25 Apr 2012

Upcoming event at the Muscatine Art Center

By Katy Doherty
PRESS RELEASE

1314 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine, IA 52761
www.muscatineartcenter.org

CONTACT: KATY DOHERTY, PROGRAM COORDINATOR

MUSCATINE ART CENTER

FOR RELEASE: APRIL 23, 2012

The public is invited to join the Muscatine Art Center in welcoming Muscatine native John Duggleby, writer and musician, as he presents a program based on his book, Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood. This event will take place Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center's Music Room and is free and open to the public. There will be copies of John Duggleby's book to purchase at this event.

John has written several books for young people, including biographies on musicians John Lennon, Ray Charles, and artist Jacob Lawrence. Artist in Overalls, one of Duggleby's eight children's books, has received several distinctions including the National  Association of Christian Schools' Children's Crown Award and the Parents Council Seal of Approval. His book, Story Painter: The Life of Jacob Lawrence, was honored by the National Council for Social Studies as the Elementary Book of the Year.

Artist in Overalls reveals Grant Wood's story to audiences of all ages in a fun and interactive way. Dressed like the famous farmer in Wood's American Gothic painting, Duggleby shows how Wood's Iowa childhood observations and resolve to follow his instincts resulted in fame that has endured through this American cultural icon.

EVENT DETAILS:
What: "Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood"
Who: John Duggleby
When: Sunday, May 6
Time: 2:00 PM
Where: The Muscatine Art Center's Music Room
Admission to these programs is FREE.

Please contact Katy Doherty, Program Coordinator, with any
questions or concerns at 563-263-8282 or by email at
kdoherty@muscatineiowa.gov.

The Muscatine Art Center is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM. Admission is FREE.
25 Apr 2012

Simon to testify in support of math bill

By Justin Stofferahn

SPRINGFIELD - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will testify Wednesday morning in support of SB 3244 before the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. The bill creates optional state math curricula that extends from middle school through the final year of high school, and aims to boost college and career readiness. In 2011, 58 percent of Illinois high school graduates did not meet the math college readiness benchmark, according to ACT.

 

TIME: 9 a.m.

DATE: Wednesday, April 25

PLACE: Room 114, State Capitol, Springfield

 

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25 Apr 2012

On Eve of Obama Visit, Loebsack Urges Action on Bill to Prevent Doubling of Student Loan Rates

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today urged the House Republican leadership to swiftly bring up and pass legislation that will prevent student loan interest rates from doubling, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, on July 1st.  Loebsack is a cosponsor of H.R. 3826, which would ensure the increase does not occur.  If the increase were to go into effect, the average student borrower would have to pay an additional $1000.  Loebsack is a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, which has jurisdiction over this legislation.

"With tuition rising rapidly and far too many Iowans struggling to make ends meet, middle-class families are finding it more and more difficult to pay for college. I strongly believe that every student deserves the opportunity to attend college if they wish to pursue higher education," wrote Loebsack.  "I grew up in poverty, and I would not have had the opportunity to attend college without financial assistance. It is extremely important that we work to address student loan interest rates because without Congressional action, 7 million low- and middle-income families will be subject to a $6 billion interest rate hike."

As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Loebsack has championed numerous pieces of legislation to increase access to higher education, including:

  • College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) Loebsack helped craft and pass this legislation, which makes college more affordable and accessible for all Iowans by increasing the maximum Pell Grant scholarship and expanding eligibility;
  • Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, H.R. 3221 Loebsack was a cosponsor of this bill, which will save American taxpayers $61 billion by making the student loan process more efficient.  The bill further expanded the maximum Pell Grant available from $5,550 in 2010 to $5,975 in 2017, granting Iowa students more than $291 million for higher education. This bill was the largest single investment in student aid in America's history, and will make college more accessible, transform the way student loan programs operate and strengthens community colleges.

A copy of the letter Loebsack sent to the House Speaker and the Chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee can be seen here.

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25 Apr 2012

Progress Iowa launches campaign to 'Send Chuck a Coke'

By Rick Martin

Petition drive launched in response to Senator Grassley's call for a boycott on his own constituents

DES MOINES, IOWA - In response to Senator Chuck Grassley advocating a boycott on Coca-Cola, which operates two bottling plants in Iowa, Progress Iowa today launched a petition drive to 'Send Chuck a Coke' at SendChuckaCoke.com.

On April 4th, Coca-Cola publicly announced it would end its financial support of the American Legislative Exchange Group (ALEC), the right-wing front group backing controversial legislation such as the "Stand Your Ground" laws, which have been implicated in the shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

This weekend, Senator Grassley tweeted "U might think abt not drinking Coca Cola since company sucombed to pressure fr Leftist not to support ALEC". Read the original tweet here. Atlantic Bottling Company operates in Atlantic and Waukee, and has bottled Coca-Cola products in Iowa for three generations.
"We want Iowans to send Senator Grassley a message: he should be standing up for his constituents, not ALEC, an out of state corporate front-group," said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. "For every petition signature we receive, we will deliver a Coca-Cola, bottled right here in Iowa, to Senator Grassley."

For more information about the campaign, visit SendChuckaCoke.com, where you can sign the petition and respond directly to Senator Grassley's tweet.

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25 Apr 2012

Top Tips for National Home Improvement Month

By Kathy Ziprik

AMBLER, PA - Springtime has arrived and it's time to dust off the "to do" list. But, how does a homeowner decide which projects should take priority? According to Mark Clement, host of MyFixItUpLife home improvement radio show, start by selecting those projects that are the most important for enhancing the functionality of the home.

"National Home Improvement Month in May is the ideal time to shine the spotlight on annual home projects that should never be overlooked," says Clement, a professional contractor in Pennsylvania. "Sure it's great to work outside in the garden this time of year, but that task should take second place behind evaluating and fixing major components of the house.

"A home's curb appeal is important, but working on the structural aspects of the home should always take priority. For example, every year homeowners should be evaluating the condition of their roof, siding, windows, gutters and other exterior products that they rely on daily to keep their family safe and secure."

Clement, who is currently renovating his own 100-year-old home, understands that all products in and on the house will eventually need to be replaced. "We just replaced the original wood door on our home with a fiberglass door," says Clement. "That old door should have been removed a decade ago because it lost its functionality and was an energy drain on our home. The new Therma-Tru fiberglass door is energy-efficient, stylish and helps secure our home."

According to Clement, there is a "must do" list of five items that homeowners should review every year during National Home Improvement Month. "May is the ideal time weatherwise to do these checkups and replacement work for the home," says Clement. "It makes sense economically to make any needed changes to the roof, windows or doors when such work will have the least impact on energy bills."

The list recommended by Clement includes:

Item #1 - Check the roof. Using either a ladder or binoculars from across the street, look for problem areas, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be "flapping" in the wind. These are all indications that a new roof may be in your future. If that's the case, research the newer products on the market, such as polymer shake and slate roofing tiles. These impact-resistant tiles are man-made in a wide variety of colors. Some roofing tiles, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes® that Clement chose for his home, are fire- and hail-resistant. They also have a 50-year limited warranty.

Item #2 - Clean and assess the home's siding. Pressure-washing works well for many homes to remove dirt and algae that can grow on siding, but remember never to pressure-wash windows or their screens. The extreme high pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the units. While cleaning the siding, make sure to check for changes in the exterior from the previous year and be alert to buckling, warping or insect damage that may need to be fixed.

Item #3 - Evaluate the windows. If you find that windows in the home don't operate easily, there's air leaking in or out of the units, or there's condensation between the glass panes, then it may be time to seriously consider replacement windows.

Vinyl framed windows have the highest growth rate in the country due to their energy-efficiency, aesthetic appeal and durability. Some of the best have fusion-welded corners and multi-chambered construction. Plus, maintenance hassles are so low you'll forget the horrors of rotting frames, scraping and repainting that come with wood windows. For his renovation project, Clement selected Simonton vinyl windows. The award-winning company impressed him with its 65-year history, strong product warranty and return-on-investment with their quality ENERGY STAR® qualified windows.

Item #4 - Check on the gutters. Don't underestimate the importance of the gutter system on the home. Each year homeowners should check to make sure their gutters are unclogged and remain sloped for proper drainage. Plus, make sure the water running off the roof doesn't cause damage to the building structure, landscaping or property below the roof.

The Gutter Installers Association (GIA) recommends using GIA-certified contractors to perform a physical inspection of your existing gutters to check for leaks, ensure proper slope for good drainage and offer advice on a variety of gutter protection systems.

Item #5 - Spend time with the main entry door. If homeowners can see light around the door from the inside, the door is hard to close or lock, or the door itself is warped, it's time to consider a new door. Even if you can't see light, air may be moving through gaps in the weather stripping at a surprising rate.

Think about the weather conditions that a home's door faces along with the energy bills. If either run to the extreme, consider replacing an entryway with a high-performance fiberglass door (which can have up to four times more insulation value than wood doors). Homeowners can also request features such as the Tru-Defense® Door System* from Therma-Tru Doors that features enhanced weatherstripping, corner seal pad, door bottom sweep and profiled sill that all work together to provide strength and stability in the entry door.

For more home improvement tips, visit www.myfixituplife.com.

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*See www.thermatru.com for complete details on the Tru-Defense® Door Systems.

ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

 

Web Site Resources:

·       www.davinciroofscapes.com

·       www.simonton.com

·       www.thermatru.com

·       www.myfixituplife.com

 

25 Apr 2012

Governor Quinn Announces New School Construction Project

By Leslie Wertheimer

Erie Elementary Charter School Expands Educational Opportunities for Low-Income Students

CHICAGO - April 24, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today continued his commitment to improving education in Illinois by joining students, parents, advocates and community leaders to break ground on an addition to Erie Elementary Charter School (EECS). The state is providing $12 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funds to build the addition, which will help the school expand its innovative curriculum and its use of technology to improve learning.

"We must invest in 21st century facilities that will help provide our children with a 21st century education," Governor Quinn said. "Supporting early education and elementary schools will increase students' success in the future and help them realize their full potential, which paves the way for economic growth."

Erie Elementary Charter School (EECS) opened in 2005 with 80 students in kindergarten through 1st grade. Its programs were based on the strong foundation of the nationally-accredited preschool program at the Erie Neighborhood House, which has been serving and educating Chicago's low-income immigrant population since 1870. It has since expanded to serve students in grades K-5, and today's announcement will increase its capacity to serve more than 400 low-income or disadvantaged students in grades K-8.

"Erie Elementary Charter School hopes to close the achievement gap by providing high quality, bilingual education that puts students on the path to success in secondary and higher education," said EECS Principal Velia Soto. "We are grateful for the state's support of these critical efforts to offer a quality education for our students."

The new 16,000 square-foot addition will mean more classroom space for art, music and parent education, as well as extracurricular activities. The building will also host a new gymnasium, a computer lab and expanded staff office and administration space. The facility will also be compliant with the American's with Disabilities Act and include environmentally safe and efficient processes necessary to quality for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification.

"Education plays a key role in our ability to develop and maintain a workforce that is prepared to meet the challenges of a 21st century economy," said DCEO Director David Vaught. "This funding will help ensure more Illinois children have access to a quality educational environment and facilities that will give them a leg up and prepare them for the future."

In his proposed budget, Governor Quinn reiterated his commitment to education, jobs and economic growth by maintaining funding for K-12 and higher education, increasing early childhood funding by $20 million, and calling for a $50 million increase for the state Monetary Award Program (MAP), which provides college scholarships for needy students. Governor Quinn also recently announced $623 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding to help dozens of school districts statewide make critical repairs, additions and technology updates to classrooms. Combined with local dollars, the funding will allow school districts to complete projects totaling more than $1.2 billion.

To ensure the continuation of the state's capital plan and projects like these, which are putting hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents back to work, Governor Quinn has proposed necessary changes to stabilize and restructure the state's pension and Medicaid programs after decades of fiscal mismanagement. The proposals outline up to $85 billion in savings from changes to the pension system (based on current actuarial assumptions), and $2.7 billion in savings from restructuring Medicaid. These changes will lead to greater certainty in Illinois' business climate and help respond to serious concerns from the ratings' agencies. The billions of dollars saved through these reforms are key to the state's ability to ensure that critical capital improvement and road safety projects in Illinois are able to move forward.

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25 Apr 2012

The National Parenting Center releases it's Spring 2012 Seal of Approval Report

By D Gaynes
WEDNESDAY - April 23, 2012 - The National Parenting Center has released its 22nd annual Spring Seal of Approval report.  The first report of 2012 follows two months of consumer testing by parents and children at The National Parenting Center's test centers.  A recent independent survey indicated that nearly 60% of mothers rely on awards such as the Seal of Approval when making final purchase decisions for their children.  As such recognition from The National Parenting Center has become a significant bellweather for retail buyers as to which products will ultimately succeed in connecting with consumers.

TNPC's evaluative process gauges consumer reaction to products currently being marketed to both parents and their children such as toys, games, books, videos, websites, educational products, mobile apps, etc.  Each is reviewed on a variety of levels including, but not limited to, price, packaging, design, stimulation, desirability, age appropriateness, instructions and more.  TNPC's Seal of Approval is ultimately a peer-to-peer review program to recognize and highlight products and services that have been met with a "thumbs up" by parents.

Since 1989, The National Parenting Center has established itself as North America's leading parent advocacy organization.  TNPC offers advice and information to parents on issues that range from pregnancy through adolescence.  The National Parenting Center's home page, TNPC.COM, offers visitors free access to hundreds of articles on parenting issues as well as Seal of Approval reviews.

25 Apr 2012

Illinois Supports a Gaming Solution

By Scott Burnham
New poll: Illinoisans overwhelmingly support gaming solution
Residents ready for economic benefits, jobs new legislation will bring

More than 60 percent of Illinois residents support a gaming solution that includes more casinos and the addition of slot machines at racetracks as a solution to create more than 20,000 jobs and generate nearly $200 million annually for the state, a newly released poll reveals.

The Alexandria, Virginia-based Public Opinion Strategies poll of 800 likely Illinois voters conducted April 10-12 shows that Illinois residents overwhelmingly back legislation to expand gaming to help generate new revenue.

When asked if they would "support or oppose a proposal to generate revenues to state and local governments by increasing the number of slot machines allowed at riverboats, allowing slot machines at racetracks, and by adding a land-based Chicago casino and four additional riverboat casinos," 62 percent of voters responded that they supported it, compared to 33 percent who opposed it.

"Illinoisans are sending a loud and clear message that they strongly support gaming legislation that will bring sorely needed economic benefits throughout the state during these challenging budget times," said Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance Chairman Bill Black. "They have no appetite for lawmakers raising taxes or cutting essential programs like education, health care and safety net services that impact our most vulnerable residents. This legislation is an attractive solution that comes at absolutely no cost to taxpayers."

The poll was commissioned and issued by the newly formed Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance (IRJA), a growing statewide consortium of more than 70 labor organizations, business groups, farming and agribusiness interests, racetracks and horsemen associations, and local municipalities, all committed to the creation of new jobs and state revenue that expanded gambling would bring.

Those surveyed overwhelmingly oppose the alternative proposal discussed by some lawmakers to subsidize racetracks in lieu of permitting slot machines at those venues. According to the poll, 76 percent of respondents favor slot machines at racetracks, compared to just 16 percent who favor an annual subsidy.

"It's clear that Illinois residents favor initiatives aimed at creating jobs and increasing revenue," Black said. "It's a no-brainer compared to a subsidy that would cost the state money."

Last week, the IRJA issued an independent study by the Spectrum Group showing that that pending legislation in Springfield would generate nearly $200 million in additional state tax revenue and admission fees each year along with $377 million in initial licensing fees while creating nearly 20,500 jobs throughout Illinois. The study also revealed that there is room to accommodate expansion without reaching a saturation point.

According to the poll, broad support exists throughout the state for Senate Bill 1849, which calls for new casinos in Chicago, Lake County, south suburban Chicago, Rockford and Danville; additional slot machines at existing casinos and the addition of slot machines at the state's six horseracing tracks.

Support for SB 1849 is highest in the Collar Counties where 70 percent of respondents favor the proposal, but support is strong throughout Illinois: 68 percent in favor in Northern Illinois; 61 percent in favor in Southern Illinois; 60 percent in favor in Cook County; and 54 percent in favor in Central Illinois.

"It's very telling that the areas of the state that support gaming the most are the very same areas that already have casinos," Black said.  "This shows that these communities have experienced no grave social costs from their proximity to legalized gaming, and also that there is a substantial market demand for more of it."

The most popular components of SB 1849 were increasing the number of slot machines at existing riverboats (69 percent) and allowing slot machines at the state's six horse racing tracks (68 percent). Meanwhile, 64 percent favor authorizing four new casinos in Danville, Lake County, Rockford and the south suburbs and 62 percent support authorizing a land-based casino in Chicago.

According to the poll, 55 percent added that they would be more likely to vote for a state legislator who supported gaming expansion in the next election, compared to 30 percent who would be less likely to vote for a lawmaker who opposed it.

Why Senate Bill 1849?
Creating More Jobs
Illinois will realize economic benefits through the expansion outlined in SB 1849, the Spectrum study indicated. The legislation would create 20,451 new jobs and more than $1.5 billion in personal income, including 9,800 full-time direct jobs with $323 million in annual wages as well as more than 4,500 construction-related jobs, translating into nearly $475 million in wages, benefits and taxes. The expansion allowing for slots at horseracing venues would create 2,723 full-time jobs at racetracks and 1,038 full-time construction-related jobs at those venues. Additionally, SB 1849 would provide a stable foundation for the preservation of nearly 37,000 agribusiness jobs.

Generating More Revenue
According to the Spectrum report, projected gross gaming revenue in Illinois would reach $3.28 billion annually by 2016 if SB 1849 were enacted - a 75 percent increase over the $1.87 billion projected if no expansion occurred. SB 1849 would translate into a total of $809.2 million per year in taxes and admission fees for the state, or an increase of $195.3 million, the study found. In addition, the state would receive an additional reconciliation payment of $1.17 billion and $377 million in initial licensing fees.

About the Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance
The Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance is a growing statewide consortium of labor organizations, business groups, farming and agribusiness interests, racetracks and horsemen associations, and local municipalities committed to the passage of SB 1849 which calls for the expansion of gaming in Illinois, including slot machines at racetracks. The Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance is committed to creating new jobs, protecting existing jobs spurring new economic development and generating more revenue for the state. For more information, visit www.IllinoisJobsAlliance.org.

IRJA Members Include:

Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce
Arlington Park Racecourse
Association of IL Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Balmoral Park Racetrack
Chicago and Downstate Roofing Contractors
Chicago Barn to Wire
Chicago Rockford International Airport
City of Danville
City of Loves Park
City of Rockford
City of South Beloit
Collinsville Chamber of Commmerce
Comcast
Coronado Performing Arts Center
Cumulus Media
Discovery Center Museum
Fairmount Park Racetrack
Greater O'Hare Regional Business Association
Greater Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau
Hawthorne Racecourse
Illinois AFL-CIO
Illinois Association of Agricultural Affairs
Illinois Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association
Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association, Inc.
Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association
Illinois Quarter Horse Association
Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation
Ironworkers Local #498
Laborers Local 44
Laborers' Local #32
Maywood Park Ractrack
Next Rockford
Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association (NIBCA)
Northern Illinois Electrical Contractors Association
Northwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council
Painters District Council
Palatine Chamber of Commerce
Park City City Hall
Quad City Downs Racecourse
RAVE
Rockford Area Arts Council
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Rockford Area Economic Development Council
Rockford Area Hotel Motel Association
Rockford Art Museum
Rockford Chamber of Commerce
Rockford Dance Company
Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Rockford Park District
Rockford Register Star
Rockford Symphony Orchestra
Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Service Employees International Union Local 1
Sheet Metal Workers Local #219
Teamsters Joint Council 25
The National Independent Concessionaires Association
The Outdoor Amusement Business Association
United Way of the Rock River Valley
UniteHere! Local 1
UniteHere! Local 450
Village of Machesney Park
Village of Pecatonica
Village of Rockton
Village of Roscoe
Village of Stickney
Village of Winnebago
WIFR
Winnebago County
Winnebago County Fair Association
Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District
WREX
WTVO
25 Apr 2012

Pressing for More Details About White House Internal Investigation into Colombia Prostitution Scandal

By Grassley Press
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley is asking the White House Counsel for details regarding the White House's quick weekend internal investigation about any personnel involvement in the Colombia prostitution scandal.

On Friday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told the press corps that he saw no need for an internal review of any White House involvement.  At today's briefing, Carney said that an internal review was performed over the weekend and that no indication of any misconduct by the White House advance staff was found.  He failed to provide any details of the investigation or explain the methodology that was used.

Grassley said that questions should be answered publicly in order for the White House to set the record straight that the internal investigation was complete and thorough.  Grassley pointed out that President Obama had said that his administration will be the most transparent ever, but has not been forthcoming in several oversight matters that the executive branch is engaged in.

Here's a copy of the text of Grassley's letter.  A signed copy can be found here.

April 23, 2012

Via Electronic Transmission

Kathryn H. Ruemmler

Assistant to the President and White House Counsel

Executive Office of the President

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear Ms. Ruemmler:

 

I read the comments today by White House press secretary Jay Carney regarding the ongoing investigation into the recent events surrounding the recall of 11 Secret Service agents from Colombia.  On Friday evening I questioned Director Sullivan of the Secret Service and Acting Inspector General Edwards at the Department of Homeland Security about whether any members of the White House Communications Agency and/or White House Office of Advance ("White House advance staff") had overnight guests while in Colombia.[1] At this time I am awaiting Director Sullivan's full response to all my questions.

Today, it was announced by Mr. Carney that over the weekend the White House Counsel's Office reviewed the matter and concluded that there was "no indication of any misconduct" by White House advance staff.[2] This came after Mr. Carney was questioned on Friday about the potential need for an internal review of the White House advance staff.   Mr. Carney answered the question by assuring the White House press that, "I have no reason, as I said yesterday, to believe that there is a need for that."[3] Further, this afternoon, Mr. Carney refused to provide details of the review conducted by the White House Counsel's Office.[4]

At the beginning of his administration President Obama released a memorandum entitled "Transparency and Open Government" and stated, "My administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in government."[5] However, declining to provide details of the internal review conducted over the weekend, contradicts that goal set by President Obama.  Therefore, to set the record straight about what actions were taken by the White House Counsel's Office, please provide answers to the following questions:

1)      Provide a detailed overview on what led the White House Counsel's Office to conduct the weekend review?  Was there any thought given to having an independent review?  If not, please explain why not.

 

2)      How many individuals in the White House Counsel's Office were involved in this weekend review?

 

3)      How many total hours were spent on the weekend review?

 

4)      Was the review coordinated in any way with the Department of Defense to the extent that it covered military employees of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA)?

 

5)      Were civilian employees of WHCA also examined?

 

6)      How many White House advance staff were in Colombia prior to the President's arrival?

 

7)      How long before the President's arrival where the White House advance staff present?

 

8)      How many additional White House staff arrived with the President?

 

9)      Did the White House Counsel's Office review hotel records regarding overnight guests for all White House advance staff as well as additional White House Staff who arrived with the President ("other White House staff") in Cartegena, Colombia?  If so, for what time frame were records reviewed?

 

10)  How many White House advance staff had overnight guests?

 

11)  How many other White House staff had overnight guests?

 

12)  If there were overnight guests, did any White House advance staff or other White House staff with overnight guests pay additional room charges as a result?

 

13)  Did the White House Counsel's Office interview all White House advance staff and other White House staff?  If not, why not?

 

14)  Please provide a detailed overview of all the steps the White House Counsel's Office took to investigate this matter.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.  I would appreciate your response by April 26, 2012, as it only took a weekend to conduct this review, it should not take long to respond to these questions.  Should you have any questions regarding this letter, please do not hesitate to contact my staff at (202) 224-5225.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Charles E. Grassley

Ranking Member

25 Apr 2012

NARI Announces National Winners of the 2012 CotY Awards

By Morgan Zenner

Achievement Awards winners also announced at Evening of Excellence.

Des Plaines, Ill., April 24, 2012?The 2012 Evening of Excellence® capped a nearly week-long event for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) that also included its Spring Business Meeting, held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

The Evening of Excellence® is the premier remodeling industry event that celebrates NARI's Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards winners. Held Sat., April 21, 2012, the event was attended by more than 200 of the industry's elite and was sponsored by the following NARI national member companies:  Platinum Sponsors - Lowe's Commercial Services and Pella Corp.; Silver Sponsor ? Ferguson; Pewter Sponsor - Moen; Bronze Sponsor - Hanley-Wood Remodeling Magazine.  

Contractors from seven regions nationwide vie for the awards on an annual basis. All projects submitted for judging were an improvement or an addition to an existing structure, with the exception of one category, "Residential Exterior Specialty." Otherwise, new construction projects were not eligible.

In addition, the projects entered were completed between July 1, 2010, and November 30, 2011, and were not submitted in prior NARI National contests. An impartial panel of judges, who are experts within the industry and associated fields, selected winners based on each entrant's binders, which include "before and after" photography and project descriptions. Judging focused on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty and entry presentation.

Twenty-five national CotY winners were named at this year's ceremony. Preliminary judging took place in Des Plaines, Ill., in early January, where regional winners were announced in each of the categories. These regional winners advanced as a finalist at the national level. Four projects were honored under the Universal Design Project Recognition program and six projects were honored under the Green Project Recognition program.

To be considered for a CotY Award, a company must be a NARI member in good standing. The entries in this year's competition totaled $90 million worth of remodeling projects. NARI members represent an elite group of the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as remodelers.

The complete list of national CotY award winners for 2012 is as follows (click here to see the online version of the list):

 

Residential Kitchen Under $40,000

DeRhodes Construction

Charlotte, NC

 

Residential Kitchen $40,000 to $80,000

Neil Kelly Design/Build Remodeling

Portland, OR

 

Residential Kitchen $80,001 to $120,000

TriplePoint Design Build

Saint Petersburg, FL

 

Residential Kitchen Over $120,000

Airoom Architects & Builders

Lincolnwood, IL

 

Residential Bath under $30,000

DeRhodes Construction

Charlotte, NC

 

Residential Bath $30,000 to $60,000

Revolution Design and Build

Wayzata, MN

 

Residential Bath Over $60,000

Lifestyles Design with team member Innovative Kitchens & Baths, LLC

Pottstown, PA

 

Residential Interior Under $100,000

WrightWorks, LLC

Indianapolis, IN

 

Residential Interior $100,000 and Over

Craft & Design Collaborative

Portland, OR

 

Residential Interior Specialty

Nar Fine Carpentry

Carmichael, CA

 

Residential Addition Under $100,000

S. D. Lohr, Inc.

Waldorf, MD

 

Residential Addition $100,000 to $250,000

Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.

Burke, VA

 

Residential Addition Over $250,000

Metropolitan Builders & Supply Co.

Charlotte, NC

 

Residential Exterior Under $100,000

Sicora, Inc.

St Louis Park, MN

 

Residential Exterior $100,000 and Over

Allen Associates

Santa Barbara, CA

 

Residential Exterior Specialty

Paulson's Construction, Inc.

Howell, MI

 

Entire House Under $250,000

Texas Construction Company

Austin, TX

 

Entire House $250,000 to $500,000

Albrecht Wood Interiors, Inc.

Centerville, OH

 

Entire House $500,001 to $1,000,000

BETZ Homes

Jenkintown, PA

 

Entire House Over $1,000,000

McCutcheon Construction, Inc.

Berkeley, CA

 

Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration

Provenance Builders

Dallas, TX

 

Commercial Interior

Irwin Contracting Inc.

Hauppauge, NY

 

Commercial Exterior

Irwin Contracting Inc.

Hauppauge, NY

 

Commercial Specialty

Stevermer Company

Shawnee, KS

 

Home Theater & Media Rooms Under $150,000

Watermark & Company

Austin, TX

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:  HIGH-RES BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS OF WINNING REMODELING PROJECTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.  Contact Nikki Golden at 630-204-7651 or e-mail info@nari.org.

NARI will be providing special Contractor of the Year Award digital showcase in late April, which will highlight not only the national winners but feature photos of regional winners as well. The digital edition can be found on the www.NARI.org Web site, under Awards.

In addition to the CotY Awards, there were 11 categories of Achievement Awards handed out in Dallas. The Achievement Awards are bestowed on an annual basis, and in most cases, the recipient must be nominated. The categories are designed to recognize outstanding achievement by an individual, company or chapter that serves to promote and enhance the professional remodeling industry.

The complete list of national Achievement Award winners for 2012 is as follows:

Chapter President Award

Presented to a local chapter president who has demonstrated outstanding leadership capability in the broad range of service to his or her chapter during his or her term of service.

Diane Krueger, CR, Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council

 

Chapter Community Project Award

Presented to a chapter for a community project to enhance the community and increase the awareness of NARI in the community, both locally and nationally.

Kansas City NARI

 

Chapter Excellence Award

Presented to a chapter for work (other than a specific community project) which impacted the chapter's local area or state in a positive manner, gave the association higher visibility within the community and enhanced the image and awareness of NARI through local activities, membership campaigns, awards programs, community service, etc.

NARI of Central Ohio

 

2012 Distributor of the Year

Recognizes distributors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to NARI, the professional remodeling industry and the community or communities in which they do business.

Siewers Lumber and Millwork, Richmond, Va.

 

Peter H. Johnson Image Award

Named for Peter H. Johnson, founder of the CotY Awards Program, this award is open to all who contribute to the enhancement of the remodeling industry's image.

Superior Home Services, Washington, D.C.

 

Professionalism Award

Presented to a non-paid NARI member who has show exceptional leadership, devotion, dedication and accomplishment through his or her efforts to promote NARI as a professional organization at the local level.

Jim Pitzen, CR, Brookfield, Wis.

 

Harold Hammerman Spirit of Education Award

Established in 1978 by the late Harold Hammerman, this prestigious award recognizes excellence in training and education in the construction industry.

Kevin Anundson, CR, CKBR, Elm Grove, Wis.

 

Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognizes accomplishments, awards, local community involvement and NARI National involvement in both appointed and elected offices.

Paul Zuch, CR, McKinney, Texas

 

Henry Fenderbosch Leadership Award
Created in 1986 in honor of the late Henry "Hank" Fenderbosch who served as NARI President from 1984-1985 and Chairman of the Board from 1985-1986, the Henry Fenderbosch Award honors an individual who has shown exceptional leadership, devotion, dedication and accomplishments on behalf of NARI at the national level.

Dale Benjamin, Madison, Wis.

 

Government Affairs Award
The NARI Government Affairs Award is presented to a NARI member or members who have demonstrated active involvement in pursuing the legislative interests of the professional remodeling industry.

David C. Merrick, MCR, UDCP, Kensington, Md.

 

The President's Awards

Bestowed upon individuals who, in the opinion of the president, have done the most to assist in reaching goals.

David Feldner, CAE, Milwaukee, Wis.

 

George W. Edwards, CRA, CKBR, GCP, Chester, Pa.

 

Mary Busey Harris, CAE, Des Plaines, Ill.

 

Homeowners are estimated to spend a total of $113.6 billion on home improvements in the U.S. through the third quarter of 2012.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics.  Consumers may wish to search www.NARIremodelers.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI.

Consumers can also call NARI National at (847) 298-9200 and request a free copy of NARI's brochure, "How to Select a Remodeling Professional," or visit www.nari.org and click on the homeowner's guide for more information. For information on green remodeling, visit www.greenremodeling.org.

# # #

 

Click here to find an online version of this press release.

EDITORS NOTE:  HIGH-RES BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS OF WINNING REMODELING PROJECTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.  Contact Nikki Golden at 630-2204-7651 or e-mail info@nari.org.

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry.  The Association, which represents 7,000 member companies nationwide?comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors? is "The Voice of the Remodeling Industry."® To learn more about membership, visit www.NARI.org or contact national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Ill., at (847) 298-9200.

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