The German American Heritage Center is offering German Language Classes to be held on twelve consecutive Thursdays beginning September 1 through November 17.

The Level l Beginning Class will be 5:00 - 6:30

The Level ll Advanced Class will be 7:00 - 8:30

The course is $95.00 for non GAHC members and$75.00 for GAHC members plus $20 for the textbook (members receive a 10% discount off books purchased at the GAHC.) 

Registrations are due by phone at (563)322-8844 or by email at info@gahc.org by August 26.

WHAT: The Chick-fil-A^® restaurant at 2945 E. 53^rd St. in Davenport, Ia. will partner with Heritage Church to sponsor a 13-week financial training course called Financial Peace University. The course is taught through video by author and nationally syndicated talk-radio host Dave Ramsey.

Course participants will meet each week to watch a video lesson and participate in discussion groups led by the Chick-fil-A at Davenport. The video course is geared to teach individuals how to beat debt, build wealth, find bargains, invest for the future and give generously. The 13 sessions include the following topics:

• ·         Lesson 1: Super Saving
• ·         Lesson 2: Relating With Money
• ·         Lesson 3: Cash Flow Planning
• ·         Lesson 4: Dumping Debt
• ·         Lesson 5: Credit Sharks in Suits
• ·         Lesson 6: Buyer Beware
• ·         Lesson 7: Clause and Effect
• ·         Lesson 8: That's Not Good Enough!
• ·         Lesson 9: Of Mice and Mutual Funds
• ·         Lesson 10: From Fruition To Tuition
• ·         Lesson 11: Working In Your Strengths
• ·         Lesson 12: Real Estate and Mortgages
• ·         Lesson 13: The Great Misunderstanding

Those interested in participating are invited to attend an informational meeting at Heritage Church: Bettendorf campus in Bettendorf, Iowa, on Aug. 28 at 12 p.m. and Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The cost of Financial Peace University is $99.51 for an individual and/or couple, and covers the course and all necessary materials.

Registration fees are due by Aug. 29 and can be turned in to Chick-fil-A in Davenport or Heritage Church: Bettendorf campus. Checks can be made out to Chick-fil-A in Davenport. The course will be held at Heritage Church on Mondays beginning Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by Chick-fil-A for each session.

For more details about Financial Peace University and other courses offered by Dave Ramsey, please visitwww.daveramsey.com.  

WHEN: Informational meeting:
Sunday, Aug. 28
12 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 29
6:30 p.m.

Registration fees due by:
Monday, Aug. 29
10:30 p.m.

Course begins:
Monday, Sept. 12
6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Chick-fil-A at Davenport
2945 E. 53^rd St.
Davenport, IA 52807

(563) 355-1742
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Heritage Church: Bettendorf campus
2700 Middle Rd
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Website

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Davenport Chick-fil-A Invites Community to August Events

WHAT: The Chick-fil-A^® restaurant at 2945 E. 53^rd St. in Davenport, Ia. is offering a series of activities throughout August for families to enjoy. The community is invited to take part in the following events:

Toddler Time
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Children can enjoy storytelling, crafts, music and playtime in the indoor playground. Parents will receive a free small coffee or hot chocolate.

Family Night
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25 

Children will receive a free Icedream^® with the purchase of a Chick-fil-A^® Kid's Meal, and they can top it off with toppings of their choice from the sundae bar. The Chick-fil-A "Eat Mor Chikin^®" Cow will appear at every Family Night to greet the kids.    

• Bubble Night, Aug. 4: Children are invited to create their own bubble wand to take home.
• Pajama Party, Aug. 11: Kids who dress in pajamas will receive a free Chick-fil-A^® Chicken Nugget Kids Meal (four-count). There will also be a craft station where children can create their own pillowcase.
• Back to School Night, Aug. 18: Children are invited to create a pencil case and pencil-topper.
• Prince/Princess Night, Aug. 25: Kids who dress in prince- or princess-wear will receive a free Chick-fil-A^®Chicken Nugget Kid's Meal (four-count). They can also create a crown at the craft station.

Senior Breakfast
7 - 10 a.m. 
Thursday, Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25 
Seniors will receive 25% off all purchases.

All Pro Dads Day
9 - 10 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 6
All Pro Dads meets the first Saturday of every month. During this breakfast hour, dads and their children will receive a free Chick-fil-A Breakfast entrée. Prizes will also be given each month.

WHERE:         
Chick-fil-A at Davenport
2945 E. 53rd St.
Davenport, IA 52807

(563) 355-1742
Website
Facebook
Twitter

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New Laws Give State Additional Tools to Grow Green Economy

CHICAGO - August 7, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of two bills into law that advance clean wind energy in Illinois. The new laws create a council to study offshore wind energy projects in Lake Michigan and clear the way for more wind energy projects throughout Illinois.

"These bills give the state additional tools to further enhance Illinois' growing renewable energy industry," Governor Quinn said. "A thriving green energy sector will further strengthen Illinois' economy, create jobs and boost our economic recovery."

House Bill 1558, sponsored by Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), creates the Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Energy Advisory Council within the Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The council will review the potential for wind energy projects in the waters of Lake Michigan. It will be chaired by the director of the IDNR and will be made up of representatives from state agencies and organizations that include environmental, tourism, education and energy entities.

"Offshore wind power provides our communities an incredible opportunity for clean and efficient energy, and helps our state achieve its energy independence goals," Gabel said. "With this unique opportunity, however, comes new challenges, and it is important that we undertake this process to set the right guidelines from the start. I would like to thank Governor Quinn for signing this into law."

After examining wildlife impact, protected habitats and recreational uses of Lake Michigan, the council will identify locations that would be appropriate for offshore wind development. The council will present its recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by June 30, 2012. The law goes into effect immediately.

Governor Quinn also signed House Bill 1487, sponsored by Rep. Chad Hays (R-Catlin) and Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign). The new law creates the Renewable Energy Production District Act, which allows county boards to establish renewable energy districts or wind farm districts. Under the new law, such a district would receive approval through a voter referendum.

House Bill 1487 goes in effect immediately.

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New Law Will Give Victims of Sex Trafficking a Chance to Appeal Prostitution Convictions

CHICAGO - August 6, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a new law that will help victims of sex trafficking who have been charged with prostitution by giving them the opportunity to clear their names. The new law gives victims of sex trafficking a chance to remove their convictions through a court of law.

"Sex trafficking is a truly reprehensible crime that preys on the most vulnerable. Victims deserve a chance to clear their records and rebuild their lives," Governor Quinn said.

Illinois has taken major steps to address human trafficking by passing the 2006 anti-trafficking law and 2010 Safe Children Act, which helps support victims who were forced into the sex trade and have criminal records as a direct result of being trafficked.

Sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), Senate Bill 1036 allows defendants who are victims of human trafficking at the time of their prostitution convictions to file a motion to vacate the conviction if the defendant's participation in the offense was the result of being a victim.

Prostitution convictions limit victims' abilities to access housing, employment education, immigration status and parental rights. The bill also creates a new filing timeline for victims of sex trafficking because they often endure years of abuse at the hands of traffickers and customers before they are able to seek help.

"The most important thing about Senate Bill 1037 is that it makes sure that the judicial system has a mechanism to ensure that a person who has been the victim of a crime is not automatically considered a criminal," Sen. Hutchinson said. "It is good public policy to protect women and children who have been taken advantage of in this most heinous way. They can take the necessary steps to rebuild their lives and become functional members of society after suffering trauma of that magnitude."

"Victims of human trafficking are often forced into prostitution and other crimes against their own will, and too many of them are being prosecuted as criminals," Rep. Yarbrough said. "When we have evidence that involuntary human trafficking was the cause of the crime, even though the victim may not have had the ability or representation to prove it during trial, we must do the right thing and reverse their conviction so they can move on with repairing their lives."

The bill takes effect Jan. 1 and was supported by a variety of institutions, leaders and anti-crime organizations including the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless; Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law; Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE); Lutheran Social Services of Illinois; Rape Victim Advocates; Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS); Cook Co. Sheriff Tom Dart and DePaul University College of Law.

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