26 Nov 2012

Governor Quinn Orders Special Election for 2nd Congressional District

By Leslie Wertheimer

Sets Primary Election on February 26 to Coincide with Existing Primary; Proposes April 9 General Election, Requiring a Change in Statute

CHICAGO - November 26, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today set a special election to fill a vacancy in the 2nd Congressional District seat, which had been held by Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. from 1995 until his resignation last week. The governor's writs of election (attached) set a special primary to be held on February 26, 2013 to coincide with existing local primary elections. To comply with current state law, the governor's writs of election also set a general election date of March 19, 2013. However, Governor Quinn is working with the General Assembly to move the general election date to April 9, 2013, the same day as already-scheduled local general elections, which will require a change in statute.

Illinois law currently requires the special election be held within 115 days of the filing of the governor's writs of election, preventing it from being on the same day as the existing local elections on April 9, 2013.

"This special election will be carried out in a manner that is fair to the electorate and as economical as possible for taxpayers," Governor Quinn said. "By holding the special primary and general elections on the same days as existing contests, we can save significant taxpayer dollars and ensure the people of the 2nd District can make their voices heard."

The governor will issue amended writs if the statute is changed to move the special general election to April 9, 2013.

The 2nd Congressional District is comprised of 263 precincts in suburban Cook County, 170 precincts in Chicago, 85 precincts in Kankakee County and 27 precincts in Will County. Approximately 420,000 registered voters reside in the district, of which more than half are in suburban Cook County.

For more information on the special election please contact Jane Gasperin, director of the Division of Election Information at the Illinois State Board of Elections, at 217-782-1555.

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26 Nov 2012

SEC chairman to step down, Grassley on track record, challenges ahead

By Grassley Press
Monday, Nov. 26, 2012

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the news that Mary Schapiro will step down as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission next month.

"The SEC has proposed some weak settlements with Wall Street firms, including one that a judge called 'chump change.'  The SEC has to crack down harder, especially on repeat offenders.  I have some sympathy for the idea that current law limits the agency's enforcement abilities, as Chairman Schapiro has said, although the SEC also hasn't always used its existing penalties to the fullest.  To remove barriers to strong enforcement, Sen. Reed and I introduced legislation to increase the SEC's penalties.  I'll pursue that in the next Congress.  Chairman Schapiro supported the SEC whistleblower provisions that I helped to develop, although the implementing regulations have been problematic.  I'll continue to ride herd over the agency in getting the whistleblower office going.  It's disappointing that Chairman Schapiro is leaving the commission without having a permanent inspector general in place, since her departure may delay the commission in filling that important position even further.  The SEC, like any agency, benefits from a strong, independent inspector general.  The sooner the recent turmoil in the inspector general's office is overcome, the better for the agency and the investing public."

26 Nov 2012

Governor's Bullying Prevention Summit now sold-out; Iowans encouraged to watch online

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that the Governor's Bullying Prevention Summit tomorrow is at capacity, and tickets are no longer available.

The Governor's Bullying Prevention Summit will have nearly 1,200 attendees, including students, educators and parents from across the state.

Iowans wishing to participate in the conversation may still do so via Twitter, using the #NoBully hash tag.

JDL Horizons, using its flagship Internet streaming solution EduVision, will produce and stream all of the plenary and breakout sessions in cooperation with the governor's office. eSchool Media will accept the stream and deliver the events to a national audience of nearly 1 million K-12 educators throughout North America and around the world. Streaming of the entire summit will be available at: https://educateiowa.eduvision.tv.

More information can be found on the summit's web site at https://preventbullying.iowa.gov

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26 Nov 2012

AD RescueWear Has Received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

By Anne Fairchild McVey
AD RescueWear is proud to announce they have received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

Products eligible for the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance are those that have been created or intended for use by persons with eczema or severe sensitive skin conditions and that have satisfied the NEA Seal of Acceptance Criteria. The following product categories are included: Personal Care Products, Household Products, Fabrics, and Devices. The Seal of Acceptance criteria includes a list of ingredients and contents that should be avoided because they contain known irritants. Depending on the product, the NEA Seal of Acceptance Review Panel considers testing data on sensitivity, safety, and toxicity, as well as the ingredients, content, and formulation data. Acceptance of a product means that the product has been evaluated to determine that it does not contain ingredients or contents that are known to be unsuitable for use by persons with eczema or sensitive skin conditions. For more information on the National Eczema Association and its Seal of Acceptance please visit www.nationaleczema.org.

AD RescueWear is the first U.S. Company to manufacture and sell ready-made, wet wrap therapy products for the treatment of childhood Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema. The product line includes the Wrap-E-SootheTM Suit for full body treatment and Wrap-E-SootheTM Sleeves for treating arms and legs. The Wrap-E-SootheTM products were developed by AD RescueWear in consultation with leading allergists. The Wrap-E-SootheTM products are made with eco-friendly MicroTENCEL®/lyocell fabric which is proven through verifiable testing to be superior for Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema and sensitive skin. TENCEL® fabric is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified (tested for harmful substances and free of hazardous chemicals).

These new garments are a breakthrough for parents, doctors and nurses who struggle with wet wrapping children with Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema. The revolutionary design simplifies the full body and spot treatment of Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema. The Wrap-E-SootheTM Suit and Sleeves replace the traditional treatment of using wetted gauze, shirts, pants, multiple pairs of socks and duct tape for fastening. Instead of the traditional time consuming and sometimes confusing process, the caregiver just wets the suit or sleeves and slips them onto the child.

The Wrap-E-SootheTM products can also be worn dry to protect irritated or healing skin. The ultra soft and smooth fabric is a great protection layer under clothing or as clothing. These products are reusable and machine washable.

If you would like more information about this topic please call 303-953-4137.

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26 Nov 2012

A Modern Salon at Brucemore

By Tara Richards
Enjoy the tenth anniversary of hilarious stories, engaging conversation, and outstanding music with SPT Theatre and special guest, Jim Kern, during A Modern Salon, January 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26 at 7:30 p.m. Emulating the Parisian salons at the turn of the twentieth century, A Modern Salon is held in the Mansion's Great Hall, where Brucemore's second family, the Douglases, frequently entertained guests. Admission is $45 per person or $40 per Brucemore member and includes pre-show wine tasting from First Avenue Wine House and appetizers starting at 7 p.m. Champagne and desserts will be served during intermission. Evening dress is encouraged and valet parking is available. Space is limited; purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org, by telephone at (319) 362-7375, or by visiting the Brucemore Store.

No stranger to Brucemore and the local arts scene, Jim Kern will provide comically nostalgic insight into A Modern Salon with this year's theme, "tradition."  As former Assistant Director and Executive Director at Brucemore, Jim was instrumental in expanding the educational programs, tour menu, building and landscape preservation activities, and arts and culture events offered on the estate.  Now that he is officially retired, his biography is a list of former exploits and careers: teacher, stage director, actor, restaurateur, historic site director, development director, caterer, and Oprah panelist.  In short, he could never quite figure out what he wanted to be when and if he grew up.  He currently serves as Chair of the Cedar Rapids Visual Arts Commission, on the boards of the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Theatre Cedar Rapids, and as travel group host for Destinations Unlimited.  In July, he will return to the Classics at Brucemore, which he co-founded in 1996, as the Artistic Director for Cyrano de Bergerac.

 

SPT Theatre was founded by Doug Elliott, Gerard Estella, Janelle Lauer, and Jane Pini, four local performing artists looking to support, provide for, and expand the artistic opportunities available to performers and arts patrons in the Cultural Corridor. For further information about SPT Theatre, call (319) 361-5297 or visit www.spttheatre.org.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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26 Nov 2012

Mr. Calvin N. Hileman joins Raufeisen Development Company.

By Susan Shrader
Todd Raufeisen of Davenport, Iowa introduced Calvin N. Hileman today as the newest member of the development staff of Raufeisen Development Company. Mr. Hileman will be responsible for leasing and management. Cal comes to Raufeisen Development from Mercy Medical Centers and Clinics where he was in charge of the real estate department based in Cedar Rapids, IA.

He was formerly with Cullinan Properties in Peoria, IL as Vice President of Leasing. He directed the internal and third party leasing activities for Cullinan's retail properties in Illinois, Texas, and Missouri.

He brings more than 30 years of retail property management and leasing experience and the leasing of more than 1.5 million total square feet of GLA.

Cal was Regional Leasing Director for CBL Properties directing the leasing activities of twelve enclosed malls, fourteen strip centers and more than 11 million square feet of GLA.

As Executive Vice President for Equity Growth Group, he was responsible for management of the property management and leasing company.

As Sr. Vice President for General Growth /Center Companies he was responsible for the leasing and remerchandising of 16 enclosed malls in the East and Midwest.

Cal began his leasing career at The Taubman Company and the leasing of centers including Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL, Columbus City Center in Columbus, OH, The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills, NJ, Beverly Center, Beverly Hills, CA and Stamford Town Center, Stamford, CT. Major accounts included Melville Corp., Hallmark Cards, Crate & Barrel, Ralph Lauren Polo and Hartmarx.

Raufeisen Development has major mixed use land developments in Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
26 Nov 2012

Agenda for the SCOTT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (SECC) BOARD

By Annie Nugent

SCOTT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (SECC) BOARD

Board Room, 1st Floor, Scott County Administrative Center, 600 West Fourth Street, Davenport, Iowa

NOVEMBER 29, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.

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 Agreement for Retirement Health Savings Accounts with Vantage Care Retirement Health Savings (ICMA-RC) (Mary)

5.  Review of FY2013-FY2014 budget (Brian)

6.  Director's report

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

8.  Next meeting date - December 20, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

9.  Adjourn

26 Nov 2012

Lt. Gov. Reynolds to lead trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines in February

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

Trade mission is part of the administration's goal to increase trade opportunities by 20 percent. Interested Iowans are encouraged to participate in the trade mission.

(DES MOINES) - Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will lead a trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines from February 22 - March 2, 2013. This trade mission will focus on two main components; increasing exports of Iowa pork to Southeast Asia and fostering export opportunities for Iowa manufacturers who are considering development or expansion in the region. The Iowa Economic Development Authority's (IEDA) International Trade Office will assist in coordinating the trip, and interested Iowans are invited to participate in this mission.

"This mission will generate new trading relationships with Vietnam and the Philippines," said Lt. Gov. Reynolds. "Both countries have shown tremendous economic growth and continue to be open to new business opportunities - it makes sense for us to have a presence there and I am pleased to be leading this effort."

"Vietnam and the Philippines are burgeoning markets for Iowa businesses, especially when it comes to pork products and manufacturing," said Gov. Branstad. "Trade missions like this one open Iowa companies up to new growth opportunities in expanding markets outside of the United States."

Visits to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila are part of the Iowa delegation's itinerary.  The trade mission's agenda will include meetings with senior government officials, prospective industry association leaders and events promoting Iowa to potential economic partners. Iowa companies will participate in meetings specific to their market entry or expansion needs.

Additional information on this trade mission can be found at: www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/intlevents/downloads/VietnamPhilippinesMission.pdf. The deadline for application is December 15, 2012.

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26 Nov 2012

17-THOUSAND RAISED FOR CANCER RESEARCH IN MEMORY OF PORT BYRON NATIVE

By Nancy Strub
PORT BYRON, IL - The first annual "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k" raised more than $17,000 dollars for Ewing's Sarcoma research.

A donation of $17,158.67 has been made to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. Funds will be used to provide research grants to expert investigators who will eventually find a cure for the rare cancer.

"We are very grateful to Nick's family and friends for organizing this wonderful event," said Founders of the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative Bruce and Beverly Shriver of Ossining, N.Y.

"This will help us fund research which will lead to better treatments for this disease and to an eventual cure," they added.

Nick's mother Nancy Strub of Port Byron, Ill., said, "We've very carefully chosen the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative as the best option to earmark funds specifically for quality Ewing's research."

"Nick would have insisted on that," she said.

For Nick's wife Krissy Strub of Omaha, Neb., the first 5k was an emotional day with family and members of the community who came together to remember and celebrate her husband.

"I'm absolutely blown away by the amount of effort put in by the race committee as well as the support from the community," she said, adding she hopes this first year is a stepping stone for bigger events centered around Ewing's Sarcoma research.

The Shriver's agreed.

"We hope people came away from this event with a commitment to help us with our mission of funding research that will bring hope to families worldwide," they said.

Race Director Holly Quinn of Port Byron, Ill., said she's thrilled with this year's turnout and support.

"I think Nick would have loved the celebration," she said. "He loved to get people together for a good cause and a good party!" said Quinn of her brother-in-law.

More information about the Nick Teddy Foundation and upcoming events can be found online: http://www.NickTeddy.org.

Photos from the 5k can be viewed on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NickTeddyOrg) and on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NickTeddyOrg).

Contact: Holly Larson at 309-798-3081 / foundation@nickteddy.org

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26 Nov 2012

Advent Retreat at The Canticle sounds clarion call to "being life"

By Rick Martin
"Unwrapping the Gift of Faith: Releasing the Energy of Love in Our World" is the theme of this year's Advent Retreat at The Canticle, home of the Clinton Franciscan Sisters.  The retreat opens at 7 pm, Friday, Dec. 7, and closes Sunday, Dec. 9 at noon.

"This Advent retreat," explained Clinton Franciscan Sister Mary Smith who will lead the weekend of reflection, "is a clarion call to spiritual adulthood; a call to wrestle with and grow our faith life not just as belief in something, but as a way of life, a way of being life."

"Being life, we are integral to the whole," said Sister Mary.  "Relationships constitute the very stuff of our natural and historical existence, both as individuals and as societies.  We are nurtured and affected by relationships and derive energy and meaning from them. This dynamic faith perspective is a call to engage life creatively by going beyond a mind that is already made up.  Such a faith presupposes that our minds serve something they cannot name or understand and are open to the new."

Sister Mary, a certified spiritual director who has been engaged in retreat work in California, Portland, Ore., and in Clinton for over 20 years, will be joined by Clinton Franciscan Sister Hilary Mullany and Clinton Franciscan Sojourner Gabriela Egging in presenting the reflections, creative activity and contemplative prayer in The Canticle chapel.

"We live in a relational world," explained Sister Mary.  "The tragic events of 9/11, the natural disasters that continue to occur around the world, as well as events unfolding in each of our own cities or towns, graphically reveal this truth.  In this retreat we will be talking, thinking and praying about what is central to our dynamic, ever-unfolding faith life?always journeying deeper into the One who is beyond all words, deeper into loving service as part of the community of life on this planet."

"We will unwrap together," she explained, " the precious Gift of Faith as articulated by our rich faith traditions, especially the documents of Vatican II that have impacted ongoing renewal and are still reshaping our lives.  Since the days of Vatican II, we've grown as 'people of God' in terms of freedom, charisms, competencies, and irreplaceable roles in the church. We've experienced ourselves as authentic bearers of the Gospel.  Thus, a major focus of the weekend will be on the essential tools for nurturing 'creative fidelity' and rebuilding our own relationships with one another and within the church and the world in our time."

Registration for the weekend retreat is limited.  For details, call Sisters of St. Francis, 563-242-7611, or visit www.ClintonFranciscans.com.

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