We cordially invite you to join us for the official Grand Opening Celebration of Bettendorf's newest indoor country club.  The fun begins at 4:00 for the ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce, followed by a celebration with complimentary food and beverages while supplies last.  We also hope you test your skills on one of The Clubhouse's four PGA Tour Golf Simulators for a chance to win prizes for the closest to the pin and long drive contests.

If golf isn't your thing you can enjoy other activities The Clubhouse has to offer including darts, pool, foosball, ping pong, video games or just relax with a cold drink in the full service bar and lounge area.  

Celebrations will continue Saturday and Sunday from 10:00a.m. - 2:00a.m.

QCClubhouse.com, facebook.com/QCClubhouse, twitter.com/QCClubhouse

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said that firearms data released last week by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was a selective release of certain statistical data that inaccurately reflects the scope and source of the problem of firearms in Mexico and the drug trafficking organization violence.

Grassley's letter to ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson cited additional statistical breakdowns and a Department of State cable that dispels myths about the source of weapons trafficked to Mexico.  The unclassified cable includes sections such as: "Myth: An Iron Highway of Weapons Flows from the U.S." and "Myth: The DTOs (Drug Trafficking Organizations) are Mostly Responsible."

Grassley said when looking at a breakdown of the numbers, it's clearly inaccurate to assert that 70 percent of the guns recovered in Mexico can be traced to a United States based gun dealer.

Grassley cited additional statistics in his letter to Melson.  In the letter, Grassley said that by looking at more specific data provided to his office, it was clear that of the 26,813 weapons traced in 2009, only 5,800 actually traced back to Federal Firearms Licensees. 

"The implication made by the ATF and various press reports is that the firearms come directly from U.S. manufacturers or U.S. Federal Firearms Licensees selling guns to drug trafficking organizations.  Not only does this paint a grossly inaccurate picture of the situation, but it appears that the State Department disagrees with this portrayal," Grassley said.

In his letter, Grassley provides a further break down of data of firearms tracing information, including a catchall category called "No Final Sale Dealer" in the ATF's own eTrace system, which means the firearms did not trace back to a Federal Firearms Licensee.  Astonishingly, nearly 78 percent of firearms traced in 2009 and 66 percent of firearms traced in 2010 were not traced to a United States licensed gun dealer.  Grassley points out that these guns instead are likely sold to foreign countries or militaries requiring approval of the State Department and Homeland Security.

To make matters worse, this category includes firearms in the ATF's Suspect Gun Database - a category which would include the nearly 2,000 firearms that are known to be part of the ATF's ill-advised Fast and Furious strategy where the ATF knowingly authorized firearm sales to straw purchasers before the weapons were trafficked to Mexican drug trafficking organizations.

"The ATF needed a distraction before last week's hearing.  Unfortunately, nobody looked closely at the numbers to determine that this was a very selective release of information intended to distract people from the disastrous policy to let guns fall into the hands of straw purchasers, only to be often found on the other side of the border," Grassley said.  

Grassley has led the oversight efforts into the ATF's reckless strategy to allow guns to fall into the hands of straw purchasers.  He began his investigation in January and has yet to receive any substantive information from the Justice Department and the ATF.  Grassley has been joined by Congressman Darrell Issa, the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to investigate Operation Fast and Furious.

Help Spark the American Red Cross Blood Supply this Summer

The Independence Day holiday will surely ignite many spectacular fireworks extravaganzas, and the American Red Cross is also counting on a spark of donors to boost the blood supply. All blood types are needed to help maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients in need. During the holiday week and throughout the summer donations tend to dip, but the need for blood is constant.

While all blood types are needed during the critical summer months, Rh negative blood types are always in high demand because they potentially can be transfused to patients with Rh positive or Rh negative blood types.Type O negative, the universal blood type, can potentially be transfused to patients with any blood type.
To show appreciation to those who help save lives near the upcoming Independence Day holiday (June 27 - July 6), all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives and blood donation centers in the Heart of America region will automatically be entered for a chance to win a portable GarminGPS unit. This is a part of the Red Cross' summer-long Good to Give. Good to Go. promotion that features holiday-themed raffles and a chance for one lucky donor (21 and older) in the Mid-America Blood Services Division to win a trip for four (4) to Orlando, Florida.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.
A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in life saving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

Blood Donation Opportunities

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
7/11/11
11:00 am- 4:00 pm
DHL Global Forwarding
3100 69th Ave #2
Moline

WHITESIDE COUNTY

7/5/11
8:00 am-11:00 am
Old Fulton Fire Station
912 4th Street
Get a chance to win a portable GPS unit when you present to donate between June 27th & July 6th, 2011!
Fulton

7/6/11
12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Rock Falls Blood DonationCenter
112 W.Second St.
Get a chance to win a portable GPS unit when you present to donate between June 27th & July6th, 2011!
Rock Falls

7/12/11
1:00 pm- 5:15 pm
Old Fulton Fire Station
912 4th Street
Fulton

7/13/11
10:00 am- 2:00 pm
Rock Falls Blood Donation Center
112 W. Second St.
Rock Falls

7/14/11
3:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Fairfield Amish Mennonite School
29467 425 E.Street
Tampico

Following is Senator Grassley's schedule this week in Washington, D.C.  The Senate is in session.   

Grassley will meet in Washington with Iowans from the American Health Care Association, eCybermission, the Genetic Alliance, Hike to Help Refugees, the Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the National Retail Federation, the National Stroke Association, Pioneer, and Results.

Grassley also will meet with Iowans from Ames, Ankeny, Audubon, Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, De Witt, Hiawatha, Ionia, Le Mars, Manchester, Marion, Pleasant Hill, and Sioux Center.

Grassley will meet with the Iowa Pharmacy Association Karbeling Award winners, Andrew North and Courtney Gent.  They are being recognized for their contributions to professional organizations and the political process.  The Karbeling Award is given annually to Iowans who have demonstrated successful activism for the improvement of rural health and a commitment to community service.

Grassley will present Jefferson Awards to Iowans Kay Graber and Chuck Cavanaugh.  The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America.  Graber is being recognized for starting the Brain Injury Association of East Central Iowa, and for being an advocate to change state legislation to benefit victims of brain injuries.  Cavanaugh is being recognized for his extensive volunteer service, including volunteering for Sisters of Mercy, the Knights of Columbus, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, pre/post flood of 2009 work in Cedar Rapids, The Arc of East Central Iowa, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade Society.

Grassley will meet with Presidential Scholar David Huang of Iowa City.  The Presidential Scholar Program is a government program that provides leadership development opportunities for outstanding graduating high school seniors.  The scholars travel to Washington, D.C. where they attend lectures, meet with government leaders, and receive the Presidential Medallion.

Grassley also will meet with Central Iowa 4-H youth.

•  On Wednesday, June 22, at 8 a.m. (CT), Grassley will meet with Brigadier General John McMahon, the Army Corps of Engineers Division Commander for the Northwest Division, which covers western Iowa.  Grassley and McMahon will discuss the current flooding in western Iowa and the Corps of Engineers' performance in anticipation of and reaction to that flooding.   

•  On Wednesday, June 22, at 9 a.m. (CT), Grassley will participate in a Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of intellectual property law enforcement efforts.  The hearing will focus on federal agencies' efforts to enforce intellectual property rights, including the coordination among agencies, as well as coordination with industry.  Grassley recently introduced legislation with the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy, to crack down on websites dedicated to the sale of infringing or counterfeit goods.  

• On Wednesday, June 22, at 9:30 a.m. (CT), Grassley will participate in a meeting with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate.  Grassley will focus on the availability of FEMA funds for those affected by the Missouri River flooding.

• On Wednesday, June 22, at 1:30 p.m. (CT), Grassley will participate in a Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of: Christopher Droney, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Robert D. Mariani, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; Cathy Bissoon, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania; Mark R. Hornak, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and Robert N. Scola, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

• On Thursday, June 23, at 8:30 a.m. (CT), Grassley will participate in an Agriculture Committee hearing on farm bill accountability and the importance of measuring performance while eliminating duplication and waste.  The Senate Agriculture Committee recently began holding hearings to explore ideas and options for the 2012 farm bill.  Grassley recently introduced legislation that will likely be considered during debate of the upcoming farm bill.  The bipartisan Grassley-Johnson Rural America Preservation Act would limit the total amount of farm-program payments that a single farmer could receive to $125,000 and would narrow the guidelines used to define who is considered actively engaged in farming in order to close a loophole that non-farmers have used to improperly receive farm payments.

• On Thursday, June 23, at 9:00 a.m. (CT), Grassley will participate in a Judiciary Committee executive business meeting.

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