In case you missed it...

Timely Resolution: An Iowa representative says if Congress can't decide on a budget, they shouldn't get paid

WHO-TV

2/13/12

As lawmakers consider the budget proposed by President Obama, Iowa Representative Bruce Braley wants to make sure they do it on time.

Monday, Braley signed on as a co-sponsor to the "No Budget, No Pay" legislation.

Under the proposal paychecks would be withheld from lawmakers if they miss the budget deadline.

Braley tells us, "I can think of few stronger incentives to get politicians to do their job than tying their pay to their job performance.  This idea is a powerful way to restore a little common sense to a Congress that has none."

The Quad City Wind Ensemble, celebrating its 26th concert season, will be holding its Winter Concert on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2363 W. 3rd St. in Davenport, Iowa. The concert will feature Dr. Joan Trapp, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto in C Major, K. 503. Also featured will be Katherine Dalin, mezzo-soprano, singing Bizet's "Habanera" from the opera, Carmen.

Conducted by Brian L. Hughes, the Quad City Wind Ensemble will also perform works by Frank Ticheli, Derek Bourgeois, Richard Strauss, John Philip Sousa and more.

Chicago based Mezzo-Soprano, Katherine Dalin is an active performer throughout the greater Chicagoland and southeast Wisconsin area. She is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In addition to performing, during the day Ms. Dalin has the pleasure of being the Executive Director for Elgin Opera. She is honored to be making her Quad City debut with the Quad City Wind Ensemble.

Dr. Joan Trapp, an Iowa native, has been on the faculty of St. Ambrose University for 38 years. She received her MMus from Northwestern University and her DMA from the University of Iowa. In addition to her teaching, she performs regularly in the bi-state region. She has played with the Serenata Trio, the Classique Quintette, Quad City Visiting Artists, the Quad City Mozart Festival, the Quad City Friends of Chamber Music, and Ballet Quad Cities. Dr. Trapp enjoys performing with her colleagues at St. Ambrose, especially as part of the SanTrapp four-hand piano team. She has been soloist in concerto performances with the Quad City Wind Ensemble, the St. Ambrose Symphonic Band, the St. Ambrose Community Symphony Orchestra, and for the 35th anniversary gala of the Friends of Chamber Music.

Admission for the concert is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+) and FREE for students up through 12th grade. There will be a reception with members of the ensemble and free refreshments following the concert. For additional information about the QC Wind Ensemble you can visit our website at www.qcwindensemble.org.

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William Penn University announces academic honors:

Oskaloosa, Iowa - William Penn University is pleased to announce that Ivy Rostenbach of Davenport, Iowa, has been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2011 semester. To be included on the Dean's List, a student must complete at least 12 hours of credit with a grade point average of 3.5 - 3.89 on a 4.0 scale.

William Penn University is also pleased to announce that Dania Bebber, Etaf Elkhatib and Sophia Farooqui, all of Bettendorf, Iowa, and   have been named to the President's List for the fall 2011 semester. To be included on the President's List, a student must complete at least 12 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.

William Penn University was founded by Quakers in 1873 and is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. William Penn has one of the most diverse student populations in Iowa and has recently expanded both programming and facilities. For more information, visit the university's website at www.wmpenn.edu or call 1-800-779-7366.

e-Learning Conference Combines Learning, Networking
& Fun at Annual Industry Event
CINCINNATI - February 14, 2012 - The 2012 Lectora® User Conference will host two exclusive networking events at the upcoming annual e-Learning conference May 22-25. In the heart of downtown Chicago, the Lectora User Conference Welcome and Closing Receptions gather attendees for two exceptional nights of networking, cocktails, food and fun surrounding the conference.
"The Welcome and Closing Receptions will immerse conference attendees in the Chicago history and atmosphere at world-famous locations while they're in the city," said Peter Bray, Chief Marketing Officer at Trivantis Corporation. "These two amazing events are great opportunities for attendees to network, catch up with their peers and exchange tips in a fun, casual atmosphere. Not to mention the fact that they'll enjoy some fantastic cocktails and appetizers in unique settings."
The 2012 Lectora User Conference will host two exclusive events in the heart of downtown Chicago,free of charge for registered Lectora User Conference attendees:
1920s Speakeasy Welcome Reception
The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile will transform the Welcome Reception into a roaring twenties Speakeasy, full of flapper dresses, dapper suits, pearls and boas. Attendees will enjoy cocktails and appetizers, including an exclusive conference-themed cocktail, as they play their hand at famous casino games and have a blast with their colleagues and friends.
The Chicago Experience Closing Reception Atop Willis Tower
Formerly known as Sears Tower, the Skydeck Chicago provides the quintessential Chicago experience. Hosted on the 99th floor of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Lectora User Conference Closing Reception welcomes guests to an "unparalled 360 degree wrap around skyline view." Attendees are in for a night of great food, cocktails, music, dancing and great conversation at this unforgettable destination.
These special events surround two full days of equally exciting e-Learning keynotes, presentations, learning and networking with e-Learning peers, developers and gurus from around the world. Conference attendees will hear from expert keynote speakers Jeremy Gutsche, TV host, author, keynote speaker and Chief Trend Hunter at TrendHunter.com and Sandy Carter, IBM Vice President Social Business and Collaboration Solutions Sales and Evangelism.
For more information including the Welcome and Closing Receptions, conference presentations, training at the conference, to register and more, please visit: 2012 Lectora User Conference.
About The Lectora User Conference and Trivantis Corporation
The Lectora User Conference is a leading e-Learning industry event that attracts professionals from around the world to advance their development skills, increase their e-Learning knowledge and network with other e-Learning professionals. As the flagship product for Trivantis, Lectora® is the world's leading e-Learning software used by most Global 2000 companies in more than 125 countries and is offered in six languages. The Lectora line of e-Learning products includes Lectora Inspire, Lectora Online, Lectora Publisher and Lectora Integrator. Trivantis also produces Flypaper™, the leading Flash content creation platform that empowers users to create, edit, share, track and reuse high-impact Flash and video content. Snap! by Lectora® is the easy-to-use PowerPoint plug-in rapid e-Learning software that converts PowerPoint to Flash. Its sister product, Snap! EmpowerTM Flash interactions builder, enables anyone to create Flash content without having to know Flash programming. To round out the Trivantis family of products, CourseMill is the powerful and affordable learning management system (LMS). Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Trivantis Corporation also has offices in Boca Raton, Phoenix, Paris and London. Trivantis, Lectora, Flypaper, CourseMill, Snap! by Lectora and Snap! Empower are trademarks of Trivantis Corporation.
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Contact:
Jessica Athey
The program has a new time and we added an hour!

Tonight, is another broadcast of the Tea Party Express Hour and it starts at 8:00 PM PST and goes until 10:00 PM PST.
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Listen live at 8:00 PM PST/11:00 EST here
We really want to hear from Tea Party Express members and supporters and would love for you to call into the show and let us know what is on your mind. Last week, we had some great calls from around the nation.
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We will be taking calls from around the country on our studio line at 1-888-344-1170.
This is your show and we want to hear what issues are important to Tea Party members and what is going on in their communities.
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Tonight's Program
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Tonight's program will be hosted by Tea Party Express Chairman Amy Kremer.

Tonight's host Amy Kremer

Joining Amy will be Ali A. Akbar. Mr. Akbar is currently the Vice President of Digital Strategy with Vice and Victory Agency, a new firm specializing in political marketing on the digital medium as well as general public affairs and coalition building.  Mr. Akbar will be giving us a wrap-up and commentary about this weekend's CPAC.

About the show:
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The Tea Party Express is excited to partner with radio talk show host Rick Amato and KCBQ AM 1170 in San Diego by launching a weekly conservative radio program that focuses on Tea Party issues called the Tea Party Express Hour. The show is hosted by former California Assemblyman and Chairman of the Our Country Deserves Better PAC (parent organization to Tea Party Express) Howard Kaloogian every Monday evening at 8 PM PST (11PM EDT).
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Featuring updates from Washington insiders, Tea Party activists around the country and guest callers, the show is certain to contain important insight regarding the crucial economic issues facing America today.

The Tea Party Express Hour can be streamed every Monday at 8 PM PST at TeaPartyExpress.org or www.SecureTheseRights.net. If you are not available to join live, podcasts will also be made available online at TeaPartyExpress.org.
WHAT:     Tea Party Express Hour Radio Show
WHEN:    Every Monday at  8 PM PST/11 PM EST
WHERE: KCBQ 1170 AM San Diego www.TeaPartyExpress.org or www.SecureTheseRights.net
SOCIALIST EQUALITY PARTY TO RUN JERRY WHITE FOR US PRESIDENT
White to Oppose Democrats and Republicans, Advance Socialist Program Against Unemployment, Poverty and War

The Socialist Equality Party in the United States will run candidates in the 2012 elections. The SEP candidate for president is Jerry White; the vice presidential candidate is Phyllis Scherrer. White and Scherrer will run against the Democrats and Republicans, on the basis of a socialist program.

In a statement published today by the World Socialist Web Site, White outlined the basis of the SEP campaign. The statement calls for: the unity of workers internationally against austerity; social equality through the redistribution of wealth; opposition to war and attacks on democratic rights; and the building of a working class political party.

White, 52, has been active in the socialist movement for more than three decades. In 2008, he ran as the SEP candidate for president in opposition to Barack Obama and John McCain. As a reporter for the WSWS, he has written on the struggles of auto workers, coal miners and other sections of the working class. Most recently, he has covered the struggle of locked-out Cooper Tire workers in Findlay, Ohio.

"This will be a year of growing resistance by the working class in the United States and around the world," White said. "Our campaign will fight to unify these struggles and direct them to a political fight against the capitalist system. The US is ripe for a socialist movement."

Phyllis Scherrer, 48, is a schoolteacher in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. "Millions of workers and young people voted for Obama, looking for change," Scherrer said. "Three years later, the administration has revealed itself to be a right-wing instrument of the banks and corporations."

White and Scherrer will be touring the country in February and March to hold meetings, give interviews and explain the basis of their campaign.

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For more information or to schedule an interview with Jerry White or Phyllis Scherrer, visit www.socialequality.com, contact the SEP campaign offices at 313-409-8083 or email 2012@socialequality.com

Matt spent his youth on a horse farm and joined the National Guard in college. After graduation, he was posted to Iraq and served as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader. Upon returning from military service, Matt went to work for a construction company in South Carolina. He works hard to pay the bills and help care for his wife Kimberly and their two sons. But Matt dreams of owning and operating an environmentally sustainable livestock operation producing pasture-raised meats.

Matt - a driven, self-reliant veteran coping with the upheaval of returning from combat to civilian life - wants to work for himself, create something valuable and independent, and build a solid future for his young family.

But getting started in farming isn't easy. Neither land nor financing is readily available, and gaining experience is also a challenge. Matt and Kimberly's search for programs that could help them get started came up empty, until recently.

With our partners we formed the Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Project so veterans like Matt can receive personalized professional consultations on farm production, business and finance as well as attend workshops and farm tours to access guidance from a variety of experts.

This project, alongside the Center for Rural Affairs' Land Link program, Farm Bill Helpline (402.687.2100 or tracib@cfra.org) and the Farmer-Veteran Coalition's Helpline (530.756.1395 or chris@farmvetco.org) can and will help veterans like Matt realize their dreams of farming or ranching while creating a better future for both their families and for America's rural communities.

For more information: www.cfra.org/veteran_farmers_project. For a picture of Matt, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfra/6871657661/in/photostream

Washington, DC -- Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after media reports indicated that House Speaker John Boehner will bring a stand-alone bill to the full House for a vote this week to extend the middle class payroll tax cut through the end of 2012.   Unless Congress acts, the middle class payroll tax cut will expire at the end of February.

 

"I'm encouraged that Speaker Boehner is putting aside partisanship to bring a yearlong extension of the middle class tax cut up for a yes-or-no vote this week.  This tax cut is good for the economy, and it shouldn't matter what's good for the Republican or Democratic party.  This tax cut will put $1,000 back in the pocket of the average Iowa family - Iowans can ill-afford any more political games on this issue.  I look forward to voting on this bill."

In January, Braley wrote to Speaker Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi urging them to work together to extend the middle class tax cut for a full year.

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Dear Friends,

Besides being a hard worker and all-around great guy, Gabriel de La Cerda is an awesome chess player. Applying his penchant for deep analysis to last week's big news stories, Gabe postulates that President Obama's Catholic Contraception Controversy, the Attorneys General Bank Settlement, and Rick Santorum's three primary victories are all connected.

Gabe writes: "By leaking the bank settlement along with the contraception news, Obama was able to dictate which story would be at the fore of the national dialogue and which would be buried. Many talking heads, who would have asked questions as to why a $26 billion settlement could not have been more, were instead busy chasing the juicier story of women's contraception."

Furthermore, "Thursday was the beginning of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Friday, Obama announces a compromise in the contraception case nearly at the same time the main speakers where taking the CPAC stage."

In terms of its political impact on the President, "the contraception issue should be negative. Normally when bad news is coming, administrations try to dump it on a Friday, so the talking heads don't have an entire week to dissect the story."

"So why activate the far right on a prime news day? Because Obama wants the primary process to go on as long as possible. If he could pick an opponent to run against, Rick Santorum is his huckleberry."

"The contraception news was fire for Santorum to add to his rise going into CPAC. This political play forced Romney to step away from his strengths - economy and business - and step into his weakness - morality, an issue which plays to Santorum's strengths."

Wow, Gabe! You and I need to play a game of chess! But seriously, though one doesn't want to believe that the forces of Big Government and Big Business are this sinister and conniving, it's hard not to think Gabe's got some good points.

Monday, we talk about the ongoing foreclosure crisis and recent bank settlement. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is declaring victory. Others aren't so sure. Still others claim government sold out to the big banks. If you've got a foreclosure tale to share, give me a call tonight at (515) 312-0983.

Tuesday, we talk about Komen's corporate connections. As Laurence Lewis writes in a recent Daily Kos column, "One example is Komen's recent partnership with KFC to raise millions of dollars, and of course, just coincidentally, to associate the junk food giant with the promotion of health." I'd like to thank an anonymous listener with an immediate family member who died of breast cancer for helping sponsor this show.

Wednesday, consumer advocate Mark Cooper talks about nuclear power. Each week, some new information surfaces to make it even clearer what a bad idea is MidAmerican's ratepayer money grab. And is Warren Buffet really the friend of the people that the media like to paint? Thanks to Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility for helping to sponsor this show.

Thursday, State Rep Dan Kelley (D-Newton) joins us, as does comedian-activist Lee Camp. This week's Fallon Forum Freebie is a gift certificate to Leap Day Special at Mojo's on 86th. We'll also give away two tickets to "Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom," performing at the Des Moines Social Club this week and next.

So, join the conversation Monday - Thursday from 7:00-8:00 pm at 98.3 FM and online. Call-in at (515) 312-0983 or toll-free at (866) 908-TALK. You can download the Fallon Forum as a podcast, too. Thanks! -- Ed


EVENTS

February 13 - Our New Energy and Climate Reality Presentation (Ames)
Free presentation by State Senator Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids) at 7:00 pm at the Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave about our new energy and climate reality -- and what we must do for the sake of our economy, our environment and future generations. Sponsored by 350.org and Iowa Climate Advocates. No registration required.

February 16 - Drinking Liberally (Des Moines)
You don't have to be a card-carrying liberal to enjoy political conversation and excellent libations at AJ's, 419 E Court starting at 8:00 pm every Thursday. If the revolution is going to start anyplace, this is probably it. Contact desmoines@drinkingliberally.org.

February 20 - Compassion & Choices of Iowa Board Meeting (Amana)
Compassion & Choices of Iowa is a group which educates, advocates and legislates end-of-life issues. The public is invited to its board meeting on at 10:00 am at the coffee shop of the Clarion Hotel on I-80. Contact Pat Larson at (515) 270-6644 or patlars2313@yahoo.com.

February 21 - Irish Jam at Open Sesame (Des Moines)
Discover the fusion of Lebanese and Celtic culture every third Tuesday of the month: belly dancing to Irish gigs and reels, Lebanese cooking washed-down with a pint of Guinness. All musicians patrons welcome, at 313 E. Locust St from 8:30-10:30 pm.

February 23 - Green Drinks (Des Moines-Ankeny)
Join casual conversation with people interested in environmental issues and sustainable energy over something to eat and/or drink. It's from 5:30-7:30 pm at a special location this month: Net Zero House at 1714 SW College Ave, Ankeny. Contact Shari Hrdina at DesMoinesGreenDrinks@gmail.com.

March 10 -  Civic Engagement at the Library (Des Moines)
Citizens have the opportunity to discuss public issues in a moderated forum. The topic for March is The New Challenges of American Immigration: What Should We Do? It's from 9:15 am - 12:00 noon at the Central Library Meeting Room One, 1000 Grand Avenue. To participate, please register at www.dmpl.org (Online Events Calendar), or call (515) 283-4957. Limited to 25 registrants.

Through March 23 - Environmental Impact Awards Applications (Central Iowa)
The Greater Des Moines Partnership, Center on Sustainable Communities and Metro Waste Authority established the Environmental Impact Awards to recognize organizations and leaders who exemplify environmentally sustainable practices. Awards will be given to individuals, businesses (large and small), non-profit or community organizations, and for the built environment (residential and commercial). Applications available at www.desmoinesmetro.com/events. Deadline is March 23 at 3:30 pm. Winners will be recognized in an awards ceremony luncheon on May 16 at the Botanical Center.

March 31 - Bishop Dingman Peace Award Dinner (Ankeny)
Join Bishop Thomas Gumbleton (featured in Michael Moore's latest documentary, Capitalism:  A Love Story) and Joshua Casteel, a US Soldier Interrogator at Abu Gharib who is now a conscientious objector and scholar. It's at Our Ladies Immaculate Heart, 510 E. 1st St at 6:00 pm and is a fundraiser for Catholic Peace Ministry. Tickets are $35 or $280 for a table of eight. Contact Jeffrey Weiss at jjwcpm@yahoo.com or (515) 255-8114.

May 12 - Asian Festival (Des Moines)
From 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on the east side of the Iowa State Capitol. Contact Swallow Yan at iowachinese@yahoo.com.

 

2012 UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF THE QUAD CITIES

3707 EASTERN AVE. DAVENPORT, IOWA

OCCASIONAL COFFEE HOUSE AND ART & SERVICE SILENT AUCTION

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 AND SATURDAY, MARCH 3

DOORS OPEN 6 PM?PERFORMANCES START AT 7 PM

FOOD AND DRINK SERVED

CONTACT INFORMATION: LANA LONG [lanasue60@msn.com]

PERFORMERS

FRIDAY, MARCH 2

7:00 MARGARET SKINNER

7:30 CHRIS DUNN

8:00 LOJO RUSSO

8:20 BREAK

8:35 GREEN VALLEY REJECTS

9:05 MIKE & CALVIN WALLACE

9:35 MONA RITEMON

9:50 BREAK

10:05 MARK RIDOLFI



SATURDAY, MARCH 3

7:00 BRINDIN SAWYER

7:30 LUCIA DRYANSKI & SHEILA DOAK

8:00 ROSE N' THORNS

8:20 BREAK

8:35 HERSONG

9:05 ARMONIA

9:35 JOHN KINSER

9:50 BREAK

10:05 GARY BERG?CLASSICAL GUITAR

10:35 MOULTON-HILL TRIO

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