12 Jul 2012

Gov. Branstad orders flags at half-staff to honor Sgt. James Skalberg Jr.

By Office of the Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad is ordering all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2012, until 8 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2012 for Sgt. James Skalberg Jr., 25, originally of Emerson.

Sgt. Skalberg was killed in Afghanistan, while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was driving. He was one of two soldiers killed in the explosion.

The governor's directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor's executive order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

Sgt. Skalberg is survived by his wife, Jessica Skalberg; his son, Carter Skalberg; his parents, James and Kelli Skalberg Sr.; sister, Spring Skalberg; and grandparents Bonnie and John Stephens and Karen Brewer.

Visitation for Sgt. Skalberg will be held from 4-8 p.m., Friday, July 13 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 Summit St., Red Oak, with the family present. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 14, also at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A graveside service will follow at the Emerson Cemetery (directly west of Red Oak at the junction of Iowa Highways 34 and 59).

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Carter Skalberg Education Fund, 705 E. Corning St., Red Oak, Iowa 51566.

The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of the funeral will be presented to Sgt. Skalberg's family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring him.

###
12 Jul 2012

River Roots Live Adds Headliner Tonic to Lineup, Replaces Los Lobos

By Jason Gilliland

(Quad Cities) - River Roots Live organizers have added 90's rockers Tonic to the headlining lineup for Saturday, August 18. Tonic will be replacing Los Lobos in the Saturday lineup due to an announcement from Los Lobos that they are now unable to play the date due to personal reasons.

With six top 10 singles, over 4 million records sold, Grammy nominations, and the #1 most-played rock song of 1998, Tonic is a musical powerhouse. Tonic merged the raw honesty of rock to unabashed melody...and ushered rock n roll into the new millennium. Tonic is still touring and releasing albums more than a decade after initially hitting the radio charts. Many bands would be content with that sort of history. Not Tonic. The band is back in the studio after a two-year break, working on a follow up to their last album, Grammy-nominated Head On Straight.

Emerson Hart founded Tonic with guitarist Jeff Russo - a childhood friend - adding bassist Dan Lavery shortly after inception. After storming the charts with debut album Lemon Parade and its monster hit "If You Could Only See," the band released two additional studio albums (Sugar and Head On Straight) as well as a live EP, Live & Enhanced. They've been featured on a number of soundtracks, including the lead single from "American Pie" ("You Wanted More"). This summer the band will release a Greatest Hits CD/DVD package. Tonic's other radio hits include Open up Your Eyes, Casual Affair, You Wanted More, Knock Down Walls, and more.

River Roots Live is the Quad-Cities' premiere music festival featuring top national bands and barbeque and it returns for its eighth year in downtown Davenport's LeClaire Park August 17 & 18! Admission to the park each day is only $5 after 5 p.m. and FREE from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Better Than Ezra, Tonic, and Keller Williams with the Travelin' McCourys will headline River Roots Live's 17 bands with support from a strong lineup of outstanding national artists including Julia Nunes, The Nighthawks, Eric Sardinas, Joe Robinson, The Steepwater Band, The Congress, Maps & Atlases, Quiet Corral, and Family Groove Company. The Quad Cities' own talent will also be on display when American Dust, Jason Carl & The Whole Damn Band, The Low Down, Oranagadang, and the Jordan Danielsen & The Great Space Coasters take the stage.

With an estimated 30,000 attendees in 2012, River Roots Live has continued to grow every year since its inception in 2005. With that in mind, additional vendors and beverage tents will be added to the fest this year. For complete details regarding band bios and festival activities, please visit www.RiverRootsLive.com.

Produced by the Downtown Davenport Partnership, a division of Quad Cities Chamber, River Roots Live is supported by partners Living Lands & Waters and the River Music Experience - all nonprofit organizations. River Roots Live is proud to help promote music education programs at the River Music Experience, environmental clean-up efforts on the Mississippi River by Living Lands & Waters, and the growth of historic downtown Davenport.

River Roots Live is presented by Rhythm City Casino and Riverboat Development Authority. Major Sponsors include U.S. Cellular, Nerdwerx, Mediacom, 97X, Budweiser, The Quad-City Times, WQAD Channel 8, and West Music. Please visit www.RiverRootsLive.com to see the complete list of our generous community sponsors!

12 Jul 2012

MORE THAN 20,000 ILLINOIS JOBS

By Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance
12 Jul 2012

Concert tonight at Vander Veer!

By Ron Summers

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Vander Veer Botanical Park

 

Join us for Los Macambos

6:30-8:00 p.m.

Near the Stone Fountain

Join us for a great evening of Live Music in the Park!

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the show. Free to the public!

Thanks to event sponsor Family Credit Union!

Thanks to Davenport Parks and Recreation,
The Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Davenport, and

RAVE Motion Pictures for partnering to create a perfect evening out for our community members!

 

Event raindate will be Thursday, August 23rd.

www.friendsofvanderveer.com
12 Jul 2012

Sydney Quandt Named to Dean's List at Bethel University

By Bethel University Office of Communications and Marketing

SAINT PAUL, MN (07/11/2012)(readMedia)-- Sydney Quandt, a student at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., has been named to the Dean's List for academic excellence for the spring 2012 semester. Sydney is the daughter of Jim and Julie Quandt from East Moline, IL.

The Dean's List honors students who achieve an outstanding scholastic record during a semester with a grade point average of 3.6 or greater.

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minn., with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. For further information on Bethel University, go to www.bethel.edu.

12 Jul 2012

Loebsack Applauds Inclusion of Amendment to Stop FSA Office Closings

By Joe Hand

Language included in House Farm Bill

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the inclusion of an amendment to the House version of the Farm Bill that would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the workload of Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and solicit public comment before closures could occur.  Loebsack has been fighting to stop the consolidation of FSA offices, including those in Centerville, Creston and Leon.  The amendment is based on legislation introduced by Rep. Leonard Boswell and championed by Loebsack.

"I have been fighting side by side with Iowans in the affected areas to reverse the USDA's decision since it was first announced in February.  The consolidation of services provided by the FSA offices would cause great harm not only to individual farmers, but the rural economy as well.  I am pleased the House Agriculture Committee included this amendment and will continue to work to ensure the offices remain open."

Since the policy was announced earlier this year, Loebsack called on the USDA to re-evaluate this proposal.  He has also written to the House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees to urge them to include funding for the offices in the FY 2013 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  He also cosponsored two pieces of legislation to address these issues, H.R. 4313, the Farm Service Accountability Act (the basis of the amendment) and H.R. 4330, which prohibits the closing of a USDA office unless there is another office within 20 miles.

###
12 Jul 2012

Lt. Governor Simon to open College Changes Everything conference

By Justin Stofferahn

TINLEY PARK - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will kick off the 2012 College Changes Everything conference on Thursday morning in Tinley Park. The conference, coordinated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, brings together educators, legislators and other advocates to work towards the state's college completion goal. To keep pace with employer needs, the state wants 60 percent of working-age adults to hold a college degree or credential by 2025, up from 41 percent today.

In her opening remarks, Simon will discuss two of her college completion initiatives. She crafted legislation signed by Governor Quinn this month that aims to reduce remedial needs at colleges and universities by implementing the state's first middle school and high school math curricula. She also wants to create College Choice Reports for Illinois colleges and universities so prospective students can compare higher education options and make good choices about where to pursue certificates and degrees.

TIME: 8:30 a.m.

DATE: Thursday, July 12

PLACE: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park

###
12 Jul 2012

Christian Care Announces Award First Congregational Church, UCC Supports Christian Care

By Ann Ring
Rock Island, IL - First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ has awarded a grant to
lend financial support for technology upgrades at Christian Care's rescue mission and domestic
violence shelter. "We are thankful that First Congregational Church in Moline has made it
possible for Christian Care to upgrade its software," said Dr. Elaine Winter, the organization's
executive director. "Men and women who come to Christian Care need our help. One way we
do this is by providing a computer for job searches, and software for these men and women to
complete their GED or college coursework. First Congregational Church's financial support will
enable us to upgrade our software needs for both clients and staff."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence
shelter for women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. It serves homeless
individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and
those with mental illnesses.

For all those who need a meal, Christian Care's Community Meal Site is located at its Rescue
Mission, 2209 3rd Avenue, Rock Island. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays
Monday through Friday, and for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is
served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you know of someone in
need, call the Christian Care Crisis Hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online
at christiancareqc.org.
12 Jul 2012

Harkin Announces more than $6.8 Million in Community Development and Housing Assistance Grants for Iowa

By Sen. Tom Harkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that five cities in Iowa have received funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and the HOME programs.  The cities of Ames, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, and Sioux City will all receive funds to assist moderate, low and very-low income families improve their economic circumstance and to provide housing.

"The importance of helping those of modest means improve their chance to move upward economically and to provide decent housing is especially crucial for families raising children," said Harkin.  "These funds will help cities with the programs that allow these families to find quality, affordable housing and feel a sense of security in their living situation."

The Community Development Block Grant program provides annual grants to develop viable urban communities by providing housing and a suitable living environment, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

The Emergency Shelter Grants program provides annual grants to improve quality and number of emergency homeless shelters.

The HOME program helps to expand the supply of decent affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.

Details of the Grant are as Follows:

Ames - $511,276.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program.

Cedar Rapids - $1,091,099.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program and $361,579.00 from the HOME program.

Davenport - $1,328,125.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program and $410,918.00 from the HOME program.

Iowa City - $ 638,918.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program and $385,380.00 from the HOME program.

Sioux City - $1,507,259.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program, $197,984.00 from the Emergency Shelter Grants program, and $376,184.00 from the HOME program.

###
12 Jul 2012

Republican House Votes to Strip Health Care Benefits from Millions of Americans

By Brad Wright

House Vote to Repeal the Affordable Care Act = Politics as Usual

"We are in this fight to keep Medicare benefits from being stripped away from millions of seniors by Members of Congress who vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The ACA will save lives, it will provide coverage to millions who lack insurance and it already provides improved benefits for less cost to seniors in Medicare. America's health and economic security should take priority over election-year politics; however, this vote proves once again, politics trumps policy in the House.  The Affordable Care Act is law, it's working, and it's long past time for Congress to start making economic growth a priority." Max Richtman, President/CEO

While political rhetoric dominated much of today's House repeal debate, the facts about the benefits provided to seniors in Medicare -- which would be lost if health care reform was repealed -- were largely ignored.  Here are just a few of the benefits that would be lost if the Affordable Care Act was repealed.

*  The typical senior would lose $4,200 over the next decade in prescription drug savings provided in the ACA

*  The Part D coverage gap known as the 'donut hole' would return

*   Annual wellness visits for beneficiaries would no longer be covered by Medicare

*   Seniors will now pay more for preventive services. Medicare would no longer fully cover

screenings like mammograms, pap smears, bone mass measurements, depression screening,

diabetes screening, HIV screening and obesity screenings

*   Almost 3.3 million uninsured Americans ages 50-64 who would have been insured under

Medicaid will remain uninsured

*   The Medicare Trust Fund's solvency would be shortened by 8 years

A full analysis of the Medicare and Medicaid improvements that were preserved as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act can be found on the National Committee's website.

###

The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

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