Illinois State Military Museum Remembers, Re-Enacts Holidays in World War I Trenches

SPRINGFIELD, IL (12/05/2012)(readMedia)-- The Illinois State Military Museum's Living Historians will tell the story of World War I's 1914 Christmas truce and the Great War that changed illinois and the world. Dr. Chris McDonald, Lincoln Land Community College professor of political science will discuss the Christmas truce.

WHO:

• Illinois State Military Museum

• Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society

WHAT:

Add to your Holiday season by sharing the experience of the 1914 Christmas truce of World War I. Walk the recreated trench and talk with Soldiers (from the State Military Museum Living History Detachment) about the Great War that changed Illinois and the world. Enjoy Christmas carols, hot beverages and donate to Toys for Tots.

WHEN: Tuesday December 18, 2012 at 06:00PM Central Time (US & Canada)

WHERE:Illinois State Military Museum
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, Illinois 62702

NOTES:

• Free coffee, hot cider or cocoa.

• Christmas carols with Springfield's own Sound Celebration.

• Learn about the 1914 Christmas truce through a short presentation by Dr. Chris McDonald, Lincoln Land Community College professor of political science.

• The museum is a collection site for the Toys for Tots program and will be accepting donations of unwrapped toys for local distribution this Christmas.

• Admission and parking are free.

For additional information, please contact the Illinois State Military Museum at 217-761-3910.

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SPRINGFIELD - December 5, 2012. Governor Quinn issued the following statement regarding the sustaining of his budget vetoes to close half-empty and empty facilities.

"Today is a victory for the taxpayers of Illinois.

"The Illinois House of Representatives sent a strong message about their serious commitment to reducing spending the state cannot afford.

"Closing these empty or half-empty prisons and juvenile detention centers that are no longer needed will save Illinois taxpayers $88 million a year, once the closures are fully implemented. These closures will strengthen our long-term effort to cut state expenses and put Illinois on sound financial footing.

"Once permitted by the courts, inmates who are still at the facilities will be transferred to other nearby facilities where there is room for them. All guards and other personnel will be offered jobs at other nearby facilities. And the taxpayers of Illinois will no longer be on the hook for spending millions of dollars we don't have on empty facilities.

"There is more work to do. We must work together in the weeks ahead to restore critically needed funding that will protect the state's most vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. I will continue working closely with the General Assembly to restore critical funding to DCFS to prevent the layoff of more than 500 front-line child abuse investigators.

"I am committed to continuing to take the difficult steps necessary to restore fiscal stability to Illinois.

"Working in partnership with the General Assembly, we've had a productive veto session and I look forward to continuing this progress in January as we tackle pension reform."

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Friday, December 7, 2012, in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

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4 Tips for Protecting Your Family's Future

Corrupt bankers, a practically valueless dollar, hyper-unemployment and underemployment, home-grown terrorism, the uptick in natural disasters and the overall lack of trust in our most important institutions - these are some of the reasons all Americans should be very, very concerned, according to Peter Dash (www.peterdash.ca), a world-traveled researcher for Harvard University's Center for International Affairs.

"I predict a brutal world ahead of us," says Dash, author of "ZUrabia," (www.zurabia-peterdash.com), a book about rogue forces taking over the world's most important institutions. "Unfortunately, I have been right since my research at Harvard in 1986, when I questioned the viability of government institutions to meet general needs and growing problems, both domestically and abroad."

The pragmatic holiday shopper this year will purchase items to safeguard their families against these threats, which have been long in the making and won't disappear quickly, he says.

"Terrorism wasn't inaugurated with 9-11; extremism in Muslim sects has been growing for decades, and Neo-Nazi groups are starting to flourish in failing states like Greece," he says. "The dollar has been steadily losing its value since the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913; climate change has been on the radar for quite a while; and there have been greedy bankers since, well, banks have existed."

"If you're confident that everything is sure to be okay, then you're not paying attention," he says.

He offers a four-point survival strategy for holiday shopping:

• Gold is good: The dollar has lost 95 percent of its value in 100 years, and it will continue losing value. As the Reserve continues to flood money into the system, thereby reducing current or potential value, more inflation is inevitable, acting as yet another tax on wages. So, collect and buy any gold that you can and consider spending federal notes while they're still worth something to businesses. Think about your jewelry, and buying more. Silver is a good option if gold is too expensive, and there are Exchange Traded Funds, or ETFs, that are backed by physical gold. A reputable banker or broker can help explain for those who are interested. "TD Ameritrade or Charles Schwab may be good places to start getting information on gold and silver ETF trading," according to Dash.

• Inflation: Spend your money now or smartly invest it before you lose it. Remember, banks often give clients less than one percent on many accounts, but inflation on food and real items we use, like gasoline, are going up by much more. In essence, your banker is stealing your money through the assistance of the Fed, which is killing your savings rate by cheapening money. As if to pour salt on this wound, the bank, in many cases, lends money at four percent or higher. Rerouting some bank savings/wages by investing in canned food, for example, may protect you against the scourge of food inflation, as well as other disasters.

• Worthy purchases: With food and water, a failed society puts a premium on additional goods. They include home insulation, gardening tools and materials, computer programs and language learning kits - perhaps Spanish or Chinese - because of the increasing prominence of other cultures. Guns, security systems and other measures to protect one's home will likely prove extremely valuable should law enforcement be spread too thin, or fail as an institution.

• Buy in bulk: Places like Wal-Mart or Costco will help you get the most value with large purchases of food. It's important to be well-stocked if something happens that results in the emptying of grocery markets, but remember to have adequate space in your house, apartment or cabin for a "safe" room, which is part of a sound strategy for protecting you and your family.

About Peter Dash

Peter Dash has been a teacher, professor and corporate trainer for the last 17 years, working in Saudi Arabia, the former Soviet Union and China. He has an applied science degree in forestry from the University of British Columbia and a Masters in applied teaching from Southern Queensland in Australia. He was a researcher in world (dis) order and youth groups at Harvard University's Center for International Affairs, started by Henry Kissinger. He follows the investment field intensely, focusing on commodity funds and trends. Fifteen percent of his book's royalties will go to needy students consistent to the many years Dash has worked in assisting voluntary youth organizations. He lives on a small tropical island that is stocked with the finest well water, fish and food. Dash invests in Gold ETFs and commodity trading companies.

SPRINGFIELD - December 5, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today issued the following statement regarding pension reform legislation introduced by members of the Illinois House of Representatives.

"Today we are one step closer to strengthening our pension system and restoring fiscal stability to our state. Without action, the strain pension payments place on our budget will crowd out funding for other priorities like education, public safety and health care. I would like to thank members of the House for their work to come up with a solution, and I look forward to reviewing this proposal and bringing everyone to the table to move forward," Simon said.

Today's legislation builds on Governor Pat Quinn's call for pension reform. The Governor has urged lawmakers to take action that will save the state's critical programs and services while preserving the pension system for future generations.

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Getting Ready For Christmas?  Buy $30 Worth of Merchandise and Receive a Free Jar of Pickles or Ritter Sport Chocolate!

Visit the German American Heritage Center for your holiday shopping this year! We have beautiful handcrafted heirloom gifts that you cannot find in the big box stores. This year we have more than ever with stocking stuffers, tea sets, leather purses, steins, and other great gifts Don't forget, members receive 10% off in the gift shop, as always!!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  Sausage Saturday!  December 8th from 10-2.  Sample treats from the Bavaria Sausage Company from Madison, WI

AGENDA - SCOTT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORITY

Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.
(Board Room, 1st Floor, Scott County Administrative Center, 600 West Fourth Street, Davenport, Iowa)

1.  Roll Call: Barber, Drummond, Scheibe

2.  Pledge of Allegiance

3.  Approval of Minutes

4.  Approval of resolution providing for the sale and issuance of Jail Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2013 (Scott County, Iowa Unlimited Tax Lease Obligations) and approving the execution and delivery of an Official Statement, a Second Amendment to Lease Purchase Agreement and a Second Supplemental Indenture and other matters related thereto.

5.  Other items of interest

7.  Adjourn
On December 15th, 2012 there will be a "Ssssnake Ssssymposium" at the Wapsi River Center at 11:00 A.M. ~ ~ ~ Now that they have gone into hibernation for the winter, what better time to learn about our scaly friends! Join Caitlin Roeder at the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center for a program on these resourceful reptiles and meet some of the snakes we have around Iowa.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E. Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.
On Tuesday, December 11th , 2012 there will be a "Logging Days"lecture at the Wapsi River Center at 7:00 P.M. ~ Join Clinton County Naturalist Jill Schmidt, as you unfold the logging days of the upper Midwest. Jill will share her experiences living and learning about the historical logging industry in the northern woods of Wisconsin. Discover an original logging camp and enter the life of a lumberjack in the 1800s.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E. Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.
In a letter delivered to Members of Congress this week, 42 organizations and 149 businesses, which serve dairy farmers and rural communities, called on federal lawmakers to review the dairy policies that have contributed to the financial crisis experienced by the majority of dairy farmers across the United States.

The letter stated, "Federal dairy policies have been hammering dairy farmers for more than 30 years. There were 600,000 U.S. dairy farms in 1976, dropping to 131,509 by 1992, and to 51,481 by 2012. It is unthinkable that Congress continues to formulate policies that will likely be responsible for a continued decline in the number of U.S. dairy farms." The letter continued, "This crisis in not just affecting farmers and their families, but also the entire rural economy."

A press tele-conference will be hosted by the National Family Farm Coalition on Tuesday December 11th  featuring dairy farmers directly impacted by the low milk prices paid to dairy farmers.

As their letter stated, "The federal milk pricing formula leaves dairy farmers unable to cover their basic cost of production, but equally important is the loss of a substantial number of support businesses that fold when dairy farmers are not paid enough to cover the bills they owe these service providers and suppliers." As neither the House nor Senate draft farm bills make these needed reforms, the letter urges Members, "take swift action to implement equitable federal dairy policies based on fairness and cost of production in the dairy provision of the 2012 Farm Bill."

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