July 26, 2012

Yesterday, Senator Harkin, as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and Related Agencies, released the first comprehensive report on the potential impact of sequestration on dozens of education, health and labor programs under the subcommittee's jurisdiction.  The report provides national and state-by-state estimates of the number of jobs that could be lost and the number of individuals who could be affected by cuts in services if sequestration went into effect on Jan. 2, 2013.

Harkin's report, "Under Threat: Sequestration's Impact on Nondefense Jobs and Services," can be found here.

"Some members of Congress warn that defense contracting firms will lay off employees if sequestration goes into effect.  They say nothing of the tens of thousands of teachers, police officers and other public servants in communities all across America who would also lose their jobs.  A laid-off teacher is just as unemployed as a laid-off defense contractor," said Harkin. "This report proves why we need a balanced approach to deficit reduction that not only prevents sequestration, but protects America's families."

Among the highlights of the report:

·         States and local communities would lose $2.7 billion in federal funding for just three critical education programs alone - Title I, special education State grants, and Head Start - that serve a combined 30.7 million children.  Nationwide, these cuts would force roughly 46,000 employees to either lose their jobs or rely on cash-strapped states and localities to pick up their salaries instead.

Ø  In Iowa: 156 Head Start jobs would be lost and 747 fewer children served.

Ø  In Iowa: cuts to Title I Grants to local educational agencies would mean 105 education jobs lost, 8,991 fewer students served, and 58 fewer schools receiving grants.

Ø  In Iowa: cuts to Improving Teacher Quality State Grants would mean 1,470 fewer teachers receiving professional development.

·         In health, approximately 660,000 fewer people would be tested for HIV, 49,000 fewer women would be screened for cancer, and 212,000 fewer children would be vaccinated.

Ø  In Iowa: cuts to HIV Prevention and Testing would mean 2,386 fewer people tested for HIV.

Ø  In Iowa: 619 fewer women screened for cancer.

Ø  In Iowa: 2,055 fewer children would receive MMR, Tdap, flu and Hepatitis B vaccinations.

 

·         At a time when the unemployment rate is still above 8 percent, 1.6 million fewer adults, dislocated workers and at-risk youth would receive job training, education and employment services; and the families of 80,000 fewer children would receive child care subsidies, making it harder for parents to find work.

 

Ø  In Iowa: 11,257 fewer jobseekers receiving employment services.

Ø  In Iowa: 496 fewer veterans receiving job assistance.

For more information, please call Kate Frischmann in Senator Harkin's press office at (202) 224-3254.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after reports that the House will bring up a one year extension of the current farm bill instead of a new, long-term bill.  Yesterday, Loebsack again called on the Speaker of the House to take action on a 5 year bill.

"Opting for a one year extension of the current farm bill is another example of the Majority's dysfunction and attempts to play politics instead of getting real work done for our economy.  There must be action on a reformed farm bill that will save money and also provide disaster assistance for farmers and livestock producers who are suffering from the current drought.  Congress is again kicking the can down the road.  Our farmers and rural communities deserve more to help provide certainty for the long-term."

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One of every four rows of soybeans grown in the United States will travel to China, making it the largest international market for U.S. soy. A delegation of U.S. soybean farmers will travel to China to show their appreciation, and speak to U.S. reporters from there live.

Representatives of the United Soybean Board (USB), the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) will be available through a teleconference to discuss this mutually beneficial relationship and how American soybean farmers are helping China reach its food security and safety goals.

TELECONFERENCE:
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Central Time

To participate in the teleconference, please click here to register. 

PARTICIPANTS:

Vanessa Kummer, USB chair, North Dakota soybean farmer

Steve Wellman, ASA president, Nebraska soybean farmer

Roy Bardole, USSEC chairman, Iowa soybean farmer

WATERLOO, IA -- Tomorrow, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will join the riders of RAGBRAI XL as the annual bike ride makes its way from Cedar Rapids to Anamosa.  

Friday July 27th, 2012

8:00am Rep. Bruce Braley and Carolyn Braley depart for Anamosa
RABGRAI XL
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
# # #

DES MOINES, IA (07/26/2012)(readMedia)-- The following local residents graduated from Drake University at the conclusion of the 2012 spring semester:

Seth Kaufmann of Davenport, IA graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Law, Politics & Society and History.

Elizabeth Thoms of Rock Island, IL graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management and Marketing.

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 full-time undergraduate students from 50 states and 50 countries. Drake University's mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is the sponsor of legislation enacted earlier this month that bans the chemicals used to make a dangerous synthetic drug called K2 or spice.  Grassley's measure is named for David Rozga, an 18-year-old Iowan who committed suicide shortly after trying the product, bought from a local store.  This week, the Drug Enforcement Administration is leading a national crackdown against the manufacturers, distributors and vendors of synthetic drugs.  Grassley made the following comment on the national crackdown.  The DEA's press release is available here.

"The Drug Enforcement Administration is doing exactly what needs to be done.  These drugs are poison.  It's a testament to the cynicism and greed of manufacturers, importers, and distributors that these products were ever put on store shelves.  But now that these drugs are illegal from Florida to Alaska, law enforcement is right to crack down and spare more kids the cruel fate of my constituent, David Rozga.  I realize drug manufacturers will continue to change formulas to skirt the law as fast as we can enact it.  If they have any conscience, they'll find legitimate ways to make money instead of preying on 18-year-olds.  Congress will enact new laws as needed."

 



Closing event :
"Pottery: a Retrospect"
The Art of
Richard E. Dailing
Master Potter
July 27th. 2012
7.00pm onwards
there are several new pieces now in the gallery that are pottery with oil painting on them
Featured on the photo: "Out of Africa"   Slip: ( thin mixture of clay and colarant) 15" height x 8" width .
Richard learnt the process from a Japanese artist : Toshika Takasu, who was touring local and major Universities in the US.
All the design is pottery. $ 125.00
About Richard:
Specialist in wheel thrown pottery of the artistic side as opposed to functional pottery.
With a career as an Accountant, Comptroller and Budget director of the Industrial Division with Deere and Company, he is a member of the Budget Executive Institute and National Accounting Association as well as  trained at Augustana's Fine Art Department, and seminars at various major Universities and workshops with visiting potters, Richard's work has been honored and sold across the US and in many foreign countries.
Richard's love of Art has been with him all his life. His creativity expressed In his art brings Fine Art to your daily life, as sculpture to accent your garden and your home both indoors and outdoors. All creations are one-of-a-kind.
As Augustana he developed an Ash-glaze, named after him as Rich's Ash-Glaze which is still being used at the college.
Richard continues to create pottery as Fine Art.
Richard's retrospect is at
Phoenix Fine Art Gallery,
1530 Fifth Avenue
Moline. Illinois. 61265
Hours:
Wednesday to Fridays: noon to 2.00 p.m. And 6.00 to 8.00 pm
Saturdays: 2.00 p.m through 8.00 p.m.
Additional hours are by appointment.
Eastern Iowa crop and livestock producers dealing with drought-related issues are invited to
attend an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach program Monday, July 30 to learn more
about options available to them. Jackson and Clinton County Extension will be hosting the 1- 3
p.m. program at Buzzy's in Welton. There is no charge to attend the webinar.

Livestock
Livestock issues covered during the program will include options to help producers manage
immediate needs related to stressed pastures and reduced hay supplies. Denise Schwab,
Extension Beef Specialist, will discuss early weaning to reduce cow requirements, supplemental
feeding on pasture, feeding value of drought stressed corn silage, proper ensiling and potential
for nitrate toxicity for corn harvested as silage or green chop.

Crops
Members of the Extension Crops Team will cover the topics of crop growth and development
under drought conditions and feeding drought damaged crops. "We will look at current
conditions, short-range and long range forecasts, impacts of drought on forages and crops, and
impacts on disease and insect development," said Virgil Schmitt, Extension Agronomist.

In addition to the Jackson and Clinton County Extension Offices, Fidelity Bank & Trust and US
Bank at Clinton and Maquoketa are co-sponsoring this program.

For more information on the program, contact the Jackson County Extension Office at 563-
652-4923. Additional drought related materials can be found at the ISU Extension & Outreach
drought disaster web site http://www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/recovering-disasters

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Weekly Events Header
Hello!

Bix 7 Weekend is upon us and Street Fest presented by the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center will return downtown for its 41st year! The fest will feature classic staples such as food and craft vendors along with live music and the brand new exciting Fire Fighter Water Fights event taking place on Saturday.

 

Click here for downtown street closure info, and remember to use the parking ramps.  The parking ramps are only $5 this weekend, and you can park right in the middle of the action with only a short walk to all of the fun.

 

Of course, the star of the show this weekend is the Quad-City Times Bix 7! The Bix 7 includes a variety of events leading up to the race on Saturday morning such as the Walk This Walk Benefit on Thursday evening, Orthopaedic Specialists Race Packet Pick-up and Expo, the Junior Bix, and the Genesis Carb It Up Pre-Race Pasta Dinner.

 

Downtown has added new events this year!    Barrel House 211's Bix Bash will fill Second Street with live music between Pershing Avenue and Perry Streets all weekend!  Davinci's Cocktails & Dining is hosting a Bix Party @ 3rd & Main, too!  Of course,  they'll be plenty of outdoor fun on 3rd Street near Mac's Tavern, Carriage Haus, Kilkenny's and Shenanigans, as well.

 

River Music Experience is hosting a late-night party in the Redstone Room on Saturday beginning at 10PM!  River Roots veterans Dan Hubbard & The Humadors open the show and local favorites Minus Six hit the stage late-night after Street Fest wraps up.  Smooth Money Gesture plays tonight, and catch the Myers Brothers and 45 On High Friday.  Additional RME events this week including Rock Camp USA, King of the Tramps, Community Drum Circle, Open Mic Night, and more.

 

Street Fest will feature a special brew made by Great River Brewery just for the occasion!  Pick-up a Street Fest Copper Ale at any of the beverage tents located at the fest.  Speaking of local breweries, don't forget to check out the new Front Street Tap House at the Freight House if you stop by the Freight House Farmers Market on Saturday.

 

Wine Spectator Congratulations to our friends at Hotel Blackhawk's Bix Bistro for garnering the attention of the preeminent voice in the wine industry.  Bix Bistro recently won a Wine Spectator 2012 Award of Excellence!

 

Even though it's the middle of July, it's never too early to start holiday shopping.  The German American Heritage Center is hosting a Christmas in July Sale on Saturday and Sunday featuring quality toys from Germany. On Sunday, attend their "Which Frederick was Greater" discussion.

 

Exec Square Four new market-rate apartments are under construction at the Executive Square Building!  Check out our Facebook page for updates as this project moves forward.  And finally, we also have some baseball to play this week.  The Quad Cities River Bandits will come home late in the week for a two game home stand against Peoria.

 

See you downtown!

 

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This Week's Events: July 26 - August 1


Thursday, July 26

$2,800 Bank It Blackjack Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: Registration 5 p.m. Tournament 6 p.m.

Price: $20 entry fee

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

12 Days of Gifts

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 10:00 a.m. - Noon and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Art Talk! "NASA | Art: 50 Years of Exploration"

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Brady Street Pub Lunch Specials & Happy Hour

Where: Brady Street Pub

Time: Lunch specials every weekday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Time: Happy Hour specials every weekday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Time: Sunday, drink specials all day

Prices: See website

Website

Drop-In Hockey (Adult)

Where: River's Edge

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Price: $10

Website

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Live Lunch with Lewis Knudsen

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Million Points Giveaway

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 10:00 a.m., Noon, and 2:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Orthopaedic Specialists Sports & Wellness Expo & Packet Pick Up

Where: RiverCenter, Great Hall

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

River's Edge Monthly Turf & Ice Schedule

Discover dozens of sporting events at River's Edge!  Follow the links below to see the complete ice and turf schedule for the month.

Ice Schedule

Turf Schedule

Website

 

Smooth Money Gesture with Tasty Trigger

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: $5

Website

 

Thursdays at the Figge

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Trivia Challenge - Win Gift Certificates!

Where: Brady Street Pub

Time: 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

"Walk This Way" Party

Where: Quad City Times

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Price: $20 includes a t-shirt, your ticket into the party with free music, pop and beer.

Website

 

Friday, July 27

12 Days of Gifts

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 10:00 a.m. - Noon and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

45 on High

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Adam Beck

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Barrel House 211-Bix Bash!

Where: Second Street outside of Barrel House 211

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Price: N/A

Website

 

BIX Bash

Where: DaVinci's, Third Street and Main Street

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Price: $10 All You Can Eat Pasta Dishes

 

Brewery Tours

Where: Great River Brewery

Time: 6:00 p.m, 7:00 p.m, and 8:00 p.m.

Price: N/A

Website

 

Cellarman's Series: Firkin Friday!

Where: Great River Brewery

Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Price: N/A

Website

 

DaVinci's Live Music - Wild Oatz

Where: DaVinci's, Third Street and Main Street

Time: 9:00 p.m.

Price: N/A

Website

 

Genesis Carb It Up Pre-Bix Pasta Dinner

Where: RiverCenter, Mississippi Hall

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: $10

Website

 

Junior Bix

Where: Quad City Times

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Price: $15

Website

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Live Lunch with Christopher Bell

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Orthopaedic Specialists Sports & Wellness Expo & BIX 7 Packet Pick Up

Where: RiverCenter, Great Hall

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Pre-Bix Bash at Brady Street Pub featuring Two Peace

Where: Brady Street Pub
Time: Live music at 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m, and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Website

 

Street Fest

Where: Second Street, Brady Street to Ripley Street

Time: 10:00 a.m. - Midnight

Price: FREE

Website

 

The Myers Brothers

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Saturday, July 28

$1 Deals

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: While hard beverages are served

Price: $1 drink specials

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Adam Beck

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

Barrel House 211 - Bix Bash!
Where: Second Street outside of Barrel House 211
Time: Noon - 1:00 a.m.
Price: N/A
Bix 7
Where: Brady Street and Third Street
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Price: $42

 

Brewery Tours

Where: Great River Brewery
Time: Noon, 1:00 p.m, 2:00 p.m, and 3:00 p.m.
Price: N/A
Christmas in July Sale
Where: German American Heritage Center
Time: All Day
Price: N/A

Class: Acrylic Painting for Beginners

Where: Figge Art Museum
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Price: $40/members; $50/non-members

Website

 

Community Drum Circle

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Price: $5 for Adults, $2.50 for Children 12 and under

Website

 

DaVinci's Street Party - Live Music

Where: DaVinci's, Third Street and Main Street

Time: Noon - 1:00 a.m.

Price: N/A

Website

 

Drop-In Hockey (Adult)
Where: River's Edge
Time: 4:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Price: $10
Exhibition: David Plowden's Iowa

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: Exploring NASA

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: NASA | Art: 50 Years of Exploration

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: Sculpting with Fiber

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: Suds: History of Brewing

Where: German American Heritage Center

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($5), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: University of Iowa Space Pioneers: 54 Years of Exploration

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: Waxing Poetic: Exploring Expression in Art

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Family Gallery: Blast Off!

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Film Series: When We Left Earth - The NASA Missions

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

Freight House Farmers Market

Where: Freight House Farmer's Market

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

King of the Tramps

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Minux Six

Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room

Time: 10:00 p.m.

Price: $5

Website

 

Museum Tour: NASA | ART: 50 Years of Exploration

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Website

 

Rock Camp USA Concert - Session 3
Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room
Time: Noon
Price: $5

Website

 

Street Fest

Where: Second Street, Brady Street to Ripley Street

Time: 9:00 a.m. - Midnight

Price: FREE

Website

 

Sunday, July 29

 

$1 Deals

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: While hard beverages are served

Price: $1 drink specials

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

$3,000 Sunday Shake Up Slot Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Davenport, IA / July 25, 2012 - It's not always easy to bring the lesson into the classroom, especially if it involves the health of our Country's rivers. That is why Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) has found a way to bring the classroom to the river with their new barge. This new 150-foot long barge features a handicapped-accessible classroom, which can host up to 60 attendees at a time, as well as sleeping quarters for an 8 person Living Lands & Waters crew. The new barge will be in Davenport for an educator workshop Monday, August 6th and Tuesday, August 7th.

The educator workshops will bring teachers and instructors on board for day long programs on a number of different topics ranging from History to Biology to the Navigation of our waterways, which they can then bring back to their classroom. This is also a chance for teachers to learn about the opportunity of student workshops, which will be conducted in various locations throughout the school year. Living Lands & Waters has been conducting educational workshops since 2003, but this experience could only be attended by teachers and instructors.  "We developed these workshops to give teachers a hands on look at our river environment with lessons they could take back to their students.  The instructors who attended were so engaged, but all said this would have much more of an impact if their students could be on the barge for something like this," says Tammy Becker, coordinator of the LL&W's Educational Workshops.  Over the years, LL&W held 92 teacher workshops for more than 1,700 teachers and educators. There were over a 100 different presenters in these presentations and over 60 different topics covered.

"This is a big collaborative effort that will affect so many students nationally.  A first hand look at our rivers will have an impact on these kids for years to come," says Chad Pregracke, LL&W founder.   LL&W plans to begin focusing on High School Juniors and Seniors. "We plan to work with teachers to customize workshops to dove-tail with the curriculum they are currently concentrating on, be it ecology, history or economics," said LL&W founder Chad Pregracke.

"This is really taking the education of our rivers to a whole new level and it could not have been done without the help of the many businesses who believe in what we're doing," expressed Pregracke.  The floating classroom was made possible by the generous support of five of LL&W's long-term partners: ADM, AEP River Operations, Ingram Barge Company, Caterpillar and Cargill as well as a number of Unions who gave so many hours of labor to help complete this project.

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats.  LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a-River-Mile programs and the Million Trees Project.  Recently, LL&W founder Chad Pregracke was honored by the Points of Light Foundation.  This distinguished honor, established by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush was awarded during a televised ceremony from the Lincoln Center which featured all of the living former presidents.   Chad ads this honor to many others he's received in recognition of his achievements since founding LL&W.  They include a Jefferson Award, and awards from the American Institute for Public Service; Heroes of Conservation Nomination and Field & Stream Magazine.

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