12 Feb 2013

Smiddy Invites Residents to Join Citizen Advisory Committees, Attend Upcoming Meeting

By Rep. Mike Smiddy

PORT BYRON, IL - State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) invites residents to attend an upcoming meeting
of his Education, Economic Development, or Senior Citizen Advisory Committees. Advisory committee
meetings are open to all 71st District community members, and residents are encouraged to attend and share
their thoughts. Meetings are held in a roundtable format.

"These committees are an opportunity for me to hear firsthand from the community about the issues that affect
them the most," said Smiddy. "The insight and perspective I gain from these committee meetings will be
invaluable in helping me best serve this community in Springfield."

For more information or to RSVP, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at (309) 848-9098,
RepSmiddy@gmail.com, or toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

WHO: 71st District State Rep. Mike Smiddy

WHAT: Citizen Advisory Committee Meetings

WHEN: Tuesday, February 12th - 11:00 am: Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, Rock Falls Living Center, 2202 12th Ave.
1:00 pm: Economic Development Advisory Committee, Air Play Sports & Espresso, 115 E. 3rd St., Sterling, IL
4:30 pm: Education Advisory Committee, IEA Hall, 3307 E. Lincolnway, Suite 3, Sterling, IL

Thursday, February 14th - 10:00 am: Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, Coe Township Building, 9327 239th St., Port
Byron, IL

12 Feb 2013

Monday: Iowans for Gun Safety, Faith Leaders to Rally for Gun Violence Prevention

By Matt Sinovic

Local Leaders have their own State of the Union Message for Congressman Latham

 

Des Moines, IA - When the President addresses gun violence in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, Rep. Tom Latham will have the voices of his constituents ringing in his ears -imploring him to support the common sense measures for gun violence prevention.

 

That's because on Monday, Feb. 11 at 11 AM, Iowa Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, Tiffany Woods, Rev. Carlos Jayne, Rev. Cheryl Thomas, Connie Ryan Terrell, and concerned citizens will gather in U.S. Rep. Latham's district at the state capitol building to give their own State of the Union address to the Congressman on the importance of tackling gun violence, a plague that is snuffing out the lives of thirty-three people including nearly nine children and teenagers in America every single day.

 

Next week marks the two-month anniversary of the nightmare in Newtown, CT, where 20 six- to seven-year-old children and six adults were senselessly gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary by a gunman armed with a Bushmaster AR-15 military-style assault rifle. While the community of Newtown is only beginning its long, for some endless, road to recovery, the devastation wrought there has appallingly become all too common in America. In fact, Newtown was one of 43 mass shootings?nearly one per month? that have occurred in the last four years.

 

WHO: State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad

Tiffany Woods, Mother of Corey Hamilton, victim of gun violence

Rev. Carlos Jayne, Iowans for Gun Safety

Rev. Cheryl Thomas, One Million Moms for Gun Safety-Iowa

Connie Ryan Terrell, Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

 

WHAT: Press Conference to urge Congressman Latham to do the right thing and support the Gun Violence Prevention Actions the President is calling for during the State of The Union

 

WHERE: Iowa State Capitol, Room 24

East 9th & Grand Ave

Des Moines, Iowa

 

WHEN: Monday, February 11 at 11:00 a.m.

 

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12 Feb 2013

Loebsack Column: Cutting Congress' Pay

By Rick Martin

In a time when our economy continues to struggle and we face an unsustainable debt, it is more important than ever to hold Members of Congress accountable to the citizens that they represent.  Far too many Iowans are out of work or underemployed, and struggle each day to make ends meet.  At the same time, Members of Congress have not seen a pay cut since the Great Depression.  This is simply unacceptable. It is time for Members of Congress to chip in and do their part to reduce our debt.

The Constitution requires Congress to set its own pay levels, and up through the first half of the 20th Century this was carried out on an as needed basis through legislation passed by both chambers.  However, since 1968 Congressional pay raises have been tied to measures of inflation and take place automatically unless Congress acts to block them.  In these difficult economic times, it is unacceptable that Members of Congress can automatically receive a raise while Americans continue to struggle.

I have introduced legislation to cut Members of Congress' pay and eliminate these automatic pay raises. The Congressional Halt in Pay Increases (CHIP IN) and Cut Congressional Pay Act, would cut Members of Congress' pay by 10 percent and repeal the automatic pay increases.  It is a commonsense proposal that would ensure Members of Congress make a personal contribution to getting our fiscal house in order.

I also believe it is unacceptable that Members of Congress continue to be paid without carrying out one of their main duties - passing a budget each year.  Since the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, Congress has been required to approve a budget by April 15th each year.  The last time Congress succeeded in passing a budget was in 2009.  Hard working Iowans do not expect to be paid if they do not fulfill their job requirements and neither should Members of Congress.

This is why I was the second person in the House to strongly support the No Budget, No Pay Act in 2011 and am an original cosponsor of similar legislation this year.  This bill would withhold the pay of the members of either chamber of Congress that fails to pass a budget by April 15th, thereby holding them accountable for getting their job done.  I was pleased to support a similar measure when it passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support on January 23rd.  I am pleased that the Senate has also passed this vital legislation and the President signed it into law on February 4th.

I came here to Washington to fight for hard working Iowans.  As part of my commitment to you, I will continue to fight to hold Members of Congress accountable and ensure that they are doing the job they were sent to Washington to do.  It is time to end the pay system that has prevented any cut in Congressional pay since 1933 - eight decades ago.

Now is the time for action.  To show the American people that Congress is serious about restoring fiscal discipline, we have to start somewhere. There is not a better place to start than with Members of Congress' own pocketbooks.

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12 Feb 2013

Rivermont Collegiate Academic Fair Events - Amazing Work from QC Students!

By Brittany Marietta

11th Grade Service Project Presentations - Tuesday, 2/12 - 1:00 p.m.

Community service projects, including a minimum of 15 hours of service, are completed by each 11th grade student.  During these formal presentations, students explain how they applied academic learning to real human and community needs and how the experience not only benefitted others, but affected them personally.

 

7th Grade Living Biography Performances - Thursday, 2/14 - 11:40 a.m.

Celebrated athletes, distinguished presidents, legendary musicians, and more - see them come to life on stage as students perform Living Biographies!

 

Academic Fair - Thursday, 2/14 - 6:00 p.m.

Students in grades 2-11 present academic projects on display in the gym - the culmination of months of research and preparation - prepare to be amazed! 

 

 

11th Grade Service Projects

Student presentations: Tuesday, 2/12 - 1:00 p.m.

Café on Vine, Davenport

Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica

Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Davenport

St. Augustine's Primary School, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services, Quad Cities

7th Grade Living Biographies

Performances for judging: Thursday, 2/14 - 11:40 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Elvis Presley

Eric Clapton

Bethany Hamilton

Anne Sullivan

Abraham Lincoln

Hershel Williams

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Dean Martin

Pat Miletich

Natalie Coughlin

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Marilyn Monroe

Cristiano Ronaldo
12 Feb 2013

Loebsack Announces Redesigned Online Home for Iowa's Second District

By Rick Martin

Expands online presence with @daveloebsack on Twitter

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today the launch of his redesigned website http://loebsack.house.gov. The newly updated website makes it easier for Iowans to get in touch with Loebsack, as well as learn about the issues he is working on. Loebsack and his congressional office will also continue to expand his online communications by Tweeting from the handle @daveloebsack. This additional method of communication will build on Loebsack's Facebook and YouTube pages.

"My website has been redesigned from top to bottom with the user in mind to provide a wealth of information in an easy to find manner," said Loebsack.  "As your representative, my number one priority is making sure that Iowans voices are heard.  I am excited about the launch of the new website and joining the 'Twitter-verse'.  I hope it makes communication with folks in the Second District that much easier."

Loebsack's redesigned website has also been optimized to load quickly on mobile devices, including both smart phones and tablets.  Dave recorded a video guide of the newly redesigned website.

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12 Feb 2013

Egg-cellent Cookery Class

By Kelly Lao
Don't miss this chance to learn to make delicious delights with eggs for your family and friends! Sunday, March 17th Chef Bud Benson will be teaching us in a fun-filled workshop. $10 members and $15 non-members. Materials provided, class size limit is 20! Sign up now!
Get more information
Register Now!
I can't make it
Don't want to register online? Call Kelly at 563-322-8844 to sign up today!
When
Sunday March 17, 2013 from 1:30 PM to 3:15 PM CDT
Add to Calendar

Where
German American Heritage Center
712 W Second Street
Davenport, IA 52802
12 Feb 2013

Fareway Stores & Camp Courageous Working Together

By Charlie Becker
With Camp Courageous serving over 6,000 campers with special needs each year, it takes a tremendous amount of food to feed that many hungry campers, along with meeting the needs of so many special diets.

Fareway Stores are giving the public the opportunity to purchase cases of selected foods at special case price as a donation to the camp.

A special coupon will be in the Fareway store ad for the week of February 11, 2013. The public can choose the number of selected cases of food they would like to donate to camp. The coupon can be used at 15 participating stores and the public can pay along with their other grocery items. Fareway Store employees will do the rest to make sure it reaches Camp.

Participating Fareway Store locations are: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, Dyersville, Hiawatha, Iowa City East, Iowa City West, Independence, Manchester, Maquoketa, Marion, Monticello, Muscatine, North Liberty, and Vinton.

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12 Feb 2013

LECLAIRE CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS - Friday 02/08/2013

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

LeClaire is Among the Top 15 "America's Coolest Small Towns - 2013" following the first round of voting last fall in the Budget Travel on-line contest, and we can be chosen as the COOLEST!!!! To Vote Daily, go to: http://www.budgettravel.com/contest/americas-coolest-small-towns-2013,14/ or to the website for Budget Travel.  LeClaire IS the Coolest, and We Can Win!! Tell everyone you know everywhere to vote for LeClaire!!!

WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS!

Arndt Chiropractic Center, Inc. - Dr. Lisa Arndt, 3359 Middle Road - Ste. 1, Bettendorf, IA 52722. www.arndtchiropractic.com Dr. Arndt is a National Board Certified Chiropractor and Registered Nurse, proud of providing "Gentle" chiropractic care for the QC community. Accepting new patients! 563-332-2211

Operation American Made - Darrin Lampman, CEO, PO Box 28, LeClaire, IA 52753. 563-729-1022. www.operation-american-made.com Online auction of American made products, benefiting local vendors.

Conceptual Designs - Michelle Blunk, Owner, 2117 State Street - Ste. 110, Bettendorf, IA 52722.  563-823-6123 www.conceptualdesignsinc.com

Conceptual Designs is a full service design firm that specializes in commercial interior design and interior architecture, professionally licensed in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. We excel in providing unique solutions for not only commercial interiors, but offices, retail spaces and healthcare facilities as well.

It is time again to join or to renew your membership with the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce! Please see the attached form to complete and return with your payment. Thank you for your current and past membership, and certainly let us know if you have any questions in regard to your membership or about the Chamber in general. Let's have a Great 2013!  After all - "It is all there....In LeClaire!"

CALENDAR

February 8th - Reusable Usables NEW Freezer Meal Workshop 6:30 PM.  Let's get together and make enough meals to fill our freezers!  Bring your bags filled with designated "protein" and other groceries. Go home with 10 meals, each feeding a family of 4-6, ready to freeze - just thaw, cook and enjoy!   $73 (includes all Wildtree products, recipes and shipping). Contact Kate Ramsdell ramsdellgirls@yahoo.com•www.mywildtree.com/katewildtree/ (This is an "Adults Only" event.)

 

February 9th - Trivia Night - LeClaire Civic Center benefiting the Coe Noack Memorial Scholarship. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with trivia starting at 7 p.m. Participants may bring beer, wine, snacks and soda. Water and snacks will also be for sale. Up to eight people per table. $10 per person with a $50 table minimum. Everyone will be entered into a drawing for door prizes. Contact Chris at chris@ccx.net or 563-505-6703 for reservations or information. Don't have enough for a full table? Come anyway and we can put you on a table that needs people!

 

February 12th - Chamber Network Lunch - Bier Stube noon - LeClaire

 

February 14th - Valentine's Day at Crane and Pelican - 3 Course Dinner - $45 per person ($90 per couple) Details and Menu at www.craneandpelican.com

 

February 14th - Valentine's Day at The Faithful Pilot - 2 seatings - 5:30 and 8:00p.m. $75 per person, 5 courses. 563.289.4156 www.faithfulpilot.com

 

February 24th - The Buffalo Bill Museum will Celebrate Buffalo Bill's Birthday! 12 noon to 4 p.m. (closing). A party with refreshments, free admission, and a "Buffalo Bill & Annie Oakley Look-Alike Contest" for children (Judging at 2pm). Bring your camera and have your photo taken with William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Annie Oakley!   (And, have you seen the expanded Buffalo Bill exhibit yet?!) Hope to see everyone there! www.buffalobillmuseumleclaire.com

 

February 25th - Chamber Economic Development Meeting 8:00 a.m. Great River Financial, LeClaire.

 

Save the Date
 

March 1st - First Friday in LeClaire

FYI

Please note - the Chamber has a new email address - leclairechamber@gmail.com

 

(ext 1135) or email Cindy Bruhn, Tourism Manager, at Info@VisitLeClaire.com If you would like to share information about events, promotions, news, etc., with Tourism, please send an email to

 

The Buffalo Bill Museum is participating in Younkers' annual "Community Day" fundraiser of $5 coupon books valid March 1-2, 2013 at Younkers and affiliated stores on March 1-2, 2013. The booklets contain a $10 discount on an item priced at $10 or more; a tiered shopping pass for 20%-15%-10% off an item; a 30% "early bird coupon' valid 7-10am, Saturday only; and 13 other merchandise coupons.     Every $5 purchase directly benefits the museum.  It can be purchased at the museum, from one of its board members, or on-line through a link posted on the museum's Face Book page (Buffalo Bill Museum LeClaire).  Online purchases will be mailed without an additional charge!  Because it is valid at the many stores affiliated with Younkers (Bon.Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's Elder-Beerman, Herberger's) it can be purchased for family and friends anywhere in the United States!

 

Reusable Usables Women's Full Moon Yoga Circle 2013 For schedule or with questions, please contact jenniferv@yogag.org or call 563-289-3946. Reservations are appreciated but not required via facebook or email. Cost: $8 Donation. Classes held at Reusable Usables Creative Arts Center Studio 122, 328 N Cody/LeClaire, IA  52753  www.reusableusables.org

 

Reusable Usables Planet Green After School Classes Planet Green After School Program for ages 5-12. Learn creative and fun ways to respect our planet with hands on eco-friendly art and educational activities based on the Iowa DNR Planet Patrol Series. Thanks to grant funding from Iowa DNR. Ask about our sibling discounts. Pre-register in advance by calling 563-289-3936 or at www.reusableusables.org Planet Green class options and fees: Option #1: Class two times per week - TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 4:00-5:30 PM $36 per student per month Option #2: Class one time per week - TUESDAYS OR THURSDAYS 4:00-5:30 PM $25 per student per month.

 

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

$1,000 Ascentra Credit Union Scholarship Competition is Underway; Ascentra Credit Union is encouraging the youth in our community to further their education by providing two $1,000.000 scholarships each year. Entrants must have an account established in his or her own name at Ascentra. One scholarship is for high school students planning to enter college.  The other scholarship is for members age 19 or over, considered non-traditional-aged or continuing education students.   The scholarship entrants will be judged on a 500 word essay on the topic, "With college tuition costs dramatically increasing year after year, besides scholarships, what are some ways that students can help offset the costs of higher education?" All entries are judged on their essay, resume, awards, extracurricular activities, volunteer services and work experience. Applications can be picked up at any of our branches or printed off of our website at www.ascentra.org.  The link to the form can be found on our Community Involvement section of our News/Events/Promotions page.  The deadline to apply is March 1, 2013. Awarding a total of $2,000 in scholarships is another way Ascentra Credit Union recognizes that financial planning and education is essential to lifetime success for our members and community.   "Listening, caring, doing what's right" are words the credit union follows every day.

Meals for Seniors at the First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire 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:

February 9th - Coe Noack Memorial Scholarship

March 9th - Hosted by First Presbyterian Church - Hurricane Sandy Victims

April 6th - LeClaire Little League

May 4th - LeClaire Lions

June 8th - Buffalo Bill Museum

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

LeClaire Park Board Special Events Calendar

Spring 2013 - Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt ( Hollyhock Park )

Spring 2013 - Cinco de Mayo

May 18, 2013 -French Market Days - Plant exchange, sale benefiting Parks Dept.

Summer 2013 - City-Wide Water Explosion ( Hollyhock Park )

Summer 2013 - Bike Parade & Decorating

August 9-11, 2013 - Tug Fest

October 13, 2013 - Apple Fest

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

12 Feb 2013

Caring for your collections

By Lynn Bartenhagen

Are you responsible for the historic documents, photographs and objects belonging to your organization, church or family? The Muscatine Art Center and Musser Public Library are teaming up to provide a basic overview to caring for collections.

Attendees will learn about ways to provide basic collections care on a small budget and without professional training. Discussion topics will include organizing materials, storing materials in a more stable environment, handling and exhibiting materials to limit the risk of damage, and digitizing records and photographs. Art Center Registrar Virginia Cooper will cover the basics of working with acid-free materials for storage. She will examine storage for textiles, books, and historic documents. Sheila Chaudoin, Photo Archivist at Musser Public Library, will discuss photograph and photo negative storage and scanning and managing digitized images.

The free session will take place on Thursday, March 7th at 5:30 p.m. in the Music Room at the Muscatine Art Center. The session will last approximately 1 hour plus time for questions.

To register in advance, call 563-263-8282 or email malexander@muscatineiowa.gov.

The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.

 

12 Feb 2013

AUTO SHOW TOPS $205,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS

By Carol Slaughter

$24,000 in Scholarship Money Given at Premier Night at the Iowa Illinois Regional Auto Show.

(Davenport) The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend is pleased to announce the 2013 recipients of the Iowa/Illinois Regional Auto Show Scholarships:

Alexandra Gustafson: Galva High School, Recommended by Gustafson Ford, Kewanee, IL Alexandra was awarded $4,000

Katherine Hopkins: Davenport Central High School, Recommended by Lujack's Northpark Auto Plaza Katherine was awarded $4,000

Jonelle Humphrey: Galva High School, Recommended by Sexton Ford Jonelle was awarded $4,000

Madison Ruge: Bettendorf High School, Recommended by Zimmerman Honda Madison was awarded $4,000

Alex Timmerman: Bettendorf High School, Recommended by Rotman Motor Company, Maquoketa, IA Benjamin was awarded $4,000

Jacob Arnold: Annawan High School, Jacob was the winner for the technical school award and was awarded $5,000

The Auto Show has given to date over $230,000 in scholarships to 81 area students. Proceeds from the Auto Show support the Scholarship Fund. A special presentation of $8,000 was made by the Quad City Times to be deposited to the scholarship fund from sales efforts of the Auto Show Special Supplement. Sponsors of the Premier include : IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, Automated Data Processing, S & S Automotive, The Greater Quad City Auto Auction and Enterprise Car Rental.

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