When was the last time you displayed the American flag? The Exchange Club of the Quad Cities honored six recipients of the Proudly We Hail Award at a recognition dinner at The Windmill Restaurant in East Moline on November 1. These awards are given to selected individuals and businesses for their efforts and patriotism in displaying our nation's flag.

This year's individual recipients are: Dennis and Mary Gottwalt, Hampton, IL; Troy and Dawn Halverson, Moline, IL; Larry and Jane Hipple, East Moline, IL; Kim and Jean Pauley, East Moline, IL; and Simon Sierra and Carol Near, East Moline IL. Miltos Diakogeorgiou and Jose Zepeda, owners of The Windmill Restaurant in East Moline, IL accepted the business award for 2012.

If you would like to be considered for the 2013 Proudly We Hail Awards or would like to suggest a neighbor or friend, please call 797-5705.

The honorees received a special plaque to commemorate the occasion.

Quote from Exchange Club of the Quad Cities President Bob Dixon The work and time these citizens freely give to maintain their flags symbolizes their commitment to America and shows a deep respect for the flag and honors all Americans.

Background

The National Exchange Club, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is an all-volunteer, national service organization for men and women who want to serve their community, develop leadership skills and enjoy new friendships. Exchange has over 21,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Exchange Club mission is to work together to make our communities better places to live through child abuse prevention, community service, service to youth, and promotion of Americanism.

The Exchange Club of Quad Cities is a local chapter of the national organization. The club meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at The Windmill Restaurant in East Moline, Illinois. Social time begins at 6:00 PM with dinner following at 6:30 PM. Guests are always welcome to attend any meeting. For membership information, call Bob Dixon at 797-5705.

Exchange Proudly We Hail 2012
Back row: Jose Zepeda and Miltos Diakogeorgiou.  Front row: Jane and Larry Hipple

Christian rock's hottest band!

Tenth Avenue North

The Struggle Tour

With Special Guests:

Audrey Assad and Rend Collective Experiment

7:00 PM Saturday, November 10

Adler Theater

136 East 3rd Street

Davenport, IA 52801

Brought to us by Echo Ministries

Tenth Avenue North recently announced its third studio project, The Struggle (Reunion Records), out on August 21.  The 12-track album reflects influences ranging from fan insight from the headlining artists' past two years on the road, to the addition of two new band members and a new recording process.  Produced by six-time SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year, and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real), The Struggle is a bold, creative leap forward.  www.tenthavenuenorth.com

Reserved tickets ($19 & $30 Deluxe Ticket) are on sale now.  Tickets are available at the Adler Theatre Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 and Ticketmaster outlets.  Tickets are $16 for groups of 10 or more by calling 563-326-8522.  Deluxe Tickets include early admittance to a pre-show meet & greet, a commemorative tour laminate, signed poster and $5 off coupon redeemable at the artists' merchandise booth.

For more information, call 563-326-8500

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - November 6, 2012 - Whether you're feeding your family or your livestock next year, you'll feel a pinch in your pocketbook. After dealing with the worst drought in 50 years, Iowa farmers found corn and soybean yields down across the board, causing crop prices to increase due to the weather's pressure.

The increase in corn prices will affect farmers' feed prices for their livestock and that will trickle down to consumers as early as January at the grocery store.

"These higher grain prices continue to put pressure on grain users, from ethanol plants to livestock farmers," explained Dave Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) director of research and commodity services. "In the past few weeks, ethanol production is running 12 percent below last year's levels. Cattle, hog and poultry farmers are trimming back production expectations for the coming year."

These adjustments aren't causing concerns for consumers just yet. As farmers bring livestock to market sooner and at lighter weights, meat supplies are strong. Miller warns that this will change at the beginning of the year.

"Lowered production levels are expected to support beef and pork prices in 2013," said Miller. "Consumers can expect higher meat prices in the coming year as livestock farmers continue to make adjustments due to the continued strength and increases in feed costs."

Despite dry conditions throughout the growing season and reduced yields, Iowa farmers continue to lead the nation in corn production. According to Miller, the statewide corn yield is estimated to be 140 bushels per acre, down 32 bushels per acre in 2011. Iowa farmers raised 1.9 billion bushels of corn this year, accounting for nearly 18 percent of U.S. corn production.

Iowa soybean fields weathered the drought better than expected and Iowa farmers will have harvested an estimated 399 million bushels of soybeans this year, representing 14 percent of U.S. soybean production. Soybean yields were also down from last year, coming in at an estimated 35.3 bushels per acre.

The drought brought stresses not only to farmers, but to the markets, as well; tightening supply estimates and raising prices.  Miller said prices for corn and soybeans are higher than a year ago, with corn prices 23 percent higher and soybean prices 20 percent higher. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases its monthly crop production report Nov. 9 and Miller says the mid-range of the USDA estimate of season-average prices is $7.80 for corn and $15.25 for soybeans.

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Public Encouraged to Help Meet Clothing Needs of Local Children

Davenport, Iowa - November 6, 2012 - School age children from 14 Davenport area elementary schools will benefit this year from the annual "Shoes That Fit" campaign that supplies need-specific shoes and clothing to local elementary school students. The non-profit community outreach program is led by Mediacom, along with Davenport area business partners Mimzi Art and Frame and Deere Harvester Credit Union.

The purpose of Shoes That Fit is to fulfill specific shoe and clothing needs, matched to individual children identified by school liaisons.  The donations of new shoes, boots, coats or other clothing are often the only genuinely "new" items available to children whose needs have been confidentially assessed. (School partners list below)

"The program is about more than shoes," says Mediacom's Jim Stoos who is vice president for the company's OnMedia advertising division.  "In many classrooms, teachers will see a child with only one set of clothes and a pair of worn out shoes to wear to school every day.  This affects a child's self-esteem, and it means that learning takes a back seat to embarrassment," said Stoos.

"Thanks to Mimzi Art and Frame and Deere Harvester Credit Union, we can help local children feel good about themselves and feel good about being in school. Additionally, people who donate the shoes and clothes to make this program a success will feel especially good about giving tangible assistance to meet the needs of local children," Stoos added.

The local business sponsors provide locations where community members can pick up Shoes That Fit donation cards.  Donor cards describe the needed items and the specificity of the child's gender and size.  Individual donors shop for the items and return them, unwrapped, to the business sponsor. Mediacom's OnMedia team ensures prompt delivery to the students through the school liaison.  Only new shoes and clothing can be accepted.

The program is underway now through December 1. School partners encourage donors to shop for and return items as soon as possible, especially to get ahead of winter weather and the need for boots and coats.

OnMedia is the cable television advertising division of Mediacom.  Local OnMedia employees have coordinated the Shoes That Fit campaign for the past 11 years. Throughout that time they have partnered with more than 50 elementary schools in Des Moines, Newton, Marshalltown and Ames and have donated more than 73,000 Shoes That Fit items to elementary school children in need.  For more information on Shoes That Fit visit www.shoesthatfit.org.

Davenport Area Business Partner Locations for Donor Cards and Shoes That Fit Drop-off

Mimzi Art and Frame - 3825 16th Street, Moline, IL 61265

Deere Harvester Credit Union - 5354 Elmore Circle, Davenport, IA 52807

Deere Harvester Credit Union -1090 South Congress Street, Geneseo, IL 61254

Deere Harvester Credit Union -1101 13th Avenue, East Moline, IL 61244

Local Elementary Schools where students benefit from Shoes That Fit

·         Fillmore Elementary

·         Jefferson Edison Elementary

·         Madison Elementary

·         Monroe Elementary

·         Riverdale Heights Elementary (Bettendorf)

·         Washington Elementary

·         Wilson Elementary

·         Bridgeview School Elementary (Pleasant Valley)

·         Jackson Schools

·         Buchanan Elementary

·         Marquette Academy

·         McKinley Elementary

·         Children's Village