As cabin fever begins to reach its height, area residents have a unique tool in their arsenal to ward off those mid-winter blahs.

For a mere $25, people can break out of their homes and spend Sunday afternoons in February learning about Celtic Spirituality, A History of Angels, The Modern Civil Rights Movement, Increasing Your Intuition, Conversational Italian, Spanish and French, Tai Chi, Georgia O'Keefe, Egyptology, Psychology of Film or one of  31 other topics at this year's CommUniversity.

CommUniversity is a non-profit project, presented by a volunteer committee of representatives from various local educational and community groups. The public event has been held every February for 31 years with more than 600 people attending last year. Classes last four weeks, held from 2 - 4 p.m. every Sunday in February.

Classes are held at St. Ambrose University and will be kicked off February 6 with a keynote presentation at 1 p.m. in the university's Galvin Fine Arts Center.

This year's keynote speaker is Stephen Bloom, professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa and author of Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America and The Oxford Project which won the prestigious 2009 Alex Award from the American Library Association.

Bloom's presentation will be on storytelling and why it is still important to us today, even though the platforms used to bring news to people may be changing.

Following the keynote, students will move to their chosen classes.

Classes are informal, taught by experts in their field and, best of all, there are no tests. Other classes this year include : Exploring the Book of Genesis, Irish Poetry, Beginning Photography, Yoga, Tennessee Williams and Songwriting.

Participants can sign up as an individual and use the opportunity to meet others who share an interest or, in many cases, groups of friends or entire families enroll together. Either way, anyone wanting to fight off the winter chill has 42 different classes from which to choose.

People are invited to attend Bloom's keynote address free of charge. Class registration is accepted at the door on February 6, however everyone is encouraged to register in advance. This helps to insure that there is room in the class for them, as well as makes sure the class isn't cancelled due to low enrollment.

A full listing of all the available classes and registration information is available online at www.communiversity.org

CommUniversity is made possible in part through grants from Humanities Iowa, (state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities) and the Scott County Regional Authority.

The "Call for Entries" is out for the Thirty-fifth Annual Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition, with a discount for entries received by January 14, 2011 ($20 for two entries). Final entry deadline is January 20, 2011 ($30 for two entries). The annual juried competition, co-sponsored by the Rock Island Art Guild and Augustana College, is open to visual artists working in any media except video, and residing within a 150-mile radius of the Quad Cities. Entry forms, specifications and size limits are on the Call for Entries prospectus. The entry form can be found and downloaded on the Augustana College in Rock Island web page by clicking on: Arts, then Art Museum, then the exhibit. For phone assistance, call 309-794-7231. We hope that you will enter; we count on the participation of area artists to continue the program.

The following local students were named to the Dean's List at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota:

Kelsey Francis, Bettendorf, and Samantha Good, Rock Island.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2010-2011 academic year:

Maria Elena Ontiveros, School of Human Ecology, Bettendorf; Mehmet Gultekin Badur, College of Engineering, Moline; and Andrew James Hoogerwerf, College of Engineering, Rock Island.

Recognition for outstanding academic achievement has been given to the following students at Grand View University, Des Moines, for the 2010 fall semester:

Katelyn Christine Carlson of Rock Island with a 3.66667 GPA.

The Dean's List honor is awarded to the following Central College students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester:

Jessica Emard, junior, German studies/English, Bettendorf; Emily Huegel, sophomore, Bettendorf; Kelly Spavin, sophomore, English, Bettendorf; Katelyn Baker, junior, accounting, Davenport; Melissa Blanchard, junior, Spanish, Davenport; Patricia Braun, sophomore, Davenport; Melanie Louis, junior, biology, Davenport; Maaike Mielenhausen, sophomore, Davenport; Anthony Miller, senior, exercise science, Davenport; Allison Redman, sophomore, Davenport; and Caleb Rangel, senior, exercise science, Rock Island.


SPRINGFIELD - January 6, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement on the General Assembly's passage of Medicaid reform legislation.

"Today is an important day for our state. For too long we have simply talked about Medicaid reform; today we are following through with legislation that will help stabilize our budget and rebuild the foundations of our economy. This bill will streamline services and eliminate inefficiencies, saving the state hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition, it will improve efficiency in the program to ensure that Medicaid patients in Illinois are receiving the highest quality of care.

"This bill reflects a truly bipartisan effort by our General Assembly. I would like to thank the Medicaid reform committees, as well as bill sponsors Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Representative Patti Bellock, Senator Heather Steans and Senator Dale Righter for their dedication; their support was critical in my administration's drive to pass this legislation. Thanks also to my healthcare advisor Michael Gelder and Healthcare and Family Services Director Julie Hamos for their tremendous work in crafting and helping pass this bill.

"This is a powerful example of the reforms Illinois needs to stabilize its budget, and the kind of legislation I will continue to work with the General Assembly to pass. I look forward to receiving this bill from the legislature and acting on it soon."

 

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Programs help defray costs for qualified families with young children

Davenport, Iowa - Scott County Kids, a public-private partnership that helps families raise happy and healthy children, announces an initiative to award more than $250,000 in child care scholarships for Scott County families who are working, attending school or looking for work.

The first program, funded by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has approximately $230,000 available to assist with the care of children from birth to 24 months. The second, funded by the state of Iowa, has $22,000 in scholarships for second/third shift and weekend care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

"The money must be used by June 30," said Marcy Mendenhall, executive director of Scott County Kids. "Right now, just six families are taking advantage of the programs."

"These scholarships help parents to secure quality, loving child-care for their young children while they work, go to school, or in some cases, look for a job," Mendenhall said. "They can most certainly play a vital role in helping families during these difficult financial times."

Birth to 24 months scholarships

The federal stimulus money is for children whose parents are: working at least 28 hours a week; in school or training full-time; in a combination of work and school for at least 28 hours a week; or unemployed within the last six months and actively seeking employment.

The amount of the award, paid directly to the care providers, depends on income. Families are required to pay for some of the care. Detailed information about the grant levels can be found at bit.ly/gJqf0v.

To qualify, the child must be between birth and 24 months old, a U.S. citizen and living with parents or individuals acting in a parental role. A family's income must be within certain guidelines (see below). The child care providers must meet certain standards and be on contract with Scott County Kids.

Home-based and center providers in Scott County who are approved to accept children with this grant are: Children's Village Hoover; Children's Village West; Creative Beginnings; Barb DeWispelaere; Hand in Hand; Debra Haskins; Kiddie Karrasel; Kindercare, Bettendorf; Daphne Ramirez; Scott County Family Y - Downtown & Palmer; Shining Light Learning Center; Skip-A-Long.

The home-based providers must have an Iowa Quality Rating of 3, 4 or 5 or accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care. Child care centers must also have an Iowa ranking of a 3, 4 or 5 and be recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Scott County Kids is one of 24 organizations in Iowa participating in the effort, called the Infant and Toddler Quality Child Care Program. Clinton, Jackson, Louisa, Des Moines, Johnson and Iowa counties in Eastern Iowa are also taking part.

Statewide, nearly $2.4 million was available as of November 2009. Scott County received $251,772.

"One challenge, Mendenhall said, "is that many of the providers who qualify and are under contract have waiting lists for infants and toddlers." She hopes more providers will step forward to qualify.

"We want families to be able to use this stimulus money," Mendenhall said.

Second/third shift and weekend scholarships

Scott County Kids also has approximately $22,000 in scholarships available to help pay for second/third shift and weekend care, while parents work and/or go to school.

The scholarships are $300-$400 a month for full-time care, and $150-$200 a month for part-time care for children ages birth through enrollment in kindergarten. To qualify, parents cannot be eligible for any other child care assistance; must work and/or attend school for at least 28 hours a week; and live in Scott County.

The challenge is getting the money into the hands of families who can use it. This fiscal year, just $3,000 of the $25,000 has been awarded.

The family-chosen child care providers must be either a home registered with the Iowa Department of Human Resources or a center licensed with the agency. The providers must also supply proof of insurance and complete the requirements of a child care compliance audit.

"The vision of Scott County Kids is that every child, beginning at birth, will be healthy and successful," said Jennifer Kakert, parent and president of the Scott County Kids board. "One component of this includes ensuring access to quality child care. One barrier for many parents is the cost of quality child care. The scholarships are provided on a sliding income scale to help defray some of that cost. This helps ensure that working parents can secure quality care for their children."

To find out more about the grants and scholarships from Scott County Kids, to get an application, or to qualify as a child care provider, contact Renee Rankin at the Friendly House, (563)323-1821, ext. 11 or at reneerankin@friendlyhouseiowa.org.

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WASHINGTON D.C. (January 6, 2011) - The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) will welcome United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) President and CEO Javier Palomarez to the organization's 2nd Annual Gala on Saturday, January 15, 2010, where he will deliver the keynote address on the economic significance and the powerful entrepreneurial spirit that fuels the growth of more than three million businesses that constitute Hispanic enterprise in America.

The GQCHCC, founded two years ago by its Chairman Bob Ontiveros, President and CEO of Group O, serves the Quad Cities and surrounding areas in Illinois and Iowa including Sterling, Rock Falls, Muscatine, and West Liberty. Palomarez, in addition to delivering the keynote speech to the GQHCC and its members, will highlight his visit to the Quad Cities with a tour of Group O, the ninth largest Hispanic-owned company in North America.

"We are extremely honored to welcome Mr. Palomarez to the Quad Cities," says Alfred Ramirez, President of the GQCHCC. "To have the leader of the largest Hispanic business organization in the country visit our Hispanic chamber is an honor for our members and the Quad Cities community."

WHAT: Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Gala

WHO: Javier Palomarez, President and CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Bob Ontiveros, GQCHCC Chairman, President and CEO, Group O; and Alfred Ramirez, GQCHCC President

WHEN: Saturday, January 15, 2010

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm - VIP Reception

5:30 pm - 6:15 pm - Cocktail Reception

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Dinner & Program

8:30 pm - 10:30 pm - Networking Reception & Entertainment

WHERE: Isle Hotel - Isle Center Bettendorf, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722

COST: $25 Members, $35 Non-Members, $20 Students, Sponsor levels also available

RSVP: RSVP by January 7, 2010 by phone (309) 797-8650 or e-mail info@gqchcc.com. Register online at http://gqchcc.com/Event.html.

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By Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)


As we begin 2011 and welcome the 112th Congress to Washington, it can be easy to focus on all the challenges we face and forget about all the important things we have accomplished in the past two years during the 111th Congress and President Obama's first years in office.  In fact, this Congress has accomplished more legislatively than any other Congress since the 1960s.  I have been proud to work with others to fight for an unprecedented series of steps to restore the economy and improve the lives of Iowans in common-sense, concrete ways.  

For starters, as many Iowans are all too aware, flood recovery in Eastern Iowa is still ongoing, and will be for some time, but each federal dollar that has been allocated for that effort has been put to good use.  I was proud to play a lead role in securing and directing significant funds for ongoing flood recovery in addition to the bulk of dollars appropriated in 2008.

On the financial front, when the 111th Congress began, the nation was headed toward another Great Depression and to help stop this, we passed the stimulus bill, which helped preserve and create millions of jobs and prevented an economic disaster.  And to prevent a future financial meltdown and to protect consumers from abusive financial products and practices, Congress enacted the most sweeping Wall Street reform bill in decades.  This bill helped put our focus back where it should be - on protecting consumers, instead of vast financial institutions.  The consumer protections included in the bill mean that Iowans can have more confidence in their financial dealings.  There is still much more to be done to turn the economy around, but without these steps our financial situation would be far worse than it is today.

Later, as the recession racked our state budget, Iowa's public schools faced the prospect of massive layoffs, which would have meant larger class sizes and a great risk to the state of our kids' education.  The fight to pass the Keep Our Educators Working Act was sometimes a lonely one, but in the end the bill delivered $96 million to Iowa and helped keep thousands of teachers in the classroom.  

We also succeeded in enacting a health reform law that increases access to affordable, quality care.  Because of the bill, more Iowans can see a doctor than could before and children cannot be denied coverage because they have a pre-existing condition.  In addition, young adults can stay on their parents insurance until they are 26, and crucial preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies are now provided free of any copay or deductible.  The health reform bill is an important step that finally set us on the path to remaking America as a wellness society - one that focuses on keeping people well instead of patching them up after they get sick.

And I have been proud to be at the center of two critical efforts to improve food policy in this country.  Our long-standing effort to make our food safer and healthier, came to fruition with the passing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the most significant child nutrition reform bill in decades, as well as the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which updates and strengthens our nation's outdated food safety laws for the first time in nearly a century.

The list of accomplishments over the past two years also includes the Children's Health Insurance Program, funding for our troops, housing loan modification, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, supporting national service programs, the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a small business lending fund, student loan reform, tobacco regulations and so many more.

Overall, we made great progress towards restoring the economy and improving the lives of Iowans in very real ways.  I am proud of what we accomplished and look forward to working in the 112th Congress with members on both sides of the aisle to do what is best for Iowa, working families and our nation as a whole.

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Encino, CA--January 6, 2011:  Operation Gratitude today revealed that the organization's 600,000th Care Package, containing the keys to a Victory Vegas 8-Ball Motorcycle, was personally delivered on Christmas Day by Marine Corps Commandant, General James Amos, to a Lance Corporal deployed in the Sangin District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  The Lance Corporal, whose name will be revealed upon his return to the United States, is an infantryman with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5), also known as the "Dark Horse Battalion."

"I received a phone call from a very happy young Marine on Christmas Day," exclaimed Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude founder.  "He said: 'Your package means the world to me. I appreciate everybody who put something in that care package and everybody back home.  And I thank you for your love and support, as do all the other Marines who received packages from y'all.  Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.'"

Ten days earlier, Blashek had flown to Washington DC to meet General Amos, who, upon learning the recipient was a Marine with the 3/5, had offered to deliver the 600,000th Care Package during his trip to Afghanistan.  The Commandant met with more than 12,000 of the 20,000 Marines deployed in Afghanistan during the ten day trip.  While visiting with the "Dark Horse" Marines in Sangin on Christmas Day, he presented Operation Gratitude's milestone care package.

"We were outside in the  cold night air; about 200 Marines had just finished their Christmas meal. All of the senior leadership in the Battalion were present," wrote General Amos.  "The Battalion Commander called [the Lance Corporal] up in front of everyone and I gave him the package. He read  your letter to everyone before he figured out what the gift was. Then he read the second letter from Victory and was handed a picture of the bike...that did the lad in. He was crying and his fellow Marines were cheering. I don't think that it could have gone any better."  

General Amos added:  "God bless the many faithful Operation Gratitude volunteers for what they have done...over 600,000 times!!  My hearty thanks to all!"

The Victory Motorcycle will be presented to the Lance Corporal when the Battalion returns to Camp Pendleton in the Spring of 2011.

"Victory is always looking for meaningful ways to thank those serving in the military and our veterans," said Victory Motorcycles General Manager Steve Menneto. "The opportunity to partner with Operation Gratitude and donate one of our motorcycles to the organization's 600,000th care package means a lot to our company. We encourage everyone to continue finding ways to thank our troops for all they sacrifice in service to our country."


The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, deployed in Sangin since late September, 2010, have faced an extremely dangerous and challenging operational environment, sustaining numerous casualties.  According to Lt. Colonel Jason Morris, the Battalion Commander, significant progress has been made in fracturing the enemy while providing humanitarian aid to the local populace.

"We hope our Milestone package, along with the approximately 1000 regular packages sent during our Holiday Drive, brought good cheer to the 3/5 Marines during this difficult time away from loved ones," said Blashek.  "We look forward to welcoming home each of the Marines in the Spring and personally thanking them and their families for their courageous service to our nation and the cause of freedom."
Operation Gratitude, a non-profit, volunteer-based organization, shipped more than 45,000 individually addressed care packages during the holidays and plans to send another five thousand or more before the Spring.  The group's Patriotic Drive will start in late April and run through June, sending an additional 40-50,000 care packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guard and Marines deployed in harm's way.
UPDATE: Due to winter storms, the Mallards game on Feb 1, 2011 has been rescheduled for Feb 21.  Tip A Mallard at Antonella's will take place on another date which will be determined soon.

TIP A MALLARD

 

On Monday evening, February 21st, members of the Quad City Mallards hockey team will be celebrity waiters at Antonella's Ristorante and Pizzeria.

All tips received by the Hockey waiters that evening will be donated to the hunger programs at Churches United of the Quad City Area.

We encourage you, your family, and your friends to enjoy a wonderful Sicilian-style dinner of pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches, support a great cause, and be served by some of the most athletic "waiters" in town.

Antonella's, a family owned and operated restaurant at 112 West 3rd Street in downtown Davenport, is a proud supporter of Churches United and a sponsor of Mallard hockey. Reservations can be made by calling 563-359-4411.

The Figge Art Museum is saving the last dance for you; come see the Figge Art Museum's exhibition, Dancing Towards Death: The Richard Harris Collection, before it closes this Sunday, January 9th. Although the show is about to meet its end, the opportunity still remains to experience a fabulously Figge-curated exhibit that centers on the inevitable and futile struggle with mortality.  With themes played out in print, oil, and sculpture, Dancing Towards Death addresses the certain fate bestowed upon all people; death is inexorable and spares none, regardless of status and wealth. The exhibition highlights a popular theme addressed throughout the art of Western Europe for the past six centuries, most often as a decaying corpse or skeleton embracing a victim in a dance foretelling his or her demise. Works from Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Georg Grosz, and Sue Coe are featured.

For more information, contact the Figge Art Museum at 563.326.7804 or visit online at figgeart.org.

 

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