New York is not alone this New Year's Eve.  Large western American cities are also set to host their own, unforgettable, New Year's 2013 parties. The west coast often flies under-the-radar when it comes to receiving national attention for ball-dropping bashes.

"Media attention for the New Year's Eve countdown is usually on New York, USA; Sydney, Australia; and London, England.  America's western cities host great events, too," observes Keith Bansemer, Director of Internet Marketing, at Shindigz.com, a leading, American party products store. "We've compiled a list of some of our favorite, western city New Year's celebrations."

#1 - Las Vegas, Nevada

One of the hottest spots in the country for hosting a New Year's Eve party is Las Vegas, home to glitzy entertainment. Las Vegas has become the host to a weeklong countdown kickoff. From the obvious thrill of the casinos to the abundance of late night clubs, party-goers can immerse themselves in events throughout the city.

Legendary Latin pop star, Pitbull, will perform on December 28 and 29 at The Pearl Concert Theatre inside of the Palms Resort Casino. Partygoers can rock to The Killers for two exclusive nights on December 28 and 29 before going to bridge with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the evening of December 31 at The Cosmopolitan. Fireworks across the city will follow at midnight and be accompanied alongside a live DJ and open bar.

Those looking to end the year on the softer side can catch The Black Keys performing at The Hard Rock Hotel on December 30 and 31. The atmosphere will allow one to sit back, sip a little scotch on the rocks, and take in the smooth sounds of the bluesy, rock band. Top off the night with a party on the Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel and ring in the New Year with live entertainment and trendy drinks.

#2 - Los Angeles, California

Year-round, party-goers flock to Los Angeles to satisfy their need for entertainment. With everything from high-profile celebrity parties to a low-key party under the stars, Los Angeles has it all New Year's Eve, as well.

Party guests will appreciate two floors of entertainment overlooking Beverly Hills at The Shangrila. Satisfy thirsts near poolside cabanas as live DJ's spin the records. For something different, ring in the New Year at one of the hottest night clubs with Cirque NYE 2012, complete with all of the rudimentary New Year's Eve novelties. Finally, go dressed in the best god and goddess costumes at My Studio Hollywood's New Year's bash.

#3 - Seattle, Washington

In the Pacific Northwest, jump on ship and sail aboard the love boat at Lake Union Park in Seattle. Guest will enjoy an evening under the stars sharing d'oeuvres, music, and an optimistic look into the New Year 2013 before enjoying a complimentary champagne toast under a firework lit sky at midnight.

For something a little more hardcore, attend any one of a number of Seattle's nightclubs. From the Inferno to the Republiq, the nightclubs of Seattle are a popular place for an all-night New Year's Eve celebration. As a can't miss way to kick into the new year, spend an evening of laughter at the Xtreme Theatresports as four teams of five comedians bash it out in an all-out comedic title battle before the 2013 fireworks explode.

#4 - Portland, Oregon

Attend the self-proclaimed "epic gala" that is the 22nd Annual Champagne Ball at the Hilton of Portland. As one of the most popular city parties, guests are invited to ring in the New Year among the other thousand guests in attendance. Enjoy the countdown with parties in four eclectic themed rooms and on three dance floors. The Radical Revolution will pay tribute to the rockin' eighties and the biggest named DJ's in the city will be spin on the ones and twos, all before sharing in the city's largest champagne ball countdown.

Portland will also host the 12th annual New Year's Eve Barfly Bus Tour. Bar-hoppers will have access to eight-ten bars with no cover charge, hors d'oeuvres, and all of the party paraphernalia imaginable.

#5 - San Francisco, California

San Francisco has everything from the most vivacious to mellow of New Year's Eve events. Couples can board the Speak Easy Cruise on the San Francisco Bay and enjoy a four hour excursion while admiring the fireworks overhead.  Others can attend a black-tie affair aboard one of the city's most sought after harbors at the New Year's Eve Family Gala and enjoy entertainment throughout the evening until the ball drops.

Many will simply frequent a local bar just before hitting the pier to watch fireworks light up the skyline at the stroke of midnight. San Francisco is one of the most diverse cities on the west coast and offers something to ring in baby New Year for everyone.

GREELEY - The following local student was among 786 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees from the University of Northern Colorado during fall 2012 graduation ceremonies Dec. 14-15.

Lindsey McCalla of Moline, Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Science

For more information about spring commencement ceremonies and a profile of the class of 2012 (spring), visit http://www.unco.edu/news/releases.aspx?id=4627.

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Newtown

Our hearts broke on Friday as we learned of the tragic and senseless deaths of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Last night, President Obama addressed the families of Newtown, offering the love and prayers of a nation, and vowing to use whatever power his office holds to protect our children from such unthinkable acts of violence.

He spoke from the heart -- as a president and a parent. Watch this speech:


As we reflect on the lives lost last week, we must also, as the President urged, consider how each of us can play a part in making our country worthy of the memory of those little children.

I hope you and the ones you love have a happy and safe holiday.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was originally scheduled to testify to Congress about the Benghazi attacks this Thursday, isn't going to do so as she is recovering from a concussion purportedly suffered after fainting due to a stomach virus.
Today, the State Department acknowledged that Secretary Clinton is now in possession of an independent Advisory Review Board (ARB) report which is widely thought to contain damaging information about warning signs that were missed or ignored in the run-up to the Benghazi attack that cost four American lives, including that of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.
I am outraged that more than three months have passed and we are still in the dark about Benghazi!  Liberty Counsel Action refuses to let Benghazi be swept under the rug by this administration and the liberal media, but we need the help of key members of our team to keep the heat on at this critical time.
SCOTT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (SECC) BOARD
Board Room, 1st Floor, Scott County Administrative Center,
600 West Fourth Street, Davenport, Iowa
DECEMBER 20, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

MEETING AGENDA

1.  Roll Call: Gallagher, Gluba, Lehman, O'Boyle, Sunderbruch.  Ex officio members: Bruemmer, Frederiksen, Malin, and Ploehn

2.  Pledge of Allegiance

3.  Approval of Minutes

4.  Approval of FY2013-FY2014 budget (Brian)

5.  Director's report

6.  Discussion of strategy of upcoming labor negotiations with the SECC's organized employees pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3). - CLOSED SESSION (Mary)

7.  Next meeting date - January 17, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.
 
8.  Adjourn

The Benefits.gov Program is proud to announce the launch of our own YouTube channel!

You can now learn how to get the most value out of using Benefits.gov by visiting the official Benefits.gov YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/BenefitsGOV. If you already have a YouTube account, you can subscribe to our channel by clicking the "Subscribe" button at the top of the channel page.

The Benefits.gov YouTube channel was created to assist you on your path to finding and applying for government benefits. Check back soon for more self-help tutorials on additional site features.

SPRINGFIELD - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will celebrate the holidays with two volunteer events on Tuesday that reflect her roles as the state's point person on education reform and chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council.

Simon will visit Lee Elementary School on Tuesday morning to celebrate the holidays with students in an all-school assembly. The students, of varying abilities age 5 to 21, will sing along and play instruments as Simon leads the songs with her banjo.

Tuesday afternoon, Simon and members of her staff will volunteer time at the Central Illinois Food Bank. The volunteers will bag potatoes to be distributed to food pantries throughout central Illinois.

About 15 percent of Illinois' population is "food insecure," meaning they don't have access to enough food to sustain a healthy, active life for all members of the household. A family might not be food insecure at all times, but could forgo other necessities in order to purchase food. Statewide, 22.2 percent of children are food insecure.

"The holiday season is a wonderful time to spend time with family and friends and reflect back on the year, but also an important time to give back to the community," Simon said. "I encourage everyone to make an effort to do something to give back to their community this holiday season.

Tuesday, December 18

 

EVENT: Musical assembly at Lee Elementary School

TIME: 11 a.m.

PLACE: Gymnasium, Lee Elementary School, 1201 Bunn Ave., Springfield

NOTE: This event will be for photos and b-roll only.

EVENT: Volunteering at the Central Illinois Food Bank

TIME: 1:15 p.m.

PLACE: Central Illinois Food Bank, 2000 E. Moffat Ave., Springfield

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PEORIA, Ill. (Dec. 17, 2012) ? January is National Blood Donor Month, a time when the American Red Cross recognizes and thanks the millions of dedicated blood donors across the country for helping ensure a stable blood supply for patients in need.

Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been celebrated in an effort to educate Americans about the importance of regular blood donation and the impact it can have. Every day, around 44,000 pints of blood are needed in hospitals to help treat trauma victims, surgery patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, cancer patients and more.

January can be an especially challenging month to collect blood donations because of inclement weather and seasonal illnesses.
Throughout the month, the Red Cross is honoring the contributions of those who roll up their sleeves to help save lives, one donation at a time.

Join the nearly 4 million dedicated Red Cross blood donors across the country and make an appointment to give by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Henry County
Jan. 3 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church South Campus Building, 302 N. State St. in Geneseo, Ill.

Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at YMCA, 315 W. First St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Jan. 8 from 2-6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 Ninth St. in Orion, Ill.

Jan. 9 from 1:15-5:15 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Jan. 10 from 2-6 p.m. at St. John's Vianney Church, 313 S. West St. in Cambridge, Ill.

Jan. 15 from 1-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 214 NW Second Ave. in Galva, Ill.

Mercer County
Jan. 15 from 12-6 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.®

Whiteside County
Jan. 2 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Jan. 8 from 8-11 a.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Jan. 10 from 3-8 p.m. at Tampico United Methodist Church, 202 Lincoln Ave. in Tampico, Ill.

Jan. 15 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Jan. 15 from 12-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway in Morrison, Ill.

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh
at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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Family Friendly Film "FANCYPANTS" Will be showing at Nova 6 Cinemas
Nova 6 Cinemas presents:
"Fancypants" A Family Friendly Film, Theatrical Screening:
Starting, Friday, December 21st at Nova 6 Cinemas in Moline, IL.
2018 36th Avenue, Moline, IL.  (click link for movie times)
Featuring some of the Cast/Crew to do a Q & A after the evening screenings on Opening night, Friday, December 21st and Saturday.
Joshua Forbes TenorSax/Flute
Jon Moss Bass
Corey Kendrick Piano
Glorie Iaccarino MC/Oral Essay
THE RIVER CITY RADIO HOUR
DECEMBER 21ST, 2012
1530 Fifth Avenue, Moline, IL
Social Hour @ 5:30p.m.
Dinner @ 6:30p.m.
Show @ 7:30p.m.
The Moline Commercial Club's Chef Linda will be serving a magnificent GERMAN
dinner prior to the show, by reservation only.
Please call 309-762-8547 to make a reservation.
Elevator is at the 16th Street entrance.
Tickets for Dinner & Show: $25.00/person
Tickets for the show: $5.00/person
*This event is open to the public and the audience can attend the show without
dinner.
Priority seating is given to guests who make dinner reservations.

CELEBRATE THE COMING OF  THE NEW ERA WITH JAZZ
.
CELEBRATE THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF  THE MOLINE COMMERCIAL CLUB BUILDING circa
1912


CELEBRATE THE WINTER SOLSTICE

CELEBRATE FRIDAY

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