In April, Hardee's launched its Stars for Heroes in-store fundraiser benefiting military charities, including The Mission Continues and USA Cares. Thanks to your readers' generous donations, we're happy to announce more than $750K raised thus far (by CKE Restaurants - Carl's Jr. and Hardee's) to assist military families and veterans.

To participate, restaurant guests donated $1 in support of military charities. For each $1 donation, guests received a commemorative "Stars for Heroes" cut out to personalize and place on display in the restaurant; in addition, they received restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future purchases.

While the in-store fundraiser has concluded, consumers are able to continue backing the nation's military communities through a special donation page housed on the Stars for Heroes Facebook page (www.facebook.com/starsforheroes).

More information about Stars for Heroes is available here: http://bit.ly/LvDeHD. Thanks again to you and your readers for the support! I look forward to sharing additional news with you about Hardee's future military fundraising efforts.
Weekly Events Header
Hello!

Yet another exciting week downtown includes the opening of four outer space exhibits at the Figge Art Museum!  NASA | Art: 50 years of Exploration features pieces from NASA's collection and the National Air and Space Museum.  Blast Off! - Studio 1 allows the little ones to do what NASA did: be inspired by outer space and create!

 

Exploring NASA lights up the night sky with a one-of-a-kind projection of images on the western exterior of the Figge building. The University of Iowa is considered a pioneer of space research; the fourth exhibit will explore the past 54 years of exploration and the university's role in it. Other events at the museum include Fridays at the Figge, Drawing Naturescapes, and Art in the Middle.

 

Interested in beer AND science?  The German American Heritage Center is hosting speaker Brad Sturgeon, a home brewer and certified taster, to guide attendees through the chemistry of brewing with the enjoyment of samples along the way!  Also, stop by Modern Woodmen Park on Wednesday to see the Bandits host the Lake County Captains on another Pay Your Bill Wednesday!

 

Guy Penrod brings his new, number one album to the Adler Theatre on Friday night.  The 2011 Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee spent fourteen years with the Grammy and Dove award-winning Gaither Vocal Band before making his Grand Ole Opry debut as a solo artist last year.  Also, don't forget that the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival is right around the corner and tickets are on sale now!

 

HAYWYRE and MINDSPYK perform with Ghost Science in the Redstone Room on Saturday night.  These unique artists bring a flavor of hip-hop, dubstep, and electronica to the River Music Experience.  The RME live lunch series this week features Sweet Wednesday, Tony Hoeppner, Dave Smith, and Randy Leasman.  Improve your own musical chops with Songwriters in the Round, Acoustic Music Club, and Open Mic Night.

 

Tammy McCann headlines Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Workshop and Matinee series this week.  McCann has toured with Ray Charles along with her gospel group.  More shows at RME this week include Friday Live at 5, You Knew Me When with Emjay, Rock Camp USA Concert - Session 2, Bella Soul, The Milltown Wranglers, and the Quad City KIX Band, who will also perform at Music on the Levee.

 

Cool off with Public Skates at River's Edge Friday through Wednesday and beat the heat!  Also, Heartland Jam is coming up on July 20 and 21; look for information regarding the festival in next week's newsletter.

 

See you downtown!

 

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This Week's Events: July 12 - July 18


Thursday, July 12

$2,800 Bank It Blackjack Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

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

Price: $20 entry fee

Website

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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

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Bix at 6

Where: Brady & Third

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Price: N/A

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. and 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: $10

Website

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Live Lunch with Sweet Wednesday

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

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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

 

Thursdays at the Figge

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 6:00 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

 

Friday, July 13

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

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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

 

Class: Fridays at the Figge

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Price: $45/member; $55/non-member

Website

 

Friday Live at 5 Featuring Sin City Orchestra Sponsored by UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Where: River Music Experience, Courtyard

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Guy Penrod

Where: The Adler Theatre

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Price: $18; $24; $30

Website

 

Jordan Danielsen

Where: Rhythm City Casino

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

Price: FREE

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Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Live Lunch with Tony Hoeppner

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

NASA | ART Opening Party

Where: Figge Art Museum

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

Price: $20/Advance; $25/at the Door

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

 

You Knew Me When with Emjay, Fast as a Cat, and Friend & Foe

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: $5

Website

 

Saturday, July 14

$1 Deals

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: While hard beverages are served

Price: $1 drink specials

Website

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Bella Soul

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Price: $4

Website

 

Beer Science and Tasting with Brad Sturgeon

Where: German American Heritage Center

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Price: $5 or less

Website

 

Brewery Tours

Where: Great River Brewery
Time: Noon, 1:00 p.m, 2:00 p.m, and 3:00 p.m.
Price: N/A
Class: Drawing Naturescapes
Where: Figge Art Museum
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Price: $40/members; $50/non-members
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: 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: Waxing Poetic: Exploring Expression in Art

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

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

Website

 

Exhibition Opens: Exploring NASA

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

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

Website

 

Exhibition Opens: 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 Opens: 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

 

Family Gallery Opening: Blast Off!

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.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

 

Haywyre & Mindspyk

Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room

Time: 9:30 p.m.

Price: $7/Advance; $10/Day of Show

Website

 

Jordan Danielsen

Where: Rhythm City Casino

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

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Website

 

Rock Camp USA Concert - Session 2

Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room

Time: Noon

Price: $5

Songwriters in the Round
Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Price: FREE

Website

 

Sunday, July 15

 

$1 Deals

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: While hard beverages are served

Price: $1 drink specials

Website

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$3,000 Sunday Shake Up Slot Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Drop-In Hockey (Adult)

Where: River's Edge

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

Price: $10

Website

 

Live Lunch with Dave Smith

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1: 0 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Music on the Levee - Quad City KIX Jazz Orchestra

Where: LeClaire Park Bandshell

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Website

 

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Bix Bistro

Where: Blackhawk Hotel

Time: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Price: Adults - $17.95 and Kids - $8.95

Website

 

Third Sunday Jazz Presents Tammy McCann

Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Price: $10 and up

Website

 

Monday, July 16

2 Times Points Plus

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 4:00 p.m. - Midnight

Price: FREE

Website

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Happy Hour

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Price: $1 Drink Specials

Website

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Nifty 50's

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Price: FREE

Website

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Application control is an increasingly critical part of network security. Much has been said about bringing application visibility and control into network security to prevent applications from slipping by traditional port-based firewalls. A next-generation firewall is a different and revolutionary class of product that solves the problem. But with so many network security vendors selling similar functionality, how do you know if you're getting the real deal? Read this report to learn more about the different capabilities of different products on the market, and to find out the 10 things your next-generation firewall must do.

Read More >>

Encourages Eastern Iowa Farmers to Attend Drought Meeting July 18th

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today offered his support and assistance to Iowa farmers whose livestock and crops have been damaged by the recent heat wave and lack of rain across the state.  Loebsack has been traveling throughout Iowa, meeting with farmers and livestock producers and has heard firsthand of the worsening conditions, which provided him information to make USDA aware of the conditions on the ground.

"I have kept in close touch with Iowa farmers and livestock producers that have been hurting from the heat wave and lack of rain.  Iowans have lost livestock, are worried about the quality of the crop, and are seeing grazing land dry up. I have taken those concerns directly to USDA to let them know about what I'm hearing from farmers.  I am pleased Iowa farmers will have an opportunity to talk with the Governor about their concerns.  I stand ready to assist the Governor in pursuing assistance for farmers from USDA if necessary.  This is why I also pushed to have a livestock disaster aid program included in the new farm bill and I'm happy to say it's been included in the proposal."

Tuesday, July 18, 2012

 

9am                 Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold public meeting on dry and D1 Drought conditions

Mt. Pleasant High School gymnasium

2104 South Grand Avenue

Mount Pleasant, IA

NORTHFIELD, MN (07/12/2012)(readMedia)-- Marci Sortor, Dean and Provost of St. Olaf College, has named Amelia Schoeneman from Rock Island, IL to the St. Olaf College Dean's list for the Spring 2012 semester. She is a Political Science and Environmental Studies major. Schoeneman is the daughter of Megan Quinn.

The Dean's list recognizes students with a semester grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4-point scale. Dean Sortor stated, "These students have distinguished themselves among a talented and highly qualified student body. We celebrate their success in gaining recognition for academic excellence."

St. Olaf College

As one of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges, St. Olaf College offers an academically rigorous education with a vibrant faith tradition as a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. St. Olaf prepares students to become responsible citizens of the world by fostering the development of mind, body, and spirit. Widely known for its programs in mathematics, the natural sciences, and music, St. Olaf also provides dynamic opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Committed to global education, more than three-quarters of St. Olaf students participate in off-campus study programs. Over the years, St. Olaf College has been a national leader among liberal arts colleges in producing Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Fellows, and Peace Corps volunteers.

AmeriCorps service program benefits include living stipend and education benefit of $5,500

DECORAH, Iowa -- The Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative has openings for four School Outreach Wellness program volunteers starting Sept. 1.

An AmeriCorps Volunteer position, these School Outreach Wellness members of the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative team will receive a living allowance stipend and an additional $5,500 educational award at the end of their service.

For information and applications, contact Emily Neal, director of School Outreach at Luther College, e-mail nealem01@luther.edu, telephone (563) 387-2138, postal address Luther College, Attn: Emily Neal, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA  52101.

Successful candidates will demonstrate ability to work with others, good communication skills, and experience working with young people. Post-secondary degree preferred.

Review of applications begins July 20, 2012.

The four successful candidates will join a team of enthusiastic folks working in more than 20 schools throughout northeast Iowa to promote local food and physical activity.  They will receive training to serve as a resource for school wellness committees in three regional school districts.

School Outreach Wellness members strengthen relationships with schools and communities regarding wellness for area youth.

Volunteers will sometimes serve as teachers or presenters and at other times train others to be teachers and leaders.  They will help organize school-community events that showcase Farm-to-School and Safe Routes to School programs, develop community partnerships and build healthy families.

Projects can include starting or maintaining school gardens in many communities and instructing students, teachers and staff about the benefits of growing and consuming healthful food. Volunteers work from an office in Luther College Environmental Studies department with desk, computer and phone to facilitate connections with other organizations and people doing similar service.

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Washington?Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Co-Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today announced a hearing Wednesday, July 18, at 2:30 p.m. on prescription drug abuse in the United States.

 

According to a recent survey by Monitoring the Future?a University of Michigan study of U.S. students and young adults funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse?prescription drugs are the second-most abused category of drugs after marijuana.

WHO:

·         Sen. Feinstein

·         Sen. Grassley

·         Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse

·         Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

·         Joseph Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator with the Drug Enforcement Administration

·         John Eadie, director of the Prescription Monitoring Program Center of Excellence at Brandeis University

·         Avi Israel, a parent advocate in Buffalo, N.Y.

·         Vernon Porter, a parent advocate in Orange County, Calif.

·         Joseph Harmison, owner of Harmison Pharmacies in Arlington, Texas

 

WHAT: Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control hearing: Responding to the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic

WHEN: 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 18

WHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 562

A live stream of the hearing will be available online at www.drugcaucus.senate.gov.

###

This spring, we acted in concert with our allies to defeat legislation that would require the sale of public lands and an amendment that would force the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to assess the value of public lands that could be used in farming.

The Chapter also collaborated with our allies to successfully stop an egregious bill that would force rate-payers to fund a new nuclear power plant before it was even built.

The Chapter also succeeded in preventing a Senate vote on a bill that would remove a lead-based ammunition prohibition for hunting Mourning Doves.  Although the governor issued an executive order that permits the lead-based ammunition, the Chapter and its partners successfully convinced the Iowa Senate to support the ban by not voting on the bill passed by the House.

However, these accomplishments do not come free - there are costs involved.   Can we count on your donation so that we can continue to realize our goals?

You can make a non-tax-deductible donation to continue the Chapter's lobbying efforts by clicking the donate button below.

Or, you can choose to make a tax-deductible donation to further our informational and litigation programs.

If you prefer, you can send a check. Deductible donations need to be made out to The Sierra Club Foundation with Iowa Chapter written in the memo.  Non tax-deductible donations can be made out to Sierra Club Iowa Chapter.  All checks can be mailed to

Sierra Club Iowa Chapter,
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280,
Des Moines, IA 50310.

Thank you in advance for your generous contribution.

Sincerely,

Neila Seaman, Director,
Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club

P.S. Reserve the date of the Annual Dinner - September 22 - at White Rock Conservancy.

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley is asking the leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee to address the PFGBest broker scandal during a hearing scheduled for Aug. 1 about the loss of funds by farmers, grain co-ops and commodity brokers when MF Global's broker-dealer unit collapsed late last year.

Grassley also is asking the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to provide information on what the CFTC did in response to red flags that were raised with the commission regarding PFGBest.

"We have to make sure regulators are doing their job, and congressional oversight is a very important means for doing so," Grassley said.  "People need to have confidence in our commodity trading system in order for it to work for farmers and investors the way it's intended."

Click here for Grassley's letter to Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts.  Click here for Grassley's letter to CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler.  Below is the text of both letters.

July 12, 2012

The Honorable Debbie Stabenow
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture
Nutrition and Forestry
Russell Senate Office Building 328A
Washington, D.C. 20510-6000

The Honorable Pat Roberts
Ranking Member, Committee on Agriculture
Nutrition and Forestry
Russell Senate Office Building 328A
Washington, D.C. 20510-6000

Dear Chairman Stabenow and Ranking Member Roberts:

I know you are both just as concerned as I am with the recent events involving the brokerage firm Peregrine Financial Group Inc., ("PFGBest").  From the hearing the Senate Agriculture Committee conducted earlier this year on MF Global, it's clear the members of the committee understand just how important our commodity markets are to U.S. agriculture and our economy.

In light of the troubling news reports about how long PFGBest had shown signs of trouble, it's important the Senate Agriculture Committee look into the PFGBest matter in the same manner as what we have done regarding MF Global.  We have to make sure regulators are doing their job.

I appreciate the fact you have scheduled another hearing regarding MF Global for August 1, 2012.  I respectfully request that you broaden the scope of that hearing to include a look into the PFGBest matter, and ensure there is a witness from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") present at the hearing who is able to answer questions regarding PFGBest.

I thank you in advance for your consideration of my request.  Please feel free to contact me or my staff if you have any questions.

Sincerely,



Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator


July 12, 2012

Chairman Gary Gensler
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20581

Dear Chairman Gensler:

The recent developments involving Peregrine Financial Group ("PFG") causes me serious concern as to whether the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") is properly overseeing the activities of commodity brokerage firms.  With the events of MF Global fresh in everyone's memory, we now are faced with yet another incident in which farmers' and investors' money may not have been properly safeguarded.

It is my understanding there was no ongoing CFTC investigation that precipitated the events of this week at PFG.  This is extremely troubling given that, according to press reports, there have been red flags for some time.  For example, it has been reported there were indications PFG was short of funds and/or had accounting irregularities as far back as February 2010.  It is critical for Congress to know what the CFTC did to look into these red flags.

Farmers and investors trust commodities brokers to safeguard their accounts and trust the CFTC to police the commodities market.  With the failure of MF Global and now PFG, the CFTC must be open and transparent with Congress and the American people to prevent the continued erosion of customer confidence in the integrity of the commodities markets.

As Congress examines the CFTC's actions regarding PFG, please provide the following information to help us with our investigation - What steps did the CFTC take to oversee PFG from the beginning of 2010 to the present?  When answering this question, please include all information related to previous violations of PFG, suspicious activity by PFG, and what steps, if any, the CFTC took to respond to these red flags.

I look forward to receiving your response in a timely manner.  If you have any questions, please contact me or my staff.

Sincerely,



Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator

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