31 Jul 2012

IA, CO, OH and PA Officials Hold Call to Hold Romney Accountable for Opposition to Wind Energy

By Elizabeth Purchia

With Thousands of Jobs at Stake, Pena, Culver and Wind Energy Leaders Praise Obama on Wind

 

DES MOINES - Today, officials from Iowa, Colorado, Ohio and Pennsylvania will hold a conference call to hold Mitt Romney accountable for opposing support for the states' wind industries. As thousands of jobs are at stake with expiration of wind production tax credit, Fmr. Secretary of Energy Frederico Pena, Fmr. Iowa Governor Chet Culver, PA Wind Developer Brent Aldefer, and Mark Shannahan, former head of the Air Quality Development Authority, will draw a contrast between President Obama and Mitt Romney on wind energy.

 

Mitt Romney's "Plan for Jobs and Economic Growth," calls wind and solar, "two of the most ballyhooed forms of alternative fuel."  He said that wind has failed to become "economically viable."  Earlier this month, Romney's campaign confirmed that Mitt Romney would let the wind production tax credit expire [The Hill 7/11/12]. He would let this growing wind industry wither jeopardizing 37,000 American jobs as we compete with countries around the world.

The wind energy industry is critical to each state's economies. The Wind Energy Tax Credit tax is slated to expire at the end of the year and the Obama Administration has called on Congress to renew the credit.

 

Monday, July 30th

11:30 AM CDT

 

WHO: Fmr. Iowa Governor Chet Culver

Fmr. Secretary of Energy Frederico Pena

PA Wind Developer Brent Aldefer

Mark Shannahan, former head of the Air Quality Development Authority

 

WHAT: Conference Call to Hold Romney Accountable for Opposition to Wind Energy
31 Jul 2012

35th ANNUAL PINEAPPLE SALE & 34th ANNUAL PINEAPPLE GALA

By Camp Courageous
MONTICELLO, IOWA-Fresh pineapples will be in Iowa for the 35th Annual Pineapple Sale for Camp Courageous the week of August 1st-5th.  The pineapples will be on sale at nearly 30 Hy-Vee Stores in Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Clinton, Coralville, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Marion, and Waterloo.  Most locations will have the ability to core and place the pineapple in a container for the customer.  A dollar from the sale of each pineapple will go to benefit Camp Courageous, a year-round respite and recreational facility, serving over 6,000 individuals with special needs annually.  Customers not interested in pineapple, are encouraged to buy a gift card for food and send it to camp.  

The 34th Annual Pineapple Gala, will be Friday, August 17th at the Cedar Rapids Marriott beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is one of Iowa's largest charity silent and live auction with nearly 400 items ranging from $5 to condos. An exceptional Hawaiian dinner, entertainment, and door prizes, including a trip for two to Hawaii, are planned for this year's Gala.  Volunteer Emcees for the evening will be Ralph Palmer and Kathryn Foxx and the volunteer auctioneer will be Todd Smith.  Tickets are $50/each or a table of 10 for $500. Auction items can be donated, or tickets can be obtained through the camp by calling Charlie Becker at 319/465-5916, ext. 2100 or e-mailing at cbecker@campcourageous.org. Many auction items can be viewed at: www.campcourageous.org. Special Camp Courageous overnight rates are available by calling the Marriott.

This year Camp Courageous will be honoring the Cedar Valley Street Rods and their 25 years of support of the camp.


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31 Jul 2012

Aug 2nd Thursday. " The Living Matrix"

By Narveen Aryaputri

"The Living Matrix"

movie:

directed and produced by

Harry Massey and Greg Becker

as informational medicine becomes more prevalent and mainstream, this movie talks about how different energy systems and information medicine are used in healing.

There are many other important definitions and studies presented in this movie. The definitions of "Energy Cardiology", "The Placebo Affect", "Meridian Lines" and more all point to a new way of looking at healing, in addition to the importance of conventional medicine.

From some of the world's top geneticists and scientists, this film was masterfully crafted to hold interest, evoke emotion and educate viewers.

In the words of  scientist: Peter Fraser, featured in the movie:

"Healing is learning to correct the human body field so that it works according to the original blueprint"

The movie will be shown during the regular

Independent Scholars' Evenings.

Thursday :  August 2nd . 2012

7.00 p.m.

1530 Fifth Avenue.

Moline. Illinois 61265.

309-762-9202

Doors open at 6.30 p.m.

Elevators are located through the 16th. Street entrance.

Independent Scholars' Evenings are sponsored by The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd. a 501©3 at State and Federal levels since 1996.

Please visit:  www.qcinstitute.org
31 Jul 2012

Theplace2b invites the community to a special open house celebrating its second year of serving at-risk, displaced and homeless youth of our community.

By David Geenen, MDiv

ROCK ISLAND, IL - On August 5th from 3:00-5:00pm, Theplace2b invites the community to an open house (1600-2nd Avenue Rock Island) and art sale to celebrate two years of service to our community's youth and their families.

Art created by our youth, as well as art donated by members of Handmade City, will be for sale at the open house. All proceeds from the sales will serve as the starting funds for our new Youth Entrepreneurial Program.

Miriam Prichard, our new associate director, will be speaking at 4:00pm about what has been happening at theplace2b recently.

Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

View photo in message

Background: Theplace2b opened its doors in August 2010 to help meet the needs of the rising numbers of at-risk, displaced and homeless youth of our area. It came into being through the involvement of persons from the social services, financial supporters, concerned citizens, and religious institutions who saw the issue an opportunity and responsibility of the entire community to come together and open a center.

The first youth who entered our doors in 2010 was 17-yrs-old and came all the way from Arkansas, homeless and sleeping under someone's bed. We began helping just one youth, and from there we have evolved to helping over 100 youth in the Quad City area. We provide youth with a meal, job skills, and a safe place to hangout. For many of youth that have come in here we have provided resources to other services in our community such as housing programs and referrals to other agencies. We have been lucky to have the support of our community through donations of food, clothing, and having generous volunteers.

According to a 2011 Quad City Times Article, over 400 youth in Davenport School District and 140 in Rock Island/Milan School District were reported as homeless (9/5/11 "Counting Q-C's homeless teens hard").

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31 Jul 2012

Cop to Speak on Drug Prohibition Wed August 1st in Davenport

By Mark Nelson
Cops Say Legalize Drugs. One Tells Why.

Tony Ryan, a member of the board of directors of LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.LEAP.cc), will speak on the effects of Drug Prohibition, at a 7:00 p.m., Wednesday August 1 forum at Central Perk Coffee House located at 226 West Third Street in downtown Davenport, Iowa.

LEAP is a 10-year-old organization, with 50,000 members, ranging from current and former law-enforcement officers to prosecutors to judges. Ryan served 36 years in Denver, Colorado's police department before retiring as a lieutenant, in 2003.

Ryan was interviewed for a story in the Davenport based River Cities' Reader newspaper published on July 19, 2012. The full story is available online at: http://www.rcreader.com/news/cops-say-legalize-drugs-tony-ryan/

The article asserts that the price of the drug war has been undeniably high.  From a law-enforcement perspective, Ryan states police also pay a price beyond the actual costs of drug-enforcement programs. Narcotics officers have low morale, he stated in the interview. And "in law enforcement in general, the greatest source of complaints ... has to do with narcotics enforcement." Further, the effort has failed in two key areas: supply and demand. Illegal-drug use now is at roughly the same level as it was 20 years ago, while prices have dropped for nearly all illegal drugs except marijuana, Ryan noted to the Reader.

The forum organizer, Mark Nelson, is hopeful to confirm the attendance and participation of area prosecutors, drug-court officials and potentially judges from Iowa's seventh judicial district.

The forum will begin at 7pm on Wednesday, August 1st at the Central Perk Coffee House in downtown Davenport and is free and open to the public.  

# # #
31 Jul 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Illinois Fresh Food Fund

By Nafia Khan

New Program Will Help Increase Access to Fresh Food in Underserved Areas Statewide

CHICAGO - July 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the Illinois Fresh Food Fund to increase the availability of fresh food in Illinois communities and neighborhoods. Under this new public-private partnership based on best practices in other states, the Illinois Fresh Food Fund will provide financing to independent grocery store operators and developers to create full-service grocery stores in underserved areas throughout the state.

"It is unacceptable that there are still communities in Illinois where residents lack adequate access to fresh food," Governor Quinn said. "We all need nutritious food to live healthy lives. This new program will bring more grocery stores that sell fresh produce to underserved communities across Illinois, which improves health and wellness while also stimulating local economies and creating jobs."

Building on Governor Quinn's efforts to combat childhood obesity, improve health and wellness, and boost the state's economy, the Illinois Fresh Food Fund will use market analysis, capital and public policy to stimulate grocery store development and increase the availability of fresh food in documented low-access areas. To accomplish the goal, the state is partnering with IFF (formerly Illinois Facilities Fund), a nonprofit community development financial institution that is part of the Coalition of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), which will administer the fund.

"The relationship between access to fresh foods and health, academic performance and overall quality of life is well-known, and I have always believed a solid investment in good nutrition can help transform struggling neighborhoods," said Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16th), a leading advocate for the eradication of food deserts. "The Fresh Food Fund is an innovative use of capital and federal funds and a winning proposition for children and families, Illinois farmers, business owners and job-seekers."

The state is investing $10 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding into the program to help address the need for access to fresh and healthy foods in communities statewide. Additional funding for the program comes from a $3.5 million grant that IFF secured through the U.S. Department of Treasury's Healthy Food Financing Initiative and also from banks and foundations.

"Supporting healthy food retail projects provides a variety of economic benefits to neighborhoods," said CDFI Fund Director Donna J. Gambrell. "I applaud Illinois and IFF for creating a program that combines well-targeted financing, technical assistance, and community partnerships in support of broader economic development efforts to revitalize distressed communities."

The Illinois Fresh Food Fund is modeled after successful efforts in Pennsylvania and New York State that provide residents in disadvantaged communities with greater access to a nutritionally balanced diet, coupled with nutritional education. Funded programs will include community engagement plans, through which grocers and community groups will work together to educate residents about healthy eating. While the primary purpose of the program is to finance full service grocery stores, other retail models may be considered on a case-by-case basis, with particular attention to the needs of the community for which a project is proposed.

"IFF is thrilled and honored to partner with the state on this important program," said Joe Neri, IFF CEO. "We're in the business of combining public and private funds to foster development of healthy communities in underserved areas. But healthy communities also need access to healthy, fresh foods. And too many communities nationwide have little or no access to such foods. Through these funds, IFF will be able to establish some oases where there were once just fresh-food deserts by leveraging private resources."

IFF is a leading regional community development financial institution (see www.iff.org) with 24 years of experience making loans in low-income communities throughout Illinois. To receive an application package or for information on upcoming workshops and webinars for applicants, please contact Amy Stewart, director of Marketing and Business Development at IFF at astewart@iff.org.

  ###

31 Jul 2012

Life is a 'CABARET' at TLP

By Rick Martin

Mount Carroll--Timber Lake Playhouse, Illinois' longest running professional summer theatre, presents a new staging of the legendary musical Cabaret. Guest Artist Lili-Anne Brown, the director behind Sweet Charity, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at TLP returns to stage this Tony and Academy Award winning song and dance show featuring a score full of standards that include "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time," "Don't Tell Mama" and more. TLP favorite Alexandra E. Palkovic returns to star as Sally Bowles, the character that made Liza Minnelli a star in Bob Fosse's film adaptation.

Both Brown and Palkovic are rising stars in the Chicago theatre world. Brown, a Chicago native, was recently named Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago, the company where her award-winning production of Passing Strange was produced. Additionally, she will make her Off-Broadway debut this fall, reprising her acclaimed performance in a new play called A Twist of Water, which transfers from Chicago to New York City in November.

Palkovic, who hails from Peoria and starred in Sweet Charity last summer at TLP, was recently seen in Legally Blonde and Pirates of Penzance at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre. She will co-star with another TLP alum, Jenny Guse, in Singin' In The Rain this fall at the Drury Lane Theatre at Oakbrook.

Set in pre-war Weimer Berlin, Cabaret follows the fortunes of Londoner Sally Bowles who performs at the infamously decadent Kit Kat Klub. The musical, the second collaboration between John Kander (music) and Fred Ebb (lyrics), whose other work includes Chicago; Curtains; The Scottsboro Boys; Steel Pier; and Kiss of the Spider Woman, premiered on Broadway 1966. Joe Masteroff's book for Cabaret has been revised over the course of several Broadway revivals, and was based on John van Druten's play I Am a Camera, itself inspired by Christopher Isherwood's collected "Berlin Stories."

Isherwood inspired the character Clifford Bradshaw in the musical, played by Dryden Meints at TLP. The role of the Master of Ceremonies, for which Joel Grey won a Tony and an Oscar, is reinterpreted by Joe Capstick. Guest Artist Judy Knudtson (Working, Steel Magnolias) returns to play Fraulein Schneider and Chicago actor Rus Rainear makes his TLP debut as Herr Schultz, a role which he previously performed at The Ubique Cabaret Theatre, garnering a Jeff Award nomination for best supporting actor. New York based choreographer and TLP veteran, Andrew Parker Greenwood (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, The Full Monty, Ragtime) returns to choreograph.

Cabaret performs August 2-12. Performances are at 7:30pm, Tuesday through Saturdays and there are 2pm matinees on Sunday and Wednesday. There is also a Saturday matinee performance on opening weekends at 2pm. Tickets are available through the box office during regular business hours, 11am - 6pm daily, at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or 815-244-2035. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll.

Sweet Charity at Timber Lake Playhouse 2011.jpg

Timber Lake Playhouse, What's Your Story?

This program is partially supported by a grant for the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Production Sponsors are Kunes Country Auto Group and Compliance Signs.

###

31 Jul 2012

Storyteller at GAHC

By Kelly Lao

Davenport, IA- The German American Heritage Center invites you to spend a delightful hour in the library of one of the world's most famous storytellers on Sunday, August 5th at 2pm! Wilhelm Grimm tells the classic fairy tales woven with traditional folk tunes sung in Deutsch and spiced with details from the enchanting life of this prolific author.

The German American Heritage Center will host Storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis of Peoria as he portrays Wilhelm Grimm telling the famous tales to children at the Center beginning at 2 pm. This performance is part of a series on storytelling for the 200th Anniversary of the  first publication of Childrens' and Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm and complements the exhibit Once Upon A Time...The Brothers Grimm at 200! This event is sponsored by USBank.

Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children. Free for members. Call 563-322-8844 or visit www.gahc.org for more information!

31 Jul 2012

STATEMENT OF ERIC REYES ON SEEKING JUDICIAL REVIEW TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT

By Eric Reyes
Candidate for Congress

(Rock Island, IL) - Congressional Candidate Eric Reyes issued the following statement
regarding the current attempt by supporters of millionaire candidate Cheri Bustos to
keep Independent Candidates off the ballot.

"On July 23, 2012 the Illinois State Board of Elections sustained the objections to
our nominating papers due to the number of signatures being less than the 5,000
required by law. This was not a surprise, in fact it was expected. The board is
not empowered to decide Constitutional questions.  It was our contention then,
and now, that our petition met the requirements set forth by Article 3, Section 3 of
the Illinois Constitution, which states in its entirety, "All elections shall be free
and equal." It is also our contention that the signature requirements placed on
independent candidates and the actual or perceived restrictions placed on
circulators of independent candidate petitions and those who would sign them,
taken as a whole, are violative of those rights guaranteed by the Illinois and
United States Constitutions. As such, on July 27, 2012 we ?led a Petition For
Judicial Review with the Sangamon County Circuit Court (Case No. 12 MR 633
attached below) asking the court to reverse the Board ?nding that the nomination
papers are not valid, order them to be determined valid, and that the name Eric
Reyes be printed on the ballot for the November 6, 2012 election, and order that
any disparity in signature requirements, and rules regarding circulators or
signors, be immediately removed from the electoral code and the changes made
retroactively effective to the day the primary was held. Supporters of the
millionaire candidate running on the democratic ticket will now continue to spend
tens of thousands of dollars of private money and thousands of dollars of our
taxpayers' money in a shameful attempt to disenfranchise voters and keep Eric
Reyes off the ballot."

Eric Reyes is a full-time attorney and father from Rock Island, IL. The only lifelong
resident of the district in this election, Reyes graduated from Rock Island High School,
Augustana College, and Northern Illinois University College of Law. He is also a former
Assistant States Attorney.

For more information on Eric Reyes or his campaign, please visit his website:
www.EricReyes.us. ###
31 Jul 2012

Governor Quinn Signs New Laws To Protect Illinois Seniors

By Nafia Khan

CHICAGO - July 28, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today continued his commitment to protecting Illinois seniors by signing several new laws to protect senior citizens in Illinois. The new laws will promote safety, increase oversight and accountability for caregivers and help authorities identify and respond to reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

"Our seniors deserve our respect and protection against those who would take advantage of them," Governor Quinn said. "Safeguarding seniors from exploitation and abuse will make our state stronger."

House Bill 5653, sponsored by Rep. Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields), allows a prosecutor to ask a court to freeze a defendant's assets if he or she is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person. This is an initiative of AARP Illinois, which has advocated for greater protection against elderly financial exploitation committed by family and non-family members. This new law will help prevent defendants from spending stolen money or using stolen money to mount an expensive legal defense that would make it more difficult for victims to collect proper restitution. The legislation passed the General Assembly unanimously and goes into effect Jan. 1.

House Bill 5266, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) and Sen. John Millner (R-Carol Stream), allows law enforcement and fire departments access to reports of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or self-neglect compiled by senior service providers. Under current law, law enforcement cannot access this information without a specific instance of abuse or suspected abuse that has been reported to them. Senior services providers will now be able to proactively work with law enforcement in advance of visits like well-being checks or emergency calls, to inform them of circumstances that suggest evidence of elder crime or neglect. The legislation passed the General Assembly unanimously and goes into effect Jan. 1.

House Bill 3986, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) and Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Chicago), allows the Illinois Department on Aging to receive reports of elder abuse or neglect from senior service providers via the internet. This legislation will make it easier for the state and law enforcement to receive and act on reports of elder abuse and neglect. The same laws governing the use of confidential information will still apply to online reporting. The new takes effect immediately.

House Bill 5098, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello, II (D-Sparta) and Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton), further expands the state's efforts to recognize and respond to crimes against the elderly by requiring probation officers' training to include courses on how to recognize and appropriately respond to crimes against the elderly. The law is effective Jan. 1.

House Bill 5009, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), will help nursing home patients found outside of their facility to be safely assisted and returned to their residence. This legislation requires nursing home residents' identification wristlets to include their facility's telephone number. The law is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 3204, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and Rep. Emily McAsey (D-Lockport), changes the Illinois Power of Attorney Act by specifying that certain financial agreements and contracts do not interfere with a person's primary power of attorney. This bill is an initiative of the Corporate Fiduciaries Association of Illinois to address the difficulties banks, attorneys and trust officers frequently encounter when handling multiple powers of attorney. A previous version of this legislation was vetoed by Governor Quinn because it did not contain enough protections for the elderly. This alternative legislation was negotiated by AARP Illinois, the Department on Aging, the Corporate Fiduciaries Association of Illinois, the Illinois Bankers Association and the Illinois Credit Union League. It takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 3690, sponsored by Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) and Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), requires the state budget to take into account the costs of achieving the goals of Illinois' long-term care rebalancing initiative by providing new definitions of populations that need varying levels of care. The legislation is an initiative of the Health Care Council of Illinois and will provide guidance to agencies under the governor charged with providing long-term care to vulnerable demographics including frail older adults. The law passed the General Assembly unanimously and takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 680, sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and Rep. Esther Golar (D-Chicago), will further protect the elderly and other vulnerable populations by creating additional requirements for safe lifting of residents with limited mobility in nursing homes and healthcare facilities. The law will require the training of nurses and other care providers on safe lifting techniques and equipment that will reduce risk for fragile residents and give them more input on how they are lifted. The law passed the General Assembly unanimously and takes effect Jan. 1.

Senate Bill 3499, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) and Rep. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), reduces litigation costs for the Department of Public Health and nursing care facilities by clarifying the conditions under which they can waive their right to contest state fines. The law provides that any facility can only waive the right to contest the state's penalty by paying a settlement amount of 65% of the fine within 10 days of receiving the penalty notice. This legislation is an initiative of the Healthcare Council of Illinois (HCCI), which sought to streamline the process by which state fines against nursing homes may be offset by the federal fines also levied against violators. The law is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 3420, sponsored by Sen. Mike Jacobs (East Moline) and Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), allows the owners of nursing homes to serve as representatives of residents to whom they are related. Current law allows other employees of nursing homes who are related to residents this same ability. The law is effective immediately.

House Bill 5134, sponsored by Rep. Michael Unes (R-East Peoria) and Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria), amends the Nursing Home Care Act to formalize the informal dispute process between the Department of Public Health and nursing care facilities that occurs during state licensing and review. The law passed the General Assembly unanimously and takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 3171, sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan (D-Quincy) and Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington), brings Illinois law into compliance with federal law regarding the release of health records of the deceased. The new legislation allows the executor of the estate of a deceased person who holds their power of attorney to receive their medical records or designate another to receive them. If an executor does not exist and no one holds power of attorney over an estate, the legislation allows medical records to be released to a personal representative of the deceased who meets certain conditions under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law was passed by the General Assembly unanimously in consultation with the federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Illinois State Bar Association. It takes effect immediately.

 

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