06 Dec 2011

Coast Guard's 3rd Fast Response Cutter launched

By USCG Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard announced Wednesday the launch of its third Sentinel-class, Fast Response Cutter, the William Flores, at Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La.

The launch of the William Flores into the waters of Bayou Lafourche marks a production milestone as the Fast Response Cutter readies for sea trials, delivery, crew training and eventual commissioning.

"The Coast Guard's new Fast Response Cutters are national assets, unique to the United States and uniquely equipped to respond to all threats and all events in times of crisis," said Cmdr. Chris O'Neil, chief of media relations for the U.S. Coast Guard.  "The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters will be capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots and operating in seas up to 18-feet.  Armed with a 25-mm chain gun and four, .50 caliber machine guns,  the speed, stability and firepower of the Fast Response Cutter deliver tremendous lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security capabilities in the same package.  Like the Island-class patrol boats the Fast Response Cutters replace, the fleet of 58 Sentinel-class cutters will serve as the workhorses of America's littoral, maritime fleet."

Seaman Apprentice William Flores, namesake of the cutter, posthumously received the Coast Guard Medal, the service's highest award for heroism not involving combat, for his unselfish acts and sacrifice Jan. 28, 1980, following the collision between the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the tanker Capricorn.  Flores and another crewmember threw life jackets to their shipmates who had jumped into the water.  Later, when his companion abandoned ship as the Blackthorn began to submerge, Flores, who was less than a year out of boot camp, remained behind and used his belt to strap open the life jacket locker door, allowing additional life jackets to float to the surface.  Even after most crewmembers abandoned ship, the 19-year-old Flores remained aboard Blackthorn to assist trapped shipmates and to comfort those who were injured and disoriented. Seaman Apprentice William Ray "Billy" Flores and 22 other Coast Guardsmen perished as the Blackthorn capsized and sank near the entrance of Tampa Bay, Fla.  Twenty seven of his shipmates survived.

After commissioning, the William Flores will be homeported in Miami, with a crew of 24 to conduct alien migrant interdiction operations, port, waterways and coastal security patrols, search and rescue and national defense missions.

Named for enlisted Coast Guard heroes, Fast Response Cutters have an overall length of 154 feet, a beam of 26 feet and are capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots.  The Fast Response Cutter also features a stern launch ramp for rapid and safe deployment of its 7.9-meter small boat.  The William Flores is scheduled to be delivered and commissioned in 2012.

For more information about the Fast Response Cutter visit http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/sentinel/default.asp or to learn more about the recapitalization of Coast Guard assets visit http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/programs/pdf/CG9recap.pdf.
06 Dec 2011

Social ties can influence weight and mood, from the Harvard Men's Health Watch

By Rick Martin

The December 2011 issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch reports on new research that says social interactions have a ripple effect that extends far beyond household and family units.

Weight: Two of every three Americans are overweight or obese. There are many explanations for our expanding waistlines, starting with lack of exercise and excessively large portions of calorie-dense prepared and processed foods. But an interesting study suggests that social interactions may also play a role.

Researchers from Harvard and the University of California investigated 12,067 people who had been evaluated medically on multiple occasions from 1971 to 2003 as part of the Framingham Heart Study. They found that if one sibling became obese during the study, the chance that another sibling would become obese increased by 40%.

Genetics might account for some of the parallel weight gain in siblings, but not for the fact that if a spouse became obese, the likelihood that the other spouse would follow suit jumped by 37%.  That's no surprise, since spouses share meals and may have similar exercise habits?but scientists also found that if a person had a friend who became obese, his chance of growing obese rose by 57%.

Scientists suspect a major factor is that a social network influences what its members perceive as normal and acceptable. If a man sees his friends become obese over time, he may accept weight gain as natural, even inevitable.

Mood: The Framingham Heart Study's database also served as the foundation for a study of happiness. In this case, 4,739 people who were tracked between 1983 and 2003 served as the primary study population. Together, these subjects reported a total of 53,228 social ties to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Detailed medical and psychological information was available for many of the Framingham volunteers.

The researchers used the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale to evaluate happiness at the start of the study and at subsequent follow-up examinations. Researchers looked at changes in mood over time.

The Framingham study confirmed many earlier findings about the factors that determine a person's happiness. But it added an unexpected finding: happiness can also spread more diversely and broadly across social networks.

The scientists found that if one spouse became happy, the likelihood that the other spouse would become happy increased by 8%. Siblings who became happy increased the other sibling's chance of becoming happy by 14%. In fact, the spread of happiness seemed to reach across at least three degrees of separation, spreading, for example, from a friend to the friend of a friend and then to the friend of that friend. However, the impact diminished with each degree of separation, and even within first-degree contacts, it began to wane after six to 12 months.

If doctors learn to harness the benefits of natural social networks to spread healthful habits, positive attitudes, and wise lifestyle choices through communities, they may be able to improve public health. This new area of research is worthy of further study, so for now, call it a network in progress.

Read the full-length article:  "Social networks and health"

06 Dec 2011

The Iowa Court of Appeals has released the 2012 calendar of their session dates and opinion filing dates.

By Iowa Judicial Branch

2012 COURT OF APPEALS CALENDAR

The Iowa Court of Appeals will be in session the following dates in 2012:

January 9–11

February 7–9

March 6–8

April 3–5

May 1–3

June 5–7

September 11–13

October 9–11

November 6–8

December 4–6

Opinions of the Iowa Court of Appeals will be filed at 8:30 a.m. on the dates listed below.

 

January 19

 

February 1

February 15

February 29

March 14

March 28

April 11

April 25

May 9

May 23

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 6

September 19

October 17

October 31

November 14

November 29

December 12

A list of cases on which the Court of Appeals is expected to rule will be posted at 8:30 a.m. one day preceding each opinion filing day.

 

All opinions and opinion summaries are available on-line at

http://www.iowacourts.gov/Court_of_Appeals/Opinions/

Opinions and a summary of opinions filed will also be available in the Supreme Court Clerk's office for public inspection. Copies may be purchased from the clerk at 50 cents per page.

For information about the status of a pending case, call the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court at 515-281-5911 or check appellate cases at

http://www.iowacourts.gov/Online_Court_Services/

 

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06 Dec 2011

Local students participate in Christmas at Augustana

By readMedia

ROCK ISLAND, IL (11/29/2011)(readMedia)-- Augustana presents its fourth annual Christmas at Augustana holiday concert-which has nearly sold out in previous years-on Friday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). More than 300 students in the college's choirs, brass ensemble and orchestra will join together to share music with audience members in what promises to be a warm and memorable holiday experience for all.

From your area this includes:

Hannah Barney, a Junior from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in Business Administration-Marketing/Communication Studies.

Elizabeth Kuster, a Sophomore from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in Creative Writing.

Anthony TouVelle, a First Year from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Kaleigh Wall, a Junior from Eldridge, Ill., majoring in Art.

Steven Ray Trent, a Sophomore from Eldridge, Iowa, majoring in Geology.

Ashley Finley, a Sophomore from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Music Education Instrumental.

Peter Wiese, a Junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Neuroscience/Mathematics.

Guy Iaccarino, a Senior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Music General/Anthropology.

Abigail Jones, a Sophomore from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Biology/Environmental Studies.

Rickey Rector, a Junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Nick Kendell, a Sophomore from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Ingrid Schneider, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Benjamin Knapper, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Adam Bengfort, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Christine Harb, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Manisha Kumar, a Junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine.

Anne VanSpeybroek, a Junior from Rock Island, Ill., majoring in Music Performance- Instrumental.

Timothy Murga, a Senior from Rock Island, Ill., majoring in Biology.

Monica Hill, a Sophomore from Carbon Cliff, Ill., majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Lindsey Sikorski, a First Year from East Moline, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Samantha McGreer, a First Year from Illinois City, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Samantha Kammerman, a First Year from Milan, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Laurel Williams, a Senior from Milan, Ill., majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders/English.

Jacob McManus, a First Year from Reynolds, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Lauren Reid, a Senior from Sherrard, Ill., majoring in Business Administration- Marketing/Communication Studies.

Elyzia Powers, a First Year from Silvis, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Jennifer Youngs, a Senior from Taylor Ridge, Ill., majoring in Psychology/Political Science.

Megan Keller, a Senior from Taylor Ridge, Ill., majoring in Communication Studies.

Christmas at Augustana is one of a series of performances planned for the Christmas season. The Handel Oratorio Society, a choir that combines the vocal talents of Augustana students and Quad-City community members, along with the professional Handel Oratorio Society Chamber Orchestra and guest soloists, will perform Handel's Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. in continuation of an annual tradition. The event will be held in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.).

Tickets for both Christmas at Augustana and Messiah are available at www.augustana.edu/tickets or by calling (309) 794-7306.

The Augustana Chamber Singers and the Office of Campus Ministries will present Lessons and Carols on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This beautiful Advent service chronicles the preparation of Christ's birth through songs and readings in Ascension Chapel (on campus at 820 38th St.). The event is free and open to the public.

06 Dec 2011

Braley Urges House Leaders to Include Wind Energy Tax Credits in Year-End Tax Legislation

By Jeff Giertz

Extending tax credit before end of next year would boost jobs and growth in wind energy sector 

 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today urged Republican and Democratic House leaders to include legislation extending the wind energy production tax credit for another four years in any year-end tax cut extension deal.

Congressional leaders are negotiating an agreement to extend a number of job creation tax cuts that are set to expire at the end of this year, including a payroll tax cut and a biofuels tax credit.

In a letter to House leadership, Braley said that an immediate, four-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit would provide more certainty for the wind energy industry, encouraging increased investment and job creation.  Historically, investment in wind energy projects has collapsed when the wind energy production tax credit has been allowed to expire.

"Though the Production Tax Credit isn't set to expire until the end of 2012, wind project developers are hesitant to schedule future projects without the certainty of having this credit extended," Braley wrote.  "When the credit has expired in the past, the installation of new wind turbines dropped as much as 93 percent, with corresponding job losses.  By not waiting until the last minute, we can maintain certainty for investors and continue to create jobs in this growing industry."

At the beginning of November, Braley introduced the American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act, a bill that extends the wind energy production tax credit for another four years.  Without Congressional action, the existing wind energy production tax credit will expire at the end of 2012.

Wind energy is a major growth industry in Iowa.  Iowa is first in the nation in per-capita wind energy production, and second nationally in total annual wind energy production in megawatt-hours.  According to the Iowa Wind Energy Association, the Iowa wind energy industry already employs over 3,000 full-time workers.  That number could grow with a more certain investment climate for the wind energy.

 

The text of Braley's letter to House leaders is below; a copy can be viewed at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/5YT

--

November 29, 2011

Speaker John Boehner

H 232, U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

 

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi

H 204, U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

 

Majority Leader Eric Cantor

H 329, U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

 

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer

H 148, U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

 

Dear Speaker Boehner, Leader Cantor, Leader Pelosi and Minority Whip Hoyer,

I urge you to include the American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act, which would extend the production tax credit (PTC) for four years, as part of any tax extenders package that may be considered before the end of the year.  Extending this credit is essential to maintaining and expanding a domestic wind energy industry.

Wind is still a comparatively new energy industry and we must have a consistent and long-term federal policy to encourage continued investment. Even though the production tax credit isn't set to expire until the end of 2012, wind project developers are hesitant to schedule future projects without the certainty of having this credit extended. When the credit has expired in the past, the installation of new wind turbines dropped as much as 93 percent, with corresponding job losses.

By not waiting until the last minute, we can maintain certainty for investors and continue to create jobs in this growing industry.

Wind has already had a positive impact on our economy and added 40 percent of all new electricity capacity between 2008 and 2009. It has provided a steady source of income for thousands of farmers and ranchers, with Iowa landowners making roughly $12.6 million per year leasing land for turbines. Additionally, over 400 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. now make major turbine components, towers, and blades. In Iowa alone, the wind industry supports more than 3,000 jobs with a combined payroll of over $70 million per year.

Wind energy is helping meet America's increasing demand for electricity. Please consider a long-term extension of the wind PTC to make sure that this industry continues to create jobs and be part of a long-term solution to meet our energy needs.

Sincerely,

/s/ Bruce Braley

Member of Congress

 

# # #

06 Dec 2011

Lt. Governor Simon praises bipartisan budget plan

By Justin Stofferahn

Will keep seven state facilities open, avoid nearly 2,000 layoffs

CARBONDALE - November 29, 2011. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, the only statewide constitutional officer from Southern Illinois, urged the General Assembly to pass the bipartisan budget reallocation legislation today to keep several state facilities open.

This summer Governor Quinn was forced to begin the process of closing seven state facilities because sufficient funding to operate the facilities was not allocated in this fiscal year's budget. The closures would have led to nearly 2,000 state employees being laid off.

The facilities scheduled to close were: Chester Mental Health Center, Illinois Youth Center Murphysboro, Jack Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon, Jacksonville Developmental Center, Logan Correctional Center, Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford, and Tinley Park Mental Health Center.

"I am thankful the General Assembly worked with the Governor to reach a bipartisan and fiscally responsible way to keep these facilities open," Simon said. "This budget reallocation frees us to pursue smart policy that is good for the people involved. Our long-term goal is to make more community-based care available to the appropriate patients, in a way that is cost-effective for the state."

###
06 Dec 2011

Treasurer Fitzgerald Helps Teachers Prepare Students for the Iowa Assessment Test

By Michael Fitzgerald

DES MOINES, IA (11/29/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is offering a helping hand to teachers across the state for the Iowa Assessment Test by providing students with a new number two pencil to use on test day. The treasurer's program, Prepare for the Basics, is a no-cost program being offered to 2nd and 3rd grade teachers. Last year the program distributed over 12,800 pencils to schools statewide. "Testing helps teachers monitor the growth of students' basic skills," Fitzgerald said. "This program is a small gesture of appreciation to our teachers for their hard work."

Along with the new pencil, students will receive information to take home about College Savings Iowa. College Savings Iowa is a state-sponsored 529 plan designed to help Iowa families meet the continually increasing costs of higher education while providing them with multiple tax benefits, including a $2,865 deduction per account from their 2011 state taxable income.* "Families who begin saving early are better prepared to meet the future educational needs of their children," Fitzgerald stated. "Saving ahead of time may reduce the need to borrow for college, which can help families-and their children-get to graduation with less debt."

Teachers who would like to take part in the Prepare for the Basics program are encouraged to go to the treasurer's website at www.treasurer.state.ia.us. They can register by clicking on the Education tab and then clicking on the Prepare for the Basics Campaign. To ensure timely arrival, materials should be requested at least two weeks prior to testing. The materials will be delivered directly to the participating schools. Supplies are limited, so early registration is advised. For more information about this program, or College Savings Iowa, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

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06 Dec 2011

Education Outreach Program Continues To Reach Military Children

By SSgt Kassidy L Snyder

SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/29/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois National Guard Education Outreach Program began in September 2010 to help aid military children in school. The effort continues to reach more military children through distribution of the Educator's Guide Book created by the Illinois National Guard Family Program.

"Through the Education Outreach Program, the Illinois National Guard Family Program provides information and resources on the impact our families may experience while their servicemember is deployed away from home or working stateside with his or her unit," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

These resources include a five-week program with a military family life consultant is available at the school one day a week for five weeks, offering free sessions with children, printed materials and interactive Web sites for online tutoring.

"Our goal is to help schools create an environment of awareness and provide resources to better assist military children in school," said Christie Weiss of Sherman, the Illinois National Guard state youth education coordinator. "We would like the chance to give each school social worker the Educator's Guide and a one-page, front and back Teacher's Reference Guide to help them better understand military children."

The Educator's Guide for military children includes an explanation of the deployment cycle, general information about the military, reproducible activities for children ages 5 to 12, information on caring for kids after trauma and death and Web sites and additional resources for the school.

The National Guard Family Readiness Office also provides resources to military families and educators.

The office can provide educators with the tools to apply for Department of Defense Education Activity and other governmental grants, team school counselors with qualified Military Family Life Consultants and offer free continuing education classes. In addition to assisting educators, the office provides information about free online tutoring for military kids whose parents are on active-duty orders along with many additional resources.

If you would like a copy of the Educator's Guide or Teacher's Reference Guide please call the Illinois State Youth Education Coordinator at 217-761-3842.

06 Dec 2011

News from the Ron Paul Campaign

By Gary Howard
Ron Paul to Visit Iowa for Three-Day Campaign Swing
Town hall meetings, media interviews, campus youth rallies, and Republican debate round out visit
ANKENY, Iowa - The Iowa component of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today that Congressman Paul will make a sweeping three-day visit to Iowa.  The visit will take place from Thursday, December 8th to Saturday the 10th, inclusive.

"Ron Paul's next visit includes three days of voter-outreach events and media interviews, placing it among the more pivotal of this campaign cycle.  We're delighted Dr. Paul gives Iowa the attention it warrants and predict this visit will be as constructive as prior ones have been," said Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Campaign Chairman Drew Ivers.

Details of the events are as follows.  All times Central.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

1:00 p.m.
Employee Town Hall Meeting*
Principal Financial Group

2:30 p.m.
WOI-TV (ABC 5) interview
3903 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266

4:00 p.m.
Boone Town Hall Meeting
Boone Public Library 
702 Greene Street
Boone, IA 50035

7:00 p.m.
Countdown to the Caucus: Ron Paul at ISU
Iowa State University (hosted by "Youth for Ron Paul")
Great Hall, Iowa State Memorial Union (2nd Floor)
2229 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014

[*Open to employees of Principal Financial Group only.  Media are encouraged to attend but must RSVP by 12/6 with Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Vice-Chair A.J. Spiker via email at ajs@ronpaul2012.com.]

Friday, December 9, 2011

9:00 a.m.
Webster City Town Hall Meeting
Webster City Fire Station
919 Superior Street
Webster City, IA 50595

1:00 p.m.
Mason City Town Hall Meeting
Mason City High School
1700 4th Street SE
Mason City, IA 50401

2:30 p.m.
In-Studio interview with KIMT TV (CBS)
KIMT-TV (CBS-3) Station
112 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Mason City, IA 50401

4:00 p.m.
Waverly Town Hall Meeting
Waverly Public Library
Bremer/Waverly Room 
1500 W. Bremer Avenue 
Waverly, IA 50677

7:00 p.m.
Countdown to the Caucus: Ron Paul at UNI
University of Northern Iowa (hosted by "Youth for Ron Paul")
Commons - Slife Ballroom
1224 West 23rd Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50614

Saturday, December 10, 2011

10:00 a.m.
Marshalltown Town Hall Meeting
Fisher Community Center 
709 S. Center Street 
Marshalltown, IA 50158

8:00 p.m.
ABC News / Republican Party of Iowa Debate
Sheslow Auditorium
Drake University
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
###
Ron Paul Remains Top-Tier in Latest Iowa Poll, Strong second, leads field in Independent vote
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - A NewsMax/Insider Advantage poll released yesterday shows 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul in second place in the state of Iowa, solidifying his position at the top of the field and remaining a serious threat to take the Iowa Caucuses in January. Paul won 13 percent of likely caucus-goers in the poll and an impressive 30 percent of independent voters, leading the rest of the field. In addition, Paul won 47 percent of voters between 18 and 29 years old.

"The latest poll results clearly prove Ron Paul's status as a top contender, and confirms that our campaign is continuing to surge in early states," said Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton. "The American people are ready for real change in Washington and Dr. Paul is the only candidate who has a plan to cut $1 trillion in spending, balance the budget, and restore prosperity to the American people."

This latest poll comes on the heels of a number of recent polls placing Paul among the top three in key early states. According to a recent American Research Group poll, Paul takes third among likely Republican caucus-goers in Iowa. He also scores third place in New Hampshire, according to a recent WMUR/University of New Hampshire poll. And the most recent Suffolk University/7 News poll has Paul holding steady in second place with 14 percent among likely New Hampshire primary voters.

In addition, a late October CNN/Time poll showed the Texas congressman in the top three in the key Republican primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

###
Ron Paul to Hold Two College Campus Youth Rallies in Iowa
'Countdown to the Caucus' events hosted by 'Youth for Ron Paul' aim to solidify youth support
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul will address college students and Iowans at two "Youth for Ron Paul" campus rallies to energize young supporters and reach out to new and undecided voters in the run-up to the January 3, 2012, Iowa Caucuses.

The first event, which is free and open to supporters of all ages, will be held on Thursday, December 8th in the Iowa State University (ISU) Memorial Union Great Hall, located at 2229 Lincoln Way in Ames.  Doors will open to the public at 6:30 p.m.  To enter 30 minutes early and secure a spot near the front of the room, RSVP for the ISU event featuring Dr. Paul at http://ronpaulatisu.eventbrite.com/.

The second event, which also is free and open to supporters of all ages, will be held on Friday, December 9th at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in the Commons - Slife Ballroom, located at 1224 West 23rd Street in Cedar Falls.  Doors will open to the public at 6:30 p.m.  To enter 30 minutes early and secure a spot near the front of the room, RSVP for the UNI event featuring Dr. Paul at http://ronpaulatuni.eventbrite.com/.

Youth for Ron Paul (YFP), an initiative of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign, launched on Wednesday, September 7th and since its inception more than 15,300 people signed up to get involved, forming 307 chapters in 46 states.

"The enthusiastic support for Ron Paul continues to grow, especially among college students.  Young people understand he is the only presidential candidate who will fix our economy, so they're eager not only to vote for him, but also to volunteer for his campaign," said Edward King, National Youth Director for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign.

"Young people from across the country are inspired by Dr. Paul's message of a strong national defense, prosperity, and individual liberty.  No other campaign can claim or match the dedication of our youth support," said Ani DeGroot, Midwest Regional Director for Youth for Ron Paul.

To learn more and sign up for Youth for Ron Paul, please visit: www.YouthForPaul.com and "like" the Facebook page found at: www.Facebook.com/YouthForPaul.

###
06 Dec 2011

FAMILY MUSEUM EXHIBIT RENOVATION MOVES FORWARD

By Elly Gerdts

Bettendorf, IA - As the holiday season approaches, the Family Museum wishes to acknowledge gifts to date that will make the 2012 renovation to its interactive galleries a reality.  "Rethink, Reshape, Reinvent" is the title given to the Family Museum's upcoming exhibit hall renovation project, and to date, The Museum is excited to announce nearly 75% of the 1.4 million dollar budget has been successfully secured.

The Family Museum opened to the public in its current location in 1997 and the purpose of "Rethink, Reshape, Reinvent" is the renovation and reuse of the Family Museum's existing 7,100 square feet of exhibit permanent gallery space in order to provide a new set of learning experiences and environments specifically designed to meet the needs of young learners age 8 and younger and their adult caregivers.  After renovation, The Museum's new learning environments will encompass approximately 7,690 square feet, with an additional 2,000 square feet devoted to the traveling exhibit gallery.

Support from the community, both public and private has been committed by, the City of Bettendorf, the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, the Alcoa Foundation, the Family Museum of Arts and Science Foundation, the Dorothea LeClair Bequest, Modern Woodmen of America, the Scott County Board of Supervisors, the Riverboat Development Authority, and the Scott County Regional Authority.  Additionally, the following is a listing of individuals who have gifted over $500 to date to support "Rethink, Reshape, Reinvent": Miriam Kelm, Walid and Mindy Al Sheikha, Nicholas Augelli and Amy Chung, Quad City Pediatrics, PC, and Tracey Kuehl.

The Family Museum wishes to acknowledge and thank each and every donor who has brought this project to life.  Renovations are scheduled for the fall of 2012, with the grand re-opening set for next holiday season.  As the Family Museum continues to fundraise, gifts can be made to the Family Museum Foundation and mailed to 2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf, IA.  All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Located on the Learning Campus in Bettendorf, the mission of the Family Museum is to inspire, connect and strengthen our community by enriching the lives of our children today, and expending their capacity to shape their future.

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