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SPRINGFIELD - March 5, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon issued this statement today on the death of her mentor, former state Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch. Netsch was the first woman to win the Democratic nomination for governor.

"Dawn Clark Netsch was a hero of mine since the early 1980s and a friend and mentor ever since," Simon said. "We served on the board of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform together and collaborated on reform issues for many years. She was straight forward, a straight shooter and great at explaining state issues. She was not just a public servant, but a teacher. She will be missed."

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SIGN YOUR KIDS UP TODAY FOR THE COOKING CLASS ON MARCH 10, 2013.!

CALL (563) 659-0770 TO RESERVE A SPOT IN THE ST. PATRICK'S KIDS COOKING CLASS.

The Loop riverfront circulator will begin service 2 hours early on Saturday, March 16 to accommodate St. Patrick's Day festivities.  The service will run its regular route beginning at 3PM and will end with the last stop in Bettendorf  at 1:45AM.  Four buses will be in operation that evening -- two traveling in a clockwise direction and two running the route in a counter-clockwise direction each hour -- giving riders more frequent service and increased capacity for the busy night.  The extended service schedule is available at www.qctransit.com.

The Loop riverfront circulator gives riders easy access to downtown attractions in Bettendorf, the Village of East Davenport, Davenport, The District in Rock Island, and Moline.  It is a safe and enjoyable way to travel among popular venues and enjoy local festivities.  The brightly colored orange retro-style buses are easy to spot and comfortable to ride.  Since buses may be boarded either at a designated "Loop Stop" or by flagging the bus down in "The Loop Zone" (anywhere along the route in the downtown areas), The Loop is a safe and convenient means of travel to Saturday's St. Patrick's Day downtown events.

Cost: $1 per trip or $3 for a day-pass, 50 cents for those over 60, the disabled, and Medicare cardholders.  Additional information about The Loop, including printable St. Patrick's Saturday schedule and  2012-2013 Loop Rider's Guide, may be found at www.qctransit.com.

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