MOLINE, IL- Local single mom Amanda Cunningham, 25, has never had it easy. As a young child she became a ward of the state when her mother went to prison and her father was absent in her life. After being abused as a child, Cunningham knew she could only count on herself if she was ever going to make it as an adult.

When her pipes recently started leaking in the home she bought on her own after years of working, and there were signs of possible mold that could make her five-year old daughter ill, she knew she had to do something. "I didn't even know exactly what was wrong with the plumbing, but I knew I couldn't afford to have the work done," said Cunningham.

United Way of the Quad Cities was initially contacted by Skip-a-Long  Child Development Services where Cunningham's daughter attends pre-kindergarten. They were willing to pay for all the supplies needed to address the plumbing issues, but needed to find a qualified plumber to make the repairs. That's where Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 25 immediately stepped in to help. Plumbers Dave Keefer and Chuck McKnight heard her story and volunteered their time, expertise and services to fix the issues. "We put in a new garbage disposal, reworked the plumbing under the kitchen sink and bathrooms, installed two new toilets and had the drains snaked," says Keefer.

For more than 111 years Local Union 25 has guaranteed the professionalism of its journeymen, and the value of their work through a training program that is thoroughly unique in the plumbing and pipefitting industries. Local 25 has continually shown their commitment to the community through charitable efforts such as golf tournaments in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters and donating time and services to help people like Cunningham.

Cunningham currently works full-time and goes to school online towards her Bachelor's degree in behavioral science. "I never ask or expect help from anyone, so to have the plumbers at Local Union 25 donate their time to help me is the perfect Christmas present. They are caring professional people who have made my life a little easier this holiday season."

For more information on Local Union 25 please visit: www.lu25.org.

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Dear Friends,

As you know, the official Iowa Caucus is on January 3rd. Well, the Peoples Caucus is tomorrow at 7:00 pm at the Occupy Caucus Headquarters, 504 E Locust in Des Moines. You should definitely plan to attend.

The Peoples Caucus is modeled after the Iowa Caucus. Resolutions will be offered and participants will break into candidate "preference" groups. But the twist is folks will indicate preference not for the best candidate but for the worst one, the candidate whose headquarters they want to visit over the next few days as part of the Occupy Caucus campaign. (And to reiterate: THERE WILL BE NO DISRUPTION OF THE JANUARY 3rd CAUCUS!)

Now, to be clear, if one were to overstay one's welcome at a candidate's campaign headquarters, one could possibly be arrested. But simply visiting candidates' headquarters to deliver a message about the grievances of the Occupy Wall Street movement is an important action to take. If you feel that corporate power is out of control in America, come tomorrow night and let your voices be heard. A big turnout will send a big message to Wall Street and K Street.

Monday, Charles Goldman and I talk with peace activist Tom Hayden.

Tuesday, attorney Kimberly Graham fills-in for me to discuss divorce law.

Wednesday, John Nichols of The Nation is my guest.

Thursday, comedian Bob Zany joins me. What, you don't think the caucuses have provided ample comic material? Think again.

Bob's funniness is known coast-to-coast, and he'll be in Des Moines for some pre-caucus laughs on January 1st, 8:00 pm at Java Joe's Fourth Street Theatre. I'm hosting the show, though it remains to be seen whether I can be funny for a full ten minutes. Tickets are $15 at (515) 282-5282. Thanks to Open Sesame, Tinker Heating and Cooling, and Tally's Restaurant Bar & Catering for sponsoring.

Also, I want to make a plug for "Building the Progressive Movement Inside and Outside the Democratic Party." It's a forum organized by Progressive Democrats of America, National Nurses United and The Nation Magazine. Three local folks - Jay Howe, Jeff Cox and myself - will offer our perspectives during panel discussions. National leaders are participating too, including Rep Barbara Lee, Tom Hayden, John Nichols and Jean Ross. It's free, open to the public and at the Unitarian Church in Des Moines, 1800 Bell Ave, 1:30-5:30 pm.

So, join the conversation from 7:00-8:00 pm, Monday - Thursday at 98.3 WOW-FM and online. You can download the Fallon Forum as a podcast, too. Thanks!

Ed

EVENTS

Ongoing - Occupy Des Moines (Des Moines)
At Stewart Square, East 14th and Grand, all are welcome at a daily assembly at 6:00 pm (2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday). Lots of regular activities planned. Check the Occupydsm Facebook page for details. Also, check Occupy Iowa's Facebook page for information about other actions around the state.

December 27 - Occupy Des Moines' "Peoples Caucus" (Des Moines)
With so many Americans dissatisfied with the leadership of both major political parties, local organizers have put out a call for people across Iowa and the nation to converge in Des Moines for a Peoples Caucus and an occupation of candidates' campaign head quarters from December 28-30. The Peoples Caucus is from 5:00-10:00 pm on the 27th, 504 E Locust St, and includes a discussion of resolutions central to the occupy movement followed by breaking into "candidate preference groups." For further details, click here.

December 29 - 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.

December 30 - Building the Progressive Movement (Des Moines)
From 1:30-5:30 pm at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue. Full title of the event is "Building  the  Progressive  Movement  inside/outside  the  Democratic  Party." Organized by Progressive Democrats for America and The Nation. Panelists include John Nichols, Rep Barbara Lee, Tom Hayden and others. Contact Tim Carpenter at pdatimcarpenter@gmail.com.

January 1 - Is This Your Caucus Or Are You Just Glad to See Me? (DM)
An evening of comedy starring Bob Zany (of Bob and Tom fame) with Keith West and The Zanettes. Ed Fallon and his accordion (yup, you read that right) will host the event, which is at Java Joe's 4th Street Theatre, 216 4th St, at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $15. Call (515) 288-5282.

January 5 - Green Drinks (Des Moines)
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 Gateway Market and Cafe, 2002 Woodland Ave. Contact Shari Hrdina at DesMoinesGreenDrinks@gmail.com.

January 7 (and every Saturday) Occupy Decorah (Decorah)
At the Winneshiek County Courthouse steps at 1:00 pm to discuss issues and plan action. Contact Jim Tripp at tripp@mail2jim.com.

January 12 - Cool Congregations Coffee (Ames)
From 7:00-8:30 pm at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave for conversation about what faith communities in Iowa are doing to care for the earth. See firsthand what Bethesda Lutheran has done, installing a ground source heat pump system to heat and cool their facility with a goal of reducing their energy use and costs. Contact Sarah Webb at (515) 238-3587 or coolcongregations@iowaipl.org.

January 14 - Forey Fest (Des Moines)
There has been an outpouring of care and concern for Forey, the barefoot runner who was badly beaten recently. This will be an event filled with fun to benefit Forey. Details are still in progress, but the day will include a 5K run/walk and live music at Full Court Press bars and restaurants. See Forey Fest Facebook Page for details.

January 17 - 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.

This year, WQPT viewers will be able to ring in the New Year from one of the most famous musical streets in the world, Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock & Roll.

"I decided that since we have a large Blues audience here in the Quad Cities and surrounding region and with the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest as one of our areas biggest events, that this special would be a great addition to ring in the new year," said Jerry Myers, WQPT Programming Director.

WQPT will present LIVE! Beale Street on New Year's Eve, from 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., providing a unique look at the rich history of Beale Street with live interviews and lots of great music to welcome 2012.

The broadcast includes a traditional countdown to midnight with fireworks and the dropping of the Giant Guitar. Revelers will also be invited to "come bury your blues" by dropping mementos and notes into a symbolic coffin. (Viewers at home will be able to bury their blues by emailing buryyourblues@bealestreet.com). The celebration continues after midnight.

Viewers are also invited to like the "Beale Street on New Year's Eve" Facebook page and post comments and questions during the broadcast. Some of the comments will be mentioned on the air.

LIVE! Beale Street on New Year's Eve is sponsored by Performa Entertainment, Budweiser, Beale Street Merchants Association, and The City of Memphis.

This unique New Year's Eve celebration captures the flavor, the sounds, and the story of Memphis' Beale Street. Viewers will be treated to live reports from the street, a survey of the acts currently performing on Beale, and an introduction to the Legends of Beale.

"We welcome this opportunity to share the culture, the music, and the excitement of Beale Street this New Year's Eve," said Michael J. LaBonia, WKNO's President and CEO. "And we're proud to be able to share this live experience with viewers across the region."

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

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with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q:        When will the public have access to information about payments made by drug and device makers to doctors?

A:        The public is a step closer to learning just how much money and travel expenses pharmaceutical company and medical device makers give to doctors.  This month, a federal agency finally put out proposed guidance for the companies that will have to disclose the payments under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which I co-authored and saw through to enactment last year.  If implemented as designed, the sunshine law will require a drug company to disclose whether it pays a doctor to attend a conference in Hawaii.  A medical device maker will have to list whether it keeps a doctor on paid retainer for medical advice.  Fees paid for consulting, speeches and expert advice will be reported.  In 2013, the public will have access to this information through a user friendly website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  This fall, the federal agency responsible for launching the program missed a key deadline for putting out the Sunshine Act guidance.  Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin and I pressed the agency to explain the delay and encouraged it to move forward.  The day before an agency witness was supposed to testify on the issue at a Senate hearing, the agency issued the guidance.  So riding herd worked.

Q:        Why did you push for a disclosure requirement?

A:        For a number of years, I've been digging into pharmaceutical and medical device industry payments to continuing medical education, taxpayer-funded medical research, medical schools, medical journals, and advocacy organizations.  Among research doctors, my oversight work found a number of cases where highly influential research doctors were receiving payments vastly greater than what had been reported by them or understood by their prestigious universities.  Discrepancies ran as high as millions and tens of millions of dollars.  In direct response to this exposure, the National Institutes of Health, which distributes $32 billion a year in federal research dollars, proposed new disclosure guidelines for federal grant recipients.  I'm still working to see this agency act more aggressively in this area as a steward of tax dollars.  Separately, a number of drug companies began disclosing financial relationships voluntarily.  More than 40 universities nationwide took up revisions of their disclosure policies.  My oversight work also built the case for enactment last year of the reform bill - the Sunshine Act -- that Senator Kohl and I had been promoting since 2007.

Q:        What do you hope to accomplish?

A:        The well-regarded Institute of Medicine issued a report in 2009 endorsing transparency and stating that protections against conflicts can be established without inhibiting productive relationships between medicine and industry to improve medical knowledge and care.  My argument has been that the transparency of these financial relationships is appropriate so that patients and their doctors can be informed and because taxpayers pay billions of dollars each year for prescription drugs and medical devices under Medicare and Medicaid.  The goal is to let the sun shine in and make information available to foster accountability.