08 Jun 2012

Iowa/Illinois Senators Announce that Senate Committee Approves Provisions from their Bill to Increase Workload at Rock Island Arsenal

By Sen. Tom Harkin

Report language in Defense Authorization bill directs Defense Secretary to create a strategic workload plan for arsenals including Rock Island

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mark Kirk (R-IL)  announced that major portions of their bill to help increase the workload and help ensure the long-term health of Rock Island Arsenal were included in report language that is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.

Similar to the Army Arsenal Strategic Workload Enhancement Act of 2012 introduced by the four Senators last month, the Senate Armed Services Committee's report builds on last year's bipartisan effort to authorize arsenal Centers of Industrial and Technical Excellence by directing the Secretary of Defense to create a strategic workload plan for arsenals - including Rock Island Arsenal - and report back to Congress no later than February 28, 2013.

"As U.S. military operations overseas wind down, it is imperative that the military maintain its capability to manufacture equipment at facilities like Rock Island Arsenal," said Harkin. "These facilities are essential to our national security and with the number of Americans they employ, important to our national economy as well. With this report language, we will ensure that the Rock Island Arsenal continues to do what it does best: manufacture the best equipment possible for our military."

"The Rock Island Arsenal has proven effective in meeting urgent wartime needs," Grassley said. "Our effort here is to get a plan put in place to make sure this sort of capability is maintained during peacetime so that it can be tapped when needed."

"The provisions included in today's report language ensure that the Rock Island Arsenal's dedicated and highly-skilled workforce is able to continue to serve this country's economic and national security interests by developing and manufacturing critical weapons, parts and materiel." Durbin said. "Not only is the Rock Island Arsenal a major employer for the Quad Cities region, it is a recognized source of some of the most sophisticated engineering and manufacturing in the entire country. I am committed to seeing that this measure is fully implemented, and I commend my colleagues for their work in this bipartisan effort to help secure the Arsenal's future."

"This measure compliments the efforts of Representatives Bobby Schilling and David Loebsack to protect the Arsenal in Rock Island," said a spokesperson for Senator Kirk. "It is essential that the Arsenal remains both a local asset to Quad Cities and a strategic defense asset to the nation. The language reflects the importance of maintaining Rock Island's critical manufacturing capability while at the same time ensures critical public-private partnerships move forward to keep the Arsenal healthy long-term."

On May 9, the Senators introduced the Army Arsenal Strategic Workload Enhancement Act of 2012 which would require the Army to create a strategic plan to ensure arsenals, including Rock Island, receive the workload they need to keep workers' skills sharp. The Army does this type of systematic planning for some of its components but not for arsenals. The bipartisan bill would also promote the use of arsenals defense-wide.

The bill builds upon a bipartisan effort last year by the Illinois and Iowa Congressional Delegations to expand the Arsenal's ability to enter into public-private partnerships which are necessary for Rock Island to maintain and improve its workload. Specifically, they secured - as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2012 - an unlimited number of public-private partnerships for the Arsenal and the opportunity for the Arsenal to be designated as a Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence, which will permit the Army to automatically assign work to Rock Island based on its expertise.

The Army Arsenal Strategic Workload Enhancement Act of 2012 is cosponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Mark L. Pryor (D-AR) and Senator Charles E. Schumer.


###

08 Jun 2012

Carl D. Schillig Memorial Scholarships Announced

By Jamie Lange

The 2012 recipients of the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Scholarship will be announced on Tuesday, June 12 th, 2012. The scholarship was first awarded to 1998 graduates of Pleasant Valley High School. (Carl's intended year of graduation) In 2002, it was  extended to graduates of Bettendorf High School. The scholarship is given to a student with at least a 2.3 grade point average who exemplifies Carl's spirit through participation in a variety of school, community and church-related activities. Recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee in each school.

Funding for the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Scholarship is generated from proceeds from the annual Labor Day Run with Carl held in Bettendorf, IA.

Who:

Anna Fry Bett 2012 RWC Scholarship Winner.JPG
Anna Fry, Bettendorf High School, attending University of St. Thomas

Allison Witters PV 2012 RWC Scholarship Winner.JPG

Allison Witters, Pleasant Valley High School, attending Iowa State University

What:  2012 Carl D. Schillig Memorial Scholarship Recipients

When:  Tuesday, June 13th Noon

Where:  Fortune Garden, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf, IA

About the Run with Carl: Begun in 1995, the annual Labor Day "Run with Carl" is the primary funding vehicle for the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund. The 18th Annual Bettendorf Rotary's Run with Carl is held on Labor Day Monday September Third 7:30 a.m. Join in the in the ½ mile or 1-mile fun run, 5K run walk or 5-mile run. Sign up online at runwithcarl.com. When you register by August 1st you'll be entered to win a bike from Healthy Habits. Sponsored by Hamilton Technical College, Trinity Regional Health Systems, and United Healthcare. Major media sponsors include Mediacom, Quad City Times, and STAR 93.5.

About Carl D. Schillig: Carl Schillig, a student at Pleasant Valley High School, was 15 years old when he died in a car-pedestrian accident while participating in the Civil War Reenactment at the Village of East Davenport, Sept. 17, 1994. Carl was active in numerous school, community and church activities. The memorial fund was established by Carl's family to perpetuate his memory and enthusiasm for life by providing college scholarships to graduates of Pleasant Valley. The first scholarship was awarded in 1998. In 2002, the scholarship award was extended to include graduates of Bettendorf High School

- end-

08 Jun 2012

Strengthen Plants This Season with a New Tool for Gardeners

By Diana Paul

By gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers

As gardeners well know, there are plenty of challenges our landscapes will face throughout the growing season. Heat, drought, pests and disease can all take their toll on our plants, causing wilting, brown leaves, damaged plants and even plant death.  Fortunately, gardeners now have an exciting new organic tool for growing healthy, productive, and beautiful landscapes all season long.

Researchers have discovered that when some plants are stressed they produce certain molecules that help them better tolerate environmental stresses as well as insect and disease attacks. They isolated the molecules and applied them to other plants. This improved the treated plants' own natural defenses, much like immunizations do for us.

All natural plant strengtheners, like JAZ Spray, were developed as a result of these findings. Plant strengtheners immunize plants against environmental stresses such as heat and drought, while building their defenses against insects and diseases.

They are not fertilizers that provide nutrients, nor are they pesticides that kill the insects and disease organisms. This new tool can help gardeners deal with gardening challenges that are beyond their control.  By using a plant strengthener you are proactively boosting a plant's immune system before environmental stresses hit and ultimately helping it thrive as it faces serious challenges throughout the season.

Because these natural plant-derived products improve plant health and resilience by strengthening their resistance to plant stressors, including heat, drought, over-watering, insects and disease, they've become a valuable and must-have tool for both beginning and experienced gardeners especially given the variable and unpredictable weather patterns we've experienced in recent years.

They can also increase gardening success when busy schedules, vacations or lack of experience get in the way of providing ideal care.

Begin treating established plants from the start of the season to help build their natural defenses. Treated plants will be more robust, suffer less damage, and recovery more quickly from stress. Plant strengtheners are also effective when applied at the first sign of stress or when moving plants indoors for winter, since the lower light and lower humidity conditions can be very stressful on these plants.

Prepare your plants for the growing season by arming yourself with this exciting new line of organic products that are safe for pets, kids and the environment.

And always remember that proper soil preparation, plant selection, and care are also critical in growing beautiful, productive and healthy plants.  Monitor your plants' health throughout the growing season.  Uncovering problems early may be the difference between a little clean up and the need to treat.  And, if treatment is needed, look for the most eco-friendly products available.

Investing a bit of time and energy now to lay the foundation for a healthy and productive landscape will surely pay off with low maintenance, beautiful gardens for years to come.

For more gardening tips visit www.melindamyers.com.

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can't Miss Small Space Gardening , Month-by-Month Gardening in Wisconsin and The Garden Book for Wisconsin. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment segments which air on over 110 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly "Gardeners' Questions" newspaper column. Melinda also has a column in Gardening How-to magazine.  Melinda hosted "The Plant Doctor" radio program for over 20 years as well as seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. She has written articles for Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening and was a columnist and contributing editor for Backyard Living magazine.  Melinda has a master's degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure.  Her web site is www.melindamyers.com

Foundation-garden.jpg

08 Jun 2012

Wapsi River Center News Release

By Lisa Gerwulf

Overnight Canoe Adventure Planned

 

From 4:30 P.M. Friday, June 15 to 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 16, an overnight canoe float on the Wapsipinicon River is being planned.  Join Wapsi River Center naturalists on a canoe adventure exploring the Wapsi River from Syracuse Landing just east of Wheatland to Allen's Grove Park just north of Donahue with a stopover at the Owl's Nest Dormitory ($7/person).  Please call for more details and to reserve your space (563) 328-3286.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.
08 Jun 2012

Harkin Column---In Iowa`s Interest: Exploring Bullying Prevention Policies

By Sen. Tom Harkin

All children deserve equitable access to a free, public education. Yet, each day, countless students across the country and right here in Iowa are denied that access because they are bullied. In some cases, the bullying does not end after they leave school, but instead, continues via social media or on the web.

This is a growing problem that we must not ignore.

Studies have shown that students are often bullied because they seem 'different' than their peers. Some 85 percent of LGBT students and 85 percent of students with disabilities (including 94 percent of children with Asperger's Syndrome) are bullied, compared to approximately 20 percent of all students.

Victims of bullying have also demonstrated impairment on mental health, concentration, and academic outcomes. Of course, far too many cases end in tragedy. Northwest Iowa has been particularly hard-hit: Primghar high school student Kenneth Weishuhn took his own life after terrible bullying on social networks and at school and Alex Libby, who was featured in the movie Bully, was forced to move after bullying became unbearable.

Communities have got to come together if we want to put an end to bullying. That starts with a conversation about what is going on in our schools and how policies on all levels can protect kids. No one - certainly not our children - should face bullying and harassment simply for being who they are.

One way to do this is by exploring bullying prevention policies at the local, state, and federal level. That is the goal of a hearing I will convene of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which I chair, in Des Moines on Friday, June 8th. The hearing will bring together local students and their teachers as well as federal officials who will discuss this problem more broadly. During the hearing I will also discuss legislation I have cosponsored that will help protect children so they are able to attend school and learn, free from bullying and harassment. The event is open to the public and I encourage area residents to attend.

Together, we can start a conversation; shine the light on this problem, and change the dynamic in schools.

For more information about my efforts to combat bullying in schools, please visit my website at harkin.senate.gov, visit my Facebook or Twitter pages, or call any of my offices in Washington, D.C. or across Iowa.

A PDF version of the column is available by clicking here.
08 Jun 2012

Grassley Seeks Full Transparency of Public Housing Authority Salaries

By Nicholas Depew

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make public the salary data it collected from public housing authorities across the country under pressure from Grassley and amid numerous salary scandals.   The Administration made only aggregate information public in announcing a salary cap proposal this week.

"Making only a handful of the information public is a missed opportunity," Grassley said.  "We've seen several significant gold-plated compensation packages at housing authorities. The abuses have grown in the absence of oversight.  My review has shown that the housing authorities that go off the rails count on a lack of transparency to do what they want.  If salaries are public, there's a deterrent for abuse."

This week, HUD released aggregate salary data from 2010 from the nation's housing authorities and announced a proposal to cap the federal part of housing authority salaries.   The limited information released is available here.  Coverage of controversial housing authority directors' salaries this week in Atlanta and Providence, Rhode Island, is available here and here.

Grassley has been scrutinizing abuses by certain public housing authorities since 2010, working to hold HUD accountable for the way federal housing dollars are used and to protect those dollars from wasteful and abusive spending.

In addition to seeking transparency of the existing salary data, Grassley said he intends to look at the Administration's salary cap proposal to make sure it closes the many loopholes around compensation caps.   A cap on federal funding for salaries does not apply to local funding, so salaries could still be high if the local agencies choose to supplement the salaries, another reason for transparency, Grassley said.  Housing authorities sometimes give bonuses and significant perks such as vehicles, accrued vacation pay, and rolling contracts that make it expensive to remove the top employee.

The federal government spends roughly $6 billion to $7 billion per year on public housing.  Another $4 billion was provided by the 2009 economic stimulus legislation.  More than 3,000 public housing authorities nationwide manage public housing programs.  "The federal government needs to pay a lot more attention to what happens at local housing authorities," Grassley said.  "Taxpayers are paying for safe, clean public housing for those in need.  HUD has to make sure the services are delivered and that the taxpayers' money is spent as intended.  Better transparency would be a good start."

Grassley's letter to the HUD secretary is available here.

-30-
08 Jun 2012

Green Show Performance of As You Like It Downtown Iowa City, Friday, June 15

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, Iowa - To mark the opening of As You Like at Riverside Theatre in the Park, the Apprentice Company will perform a free preview of the As You Like It Green Show Friday, June 15, at 12:10 p.m. on the downtown pedestrian mall (near Washington St.)

At Riverside Theatre in the Park, the Green Shows are performed one hour before curtain. These 20-minute story theatre versions of the evening's play allow the audience to brush up on the plot in advance of the evening performance.

The nightly Green Show?and this preview performance?showcase the work of the Riverside Theatre in the Park Apprentice Company, actors, directors, and stage managers.

Green Shows are filled with humor, family friendly, and are especially appealing to kids.

Riverside Theatre in the Park runs from June 15 - July 8, featuring As You Like It by William Shakespeare, directed by Theodore Swetz, and The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, directed by Kristin Horton.

For more information about Riverside Theatre in the Park, please call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 319-338-7672 or visit www.riversidetheatre.org.

image003.jpg

###
08 Jun 2012

H.R. 4297 Neglects America's Workforce While Unemployment Increases

By Rick Martin
Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs Denounces Efforts to Eliminate Targeted Job Training for America's Farmworkers and Other Vulnerable Jobseekers
June 7, 2012, Washington, D.C. –Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to mark up the Republican-sponsored "Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012" or H.R. 4297. Education and job training experts from around the country are joining together in opposing the proposed bill, which seeks to completely restructure the federal job training programs and abolish those programs targeted at serving the most vulnerable groups of jobseekers. H.R. 4297 also effectively eliminates competition by simply doling out federal money to state governors in a fashion similar to a block grant.
"Proposals to consolidate workforce programs in the name of reducing the public sector's role would leave Latino workers, such as farmworkers, not to mention veterans, the disabled, and other groups in need of specialized services, stuck in low-skill and low-wage jobs," said Emma Oppenheim, Associate Director of Workforce Development Policy Initiatives at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). "These proposals ignore the job openings going unfilled, ignore the industries unable to take new products to market, and ignore the American workers who, with the right investments, could make our economy hum."
The goal of H.R. 4297 is to create one system, relying on a one-size-fits all model of service. If implemented, it would likely act as a disincentive to training hard-to-serve individuals whose training will likely require more resources and money.  Farmworkers are among the lowest paid workers in the country, earning an average of just $17,500 per year for a family of four, well below the national poverty line, according to the Department of Labor.  They are also subject to frequent unemployment and underemployment as a result of the unpredictability of weather and, consequently, crop failure. Finding more stable, higher paying positions, both in and outside of agriculture, is difficult due to a lack of training and education (farmworkers have a median 8th grade education level), transportation, work history, and access to other industries in rural locations.  Accordingly, the federal job training program for migrant and seasonal farmworkers authorized under the current Workforce Investment Act, is an essential service to many farmworkers who, without it, may not be able to access the resources and opportunities it provides.
The bill would also impact agricultural and local business sectors that benefit from having a well-trained workforce pool.
"This is the worst time to eliminate targeted programs that serve farmworkers and the most in-need of our country's jobseekers. It is the most awful recession most of America has experienced in their lifetime," notes David Strauss, Executive Director of Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs. "H.R. 4297 just doesn't work if our goal is to get Americans employed. Our economy and our workers require a greater investment in job training in order to get the skills they need to compete in this tough employment market."
The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs is the national federation of non-profit and public agencies that provide training and employment services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers. For additional comment or interview, please contact Ayrianne Parks at (202) 828-6006 x140 or Parks(at)AFOP(dot)org.
###
08 Jun 2012

State Fair Express Offers Convenient Ride to Iowa State Fair

By readMedia

DES MOINES, IA (06/06/2012)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair and Windstar Lines have partnered to provide round trip transportation to the Fair from 42 locations throughout the state. The convenient and affordable State Fair Express will offer motor coach service during the Iowa State Fair August 9-19.

Each State Fair Express ticket includes:

• Round trip transportation on a deluxe Windstar Lines motor coach

• Fair admission

• A complimentary bottle of water

• Fair coupon book offering food and drink discounts with more than $30 in savings

• Daily Program with map of the Fairgrounds

• Easy pickup and drop off in the Fair's North Lot at Gate 15

The State Fair Express will arrive at the Fair at approximately 10 a.m. and will depart at 6 p.m. Adult fare includes ages 12 and over, child fare includes ages 5-11 and children under 5 ride free. Persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Ticket pricing varies by location. A complete list of routes, pricing and pickup locations follows.

New in 2012, the State Fair Express will offer four non-stop routes. These routes include Cedar Rapids (August 9), Charles City (August 10), Sioux City (August 10) and Ames (August 12).

Please call Windstar Lines Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 888.494.6378 or visit www.gowindstar.com/iowa-state-fair.php to make State Fair Express reservations. Payment must be made in full at the time of reservation. Windstar accepts Visa and MasterCard.

Reservations can be made up to one week prior to departure. The State Fair Express runs rain or shine and no refunds will be issued. A minimum of 30 people must book for the trip to run. If the trip does not meet the minimum requirement, cancellation of the trip will occur seven days prior to departure and you will be notified by Windstar Lines. If a cancellation occurs refunds will be given.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

* * *

08 Jun 2012

Riverside Theatre in the Park opens with As You Like It on June 15

By Sarah Burnett

IOWA CITY, IA- Riverside Theatre, Iowa City's resident professional theatre company, will kick off its summer season, Riverside Theatre in the Park, on Friday, June 15 with As You Like It by William Shakespeare, directed by Theodore Swetz.

For tickets and information, call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at (319) 338-7672 or visit www.riversidetheatre.org.

In As You Like It, Rosalind, Shakespeare's most breathtaking heroine, and her boyfriend Orlando find themselves in the enchanted Forest of Arden, where "all the world's a stage," and where sudden infatuation is as confusing as it is beautiful. As You Like It has everything people adore about Shakespearean comedy: mistaken identity, cross-dressing, madness, mayhem, laughter, and romance...plus an original score and a cappella singing!

Kansas City based director Theodore Swetz directs this romantic comedy. Swetz is a founding company member of American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and is currently head of graduate actor training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

"I believe we all need a little bit of 'Arden' in our lives - a place to reinvent and rejuvenate. We hope that a starry night at the Festival Stage gives our audiences one such escape," said Swetz.

Several returning actors will appear in featured roles in As You Like It: Kalen Harriman (Mary's Wedding, Romeo and Juliet, Love's Labour's Lost, Boom) as Rosalind, Jim Van Valen (A Steady Rain, Ah, Wilderness!) as Jaques and Tim Budd (Walking the Wire, The Cripple of Inishmaan) as Touchstone. Additional guest artists hail from Kansas City, Chicago, Milwaukee, and New York City.

The production features costumes by Genevieve Beller, scenic design by Shawn Ketchum Johnson, lighting design by David Thayer, and music composition by John Mistler.

Riverside Theatre in the Park also includes Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, directed by Kristin Horton, which opens Friday, June 22. As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice will then be performed in rotation until July 8.

Riverside Theatre in the Park is performed outdoors at the Festival Stage in Iowa City's Lower City Park every summer.

To make an evening at the park, audience members are invited to picnic before the show. Wraps, desserts, and beverages are available at the box office before the show and during intermission.

One hour before each main stage performance, patrons may gather at the Green Show Stage (located next to the pavilion) to brush up on the plot of that night's play with original story theatre versions of the evening's play performed by the Apprentice Company.

Directions to Lower City Park and information about parking can be found at www.riversidetheatre.org.

Single tickets for Riverside Theatre in the Park range from $17-$39 with discounts available for students, seniors, and youth, as well as those wishing to purchase tickets to both shows.

Patrons are also invited to take advantage of the four Family Nights, which will take place on June 17, 24, 26, and July 3. On Family Nights, up to two adults accompanying a youth will receive their tickets at the $17 youth price. Family nights are sponsored by funding from the Johnson County Community Foundation. Family Night performances begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets to Riverside Theatre in the Park can be ordered by calling the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 319-338-7672. The Riverside Theatre Box Office is open Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Single tickets may also be ordered online at www.riversidetheatre.org.

###

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar