26 Jan 2013

Loebsack to Continue the Conversation on Keeping Our Schools and Children Safe

By Joe Hand

Will tour schools across the Second District and meet with educators and parents  

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Loebsack announced today that next week he will be holding a series of tours of schools throughout the Second District to meet with administrators, teachers, mental health advisors, parents and students about how our schools should move forward to keep our children and communities safe.  These tours will build on Loebsack's call with law enforcement officers last week. Tours will be held in Ottumwa, Davenport, Iowa City and Burlington.  Additional details and possibly additional locations will be announced at a later date.  Media are invited to attend. 

"Ensuring the safety of our children is top priority for me and every parent," said Loebsack.  "I look forward to hearing directly from the people that are involved with protecting our children and I look forward to getting ideas and taking them back to Washington with me while we debate how to move forward."

26 Jan 2013

Smiddy Encourages Residents in Need to Apply for Heating Assistance

By Rep. Mike Smiddy

PORT BYRON, IL - Winter is in full swing, and state Rep. Mike Smiddy (D?Hillsdale) isencouraging residents struggling to pay their heating bills to apply for assistance through thestate's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Eligible households couldreceive reconnection assistance, emergency furnace assistance, or a one-time payment or regularassistance in paying a gas or electric bill.

"LIHEAP is a lifesaving resource for families that need a little extra help to make it through thewinter," said Smiddy. "Residents need to know that there is help out there to prevent having theirheat shut off, especially as temperatures continue to drop."

To be eligible for the program, household monthly incomes must be no greater than $1,396 for ahousehold of one, $1,891 for a household of two, $2,386 for a household of three, or $2,881 fora household of four.

Additional income guidelines can be found at www.LIHEAPIllinois.com orby calling (877) 411-9276.

Applicants must provide proof of income for the 30-day period before the application date, acopy of their heat or electric bill issued within the previous 30 days, proof of Social Securitynumber for every resident in the house, and documentation of assistance received through otherpublic programs such as TANF or SNAP. Grants are issued until available funding runs out, andresidents are encouraged to apply early.

To begin the application process, residents must make an appointment with a community agencythat administers the LIHEAP program. Whiteside and Carroll County residents should contactthe Tri-County Opportunities Council, with 8 locations including offices in Savanna, Rock Falls,and Sterling, by calling (815) 625-7830 or the toll free number at (800) 323-5434. Henry andRock Island County residents should contact the Project NOW administrative office at (309)793-6391. In addition to 4 outreach offices in Rock Island, Moline, Kewanee, and Aledo, ProjectNOW hosts occasional satellite office sites in the community.

For more information, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at (309) 848-9098 or RepSmiddy@gmail.com.

###

26 Jan 2013

The Virtues of Bikes, Bourbon and Rock N Roll

By Ginny Grimsley

Blurring Gender Roles are Fine, Writer/Rocker Says, But Men Still Need to be Men

Does a real man stay at home with the kids while his wife goes to work? Is he OK if she earns more than him? Will he do the cooking - and like it?

Yes, yes and yes, says contemporary philosopher Eli Just, author of the popular supernatural adventure series that begins with "Manny Jones and the Place" (www.elijustsupernaturalwriter.com).

"The 'new masculinity' - the new manly man - understands the value of blurring those old gender lines. And he's also found the satisfaction and real pleasure that comes with some of those things," Just says.

"But he balances that with some of the old old-school ideas about what it is to be a man. There's still a lot to be said for the freedom of roaring along a highway on a motorcycle,  sipping  bourbon, and playing rock 'n roll with your buddies in the garage."

Just points to a poll of more than 87,000 men in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. AskMen's Great Male Survey found that:

• 94 percent would feel fine about their wife earning more than they do. ("That may just indicate we're evolving," Just says. "It doesn't seem kind of stupid to be upset about a better lifestyle just because you're not the one providing it!)

• 78 percent say marriage potential is "very" or "somewhat" important in evaluating how they feel about the woman they're dating. ("It's nice to see we're raising our standards," Just says.)

• 64 percent cook at home and like it - only 5 percent called cooking "woman's work." ("It stands to reason that if you're wife is out making the big bucks, you better learn to cook or go hungry," Just says.)

• 50 percent say the ultimate manly man is a good husband and father. That beat out traditional "manly" virtues such as being good at fixing things (13 percent) and being a great lover (4 percent).

This new appreciation of men's roles and responsibilities is great, Just says, but if guys want to remain attractive to the opposite sex, they need to retain some of their guy-liness.

"Men need to be open to adventure. They need to be courageous. And they need to lose those little skinny jeans and dress like men," he says. "We're already slipping on achievement - more women are getting college degrees than men. More women than men are breadwinners.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with being a woman. I love women. But men are not women and we shouldn't try to be!"

What does he recommend for putting some muscle back into manhood?

• Find your sparkplugs. If you don't know how to change your engine oil, you need to fix that. Take a class in basic automotive maintenance and repairs - they're often offered at adult schools and community colleges. "There is nothing less appealing to a woman than a man who has no clue about what's under the hood - especially when she's broken down on the side of the highway," Just says.

• Do a chin-up. A basic difference between men and women is upper body strength. If you've let yours go, you need to get it back. "Men should be strong," Just says. "They should be able to punch the bad guy or open the pickle jar. Too many of us have let ourselves go. Believe me, your wife-to-be doesn't want to be carrying YOU over the threshold!"

• Get over the video games. Men have gotten far too preoccupied with video games, Just says. "They're playing in some fantasy world for hours at a time, getting pale, flabby and weird." He suggests watching football. While many a wife and girlfriend complains about the time her guy spends watching sports, at least he talks to her during commercials, Just points out. They might even get out and throw a ball around. "You can't do that with virtual cyber swords," he says.

About Eli Just

Eli Just is the author of several books including the popular "Manny Jones" series and "The Eddy." He has a master's in history from Southeastern Louisiana University and is a self-taught student of physics, which he taught at the high school level. As a Christian, Just enjoys exploring themes involving physics and its relationship to religion. He lives in northern Georgia.

26 Jan 2013

U.S. Grains Council Launches 2012 Online Annual Report

By Marri Carrow

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 24, 2013 ? The U.S. Grains Council today launched its 2012 online Annual Report, available now at www.usgcAnnualReport.org.

The online report includes success stories from the year, video highlights, photographs, and market profiles from more than 25 countries and regions. Market profile pages display supply/demand charts, market growth potential and other information viewers may find useful, including highlights from Council programs in each country.

"Since the Council was founded 52 years ago, we have focused continuously on building markets and expanding trade opportunities for U.S. farmers and agribusinesses," said Don Fast, USGC chairman.

"By promoting sound trade policies, building relationships between trading partners and being a reliable third-party resource, the Council and its members have enhanced food security and food choice for countless people around the world. This work is at the heart of our mission of Developing Markets, Enabling Trade and Improving Lives. The Council's global staff live and breathe it - and it makes us proud to witness their efforts."

An exclusive feature of the online report provides access to downloadable spread sheets containing supply/demand data for more than 25 countries and regions that are provided on the individual market profile pages.

The online report is available on its own website, www.usgcAnnualReport.org, while the printed publication will be mailed to Council members. A downloadable form of the printed publication is also available online.

-30-

The U.S. Grains Council is a private, non-profit partnership of farmers and agribusinesses committed to building and expanding international markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and their products. The Council is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 10 international offices that oversee programs in more than 50 countries. Financial support from our private industry members, including state checkoffs, agribusinesses, state entities and others, triggers federal matching funds from the USDA resulting in a combined program value of more than $28.3 million.

The U.S. Grains Council does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital/family status. Persons with disabilities, who require alternative means for communication of program information, should contact the U.S. Grains Council.

 

26 Jan 2013

Budget Work Session January 26, 2013

By Jackie E. Holecek, MMC

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION

City of Davenport, Iowa

Saturday, January 26, 2013; 9:00 a.m.

City Council Chambers, First FloorI.

FY 14 Operating Budget

26 Jan 2013

Saturday Chili Cook-off

By Mark Smith
JUST A REMINDER FOR SATURDAY:
   
  HAND  IN HAND' S ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF  SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2012FROM 2;30 - 7:00 P.M. AT THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FAIR'S  NEW FAIRCENTER (WHICH IS ON THE WESTSIDE OF THE FAIRGROUNDS).  IT IS A GREAT HUMAN INTEREST EVENT FOR YOUR VIEWERS/READERS...LOTS OF PEOPLE, CREATIVE BOOTH, AND MANY HUMOROUS STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE "BELOVED CHILI".   OF COURSE, THE CHILI IS VERY TASTY TOO.
LAST YEAR 950 PEOPLE ATTENDED WITH 10,000 CHILI SAMPLES SERVED. IN ADDITION TO CHILI TASTING; THE COOK-OFF ALSO FEATURES RAFFLES,AND SILENT AUCTIONS.  FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE HAND IN HAND CHILI COOK-OFF, CREATING A CHILI TEAM TO COMPETE OR REGARDING HAND IN HAND'S PROGRAMS VISIT.http://www.handinhandqc.org/.  TICKETS ARE $8 AT THE DOOR. MEDIA CONTACT IS MARK SMITH FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AT 332-8010. 
NOTES OF INTEREST:  THERE ARE INTERESTING STORIES RELATING TO OUR CHILI TEAMS.  MEDIC/EMS CHILI (CARDIAC CHILI) HAS A DISPLAY WITH A MANIKIN RECEIVING AN IV OF CHILI.   GUNCHIES BAR AND GRILL HAS A REAL GOAL POST AS PART OF THE DISPLAY FOR THEIR TAILGATING CHILI. WE ALSO HAVE A TEAM FROM DES MOINES CALL "HOG CALLING CHILI" WHO HAS WON MANY COOK-OFF CONTESTS AND WAS INTERVIEWED BY THE "TODAY SHOW". 
HAND IN HAND SERVES QUAD CITY CHILDREN  WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.  WE PROVIDE CHILDCARE, SUMMER CAMPS, BOWLING LEAGUES AND EVEN A SPECIAL NEEDS GIRL SCOUT TROOP FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM, DOWN SYNDROME AND OTHER SIMILAR DISABILITIES.
26 Jan 2013

Scott County Board of Supervisor's Tentative Agenda

By Chris Berge
Tuesday, January 29, 2013Committee of the Whole  -   8:00 amBoard Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center1. Roll Call:  Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch, Cusack, EarnhardtFacilities & Economic Development2. Approval of the first of two readings of ordinance to rezone a 4.72 acre parcel located in part of the SE¼SE¼ and the SW¼SE¼ of Section 7 and part of the NW¼NE¼ and the NE¼NE¼ of Section 18 all in Pleasant Valley Township from conditional Commercial and Light Industrial (C-2), with a landscaping only use condition, to Commercial and Light Industrial (C-2), without a landscaping only use restriction. (Item 2)3. Approval of the second and final reading of ordinance to rezone approximately 5 acres from Agricultural-Preservation District (A-P) to Agriculture Service Floating Zone (A-F) in the southwesterly corner (precisely the west 600 feet of the south 365 feet) of the SW¼SW¼ of Section 18 in Butler Township.  (Item 3)4. Approval of authorization for County Engineer to make necessary road closures.  (Item 4)5. Approval of policy for Purchase of Right of Way for 2013.  (Item 5) Human Resources6. Approval of classification and staffing adjustments for FSS.  (Item 6)7. Discussion of pending litigation pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c). - CLOSED SESSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 A.M.8. Approval of personnel actions.  (Item 8)Finance & Intergovernmental9. Approval of purchase of Websense Security Service.  (Item 9)10. Approval of purchase of HP Server and Storage Maintenance.  (Item 10)11. Approval of contract amendment with BerryDunn for ERP implementation and project oversight services.  (Item 11) 12. Approval of abatement of property taxes.  (Item 12)13. Approval of boards and commission appointments.  (Item 13)14. Approval of setting a public hearing for February 14 at 5:30 p.m. for an amendment to the County's current FY13 Budget.  (Item 14)15. Approval of authorization for the filing and publication of the budget estimate for FY14 and setting a public hearing for February 14 at 5:30 p.m.  (Item 15)16. Discussion of Administration FY14 budget presentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 A.M.17. Other items of interest.Thursday, January 31, 2013Regular Board Meeting  -   5:30 pmBoard Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center
26 Jan 2013

Troops in Afghanistan Gear Up for Superbowl XLVII

By Danny Gonzalez

SUPERBOWL XLVII is less than two weeks away and MAF is bringing back our annual SUPERBOWL challenge to all of our pro-troops supporters. This year's Superbowl Championship will be played between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens.

We want to see which team has more fans out there who are excited to donate and support our troops fighting in Afghanistan. The team who sponsors more care packages for the troops will win! 

Last year, the Superbowl was played between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. During last year's Superbowl challenge, we had more Giants fans sponsor care packages than Pats fans, and sure enough when game day came the Giants beat the Patriots in Superbowl XLVI. 

So who will win this year, the 49ers or the Ravens? Will your donations accurately predict the outcome of the game again?

To support your favorite team, click one of the links below and sponsor a care package for our troops in Afghanistan full of goodies that the troops will love!


25 Jan 2013

Icestravaganza to Feature Winter Family Activities, Horse drawn carriage rides, ice carving and shopping

By Jason Gilliland

(Quad Cities) - The courtyard on 2nd Street between Brady and Main in downtown Davenport will be transformed into a winter wonderland on Sunday, January 27 during the first-ever Icestravaganza.

 

The free event will include horse-drawn carriages, an ice skating rink, live music, a "Diamond in the Ice" competition, children's stories and art stations. Icestravaganza will also feature a new shopping experience with unique items from Handmade City and downtown Davenport vendors, showcased high above the Mississippi River in the sky bridge.

 

An "ice science" display will demonstrate the experimental unveiling of an ice-powered car; professional ice carvers will create works of art out of 400-pound blocks of ice and adults can register at Necker's Jewelers for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree in the "Diamond on the Ice" competition. A limited number of ice skates will be available at no charge.

 

If you go:

 

Where: The courtyard on 2nd Street between Brady and Main Streets Downtown Davenport, in the River Music Experience, and the Skybridge. Free parking available in the Redstone parking ramp.

When: Sunday, January 27 from Noon to 6:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

For more information visit www.DowntownDavenport.com

 

Icestravaganza  is presented by the Downtown Davenport Arts and Culture committee and is made possible through the support of sponsors: Necker's Jewelers, Genesis Health System, Fox18, B100, Master DJ, Iowa American Water, One-Step and the City of Davenport Parks and Recreation Department.
25 Jan 2013

Local Students Excel at State Robotics Competition

By Rachel Chamberlain

"3, 2, 1 - LEGO!"  This enthusiastic phrase was on repeat last Saturday at Iowa's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) state competition held on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, IA.  72 teams from around the state (including twelve from the Quad Cities) qualified to attend the event.  Each team of 9-14 year olds was armed with a LEGO Mindstorms NXT robot they designed, built, and programmed themselves.

 

The results are in, and the Quad Cities has reason to be proud!  Four of the twelve teams from our region received awards - BIG ONES!

 

Team "World Changers" (Trinity Lutheran, Davenport), brought home top honors with the Champion's award.  Not far behind was team "Technical Difficulties" (Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf), winner of the third place Champion's Award trophy.  Other big winners included team "Charged Up", (Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf) winning 1st place for Core Values, and the "Robodawgs" (Bettendorf Middle School) winning 1st place for their project.

Rivermont Collegiate's robotics coach, Rachel Chamberlain, praised the program, saying, "FIRST LEGO League provides a fun and creative platform for kids to learn basic engineering techniques.  Students work really hard during the four month season, but it's all done in a fun, hands-on way that allows them to make discoveries every day with their team mates.  It's a great way to learn!"  Rivermont Collegiate had five teams at the regional competition in Davenport last month, three of which qualified for the state competition, and two who brought home with big wins.

 

"I'm so proud of all the teams from the Quad Cities." Says Chamberlain, "FLL teaches 'Gracious Professionalism' and the kids all know it's not about what you win, but about what you discover along the way.  The trophies are neat (especially the ones made out of Legos), but what's even neater is the pride the kids feel when they talk about what they learned.  It's music to my ears to hear them encourage their peers to participate next year.  It's an experience they will never forget."

 

FIRST LEGO League is an international robotics competition for teams of two-ten students.  This year there were over 20,000 teams in more than 70 countries, including over 400 teams from the state of Iowa.  56 teams from the Quad Cities competed in the regional qualifier last December at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA, and twelve teams were selected to advance to the state competition at Iowa State University on Saturday, January 19, 2013.

 

During the four month FLL season, students work together with their team to build a robot that can accomplish predetermined missions on a common playing field to earn points.  Each team receives the same field with the same missions at the beginning of the season.  With a 2 1/2 minute time limit, teams must figure out how to make the best use of their robot's time to earn as many points as possible.  At the competition, teams go head-to-head in a race against the clock, and then add up points at the end with referees.  The robots are completely autonomous, meaning they are preprogrammed and not controlled by any sort of remote or handheld device.  The programming is done on the computer ahead of time, and then uploaded to the robots before the competition.

 

In addition to building and programming a robot, teams are tasked with creating an innovative solution to a real world problem to present in front of a panel of judges.  This year's theme was "Senior Solutions" - solving problems affecting senior citizens.  Students solicited the help of local experts when designing their inventions and shared their ideas with members of the community before the competition to get feedback and advice.

 

The third and final piece of the FIRST LEGO League competition was Core Values.  According to the First Lego League website, the FLL Core Values are the cornerstones of the FLL program. They are among the fundamental elements that distinguish FLL from other programs of its kind.  By embracing the Core Values, participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork.

 

Harrison Brown, a 5th grader at Rivermont Collegiate, was on team "Charged Up" (winner of the Core Values award).  "I'm proud that our team won the Core Values award." Says Brown, "This is actually a really important award. I feel like our team worked well together and had fun.  That's probably why we won.  If a team doesn't have strong Core Values, it would be hard for them to be successful because they wouldn't be able to work well together."

 

"The real life skills these kids learn through this program are priceless." Says Chamberlain, "We're not only teaching kids how to program and become future engineers, but we are teaching them how to problem solve, brainstorm, build presentations, and work on a team.  These skills are invaluable and will cross over into many different areas of their life and future careers."

 

Although teams don't know details yet about next year's challenge, they do know the theme - "Nature's Fury".  The 2013 season officially kicks off on August 27, 2013.

 

For more information about First Lego League, visit www.firstlegoleague.org.  For more information about this year's championship at Iowa State University, visit www.isek.iastate.edu/fll.

 

-END-

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