Davenport, Iowa - Great River Brewery, where legendary craft brews are made has come up with a new product, and this one has gained its legendary status almost instantly. It is named in honor of environmentalist Chad Pregracke, Founder and President of Living Lands & Waters and recipient of countless awards. The product will be unveiled to the public in a tapping celebration on Wednesday January 18th at 5:00 pm at the Great River Brewery, 332 East 2nd Street, Davenport.

In announcing the new product, River Rat Root Beer, GRB Brewmaster Paul Krutzfeldt was quick to praise Pregracke. "I'm a recent transplant to the Quad Cities, but even in my landlocked former home in Iowa, I'd heard of him and the work he was doing. It's impressive. When we opened the brewery here and Chad became a fan, it was like having a celebrity in attendance."

Pregracke, who has been honored by Presidents and was chosen by Mitchum as "The Hardest Working Man in America," couldn't be more thrilled. "When the idea for the River Rat Root Beer was first presented to me, I thought it was a fantastic idea... and an honor all in one. There are so many people who have, and continue to do great things for the Mississippi River. The Root Beer tastes awesome and promotes a great cause. I just want to thank GRB for choosing me to highlight."

The product concept and package design was the work of longtime Quad Cities marketing strategist Larry McDonald. "Great River Brewery gave me a blank sheet of paper with this product, but I know that the brewery is very supportive of worthy causes. Living Lands & Waters naturally came to mind. After I roughed out a series of concepts, the idea of making a younger Chad the star of the package kept coming to the top. After all, he's a heck of a role model and young people are known to drink root beer. I'm really glad that Paul chose a formulation that lives up to the standard."

Product samples will be available and refreshments will be served. An official tapping event, open to the public, will be held that same day at 5:00 pm.

River Rat Root Beer is made with 100 per cent pure cane sugar using a traditional recipe. It is packaged in 16 ounce can four-packs and will be available in Quad Cities grocery stores within days. Great River Brewery products are currently distributed through a seven state area.

Braley Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 

 

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which will be observed on Monday, January 16th:

"Dr. King's values and work in the face of violence, indifference, and entrenched prejudices remind us that the work of one person willing to speak up against injustice can change the world.  Because of Dr. King's work, his dream of a nation where people are judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin, is closer to fruition.

"While that dream is yet to be fulfilled, Dr. King's legacy lives on in our hearts and minds.  Dr. King stood up for people who didn't have a voice when others failed to stand up for them.  His life should inspire all of us to fight for those among us?of any color, background, or creed?who've had their voices taken away."

# # #
**Friday, January 13, 2012**
CHICAGO - January 13, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:
Bill No.: HB 358
An Act Concerning: Government
Exempts regional transit board employees from the revolving door provision. Allows employees of regional transit boards to accept positions with the federal, state or local government and school districts.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 442
An Act Concerning: State Government
Allows the Illinois Finance Authority to forgive current financial agreements and consider them as assets to leverage against private capital to help providers and human services to the state of Illinois.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 508
An Act Concerning: Revenue
Allows county boards, with the treasurer's recommendation, to waive interest fees for unpaid taxes
on contaminated property to provide an incentive for redevelopment.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 606
An Act Concerning: Education
Allows school consolidation of Leepertown CCSD 175 into the Ladd CUSD, pending approval by Regional Board of Trustees.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 909
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
States that a person convicted of fraudulently obtaining public money reserved for disadvantaged businesses will lose profits attained from the crime and profits will be handed over to the state of Illinois.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 1368
An Act Concerning: State Government
Requires the Illinois Power Agency to submit two additional reports regarding renewable energy procurement, both due by April 1 of every year, starting in 2012.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: HB 1589
An Act Concerning: Civil Law
Requires that if a court temporarily modifies a custody or visitation order in matters of divorce during a parent's deployment, the court will accommodate visitation by telephone, audiovisual or other electronic means.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: June 1
Bill No.: HB 1958
An Act Concerning: Corrections
Prohibits use of restraints on pregnant prisoners or prisoners recovering from post-partum depression at Cook County Jail, unless the prisoner is a flight risk or poses another serious security threat.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  June 1
Bill No.: HB 3462
An Act Concerning: Insurance
Provides health insurance coverage under the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) for eligible, uninsured persons under 19 years of age.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 3788
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Alters the definition of a "long term acute care hospital" to one that that begins operations after January 1, 2009 (instead of 2010), and is designated by Medicare as a long term acute care hospital.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: HB 3840
An Act Concerning: Revenue
Requires the Department of Revenue to accept credit card payments for certain fees if the department is not required to pay a credit card fee for transactions.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 274
An Act Concerning: State Government
Allows more financial flexibility for students attending the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired to comply with federal law.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 348
An Act Concerning: Finance
Allows the Department of Human Services to be reimbursed for its administrative support to other units of government.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  June 1
Bill No.: SB 1259
An Act Concerning: Civil Law
Requires a bank to respond within 90 days to a written request from a client for a short sale on a foreclosure.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1377
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Amends the Hospital Services Act and states that long term acute care hospitals (LTACH) are not required to provide hospital emergency services, and shall be classified as not available.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1538
An Act Concerning: State Government
Clarifies eligibility guidelines for those enrolling into group insurance coverage.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1609
An Act Concerning: State Government
Changes the date of the Governor's budget address from February 15, 2012 to February 22, 2012.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
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Waterloo, IA - On Sunday and Monday, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at events in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

5:00pm                 Waterloo Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner

Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center

Waterloo, Iowa

 

Monday, January 16, 2012

 

11:30am               Cedar Rapids United Way Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Banquet

Class Act Restaurant

7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

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Iowa Flood Center expands stream sensor network in Iowa

 

The Iowa Flood Center, based at the University of Iowa, has taken advantage of the state's unusually mild start to winter by continuing to install a second batch of 50 electronic stream stage sensors across Iowa. Now fully installed, the new instruments bring to 100 the number of affordable stream sensors purchased by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and installed on the downstream side of bridges by the Iowa Flood Center.

 

Developed in part by students at the center, the sensors use sonar to measure the distance to the water's surface and send reports every 15 minutes to a database at the center's UI headquarters so that Iowans have access to real-time monitoring of water levels in Iowa's rivers and streams. A river and stream-level map of the data is available on the center's website (http://ut.iihr.uiowa.edu/ifis/#).

 

Flood center researchers say that Iowa, with its thousands of bridges, could benefit from an even wider network of information if more sensors were put into wider use. Such a system would enhance safety in the state by improving the ability to monitor stream levels and predict flooding, and by improving public preparedness.

 

FYI
In addition to developing a system of flood sensors and maps, the Iowa Flood Center plans to build a network to detect and record soil moisture content -- another factor involved in flooding.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Looking to the future, staff from the nearly three-year-old Iowa Flood Center are preparing a new proposal to the National Science Foundation to establish a $25 million National Flood Center. The UI's experience with the Iowa Flood Center will make the proposal especially competitive. If funded, this new center will help establish Iowa as a national leader in flood-related research and education.

 

Newborn screening is the healthy first step for Iowa babies

 

A few drops of blood collected shortly after birth can mean the difference between a healthy future and a lifelong battle with chronic, debilitating conditions.  The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa helps to make that difference for the approximately 40,000 babies born each year in the state.

 

Each year, 40 or more Iowa babies are identified with a congenital condition that, if left undetected and untreated, could result in irreversible neurological delays, coma or death.  Instead, they have the healthiest start possible in life.  How does this happen?

Shortly after the birth, six tiny drops of blood are collected from the baby's heel.  From those few drops, the Hygienic Laboratory identifies more than 30 different conditions, including PKU and cystic fibrosis.

 

It's all part of the Iowa Neonatal and Metabolic Screen Program that helps give babies the best possible start in life.

 

FYI
Like most things with newborns, time is of the essence.  The tiny drops of blood collected at birth must reach the Hygienic Lab's Ankeny facility within 24 hours of to ensure the highest degree of accuracy.  A statewide courier system picks up the samples and delivers them to the laboratory, which conducts testing around the clock.

"Serve Illinois" Website Offers More than 100,000 Volunteer Opportunities

CHICAGO- January 14, 2011  Governor Pat Quinn today joined the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission in encouraging Illinoisans to take part in the Dr/ Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service this Monday, January 16. The theme of the service day is "A Day On, Not a Day Off."

"Dr. King's life was dedicated to service, and, in his memory, we should each strive to give back to our communities," Governor Quinn said. "We all have something to contribute and share to make our neighborhoods, state and country a better place."

Persons interested in giving back to their community can use the Serve.Illinois.gov website to be connected with more than 70,000 volunteer opportunities throughout Illinois. Volunteers can use the Serve Illinois website to connect with opportunities based on location and area of interest. The search feature also generates results for ongoing, one-time, and even web-based volunteer opportunities.

"Volunteerism is a great way to honor Dr. King, his legacy and his vision," said DHS Secretary Michelle R. B. Saddler. "I am proud and grateful to our community volunteers in our local DHS offices throughout the state."

Along with listing thousands of volunteer opportunities, Serve Illinois also has several partner organizations that will be completing service projects, including:

  • Carbondale - Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps, Rend Lake College - AmeriCorps members will be participating in a city wide clean-up in Carbondale.
  • Chicago - Project YES! - AmeriCorps members will be supporting the fifth annual literacy fair for youth and their families. Festivities include book reading, hands-on literacy activities and games.
  • Springfield - Springfield Urban League - AmeriCorps members will be partnering with Illinois Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross to distribute preparedness information to educate the community about fire safety and prevention.

Visit Serve.Illinois.gov to find a volunteer opportunity, as well as information regarding the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Serve.Illinois.gov is a project of IDHS and the Serve Illinois Commission: "Building Stronger Communities Through Service."

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New advisory committee kicks off intensive community broadband expansion program

Des Moines, IA - This week, Connect Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) convened the first broadband advisory committee meeting, kicking off a new community engagement effort to expand broadband access, adoption, and use across the state. Community leaders from around Iowa are now joining forces to oversee the expansion of high-speed Internet to every corner of the state. Connect Iowa's new broadband advisory committee includes elected officials, public service agency representatives, providers, educators, librarians, and business people. Their common goal is to support and guide the Connect Iowa initiative.

During the meeting broadband stakeholders discussed the history of broadband expansion in the state, and the plan for bringing broader access to Iowa communities in the coming year. The meeting was a great success and set the groundwork for how diverse broadband stakeholders can work together to further progress across the state in 2012.

"The inauguration of our broadband advisory committee marks an important step for Connect Iowa and signals our commitment to closing the digital gap that persists in our communities," says Connect Iowa Program Manager Amy Kuhlers. "We are excited to be bolstered by the support of key stakeholders representing all areas of economic interest. Connect Iowa, with the support of the advisory committee, is undertaking the important work of building grassroots regional planning to grow and expand technology use in communities across the state."

The closing of the digital adoption gap in Iowa will have a significant impact on the way citizens learn, work, and live their daily lives. According to Connect Iowa's latest broadband availability research from the 2011 Iowa residential and business surveys:

  • 37% of Iowa households still do not subscribe to broadband at home
  • 45% of Iowans living in rural areas do not subscribe to broadband service at home
  • 23,000 Iowa businesses are still not using broadband despite the fact that Iowa businesses that use broadband make an average of $259,000 more in annual revenue than businesses without

"The first meeting of the advisory council was really interesting because there were so many people representing different pieces of the broadband puzzle around the table," said committee member and Iowa State Librarian Mary Wegner. "I am excited that we will be working together to improve broadband adoption in Iowa, improve the speed, and get more Iowans using broadband. The most important part, and the part where libraries really come into the picture, is to help Iowans really understand the limitless opportunities and what they can do when they have access to high-speed Internet."

Connect Iowa, in collaboration with the Iowa Economic Development Authority, is working with broadband providers and other public and private partners to speed up the expansion of broadband in unserved and underserved areas. The organization is pinpointing remaining gaps in Iowa's broadband availability and supporting the development of a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of technology that promises economic development and better quality of life for Iowa residents.

The committee's first meeting kicked off a week of intensive training for a new grassroots program that Connect Iowa will be unveiling next week. The committee expects to meet quarterly with the next meeting planned for April.

If you have suggestions regarding how technology can be improved to better serve your community, Connect Iowa wants to hear from you. To submit comments, ideas, or gain access to the initiative's many online tools and resources, please visit www.connectiowa.org or contact Amy Kuhlers at akuhlers@connectiowa.org.

# # #

About Connect Iowa: Connect Iowa is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a nonprofit in the state of Iowa to promote broadband access, adoption, and use. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access throughout rural Iowa. Connect Iowa was commissioned by the state to work with all broadband providers in Iowa to create detailed maps of broadband coverage and develop a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. For more information visit: www.connectiowa.org.

Clark & Associates is helping wounded Iraq, Afghanistan veterans walk again

 

Waterloo, IA - On Monday in Waterloo, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will visit Clark & Associates, a locally-owned provider of prosthetics and orthotics, to highlight new technology being used to help wounded warriors from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan walk again.  Braley is the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

For years, Clark & Associates has worked closely with the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration to provide prosthetics for wounded warriors returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Clark & Associates have been recognized for their work providing technologically-advanced prosthetic devices to veterans.

Braley will meet with founder Dennis Clark to obseve the technology and see the fitting of a new, ultra-lightweight prosthetic for Derick Hurt, an Army veteran who lost both his legs in Iraq.

MONDAY, January 16, 2012

 

9:45am                 Prosthetic Fitting at Clark & Associates

Clark & Associates

527 Park Lane

Waterloo, Iowa

# # #
Bettendorf, IA / January 13, 2011 - Quad-City dieters looking for a low-cal treat that won't blow their diet can now enjoy Country Style Ice Cream at Bettendorf's Hy-Vee cafeteria!  The first cones of the "Taste Like Homemade" soft-serve product were served up last month.  Country Style's original rich vanilla and new dark chocolate flavors are being served separately and in twist cones or cups and are being very well received.

Hy-Vee Dietician Stacy Mitchell, a long-time fan of Country Style, was surprised to see how healthy a choice Country Style is, compared to other frozen confection.  "Talk about a really satisfying treat that can fool you!  I've even said to my family, 'I don't want to know how many calories are in this stuff.'"  Both Country Style flavors, even if consumed in a one-cup serving is 100 calories less and about half the fat of regular soft serve.  It also has 2-3 grams less of saturated fat.   Country style is also gluten-free, kosher and contains no high-fructose corn syrup.  According to Mitchell, even diabetics can enjoy Country Style, as a single carbohydrate exchange, if they savor a half-cup serving.  Customers at the Bettendorf Hy-Vee can now package quart-size containers to serve at home.  Country Style is also available in the Milan Hy-Vee.

Country Style Ice Cream was founded in 1947 when Wayne Lindgren and his brother Chester "Whitey" Lindgren collaborated to produce a quality soft serve mix and opened the first Country Style on 23rd Avenue and 43rd Street in Moline, Illinois. Wayne eventually bought out Whitey's share of the business. Committed to quality, Wayne and his wife, Desyl, set out to establish Country Style as the finest quality soft serve ice cream in the country. Kent Kindelsperger took on the Country Style tradition and purchased Country Style on February 8, 1988 and continues to head the company today.

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Inter-religious discussions with

Imam Saad Baig, Islamic Center of the Quad Cities

Rabbi Tamar Grimm, Congregation Beth Israel at the Tri City Jewish Center

Fr. Mike Schaab, St. Pius X Catholic Church

 

 

A Year in the Life: Calendars, Holy Days and Celebrations at the Mosque on Jan. 19

Islamic Center of Quad Cities, 6005 34th Ave., Moline

A Look at our Books: Sacred Texts and Scriptures at the Synagogue on Feb. 16 

Tri City Jewish Center, 2715 30th St., Rock Island

Womb to Tomb: Life Cycle Events and Rites of Passage at the Church on Mar. 15 

St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2502 29th Ave., Rock Island

Plan to join us on Thursdays from 7-9 pm.

 

All are welcome!

 

For more information, contact Barb Roedel  793-7356.

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