12 Dec 2011

This holiday, give your child the gift of a lifetime - outstanding education!

By Rick Martin

It's that time of year!   While children have visions of sugar-plums dancing in their heads, their parents are likely thinking farther into their future.  Rivermont Collegiate unlocks the potential in each student through personalized attention, superior instruction from dedicated faculty, and a reaffirming, family-like learning environment.

What are you waiting for?  Explore the educational options available in the Quad Cities!  Join us this December to see what Rivermont Collegiate is all about!

What: Rivermont Collegiate Open Tours

When: Tuesday, 12/6 - 8:30-10:00 a.m.

 

No appointment necessary!  Drop in!


12 Dec 2011

Medicare's Announcement that it will Now Pay for Obesity Counseling Benefits Robard Corporation Customers, Dieters

By Rick Martin

This week's announcement that Medicare will pay for obesity screening and intensive behavioral counseling assists Robard's weight loss partners in treating more dieters who otherwise could not afford counseling.

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ, December 1, 2011 – On Tuesday, November 29, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Medicare will pay for screenings and preventive services to help recipients curb obesity and the medical ailments associated with it, primarily heart disease, strokes and diabetes.

Beneficiaries with body mass index values of 30 or more can receive weekly in-person intensive behavioral therapy visits for a period of one month, followed by visits every two weeks for an additional five months, paid in full by Medicare with no copayment. Additional monthly sessions will be covered for up to six months afterward if the beneficiary has lost at least 6.6 pounds (3 kg) during the first six months.

To assist customers with this emerging opportunity, Robard Corporation already facilitates the training of weight loss professionals on how to counsel dieters as part of the vast number of free services it offers to customers to help grow their business. In addition, the average dieter on a Robard plan looses 2-4 pounds per week, thus aiding them in Medicare eligibility.

"This CMS announcement is further affirmation that the worldwide obesity epidemic must be combated with a united front," said Robard President Robert Schwartz. "We at Robard are proud to offer our partners the training, resources, and products required to help dieters improve the quality of their lives and decrease comorbidities just as we have for more than 35 years."

Robard's business development team works directly with their partners to grow their businesses, providing business planning, marketing solutions and operational support nationwide to corporations, hospital networks, physician practices, medical weight loss clinics, surgical facilities, and others.

For more information on Robard and its services, please visit www.Robard.com.

 

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12 Dec 2011

Treasurer Fitzgerald Reminds Iowans to Take Advantage of College Savings Iowa Tax Savings

By Karen Austin

Register for a chance to win a College Savings Iowa account.

DES MOINES, IA (12/01/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is encouraging Iowans to ring in the New Year with College Savings Iowa. "One of the best things about opening a College Savings Iowa account is that you are helping a child prepare for his/her future and taking advantage of a generous in-state tax deduction at the same time," Fitzgerald said. "To help remind Iowans about the importance of saving for college, College Savings Iowa is giving away a $529 College Savings Iowa account." For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,865 per beneficiary account from their 2011 adjusted gross income.* Contributions must be submitted by December 31, 2011 to qualify for 2011 state deductions. If the contribution is being mailed, checks must be postmarked by December 31, 2011.

Investors in College Savings Iowa can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portions of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Descriptions; read and consider it carefully before investing.

12 Dec 2011

Another Dubuque Tea Party Co-Founder Endorses Ron Paul

By Morten Djernaes
Michael Heeren joins Jeff Luecke in boosting Paul
on eve of Dubuque Tea Party straw poll
ANKENY, Iowa - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul received the endorsement of a second Dubuque Tea Party co-founder on the eve of the grassroots organization's first in-person-voting 2012 presidential straw poll.

Michael Heeren, a co-founder of the Dubuque Tea Party, commended Paul on his adherence to tea party values and endorsed him for the presidency.

"Ron Paul is a champion of the Constitution and has dedicated much of his life to restoring the United States by following the three core principles that we prescribe to in the Dubuque Tea Party.  Dr. Paul believes in fiscal responsibility, free markets and a Constitutionally-limited government.  Since 1976 in the U.S. House of Representatives, every single vote he has made, without exception, can be traced to these principles," said Mr. Heeren.

"Ron Paul is the most consistent candidate and he can restore America to her greatness.  I endorse Ron Paul for President of the United States.," said Mr. Heeren, who lives in Dubuque and also is a Dubuque County Republican Central Committee Member.

When asked whether he was wanted to make clear he was speaking as a private citizen and not as one associated with the Dubuque Tea Party, Mr. Heeren replied, "No, I just want America back on track."

In addition, a Dubuque Tea Party organizer who already publicly supported Dr. Paul came forward to reiterate his pro-Paul stance, citing the 12-term Texas Congressman's economic policies and integrity.  Jeff Luecke - who endorsed Dr. Paul on June 13, 2011 - felt it appropriate to reiterate his support on the eve of the Dubuque Tea Party straw poll.

"As an individual who helped organize and lead the Dubuque Tea Party I personally endorse Texas Congressman Ron Paul as the Republican nominee for President of the United States," said Mr. Luecke of Oelwein.

"Ron Paul is the only candidate in the race who fully and consistently embraces the Tea Party movement's three core principles of a return to Constitutionally-limited government, fiscal responsibility and free markets.  While other candidates conveniently talk about the Constitution, only Ron Paul lives it with every vote he casts in Congress.  Ron Paul understands and even predicted the monetary collapse coming our way.  He's the only candidate willing to fix the problem rather than just pay lip service with cleverly-named gimmicks," said Mr. Luecke.

Enrolled in the Republican Party, Mr. Luecke is one of the original co-organizers of the Dubuque Tea Party and currently serves as a precinct captain for the Ron Paul 2012 presidential campaign.  He is affirming his support for Dr. Paul from the standpoint of a private individual and not on behalf of the Dubuque Tea Party.

The Dubuque Tea Party was founded in April 2009 and today it has approximately 500 members.  The first in-person Dubuque Tea Party straw poll will be held the evening of Thursday, December 1st at The Symposium Room of the Dubuque Best Western Plus, located at 3100 Dodge Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52003.  The Dubuque Tea Party in conjunction with Freedom Jamboree conducted the Dubuque Tea Party 2012 Presidential Straw Poll from August 25th through September 17th, and Ron Paul won it decisively.  Full results are as follows.

Ron Paul - 42.9%
Rick Perry - 26.2%
Herman Cain - 11.9%
Michelle Bachmann - 7.1%
Mitt Romney - 7.1%
Newt Gingrich - 2.4%
Rick Santorum - 2.4%.
Jon Huntsman, Jr.*
Buddy Roemer*
Gary Johnson*
Thaddeus McCotter*

*= 0 votes.

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12 Dec 2011

SPREAD THE JOY: PEANUT BUTTER FOR THE FOOD PANTRIES

By KROS Radio

SPREAD THE JOY:

PEANUT BUTTER FOR THE PANTRY

DROP OFF JARS OF PEANUT BUTTER AT THESE AND OTHER LOCATIONS:

IN CLINTON, IA

KROS RADIO

BANNER HOME FURNISHINGS

DON'S JEWELRY

CLINTON PRINTING

GATEWAY TRAVEL & CRUISE

BROWNS SHOE FIT

LA FERIA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

IN CAMANCHE, IA

IMPERIAL LANES

CAMANCHE PHYSICAL THERAPY

IN FULTON

HARBORCREST HOME

LOCKHART & LAW INSURANCE

BITTERSWEET SALON / D & M EMBROIDERY

FULTON JOURNAL OFFICE

MOR-HUIZ / RIVER HUIS TRADERS

IN ALBANY, IL

FIRST TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

JULIE'S CAF>

ALBANY VILLAGE OFFICE

ALBANY MISSISSIPPI CAF>

IN THOMSON, IL

THE STATION

DECEMBER 12 - DECEMBER 16

DONATED PEANUT BUTTER WILL BE DIVIDED BETWEEN FOOD PANTRIES IN

FULTON, THOMSON AND ALBANY, IL and CLINTON AND CAMANCHE, IA

09 Dec 2011

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action

By William Palmisano
*Wednesday, November 30, 2011**

CHICAGO - November 30, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 1992

An Act Concerning: State government

Enacts the various reforms agreed to by the Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority, labor groups and show managers.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

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09 Dec 2011

LONG GROVE MAN UNAWARE OF $10,000 WIN

By Amy Garringer

Allen Phelps Wins $10,000 Prize in Nov. 19 Powerball® Drawing

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Long Grove man was unaware he'd won a $10,000 prize in the Nov. 19 Powerball® drawing until he had his ticket validated.

Allen Phelps, 48, just happened to have his ticket validated at a local retailer and was shocked to learn what he'd won.

"[The clerk] said, 'Do you know what you won?' And I said, 'No.'" Phelps said. "And she said, 'Ten grand!'"

Phelps said he was celebrating his wife, Nancy's, birthday the night of the drawing and wasn't near a television to watch the Powerball drawing, so he was totally unaware of how much he'd won.

"The clerk was so excited. She asked to take a picture of the ticket!" Phelps said.

Phelps said Nancy didn't believe the news and he had to show her the ticket to prove it.

"I said, 'I'll be home in ten minutes to prove it!'" Phelps said with a laugh.

Phelps purchased his winning ticket at DeWitt Travel Mart, 630 S. Sixth Ave. in DeWitt. He won the $10,000 prize using his own numbers.

"I always use my own numbers," Phelps said. "Some are special to me, like my dad's birthday and date of death."

Phelps claimed his prize Nov. 22 at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids. He said he plans to use some of his winnings to purchase a newer tractor for his property.

The winning numbers in the $59.9 million Powerball jackpot drawing on Nov. 19 were: 9-16-17-28-30 and Powerball 11. The Power Play® multiplier was 3. Phelps won a $10,000 prize by matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball. Had he added the Power Play to his ticket, Phelps would have multiplied his $10,000 win by three to win a $30,000 prize.

There was one jackpot winner in the Nov. 19 drawing from Pennsylvania.

Players can increase their prizes with the Power Play (except the jackpot) up to five times. The cost is $1 per play. The Power Play number, 2 through 5, is chosen at the beginning of the drawing indicating the amount prizes (except the jackpot) will be multiplied if that number is drawn.

For players who choose the Power Play and match five white balls (regularly a $200,000 prize), the multiplier will always be 5, so those players would win an instant $1 million.

Winning numbers may be checked at the lottery website at www.ialottery.com or through the winning numbers' hot line at (515) 323-4633. Winning numbers may also be checked with lottery retail outlets or by calling the lottery at (515) 725-7900 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Players may visit the Iowa Lottery at 2323 Grand Ave. in Des Moines or go to one of the lottery's regional offices in Council Bluffs, Storm Lake, Mason City or Cedar Rapids to claim prizes.

Since the lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.7 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.3 billion for the state programs that benefit all Iowans.

Today, lottery proceeds in Iowa have three main purposes: They provide support for veterans, help for a variety of significant projects through the state General Fund, and backing for the Vision Iowa program, which was implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions in the state and build and repair schools.

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09 Dec 2011

SANTA IS COMING TO THE DAVENPORT LIBRARY!

By Steve Hart

He's made his list and he's checked it twice; now Santa's ready to visit the Davenport Public Library this holiday season.  Santa is making three special trips to the Main Street Library (321 Main Street) on Saturday, December 3, 10, and 17, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; and from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 pm.  Due to Mr. Claus' popularity, we ask that all families are in line no later than 2:15 p.m.

Children will receive a FREE photo with Santa, a candy cane, and a booklet.  Make sure to come early for a chance to see Santa pull up in his amazing Santamobile!

Wells Fargo Bank and Davenport Printing Company sponsor this merry event. For more information call (563) 326-7832.

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09 Dec 2011

Local Student Koins Scholastic News Kids Press Corps

By Elilzabeth Molina

Scholastic News Kids Press Corps APPOINTS 32 New KID reporters

59 New and Veteran Kid Reporters Provide Election 2012 coverage for Students Nationwide

New York, NY (November 17, 2011) - Today Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children's publishing, education and media company, welcomed 32 new members to the Scholastic News Kids Press CorpsÔ, a group of student journalists, ages 10-14, who report "news for kids, by kids" with coverage of current events, breaking news, entertainment stories, and sports events from their hometowns and on the national stage.

The newly-appointed Kid Reporters will join 27 returning young journalists who were part of the student reporting program this past year. As its new team of 59 Kid Reporters from 31 states hits the campaign trail, the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps is well-positioned to provide another year of award-winning election coverage to classrooms nationwide

"Teachers, parents and kids turn to the Scholastic News Kid Corps for kid-friendly news coverage, especially during an election year. The Kid Reporters help put the issues of the day in a context that is both relevant and age-appropriate for young readers," said Dante A. Ciampaglia, Editor of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps.  "This is the fourth presidential election to be covered by the Kid Reporters. It is an exciting time to learn about and practice journalism."

The new reporters were chosen by the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps editors from more than 200 student applications that required students to submit a news report about their local community, ideas for future stories, and a personal essay explaining why they would like to be a Kid Reporter. For the full list of reporters, see below.

For more than 11 years, the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps has delivered "news for kids, by kids". The Kid Reporter videos and reports are available on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps site, and their stories are often published in issues of Scholastic classroom magazines including Scholastic News® and Junior Scholastic® that go to tens of thousands of classrooms nationwide. Recently, the Kid Reporters made news with their exclusive sit-down interview at the White House with President Barack Obama. Other stories this fall included coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement, special reports on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and National Bullying Prevention Month, and interviews with authors including Brian Selznick and Jeff Kinney.

The 2011-2012 members of The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps are:

* indicates new reporter

Arizona 

Abigail Gerber - Mesa

California 

Maev Dunning -Davis *

Diego Magaña - Oxnard *

Veronica Louise Mendoza - Los Altos Hills *

Damien Murphy - Burbank

Miranda Rector - Los Angeles

Aminah Tamimi - Bellflower *

Colorado 

Jenna Winocur - Denver 

Connecticut 

Claudia Pagnozzi-Schwam - Mystic * 

Leila Sachner - Hamden

Florida 

Shelby Fallin - Lakeland

Albert Ordonez - Miami

Topanga Sena - Orlando

Georgia 

Andrew Liang - Atlanta

Hawaii 

Jessica Taylor - Honolulu *

Illinois 

Anum Shafqat - Chicago * 

Natalie Wexler - Highland Park *

Indiana

Grace Ybarra - Indianapolis

Iowa

Alysa Goethe - Bettendorf

Elena Hildebrandt - Des Moines

Adam Metivier - Davenport *

Kansas

Caleb Michel Wilson - Wichita *

Louisiana

Tori Feaster - Leesville

Christopher Pate - Alexandria *

Maryland

Hannah Olympia Prensky - Middletown *

Massachusetts

Coleman F. Hirschberg - Somerville *

Michigan

Zarin Loosli - Canton *

Molly Pribble - Ann Arbor

Missouri

Annie Secker - Joplin *

Nevada

Cheyenne Ruiz - Sun Valley *

New Hampshire

Naomi Bamidele - Concord *

Chloe Conway - Manchester

New Jersey

Taylor Mae Galgano - Pennington *

Amiri Tulloch - Woodbridge *

New Mexico

Jacob Schroeder - Albuquerque

New York

Dani Bergman Chudnow - New York *

Cecilia Gault - New York

Fred Hechinger - New York

Grace McManus - New York

Jasmine Perry - New York *

William Russell - Sound Beach *

Ellie Sommers - Manlius

North Carolina

Katharine Paige Richardson - Raleigh *

North Dakota

Aria Wanek - Bismarck *

Ohio

Meggie Zahneis - West Chester

Pennsylvania

Naina Balepur - Lancaster *

Katelyn Marie Barr - Wayne *

Matthew Moore - New Castle *

South Carolina

Faith Dalzell - Charleston

Zach Dalzell - Charleston

Tennessee

Ben Frigon - Chattanooga *

Texas

Chloe McWilliams - Del Rio

Erin Sheena - Bellaire

Virginia

Nick Berray - Great Falls

Abby Lauren Sacks - Burke *

Alexandra Zhang - McLean

Edward Zhou - Oakton *

Washington, D.C.

Nell Leibovich - Washington, DC *

Washington

Morgan Annice Tolley - Moses Lake *

The full list of Kid Reporters, along with their bios, can be viewed here.

For more information, please visit the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps at www.scholastic.com/kidspress, or visit the media room.

# # #
09 Dec 2011

Facts are STUBBORN Things, the Connection between Fast and Furious and Agent Terry's Death

By Grassley Press

Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder, Nov. 8, 2011

Connection between Fast and Furious and Agent Terry's Death

Attorney General Holder to Senator Cornyn: "It is not fair, however, to assume that the mistakes that happened in Fast and Furious led directly to the death of Agent Terry."

FACT

According to the FBI, two weapons were found at the murder scene of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.  The bullet removed from Agent Terry matched the caliber of those two weapons, not the caliber of the weapons in possession of the Border Patrol agents, so it appears he did not die from friendly fire.  Congressional investigators have asked the FBI to explain its theory of the case, since if there was no third gun at the scene and the bullet didn't come from the Border Patrol, there must still be an unknown third gun which law enforcement has not yet recovered.  It is possible that that third gun is not related to Fast and Furious.  However, since two guns walked in Fast and Furious were present, it is possible that a third may have been as well.  The two found at the scene were both part of a lot of three weapons purchased by known straw buyer Jaime Avila on the same day in January 2010.

Prior to the purchase of the weapons found at the Terry murder scene, Avila had already been identified by the ATF as a likely straw purchaser at least two-and-a-half months earlier.  In November 2009 Uriel Patino, the largest purchasing target in Operation Fast and Furious, brought Avila into a cooperating gun dealer to buy five weapons.  ATF received real-time notice from the gun dealer and knew the purchases were significant enough that agents rushed to the store to follow them.  However, they arrived too late.  Yet rather than going to Avila's address to question him, ATF opted to sit back.  Avila continued to purchase through December 2009 and into January 2010.

When the weapons found at the Terry murder scene were bought by Avila on January 16, 2010, the cooperating gun dealer gave the ATF same-day notice via fax.  One business day later, the ATF entered the purchases in their Suspect Gun Database.  Nevertheless, the ATF still failed to question Avila the day of the purchase, the day the purchase was entered into the Suspect Gun Database?or at all, until Avila was arrested 11 months later in direct response to Agent Terry's death.  The falsification of forms charge for which Avila was arrested on December 15 could have been made months earlier.

Regardless, by using the word 'directly,' Holder seems to be echoing the statement of Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer: "The tragic truth is that if those criminals who killed Agent Terry had not gotten the guns from this one source, they would have gotten the gun from another source."  That is hardly an excuse for federal law enforcement to watch criminals collect more than a thousand firearms without acting to stop them.

Documents supporting the FACTS.

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