27 Feb 2012

WQPT BROADCAST SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is pleased to offer a $500 Broadcast Scholarship to students pursuing a career in broadcasting.

Last year's recipient Paul Strater said "As a nontraditional student, the financial realities of later life such as mortgages and car payments and the challenges of funding a college education without parental help or the loans available to parents are quite a challenge.  This scholarship will be a great help as I finish my degree at Western."

Interested students may log on to http://wqpt.org/scholarship for an application or by calling (309) 764-2400.  The criteria for the scholarship is:

v  Overall 2.5 GPA

v  Broadcast Classes 3.0 GPA (not applicable to incoming college freshmen)

v  Preference given to full-time students although part-time students may apply.                        

Applications will be accepted through May 18, 2012for this scholarship.  New and continuing students in any broadcast curriculum may apply.  WQPT will select the recipient prior to the fall semester.

WQPT General Manager, Rick Best said "The scholarship is just one of the ways that WQPT endeavors to be a community partner."

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University Quad Cities located in Moline, Illinois.

 

# # #

27 Feb 2012

Grassley continues efforts to strengthen hand of military whistleblowers

By Grassley Press

Thursday, February 23, 2012

WASHINGTON -- Senator Chuck Grassley says a new report makes clear that there's a lot of work yet to do for military whistleblowers who speak up on behalf of rank-and-file troops, national security and fiscal responsibility.

"While the situation is improving, there's a long way to go in making it work as it should for those who step up and speak out about wrongdoing and problems.  Reprisal against military whistleblowers is alive and well in the Pentagon, unfortunately, so oversight efforts must continue full force," Grassley said.

In a report released this week (click here to see the report), the Government Accountability Office said that until the Inspector General for the Defense Department implements certain oversight mechanisms, it can't know that "it is effectively conducting its oversight responsibilities or implementing the whistleblower reprisal program as intended."

Grassley said he requested this report from the Government Accountability Office to see how problems he identified previously with whistleblower reprisal investigations are being addressed.  "Several years ago, I did an in-depth review of how the Inspector General handled military whistleblower cases.  The lack of oversight was appalling.  The Inspector General was asking zero questions about the reprisal investigations being conducted by Inspectors General for the services, even though scrutiny was desperately needed," Grassley said.

Grassley's earlier review looked at an egregious case in depth, that of Navy Lieutenant Jason Hudson.  The Inspector General for the Justice Department subsequently did a peer review and confirmed many of Grassley's findings.

Grassley said this worked helped to build a case for legislation that directed the Defense Department Inspector General to correct deficiencies.  It was passed in 2009, as part of the annual defense authorization bill.

"Whistleblowers are in a position to identify fraud that may otherwise go undetected, and courageous whistleblowers who stick out their necks and speak up about mismanagement and abuse help keep government accountable.  Our system is better off thanks to whistleblowers," Grassley said.

Grassley has a long record of advocacy for individual whistleblowers, legislative reforms to protect and empower whistleblowers both in and out of government, and oversight of whistleblower protections.  His efforts began more than 20 years ago with questions raised by whistleblowers about Defense Department spending.

-30-

27 Feb 2012

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans reports third-consecutive year of strong results

By Dan Moret

Not-for-profit membership organization also reports more than $175 million given to communities in 2011

 

MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 23, 2012) - Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced today that its 2011 results led to the third-consecutive year of financial growth for the not-for-profit, Fortune 500 membership organization. Sales, revenue, assets under management, and total adjusted surplus all rose in 2011 and have continued to rise since 2008 despite turbulent economic and market conditions. Thrivent Financial's statutory revenue climbed to $7.9 billion, up six percent over 2010, and assets under management rose to $75.8 billion, up almost four percent from the previous year.

"For the third consecutive year, Thrivent Financial produced outstanding results," said Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial. "We continue to grow while offering the ongoing strength and stability our members expect from us. Solid business performance and strong investment results are two of the drivers that helped us meet and exceed our target goals."

Life, health and annuity sales continued to be a major factor in helping Thrivent Financial attain strong results, rising five percent from 2010. Thrivent Financial's life insurance in force now stands at $170.2 billion, two percent higher than in 2010.

Ongoing strength and stability

Thrivent Financial continues to be one of the strongest and most stable financial services organizations in the industry. The total adjusted surplus of the organization grew seven percent to $5.4 billion in 2011. In addition, Fitch Ratings recently affirmed Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' AA (Very Strong) rating, the third-highest of Fitch's 19 categories, and gave the organization a stable outlook. Earlier in 2011, A.M. Best gave Thrivent Financial for Lutherans an A++ (Superior) rating with a stable outlook. A++ (Superior) is the highest of A.M. Best's 16 ratings categories.

 

Community giving and outreach

Thrivent Financial, its members and employees continue to strengthen communities nationwide. In 2011, Thrivent Financial and its members gave $175.5 million in direct support to charitable organizations, schools, congregations and individuals in need. In addition, the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation recently announced that it awarded $15.1 million in grants to Lutheran institutions nationwide and nonprofits in Minneapolis/St. Paul and the Fox Cities (Wis.) area.

Thrivent Financial members and other non-members volunteered more than 10.8 million hours in the communities in which they live and work in support of Thrivent Financial projects in 2011. The 3,000 employees of Thrivent Financial also gave more than 71,000 volunteer hours in support of nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities (Minn.) and Fox Cities (Wis.). Through the Thrivent Gift Multiplier program, employees' and financial representatives' donations were matched by the Foundation for a total of $4,646,222. In addition, through the employee giving campaign employees generated an additional $759,000 for nonprofits, which was matched by the Foundation for a total of $1,518,000.

 

 

Thrivent Choice

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans distributed more than $62 million through its Thrivent Choice Dollars program in 2011. More than 20,000 Lutheran congregations and organizations received funding as a result of 259,000 eligible Thrivent Financial members recommending where to distribute a portion of the organization's charitable funds.

 

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity

Through its unique partnership, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will contribute $9.2 million to fund the construction and rehabilitation of 142 Habitat for Humanity homes in 32 U.S. states and an additional $1 million to support teams building homes around the world in 2012. With this contribution, Thrivent Financial will have contributed $160 million since the program began in 2005, constructing more than 2,600 homes in the U.S. and around the world.

"Our purpose is to help our members be wise with money and to inspire them to live generously," continued Hewitt. "For more than 100 years, Thrivent Financial has helped its members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Our ongoing strength and stability will allow us to be there for them for another 100 years."

 

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.5 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI.  Not all products are available in all states.  Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, 800-847-4836, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc.  They are also licensed insurance agents of Thrivent Financial.

For additional important disclosure information, please visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.
27 Feb 2012

Braley Announces Waterloo and Cedar Rapids Postal Facilities to Remain Open

By Jeff Giertz

Mail processing facilities are no longer considered for closure; Hundreds of jobs saved

Washington, DC - Today, after multiple conversations with the United States Postal Service (USPS), Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) confirmed that both the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids mail processing facilities are no longer being considered for closure.  Braley has been fighting to save these facilities for months.

"Rain, snow and sleet don't stop our postal workers, and I'm proud to say that Washington bureaucrats won't either," Braley said. "After months of fighting to keep these Iowa facilities open, I'm glad to see that the US Postal Service has finally gotten the message that now is the wrong time to lay off hundreds of workers. We still have a lot of work to do to save more post offices around the state, but this is good news today for Iowa workers."

The USPS confirmed with Braley's office earlier this morning that the mail processing facilities in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids will remain open.  Braley is a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has legislative authority over the USPS.

In September 2011, Rep. Braley sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him not to close these facilities.  A copy of the letter is copied below and a link is available here:  http://go.usa.gov/U4t

 

--

 

September 15, 2011

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe

475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW

Room 10022

Washington, DC 20260-0010

 

Postmaster General Donahoe:

I'm writing regarding the recent announcement by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that you are considering closing the Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Carroll and Creston facilities.  I'm extremely disappointed by this announcement, given that this could lead to jobs lost in these communities.

I would like answers to the following questions:

Has the USPS determined how many jobs will be lost as a result of closing the Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Carroll and Creston facilities?

If so, please provide me with that analysis, with breakdowns for each individual facility.

In addition, I would like to know how many of the employees who will lose their jobs are part time and how many are full time.

If you do not have an analysis, why not, and when does the USPS intend to determine this?

Has the USPS determined what the net job loss will be in Iowa, if these closures move forward?

If so, what has the USPS determined?

If you do not have this analysis, why not, and when does the USPS intend to determine this?

I urge you to delay any closures until full analyses of job losses are complete, Iowans are given an opportunity to provide public comment, and only if you can justify why layoffs are acceptable during these tough economic times.  I'm strongly opposed to any plan that puts Iowans out of work.

Please reply to my request within 10 business days.  Feel free to contact me if I can provide further assistance.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley

 

# # #
27 Feb 2012

Connect Iowa Releases Report on Senior Citizen Technology Use

By Jessica Ditto

Low Broadband Adoption Threatens to Separate Seniors from Critical Services

Des Moines, IA - Today, Connect Iowa is releasing a new report focusing on technology adoption and use by Iowa's senior citizens. The report, titled Iowa's Silent Generation: Resilient, More Experienced, but Disconnected, gives an in-depth look at the challenges Iowa seniors face in embracing the technology that can deeply impact their quality of life. Lack of broadband adoption is particularly alarming as a growing number of services and opportunities migrate online.

High-speed Internet is becoming increasingly important for access to government services, healthcare resources, and countless other personal tasks like banking, shopping, and communicating with family and friends. The issue of elderly technology adoption is especially important in Iowa because the state has the sixth largest share of residents over the age of 70 in the nation, but the senior broadband adoption rate is slightly below the national average.

The new Connect Iowa research shows:

  • While nearly three out of four Iowans (72%) age 18-54 subscribe to home broadband service, only 63% of Iowans age 55-69 subscribe to broadband.
  • A mere 27% of Iowans age 70 and older subscribe to broadband.
  • Approximately 260,000 elderly Iowans (age 70 and older) are not benefiting from broadband.
  • 47% of Iowans age 70+ (approximately 169,000) do not own a computer.

Iowa's elderly technology statistics grow even more troublesome when factors like disabilities, living alone, or living in rural areas are taken into consideration. The report also found a disturbing "gray gap" when looking at the number of seniors who make use of mobile broadband technology through devices like smart phones and digital tablets.

The new report sheds light on the many barriers seniors point to for not using broadband. Thirty-nine percent say they simply don't understand how broadband is relevant to their lives; 24% say digital literacy is their problem and they don't know how to use a computer or the Internet. However, of those Iowans over age 70 who do subscribe to home Internet service, 56% say they go online on a daily basis.

"Broadband offers Iowa's senior citizens new power and independence," says Connect Iowa Program Manager Amy Kuhlers. "With an interactive link to family and friends, as well as increased access to healthcare information and services, broadband is empowering them to live more independently while enabling them to engage more fully with society."

Connect Iowa is actively working to bridge the technology "gray gap" in Iowa to ensure all seniors have access to the life-enhancing and lifesaving applications and services made possible by a home broadband subscription. Increasing broadband usage among these Iowans now can help many Iowans live longer, healthier, more independent lives.

Anyone with an interest in bringing better broadband to local homes and businesses is encouraged to join in the Connect Iowa community planning effort. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Amy Kuhlers at akuhlers@connectiowa.org or 515-421-2561.

# # #

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.

27 Feb 2012

Davenport Native bring Steel Drum Funk home from Nashville, TN

By Tony Hartman
The Great Barrier Reefs will be performing at 10pm in Rock Island at Rozz Tox on March 6 with Fire Sale at 9pm.
The Great Barrier Reefs are a steel pan fronted funk/jazz group based in Nashville. Lead by pannist Tony Hartman (of Roy "Futureman" Wooten's Black Mozart Ensemble, also Davenport Native), The Reefs have been delivering their high energy performances and unique compositions tomusic lovers from the Midwest to Southeast.
27 Feb 2012

The Bill of Rights Institute Invests in Civics Teachers

By Rachel Gillespie

Arlington, VA - This summer, the Bill of Rights Institute is partnering with the Foundation for Economic Education to host the Founders Fellowship: Civil Liberty, Commerce, and the Constitution. American History and Civics teachers from across the country are invited to apply. Selected Fellows will participate in an exclusive professional development program aimed at deepening their understanding and appreciation of the American Founding.

Participating teachers will convene in Washington, D.C.  July 16-20, 2012 for a program that will expand their knowledge of the Constitution. During the program, participants will engage in lectures with constitutional scholars, discussions with fellow teachers, and scholar-led visits to historic sites including Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall, and a monument tour.

In order to prepare for the program, Fellows will complete readings about our Founding exploring the question "How did the Founders define liberty?" Attending teachers will receive a certificate for 25 contact hours.

Fellows will be selected based upon their leadership in their classroom and profession and dedication to educating their students about the connections between politics and economics in America.

Teachers must apply online by March 26, 2012. More information and an application can be found at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Founders-Fellowship-2012.

The Founders Fellowship Program is made possible through partnership with the Foundation for Economic Education.

# # #

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION
The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), one of the oldest free-market organizations in the United States, was founded in 1946 by Leonard E. Read to study and advance the freedom philosophy. FEE's mission is to offer the most consistent case for the "first principles" of freedom: the sanctity of private property, individual liberty, the rule of law, the free market, and the moral superiority of individual choice and responsibility over coercion. For more information visit www.fee.org.

ABOUT THE BILL OF RIGHTS INSTITUTE
The Bill of Rights Institute, founded in 1999, is a nonprofit educational organization. The mission of the Bill of Rights Institute is to educate young people about the words and ideas of America's Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society. For more information visit www.BillofRightsInstitute.org.

27 Feb 2012

Region 6 Homeland Security Board and Safeguard Iowa Partnership Announce Week 3 of "20 Weeks to Preparedness Program"

By Ross E. Bergen
Release Date: February 27, 2012

Welcome to Week 3 of the 20 Weeks to Preparedness Program brought to you by the Region 6 Homeland
Security Board and Safeguard Iowa Partnership. This program will help prepare you and your family, a little at
a time, over a 20 week period. Each week new preparedness information will be shared including a list of items
to gather or purchase for your disaster supply kit. Sign up at www.safeguardiowa.org/subscribe-to-be-prepared
to receive weekly reminders and announcements related to the 20 Weeks to Preparedness program.

Use this program to gather items for your kit in small steps over a five month period. Remember to change
and replace perishable items by the expiration date. Purchasing the food suggested by this program would last
approximately 3-5 days.

Place in storage bin:

Five gallon bucket with lid
Plastic tarp
Work gloves
Ready-to-eat meals

Personalized Item (if applicable):

Special diet foods

To do:

Arrange for emergency care for children, elders, and/or pets. Remembering to think about all
the "what ifs" will result in better plans and execution in the event of an actual disaster.

Additional assistance is available by contacting your Scott County Emergency Management Coordinator
at 484-3050 or visiting the website at www.iascema.com. Visit Safeguard Iowa Partnership at
www.safeguardiowa.org, on twitter @safeguardiowa or Facebook at www.facebook.com/safeguardiowa.

The Region 6 Homeland Security Board is comprised of fourteen counties in eastern Iowa that coordinate homeland security planning,
training, exercise, response, and recovery. The counties included are Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton,
Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Scott.

The Safeguard Iowa Partnership is a voluntary coalition of the state's business and government leaders, who share a commitment to
working together to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters in Iowa.
27 Feb 2012

ART GUMBO CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS FROM ARTS ORGANIZATIONS OR GROUPS

By Paula Neuhaus
[DUBUQUE, IA., FEBRUARY 22, 2012] Art Gumbo, a quarterly soup dinner that supports local art projects with community-supported micro-funding, is now accepting applications from arts organizations or creative groups for the Spring funding cycle. Applications for  Art Gumbo mini grants are available now through Thursday, March 15. Applications are available at artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com

Submission guidelines include the separation of individual artists and organizations or groups during funding cycles. Individual artists are not eligible to apply during this cycle. The first seven eligible applications received by 11:59 p.m. on March 15 will qualify to compete for funding.

Art Gumbo is an independent community-based initiative that funds local arts projects using money collected at quarterly soup dinners. During each Art Gumbo funding cycle, artists or arts organizations are invited to submit a brief project proposal that demonstrates an impact on the Dubuque community. The public is invited to attend and vote for their favorite proposal. A $10 donation at the door entitles the attendee to a locally prepared soup dinner and the opportunity to review all submitted proposals and to vote for their favorite. The Art Gumbo fund's nightly proceeds will be awarded to the two proposals that receive the most votes. Art Gumbo sessions will be hosted at new locations each quarter featuring soup by a regional food source. The next Art Gumbo Soup Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 6-8 p.m. at St. Mark Community Center, 1201 Locust Street in Dubuque.

For more information visit artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com or contact Paula Neuhaus or Megan Starr at art.gumbo.dbq@gmail.com.
###
27 Feb 2012

Fall Deans' List/Honor Roll Announced at U. of Nebraska-Lincoln

By Tom Simons

LINCOLN, NE (02/22/2012)(readMedia)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced its Deans' List/Honor Roll for the fall 2011 semester. Local students included were:

Bettendorf: Hannah Marjorie Kurth, junior, music major College of Fine and Performing Arts, .

Bettendorf: Kera Anne Linn, freshman, pre-health major College of Arts and Sciences, .

Bettendorf: Nathaniel Robert Sullivan, sophomore, music major College of Fine and Performing Arts, with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Davenport: Samantha Walton Adrales, freshman, English major College of Arts and Sciences, .

Qualification for the Deans' List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Honor Roll for the Division of General Studies. Listed below are the minimum grade-point averages on a 4-point scale (4.0 equals A) for each entity and the name of its respective dean. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a minimum of 12 or more graded semester hours. Students can be on the Dean's List for more than one college.

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