Hello!

Downtown Davenport is busy, as usual!  Visitors and locals alike will be pouring in this weekend for the Star Systems National Talent Dance Competition and The Next Big Thing event at the Adler. The Next Big Thing is a FREE program designed to inspire our youth and we'd like to thank Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, the City of Davenport, and Davenport Community Schools for hosting it.   Relay for Life takes over the RiverCenter's Great Hall on Friday!  Participate to help save lives and do your part for the fight against cancer   Those of you who love roller derby should snag tickets to see the QC Rollers battle with Rockford Saturday night at the RiverCenter, too!   Rolling Stone magazine has called Johnny Winter one of the greatest guitar players of all time, and Winter will perform tonight at River Music Experience to a sold-out crowd!  For those looking for a more local flavor, check out Mandolin Junction, the Sudlow Jam Session, and the North Scott Jazz Combo.   With a resume including Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and SXSW, The Band of Heathens are yet another can't-miss show at RME this week.  We highly recommend this gig!  Don't forget to bring the family down for Kidz Days, and consider attending shows with the Tommy Gallagher Band, SWAG Fest 2.0, Patio & Orangadang,and The Foot.   Thursdays at the Figge kicks of the week for the museum tonight!  The Corn Zone exhibit opens Saturday, and don't let the kids miss Fins and Feathers before it finishes its run on Sunday.  Get your creative juices flowing at the Abstract Pastel Workshop, and check out the Brand Boeshaar Scholorship Reception, too.   Seth Bradley takes the stage at Kilkenny's tonight to keep the live music rolling, and local favorites Just Chords will play the same venue on Friday and Saturday.  Rhythm City Casino hosts Jordan Danielsen on play Friday and Saturday night, too.   Wine Down Fridays is a great way to end the work week at Brady Street Pub from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m, and stick around to see The Movers and Shakers and The Harris Collection. later that evening.  Brady Street Pub is also a great place to catch UFC 145 on Saturday night. See you downtown!

This Week's Events: April 19 - April 25

Thursday, April 19   $2,800 Bank It Blackjack Tournament Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: Registration 5 p.m. Tournament 6 p.m. Price: $20 entry fee Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter   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   Class: Japanese Flower Arranging Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Price: $55/members; $65/non-members Website   Drop-In Hockey (Adult) Where: River's Edge Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Price: $10 Website   Jazz Jam with the North Scott Jazz Combo Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Johnny Winter Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room Time: 8:00 p.m. Price: $30 advance; $35 day of show Website   Kilkenny's Live Music - Seth Bradley Where: Kilkenny's Pub Time: 9 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Live Lunch with Mike Cochrane 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 Follow on Facebook and Twitter   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. 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, April 20 Beginning Spanish Where: Scott Community College - Urban Campus (306 W. River Drive) Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m. Price: $75 (plus text) Website   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   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 - Just Chords Where: Kilkenny's Pub Time: 9 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Live Lunch with Mo Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Live Music - Movers and Shakers & The Harris Collection Where: Brady Street Pub Time: 8:00 p.m. Price: N/A Website   Patio and Orangadang Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room Time: 9:00 p.m. Price: $5 Website   Public Skate Where: River's Edge Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Price: $5 and up Website   Red Eye Breakfast Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. Price: $4.99 Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter   Relay for Life of Scott County Where: RiverCenter, Great Hall Time: Noon - 11:00 p.m. Price: Donation Website   Star Systems National Talent Dance Competition Where: The Adler Theatre Time: All Day Price: N/A Website   Sudlow Jam Session Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Tommy Gallagher Band Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage Time: 8:00 p.m. Price: $5 Website   Wine Down Friday's Where: Brady Street Pub Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Price: $4 Glasses of Wine Website   Saturday, April 21   Brewery Tours Where: Great River Brewery Time: Noon, 1:00 p.m, 2:00 p.m, and 3:00 p.m. Price: N/A Website Drop-In Hockey (Adult) Where: River's Edge Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Price: $10 Website   Educator's Workshop: Teaching Modern Germany Where: German American Heritage Center Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Exhibit: Beetle to Benz Where: German American Heritage Center Time: All Day Price: Museum Admission ($5), or FREE with membership Website Exhibition: Locating Place: Perceptions of Space in 20th Century Photography Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 10:00 a.m. Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership Website   Exhibition Opens: Corn Zone Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 10:00 a.m. Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership Website   Exhibition Opens: Young Artists at the Figge 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   Green Machine Giveaway Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 10:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter   Jordan Danielsen Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter   Kidz Days at RME Featuring Larry Lockwood Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage Time: 10:30 a.m. Price: $5 for parent; accompanied children are FREE Website   Kilkenny's Live Music - Just Chords Where: Kilkenny's Pub Time: 9 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Public Skate Where: River's Edge Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Price: $5 and up Website   QC Rollers v. Rockford Rage Where: RiverCenter, Great Hall Time: 7:00 p.m. Price: $10 advance; $12 at the door; $6 Kids 6-12; FREE 5 and under Website   Red Eye Breakfast Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. Price: $4.99 Website Follow on  Facebook and  Twitter   Star Systems National Talent Dance Competition Where: The Adler Theatre Time: All Day Price: N/A Website   Swag Fest 2.0 hosted by Calliko Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room Time: 10:00 p.m. Price: $10 advance; $15 day of show Website   The Foot. Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage Time: 8:00 p.m. Price: $5 Website   UFC 145 Where: Brady Street Pub Time: 9:00 p.m. Price: N/A Website   Workshop: Abstract Pastel Workshop Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Price: $40/members; $50/non-members Website   Zither Ensemble Where: German American Heritage Center Time: 10:00 a.m. Price: Museum Admission, or FREE with membership Website   Sunday, April 22   $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   Exhibition Closes: Fins and Feathers Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 5:00 p.m. Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership Website   Library Open Where: Davenport Public Library - Main Branch Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 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   Star Systems National Talent Dance Competition Where: The Adler Theatre Time: All Day Price: N/A 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   Tour: Museum Tour Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 1:30 p.m. Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE for members Website   Monday, April 23   2 Times Points Plus Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 4:00 p.m. - Midnight Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter   Nifty 50's Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Price: FREE

Numerous Benefits of New Communications Technology Driving Demand

DAVENPORT, IA - April 18, 2012 - Midland Communications, an industry leader in business communications, announced today that the company is seeing a rapid increase in the popularity for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Trunking among the region's small to mid-sized businesses.  Numerous benefits of this relatively new communications technology such as cost, flexibility, and advanced business applications are driving the demand for SIP technology.
SIP Trunking typically allows businesses that have Internet Protocol-Private Branch Exchanges (IP-PBXs) to combine their voice and data services onto a SIP-based Trunk rather than use primary rate interface (PRI), T-1 or other types of Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) links. Some service providers are offering IP Trunking to connect TDM-based PBXs or key systems to a SIP backbone, using an on-premises device to convert TDM voice to IP.  In more simple terms, SIP supports any form of real-time communication regardless of whether the content is voice, video, instant messaging, or a collaboration application.  Additionally, SIP enables users to inform others of their status, their availability, and how they can be contacted before a communication is even initiated.
Many SMBs have made the transition to VoIP; however, most are only using it for communication on the LAN.  In this scenario VoIP is only being used as a one-to-one replacement for traditional telephony.  These businesses realize a sound return on investment by lowering administrative costs as well as costs associated with calls made within the company.  SIP Trunking, on the other hand, provides a greater return because it takes VoIP a step further.  For instance, full potential for IP communications can be realized only when communication is taken outside of an organization's LAN.  SIP trunks thus eliminate the need for local PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) gateways, costly BRIs (Basic Rate Interfaces) or PRIs (Primary Rate Interfaces).  Furthermore, it directly operates with existing IP-PBXs so there is no need for additional hardware.
"The SMB marketplace has started to really embrace SIP Trunking because it will dramatically increase their profitability and give them a competitive advantage," said Jason Smith, Vice President of Midland Communications.  "Until now most companies would have purchased a PRI or multiple access lines and a data connection.  SIP lets them converge their traffic onto a single line.  Outdated technology, inefficient networks, and a down economy are driving SMBs in this direction - customers have excess bandwidth on their data networks and they want to see how they can best utilize or reduce it."
"SIP's flexibility supports our position as our customers trusted communications advisor.  After we understand their strategic business objectives we can use the breadth and depth of SIP technology to support all of their needs," added Mr. Smith.  "Soon SIP will become a more popular and meaningful acronym than VoIP."

ABOUT MIDLAND COMMUNICATIONS

Midland Communications began more than 60 years ago in 1946 as the Worldwide Marketing Arm of Victor-Animagraph Projectors. In 1977 a communications division was formed due to a partnership with NEC America. Today, As a distributor of NEC America, for 33 years, Midland Communications has a customer base of more than 3,000 satisfied customers that include general businesses, government agencies, Universities, colleges, hospitals, and hotels.
Midland provides a wide range of communication services including VOIP, PBX and key systems, Wide Area and Local Area networking, computers, Computer integration, voice mail, CCIS, and video conferencing and paging systems. Our philosophy is simple, provide quality products at a fair price, backed by an average emergency response time of twenty minutes, and the best service in the industry. For more information on Midland Communications, call (563) 326-1237 or visit www.midlandcom.com.



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Criticizes delay of long-term transportation bill, supports Keystone construction

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after voting to pass a temporary 90 day extension to continue funding federal transportation projects like roads, highways, bridges, and other infrastructure.  It's the 10^th temporary extension Congress has passed without completing work on a long-term transportation authorization bill.

"It's appalling that partisan gridlock in Washington continues to interfere with fixing Iowa's crumbling roads and bridges.  Businesses and individuals continue to suffer because Congress keeps kicking the can down the road.  I'll hold the Speaker to his word that this short term extension will result in a long-term solution to address our transportation needs.

 

"I'm encouraged that this bill will help expedite the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.  The pipeline project is an opportunity to create thousands of jobs in Iowa and the Midwest and reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil.  Environmental concerns must be addressed, and this bill provides an avenue to air those concerns to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

 

"Keystone XL has attracted rare bipartisan support because of the enormous economic benefits it will provide.  It should move forward quickly once it's approved."

 

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Statement of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Senate Budget Committee

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Mr. Chairman - I'd like to thank you, Chairman Conrad, for calling for a markup of the Democratic budget for fiscal year 2013.

Setting a budget for the country is one of the most basic responsibilities and fundamental functions of the Congress.  The Budget Act requires Congress to adopt a budget by April 15.  It's a requirement that this Senate Majority has ignored time and again.

In fact, the Senate hasn't adopted a budget since April 29, 2009.  Nearly three years have passed since the Senate last adopted a budget.  During that time, more than $4 trillion has been added to our nation's debt.  We're in the midst of the fourth consecutive year of spending more than $1 trillion more than we take in.

During this time, the Senate Democrat Majority has failed to propose a budget blueprint that would lay out their priorities for deficit reduction, economic growth or a path to balance.  They've said proposing a budget is "foolish."  It's no wonder our nation is driving toward a fiscal cliff of deficits and debt.  There is no one in the Democrat leadership willing to take hold of the wheel.

While I'm glad we're meeting to consider a budget resolution put forward by the Chairman, I'm also puzzled by today's exercise.  First, the Chairman has said repeatedly that we already have a budget in place for this year and next.  The Chairman and Majority Leader Reid feel that the Budget Control Act was a budget resolution.

Then why are we here?  Why do we need to mark up a budget resolution if the BCA was truly a budget resolution?  The answer is clear.  The Budget Control Act is not a budget.  President Obama clearly agreed when he proposed his budget.  House Republicans and Democrats alike agreed when they voted on seven budget resolutions authored by both Republicans and Democrats.  The Democratic Leadership in the Senate stands alone in their belief that the BCA was a budget resolution.

Is it because they have no ideas on how to balance the budget, contain out of control spending, grow the economy or create jobs?  I don't know.  I'm also confounded by what I've read in the press that this markup will end today with no consideration of amendments and without a vote on the Chairman's budget resolution.  A "markup" entails debate, amending and actually marking up the resolution.  But today is nothing more than speeches, with a suggestion that maybe we'll meet again sometime near the end of the year to offer amendments and vote on a resolution.

The Chairman was quoted yesterday as saying, "This is the wrong time to vote in committee; this is the wrong time to vote on the floor.  I don't think we will be prepared to vote before the election."  Do we need to add another $1 trillion to the national debt before it's time to vote on a budget resolution? Or $2 trillion?  If now is not the time to lead, propose bold solutions and take action, when is?

The American people are going to pay a heavy price for the unwillingness and inability of the Senate Democratic leadership to lead and offer solutions.  I understand the predicament the beloved Chairman is in and I'm sorry for the way he's being treated by his leadership.  He deserves better.  Despite what he knows should be done, and wants to do, his party leadership won't let him act.

Once again, the Senate Democratic leadership and President Obama are content with being absent from the discussion.  There are no solutions.  There is no leadership.  There is only failure and punting until after the next election.

We have a moral obligation to offer serious solutions for today and for future generations.  This exercise would be humorous if the consequences of inaction weren't so serious.  I yield.