Brucemore's bucolic landscape?with its rolling yards, soaring trees, timber-lined pond, and stunning gardens?is more than a beautiful setting, it also exhibits over 120 years of history. Embrace the harvest season by joining Brucemore's gardeners on Saturday, October 20 at 10:30 a.m. for the Autumn Landscape Hike. Witness the subtle and spectacular dressings of the 26-acre autumnal landscape highlighted by the dusky plum and rusty barn red colors of the season.   Discover current landscape issues, the role of public use, and the seasonal chores required to preserve the historic grounds. See how planting choices with sensitivity to native species and seasonal display affect the overarching impact of a landscape design. Seek advice from Brucemore gardeners and ask questions on topics ranging from particular plantings to landscape design.

Admission is $10.00 per person and $7.00 per Brucemore member. Space is limited. Purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org, by calling (319) 362-7375, or by visiting the Brucemore Store and Visitor Center.

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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Signs 'Discharge Petition' to force vote

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today joined Rep. Bruce Braley and a bipartisan group of lawmakers to take action that would force the House leadership to bring up a reformed farm bill for a vote.  This action builds on Loebsack's call to Speaker Boehner to allow a vote on a long-term reformed farm bill, not simply a one-year extension as has been reported. Loebsack has been leading the charge in Congress to pass a reformed farm bill that provides certainty to our farmers and includes drought relief to aid those who have been severely affected.

"Our farmers and livestock producers deserve action on a long-term, reformed farm bill, not just the lip service they are currently receiving," said Loebsack.  "It is long past time that the House votes on a reformed farm bill that provides certainty.  Congress needs to pass a farm bill and they need to do it now."

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Rock Island--Food donations are vital to Christian Care. Last year, as a result of caring community support, Christian Care served over 50,000 meals to both the residents of their rescue mission and domestic violence shelter and to needy members of the Quad Cities community! Serving 19 meals a week to hundreds of individuals takes hard work, ingenuity - and food.

Food supplies presently on hand at Christian Care's pantry are perilously low. To meet the demand and to ensure that no one in the QCA goes hungry, Christian Care is asking for your help. On Saturday, September 22, 2012, they will be collecting canned and boxed food items from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Christian Care Rescue Mission located at 2209 3 rd Avenue in Rock Island.

For a complete list of needs or for more details, please visit the organization's website at christiancareqc.org or call Rebecca at 309/786-5734.

Christian Care has been feeding the hungry for 96 years. Although the organization's focus is primarily on the homeless and victims of domestic violence, the Christian Care Community Meal Site welcomes anyone in the community who is hungry. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on weekdays Monday through Friday and breakfast and dinner are served on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served at 6:30 AM, lunch at 12:15 PM, and dinner at 6:00 PM. The community relies on Christian Care not only to serve hot meals every day, but also to provide a warming and/or cooling station for nonresident homeless individuals during periods of harsher weather throughout the year.

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose vision is to transform lives. By providing safe shelter, support and resources Christian Care empowers both the homeless and survivors of domestic violence to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives. Christian Care's two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for women and children and a rescue mission for men?serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illnesses. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care Crisis Hotline at any hour of the day or night at 309/788-2273.

For more information about Christian Care, visit their website at christiancareqc.org or go to facebook.com/christiancareqc.

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QUAD CITIES, USA: The Salvation Army's homeless shelter for families - the Family Service Center - is in critical need of paper product donations.

"As we cut back costs at the end of summer, just as in any household, paper products are the first item to be rationed. But with 104 people residing here, and 65 are children, it's extremely hard to do. The shelter has been at capacity all summer even when an apartment was being renovated and was unavailable," says Salvation Army Social Service Director, Brandon Luke.

"Once a family is in the shelter, providing them with food and some sense of normalcy is our first priority. We are asking the community to please help out with the toilet paper."

Any paper products: toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, baby wipes... or a monetary donation can be dropped off anytime at The Salvation Army, 301 W. 6th Street, Davenport, IA 52803. If making a monetary donation, indicate the funds are for "Operation TP."

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