WEST BRANCH, IOWA–Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, in cooperation with Main Street West Branch, invites visitors to celebrate Humanitarianism and Public Service Month in Iowa with a series of special musical events each Thursday night in June. The weekly performances feature artists Joe and Vicki Price (June 7th), James Kennedy and Friends (June 14th), Maintainers (June 21st) and The Beggarmen (June 28th). The concerts are free and begin at 7:00 p.m. at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa.

A statewide proclamation, to be signed on June 7 at the Governor's office in Des Moines, will highlight the importance of humanitarian and public service work within communities. The proclamation will emphasize the humanitarian and public service accomplishments of two of Iowa's most famous sons: President Herbert Hoover of West Branch and Dr. Norman Borlaug of Cresco. "The signed proclamation will be displayed during each of the Thursday evening events," said Pete Swisher,  Superintendent of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, the national park which commemorates the life and accomplishments of the 31st President of the United States. "We hope it will inspire a new generation of Iowans towards public service work and humanitarian deeds."

The outdoor concerts will take place at the gazebo on the Village Green at 110 Parkside Drive, the intersection of Parkside Drive and Main Street in historic downtown West Branch. The Village Green provides a classic small town setting in which to enjoy an evening of free entertainment. There is ample parking nearby, and people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or ground blankets. In the event of inclement weather the program will be moved to the Herbert Hoover Elementary School gymnasium at 148 North Oliphant Street in West Branch.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring so many artists with Iowa roots to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site," said Swisher. "They will show those in attendance a great diversity of musical styles that connect directly to our landscape, communities, and cultures. We are very much looking forward to their performances."

June 7, Joe and Vicki Price: A winner of multiple musical awards, Joe and Vicki's music is flavored more to the juke joint end of the blues: a bit rough and tons of fun. Joe Price was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in 2002, The Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and was a finalist in the International Blues Challenge 2006. Joe has appeared on National Public Radio on the Michael Feldman show "What Do You Know" and the "Big Top Chautauqua" show, where he opened for Grammy nominated folk
singer Greg Brown.

June 14, James Kennedy and Friends: James Kennedy has been a force in "indie" music for many years, performing blues, jazz, world, and more. During that time, he and his groups have toured regionally, nationally, and internationally playing venues of all sizes. Their instrumental melodic style is strong and appeals to audiences across all age groups. The variety of styles includes jazz, blues, folk, ragtime, and contemporary - something for everyone's taste in music.

June 21, Maintainers: Playing its own brand of roots-rock-country-folk music and building a loyal following through its live shows, Maintainers entertain their audiences through the performance of both original compositions as well as known numbers.  This is all done through excellent instrumentation backed up with gritty vocal performances.

June 28, The Beggarmen: The Beggarmen are celebrating their eleventh year as one of the region's best Irish music ensembles. Since their first performance at a small pub in Iowa, the band has gone on to headline at folk festivals and concert halls throughout the Midwest, greeting audiences with their unique style of Irish folk music.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa  52358

319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
www.nps.gov/heho

Jeff vom Saal, Executive Director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, has announced his intention to leave his employment with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Jeff, his wife Robyn, and their two children will be moving to the San Francisco area at the end of this summer, where Robyn will be taking on an expanded role with her current employer. In a letter to the Board of Trustees, Jeff vom Saal said, "This has been a very difficult decision for my family to make, as we have been delighted with our time in the Quad Cities."  Jeff is currently exploring several employment opportunities in the orchestra industry near San Francisco.

Jeff vom Saal was named Executive Director in 2007, during the Music Director search that brought Conductor Mark Russell Smith to the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. During Jeff's tenure as Executive Director, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra has expanded its annual concert offerings, including recently two free public performances during Red, White, and Boom! The QCSO's Masterworks series has also increased its subscriber base by 20%. This time period boasts many memorable artistic achievements such as Midori's residency, the multi-media performance of The Planets, and most recently Mark Russell Smith's production of War Requiem. "Ultimately, being a musician myself, I'm probably most proud of the personal relationships I've been able to develop with our orchestra," said Jeff vom Saal. "We've been able to maintain good communication and transparency through some tough financial times and even union negotiations."

"The Board is sorry to hear of Jeff's decision, but we are also very excited for Jeff and his family," said Board of Trustees President Julie McHard. "We've accomplished a lot as an organization during Jeff's time with us and his will be a tough act to follow." The Board of Trustees' executive committee has begun meeting to plan for a search to replace vom Saal.

As a petty officer second class in the Navy, it was Adam Connell's job to successfully board ships being used for arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and other nefarious activities in South America and the Persian Gulf.

To get from his frigate to a 200,000-ton supertanker commandeered by pirates and other bad guys took telescopic hook ladders, precision timing, and lots of nerve, especially since the ships were sometimes traveling abreast at speeds of 25 knots.

But the distance Connell had to travel from ship to ship pales in comparison to the cultural gap he's had to bridge transitioning from almost five years of military life to campus life as a nursing student at the University of Iowa.

Fortunately, Connell, a sophomore working on his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, found a range of services the UI offers to make the transition to college for veterans a bit easier financially, academically, and even socially.

Connell enrolled in the first-ever meeting of the College of Education class "Life After War: Post-Deployment Issues," designed exclusively to help veterans examine their military experiences, while honing study skills. He got a work-study position in the UI Veterans Service Office, which offers veterans access to computers and tutoring, through a collaborative program between the UI and the VA Hospital in Iowa City. And he met other veterans through the UI Veterans Association.

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

Adam Connell: "The support offered through the UI Veterans Association really helped me out a lot. I was able to hang out with people who speak the same language as I do. And it was just good having camaraderie again, something I took for granted when I was on active duty."

DID YOU KNOW?

Iowa and Texas are the first two states being used as test beds for a pilot Hero to Hired program that connects veterans with employers eager to hire them, using a website and mobile app. The UI is helping direct veterans to the service, which will add four additional states in 2013, and is working to get listed on the H2H website as an institution seeking veteran job applicants.

FYI

Learn more about some of the many ways the UI is helping veterans succeed at http://now.uiowa.edu/2012/04/giving-veterans-helping-hand

Moline, Illinois - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) has announced the schedule of upcoming mobile office hours.  His staff will travel throughout the 17th Congressional District to meet with constituents and address any questions or concerns they may have.  No appointments are necessary.  "As your representative in Congress, it's my job to keep in close contact with folks across the district, asking for your input on issues before Congress or notifying you of upcoming events and how we can help," Schilling said. "My staff and I prioritize constituent service and communications, and will continue working to keep in touch with folks in all corners of our area.  We work for you." A field representative will be available in the following locations at the following times: June 6, 2012 Monmouth City Hall - Council Chambers 100 East Broadway Monmouth, IL 61462 9:00am - 12:00pm Albany City Hall 102 S Main St. Albany, IL 61230 1:00pm - 4:00pm June 20, 2012 Oquawka Village Hall 507 Schuyler St. Oquawka, IL 61469 9:00am - 12:00pm Aledo City Hall - Council Chambers 120 North College Ave. Aledo, IL 61231 9:00am - 1:00pm June 27, 2012 Kewanee City Hall 401 East Third St. Kewanee, IL  61443 9:00am - 4:00pm Constituents are also encouraged to visit the Moline, Galesburg, Canton, and Rock Falls offices during normal office hours: Moline District Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm 3000 41st St., Suite B Moline, IL 61265 P: (309) 757-7630 Galesburg District Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 8:30am - 5:00pm Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce 185 South Kellogg St. Galesburg, IL 61401 P: (309) 343-2220 Canton District Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30am - 5:00pm 8 South Main St., Suite 200 Canton, IL 61520 P: (309) 649-3307 Rock Falls District Office Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 9:00am - 4:00pm 1600 First Ave., Suite A Rock Falls, IL 61071 P: (815) 548-9440 # # #

To send Congressman Schilling an e-mail, click here