Below is a link to some B-roll of members of the 649th Regional Support Group (RSG) greeting loved ones and unloading their gear shortly after arriving home from their mobilization site, concluding a year-long deployment. 

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Amana - Whether you're visiting Tuna Texas for the first time or coming back for seconds, you're sure to enjoy The Old Creamery Theatre's production of Red, White & Tuna, opening Aug. 19 on the Studio Stage in Middle Amana. The outrageous residents of the smallest town in the Lone Star state are preparing for the 4th of July and an unforgettable class reunion you will surely want to be a part of!

The cast consists of Sean McCall of Marengo and T.J. Besler of Manchester who will portray all the unforgettable residents of Tuna Texas. McCall, artistic director at The Old Creamery says playing 10 characters in 2 hours can be a bit of a challenge. "It's also a lot of fun and we invite everyone to come out and meet the good folks of Tuna Texas. Marquetta Senters has done a wonderful job with costumes, making each character really unforgettable - to say the least," he said.

Written by Jason Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, Red, White & Tuna is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon or evening.

Red, White & Tuna runs through Sept. 5 on the Studio Stage at 3023 220th Trail, in Middle Amana and is rated Theatre PG - 13. Tickets are $22.50 for adults and $15.50 for students. Walk-ins are always welcome if seats are available but reservations are recommended. Show times are Thursdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Call the box office or order tickets on line 800-35-AMANA or www.oldcreamery.com.

1600 ESPN is the media sponsor for Red, White & Tuna. The Old Creamery's 2010 season media sponsor is KGAN 2/Fox 28.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. Voted #1 Theatre Group on the 2010 KCRG A-List, the company is celebrating 39 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

On Saturday, August 14 at dusk the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will host an observation of the night's sky at the Monsignor Menke Observatory. Join Dr. Mitchell, director, for a celestial tour of the summer sky.  Please call (563) 333-6141 on the day of the event to find out if the weather conditions will permit viewing.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

On August 1, Lifelink International Adoption became a subsidiary of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) creating Illinois' largest provider of adoption services. The move strengthens services and creates a new program with a comprehensive set of domestic and international adoptions. All Lifelink International Adoption employees and programs will become part of LCFS, including your local service sites in Moline and the Quad Cities.

Both agencies have worked with adoptions domestically and abroad for years. LCFS has focused mostly on domestic adoptions, while Lifelink's specialty has been international adoptions. The combination brings together the expertise of both organizations in a way that gives adoptive parents more options.

While many non-profit agencies are struggling and cutting back on services during these tough economic times, LCFS has been strengthening their range of services to meet the increasing needs of the children and families they serve. This acquisition also allows LCFS to diversify their revenue sources in order to become less dependant on public funds.

The Veterans Outreach Program in Moline is hosting a no-limit Texas Hold'em Tournament to raise money for its job-placement services and other assistance provided to local U.S. military veterans and their families.

The tournament is set for Saturday, Aug. 21, at American Legion Post 246, 1623 15th St., Moline. Action begins at 1 p.m., but players will be called to their seats at 12:50 p.m. The champion will receive a $400 gift card and all final-table competitors will win a prize.

Buy-in is $40, with one optional $20 rebuy. Registration opens at noon for walk-ins; all players 18 and older are welcome. Seating is limited to the first 140 players. Tournament director is Russ Scott, "LuckyDog Poker" syndicated columnist.

To pre-register or to volunteer as a non-playing dealer, contact Paul Herrera at 309-797-7950, at vopmoline@yahoo.com, or at the VOP office, 163 4th Ave., Moline.

The Veterans Outreach Program in Moline invites you to a

TEXAS HOLD'EM TOURNAMENT!

Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010

American Legion Post 246

1623 15th Street, Moline, IL
1 p.m. start; Players called to their seats at 12:50 p.m.

To pre-register or to volunteer as a non-playing dealer, call Paul Herrera at 309.797.7950 or contact the VOP at vopmoline@yahoo.com, 163 4th Ave., Moline

Registration opens at Noon for walk-ins, seating limited to first 140 players; Don't get shut out!

All players 18 and older are welcome!

Buy-in: $40, with one optional $20 rebuy anytime before the first break
Format: No-Limit Texas Hold'em

Tournament Director: Russ Scott, "LuckyDog Poker" syndicated columnist

A $400 gift card will be awarded to the Champion!

All final table competitors win prizes!

Join the fun, compete for prizes and help raise money for the Veterans Outreach Program, Moline, which assists U.S. military veterans

July 2010, Iowa City, Iowa: The Iowa Association of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture (IAOMA) is the newly formed professional, non-profit organization supporting and promoting Licensed Acupuncturists and Oriental Medicine practitioners throughout the state of Iowa. IAOMA is dedicated to educating and raising public awareness regarding the health benefits of Oriental Medicine. In addition IAOMA is committed to creating a community for licensed acupuncturists and fostering a professional and informative rapport with the broader healthcare community both in Iowa and nationally. Licensed
Acupuncturists and others who share our mission of a bright future for Oriental Medicine in the state of Iowa are welcome to become members of IAOMA.

For more information about our mission or membership, visit the IAOMA website: www.IAOMA.org or contact Alice Spitzner Claussen at 319.887.6992.

Washington, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) announced today more than $850,000 in grant money for Davenport Municipal Airport. The airport will receive funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

"This grant money will help this airport ensure the safety of passengers and employees," Braley said. "Whether traveling for business or family vacation, Iowans rely on their community airports to be safe, secure and reliable. It's critical we give Iowa's airports the tools they need to provide the safest and most efficient service to their customers."

The federal grant is distributed through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as follows:

Davenport Municipal Airport $851,877 for taxiway rehabilitation, to extend its useful life

 

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Children and Grandparents Now Eligible for Family Military Leave
CHICAGO - July 30, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to expand eligibility to children and grandparents of active duty service men and women for unpaid leave under the Family Military Leave Act.

"This change to the Family Military Leave Act will allow the men and women who serve our country to spend valuable time with family members before deployment," said Governor Quinn. "Grandparents and adult children working for companies employing more than 50 people will now be able to take unpaid leave from work and be with their loved ones before he or she goes to serve the call to active duty."

"Not only is the Family Military Leave Act important for families but it also is critical for the personal well-being of those who serve in our armed forces," said Illinois Department of Veterans director Dan W. Grant.  "An impending deployment and having to part from family can be a stressful and emotional time for service men and women - the ability to be among family members that can help each other prepare is immeasurable."

Senate Bill 3818 amends the Family Military Leave Act to include adult children and grandparents of individuals called to military service as eligible for the same leave provided to spouses and parents. Under the new law, employers with 50 or more employees will be required to provide up to 30 days of unpaid family military leave to a worker when their spouse, child, parent, or grandchild is being deployed.

Sponsored by Sen. Toi W. Hutchison (D-Chicago Heights) and Rep. Lisa M. Dugan (D-Kankakee), the new law is effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Governor Quinn also signed a bill today pertaining to specialty license plates for Veterans. House Bill 4778, sponsored by Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) and Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria), allows Korean War Veterans, U.S. Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, World War II Veterans, Army Combat Veterans, and U.S. Army Veterans to obtain specialty license plates at no additional cost to the existing applicable registration fee. The new law amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and becomes effective Jan. 1, 2011.

The Governor also today signed House Bill 4667 and Senate Bill 3630 to benefit Veterans.
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Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) will host its annual Barge Party at the Lake Davenport Sailing Club on River Drive and Oneida Avenue in Davenport on Thursday, August 12 from 5:30p.m.to 9:00 p.m.  Chad Pregracke and his Living Lands & Waters' staff and crew will be on hand to celebrate thirteen years of river cleanups, environmental education workshops, river forest restoration projects, engaging communities in river stewardship.  During these thirteen years, Pregracke has been the recipient of many awards including the Jefferson Award, American Institute for Public Service; Heroes of Conservation Nomination, Field & Stream Magazine and The Alumni Award and Dedication of The Pregracke Center at Heartland Community College in Normal Illinois.

Those in attendance will enjoy a true river feast with a fish fry & shrimp boil next to the beautiful Mississippi River. The LL&W crew will give tours of the house and garbage barges and host a meet and greet where attendees can meet members of the LL&W crew.  There will also be a silent art auction, live music and a few words from Chad Pregracke and his crew to update you on the progress that has been made this year. "This event allows us to thank the Quad Cities and its residents for all that they do to help us in continuing to make the rivers a cleaner place.  It all makes a difference and everyone should be thanked and rewarded," says Chad Pregracke, Founder & President of Living Lands & Waters. Tickets for the event are $35 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the office at (309) 496-9848 or going to their website at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats, engaging thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a- River-Mile programs and the Million Trees Project. "This thank you and fundraiser is a perfect example of how much momentum and teamwork has helped this project progress.  We have supporters flying in from all over the country to celebrate what we have accomplished so far", says Pregracke.  
Des Moines, Iowa- Soldiers of the 649th Regional Support Group (RSG), which consists of approximately 50 Army Reserve soldiers, are returning from their deployment on Wednesday, August 4th.

The mission of the 649th RSG, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was to provide management and support operations for forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

An informal ceremony will be held August 5th beginning at 1300 at Xavier High School on 6300 42D Street NE in Cedar Rapids to publicly acknowledge our Army Reserve Soldiers for their selfless-service and sacrifice in support of overseas contingency operations.

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