17 Dec 2009

Braley Urges FCC to Protect Iowans in Cable Dispute Before Orange Bowl

By Caitlin Legacki

Washington, DC - In response to news that a long-standing cable dispute could leave 300,000 Iowans without Orange Bowl coverage, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski today encouraging him to step in and protect the interests of Iowa's families before January 5. In a game of significant importance to Iowans, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes will play the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Orange Bowl as part of the Bowl Championship Series.

"On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of constituents in my district who would be affected by the Sinclair-Mediacom retransmission rights negotiations, I write to solicit the FCC to protect my constituents and the public good," Braley wrote. "The January 5th Orange Bowl, in which the University of Iowa is playing their championship game with Georgia Tech, is on FOX.  Mediacom's broadcast area is highly populated with the fans and alumni of the University of Iowa, and hundreds of thousands of Iowans stand to lose their chance to watch their team in the Orange Bowl if the FCC does not take action to referee the Mediacom-Sinclair dispute.

"I do not write to ask the FCC to take sides in this contentious negotiation.  Rather, I ask that the FCC step in and take the appropriate actions to protect the public interest in the event that Mediacom and Sinclair are unable to come to terms on a retransmission consent agreement."

Sinclair Broadcasting Group is currently renegotiating their retransmission rights with Mediacom Communications Corporation.  A similar retransmission negotiation failed to reach a compromise back in 2007 and resulted in Mediacom customers losing Sinclair's Cedar Rapids based CBS station and Des Moines based FOX station. Local media reports have indicated that parties involved are pessimistic that a deal will be reached prior to January 5.

Braley joined other members of the Iowa delegation in sending a letter to Genachowski on November 23.  A full text of the letter Braley sent is attached.

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17 Dec 2009

RIVERMONT SENIOR RANKS TOPS IN STATE

By Brittany Marietta

Rivermont Collegiate is ecstatic to announce senior Roshan Babu, son of Dr. and Mrs. Hari Babu of Rock Island, has been named a 2010 Illinois State Scholar!  This prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), based on SAT and/or ACT scores.  Winners ranks in the top ten percent of the state's high school seniors from 752 high schools in all 102 Illinois counties.

Roshan, an aspiring young scientist, participated in the STARS (Student and Teachers as Research Scientists) program over the summer at the University of Missouri - St. Louis and was a Semifinalist in the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology.  Roshan, who has attended Rivermont since Kindergarten, is currently researching competitive dental and medical programs at universities throughout the United States.  We look forward to Roshan's future contributions to the world of science and medicine!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only independent, non-sectarian, PS-12 college preparatory school, ranked #1 on Iowa's AP Index.

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17 Dec 2009

December's Final Friday @ Bucktown: boyd & olson

By Helen Boyd
We would like to invite you to:
Waxing Encaustics by Helen Boyd & Jacki Olson
December 18 - January 29, 2010
Opening Reception: Friday, December 18, 2009 6-9PM
boyd & olson_fine art
Bucktown Center for the Arts
225 E. 2nd Street, Suite 201B
Davenport, IA  52801
The December show consists of new works and finished works at boyd & olson's art studio.
In the coming months, the studio will continue to explore the encaustic medium with all its
potential and versatility.
While Helen has been getting "set-up" in the studio, Jacki has been "waxing" the encaustics!
If you missed Final Friday last month, here is your chance to see Helen's encaustic workshop pieces
and Jacki's continuing exploration of the medium.
Check it out!
16 Dec 2009

Hupp ToyotaLift in Davenport Becomes Toyota Aichi Dealer

By Kevin Hupp

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (December 14, 2009) - Toyota Material Handling U.S.A. (TMHU), Inc. selected Hupp ToyotaLift to offer the company's line-up of Aichi, a Toyota Industries Company, aerial work platforms to the U.S. market.  Aichi's product line, including scissor lifts, crawler and wheeled-boom lifts, is designed specifically to meet a wide range of indoor and outdoor needs.

Hupp ToyotaLift was selected based on its excellence servicing of the industrial equipment industry, providing customers with top support in sales and rentals. Hupp ToyotaLift also operates a location in Davenport, Waterloo and Ankeny, Iowa, and in Peoria Ill.

"Hupp ToyotaLift was chosen to support the expanded offering of the Aichi product line to Iowa and central llinois because of its proven track record in supporting local businesses' needs," said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. "Hupp ToyotaLift will be a valuable resource for rental businesses, construction and other professionals seeking aerial lifts."

"We are honored to be among the distinguished list of Toyota Aichi dealers," said Kevin Hupp, president of Hupp ToyotaLift. "With the addition of Aichi's line-up including six models of scissor lifts, two SR-Series wheeled-boom lift models and four models ISR-Series crawler boom lifts, we are offering the market an extensive product portfolio, coupled with one of the best product warranties in the industry."

About Aichi, A Toyota Industries Company

Since its founding in 1962, Aichi has worked tirelessly to improve work environments in cooperation with its customers to create safer, more efficient and comfortable work sites for industries such as the utility, communication, construction and other industries.

The company has worked closely with its customers to improve job site methods by creating more efficient equipment tailored to each industry. Toyota Aichi dealers offer industry-leading support in every area of service, including parts, maintenance, financing, rentals and accessories.  For more information on Aichi products, please visit www.toyota-construction.com or call 1-800-852-0024.

About Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.

Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based TMHU has been the No. 1 selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and currently offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. TMHU, as the sole United States distributor for Aichi, now offers a line-up of aerial work lifts, including scissor lifts, crawler and wheeled boom lifts designed specifically to meet a wide range of indoor and outdoor needs.

Built on a reputation of excellence, Toyota remains the industry leader due to its quality, durability and reliability. Quality is the hallmark of Toyota's world-renowned Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM). Most of the Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States are manufactured at TIEM, a zero-landfill facility, in Columbus, Ind.

TIEM, and all Toyota manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada, comply with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and have been honored for their environmental management systems and dedication to continuous improvement.

Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Sixty-eight authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers, with a total of 188 dealership locations throughout the United States, offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts and service, fleet servicing, and financing. For more information on TMHU, please visit www.toyotaforklift.com or call 1-800-226-0009.

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15 Dec 2009

YFU USA is Seeking Host Families for International Students

By Mary Wennerstrum

Youth For Understanding USA (YFU USA) is seeking local host families to host high school exchange students for the next school year.

Youth For Understanding is one of the world's oldest, largest, and most respected international exchange programs. Since 1951, YFU offices around the world have exchanged approximately 240,000 students. YFU USA is a private, non-profit educational program dedicated to preparing young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world. YFU USA is certified by CSIET standards.

YFU USA will welcome new high school international exchange students this August. Our students come from different countries around the world. They speak English, have their own spending money, health insurance, will attend an American high school and will provide innumerable good memories and experiences to your family!  Open your doors to a new family member this summer and help him/her adapt to the U.S. lifestyle and culture. Hosting will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about other traditions and languages without leaving home.

Our host families are as diverse as our students. They are couples with or without children, empty nesters, single adults and also come from all cultural and economic backgrounds. Hosting an international exchange student can be an enriching experience for the entire family that will last a lifetime. By opening your home and heart to a student from overseas, your family will gain a new global perspective, many memories, and - quite possibly - a new family member!  You can host a student for ten months as a permanent host family, or for only six or twelve weeks as an arrival family.

Our trained YFU staff and volunteers are available to support you every step of the way. If you are interested in hosting a YFU student or would like more information, please call 1-866-493-8872 or apply on-line at www.yfu-usa.org.

15 Dec 2009

New Years at Noon - A YMCA Holiday Tradition

By Kathy Horrell

NEW YEARS AT NOON

Bettendorf and Maquoketa Area Family YMCAs CELEBRATE 2010 WITH qca faMILIES!

BETTENDORF and MAQUOKETA, IA - December 15, 2009 - The clock is ticking and soon we will be rolling the calendar over into 2010. Celebrating the coming of a new year is a traditional "adult" event, but not anymore! Quad City area families are invited to attend New Years at Noon on Thursday, December 31 at the Bettendorf and Maquoketa Family YMCAs

"Our New Years at Noon event started out as a small gathering a few years ago and has grown into one of our most popular family events at the Scott County Family Y," said Tony Calabrese, Vice President of the Scott County Family Y.  "For many area families this celebration has become a holiday tradition. Each year we see more and more families join us for the festivities."

Bettendorf's New Years at Noon

New Years at Noon will be held from 10:30 a.m. - Noon, at the Bettendorf Family YMCA, 3800 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf. The event is free for YMCA members and $3 per person for community members. This holiday tradition will include a count down to noon with father time, a balloon drop and party favors and holiday treats. In addition members and guests can also enjoy the area's only indoor aquatic center, which includes a 2-story water slide, zero-depth entry pool with frog slide, dew drop and bubblers.

Maquoketa's New Years at Noon

New Years at Noon at the Maquoketa Area Family YMCA will be held from 10am - 1:30pm, on Thursday, December 31. The event is $5 for YMCA family members and community families. The cost includes a holiday craft, swimming, snacks and a balloon drop at noon. The Maquoketa YMCA is located at 500 E. Summit Street, Maquoketa, Iowa. For more information about Maquoketa event call (563) 652-6566.

The Bettendorf and Maquoketa Family YMCAs are branches of the Scott County Family Y. Other branch locations include : Downtown Family YMCA, 606 West Second Street; North Family YMCA, 624 West 53rd Street; West Family YMCA 3503 West Locust Street, all in Davenport. For more information about the Bettendorf event call (563) 359-YMCA (9622) or visit the Scott County Family Y web site, www.ScottCountyFamilyY.org.

14 Dec 2009

Iowa American Water's Storage Tank in Davenport Back in Service with a "New Look"

By Rick Martin
Investment in Storage Tank Maintenance Ensures System Reliability

Davenport, Iowa. (December 14, 2009) - Iowa American Water's elevated storage tank in Davenport is back in service today with a "new look" after maintenance work and re-painting of the facility's interior and exterior surfaces was completed last week. The one-and-a-half-million gallon tank, which is located near the intersection of Kimberly Road and Northwest Boulevard by North Park Mall, features Iowa American Water's new logo painted on one side and the City of Davenport's logo painted on the other side of the structure.

The tank was taken out of service and drained in August in preparation for the work which included preventative maintenance, painting and inspection services. The nearly $1.1 million project was completed on schedule last week.

Iowa American Water used an environmentally-friendly paint system on the inside of the tank. This high tech paint system has a very low volatile organic chemical (VOC) concentration compared to other paints typically used for this application. Low VOC paint is safer for the environment and the painters applying it.

"This work is necessary to extend the lives of our elevated storage tanks," said Randy Moore, president of Iowa American Water. "Water tanks serve a vital role in our water distribution systems by enabling consistent water pressure in customers' homes and businesses, providing adequate water supply during high demand periods and for fire protection."
Iowa American Water began re-filling the tank last week and put the facility back in service after water quality tests confirmed the water in the tank meets all federal and state quality standards. When completely full, there is 153 feet of water from the ground to the top of the tank.

The painting contractor for the project was American Suncraft Construction Company of Medway, Ohio and the inspection and engineering firm Tank Industry Consultants of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Iowa American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water servicesto approximately 200,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
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14 Dec 2009

Local Firefight invents way to simplify Search & Rescue

By Eli Voss

Answering Firefighters prayers one Bigwig at a time!

Davenport, Iowa - December 14, 2009 - Eli Voss, an engineer with the Davenport, Iowa, Fire Department and owner of Bigwig Rescue Products, LLC has invented an innovated search and rescue tool that provides firefighters all over the world with a safer, faster and more organized way to search for victims in structural fires.

The driving force behind the invention of the Bigwig Tool was developed during search and rescue training, when Eli noticed that there was a consistent problem that firefighters were facing while they were trying to perform the basics of search and rescue.

"The Bigwig Tool is very simple and effect," said Chief Howard, Assistant Chief of Training with the Davenport Fire Department.  Chief Luckritz, retired chief of the Clinton, Iowa, Fire Department, considers the Bigwig Tool to be very practical for the fire service and also said "the Bigwig Tool is simple to use and is very durable. It will be an exciting new product for the fire service."

Eli Voss is a professional Firefighter/Engineer and has been with the Davenport Fire Department for seven years. He is currently assigned to Engine 3 and is a Field Staff Instructor with the State of Iowa's Fire Service Training Bureau.

14 Dec 2009

Glass Heritage Announces New Studio Manager

By John Watts

Glass Heritage, LLC, is pleased to announce the hiring of James D. "Jimi" Lee to fill the newly createdposition of studiomanager.

Jimi comes to us from Staten Island, New York, where he amassed 15 years of stained glass experience as a hobbyist and while working for Stained Glass Imagery, a studio similar in scope to Glass Heritage.

His historic preservation credits include windows by the renowned stained glass artist David Mailand Armstrong and Nicola D'Ascenzo, the panels in the dome at the U.S. Patent Office, along with other historic stained glass from a wide variety of landmark churches and public buildings in the northeast.

Jimi will be moving to Davenport at the first of the year when he will begin his duties with Glass Heritage, LLC.

The addition of Jimi to our staff allows us to expand our capabilities and adds new dimension and techniques.  His hands-on approach to his work and his experience are a welcome addition to the growth of our company, which is steadily expanding its market area.

Glass Heritage, LLC specializes in the restoration and preservation of historic stained glass as well as custom stained glass and etched glass commissions.  We are a fully accredited studio with the Stained Glass Association of America, as well as members of the Art Glass Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Glass Guild.

Glass Heritage, LLC is located at 234 West 3rd Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801.  We can be reached at 563-324-4300 or www.glassheritage.com

 

14 Dec 2009

IHOP Sets Goal to Raise $1.75M on National Pancake Day 2010

By Ann Kelsey

GLENDALE, Calif. - December 14, 2009 - IHOP, one of America's favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has announced plans to serve millions of free pancakes again next year in celebration of National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.  Planned as a celebration of friends, family and community, IHOP hopes the program will raise $1.75 million for Children's Miracle Network, an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals, and other worthy local causes.

2010 will mark IHOP's fifth year celebrating the national event and the company has set an ambitious goal to raise a cumulative $5 million for charity in the first five years of its free flapjack philanthropic effort.  More than 1,400 IHOP restaurants throughout the United States will once again invite guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP's signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on National Pancake Day.  In return, IHOP guests are asked to donate what they would have paid for the free pancakes, or more, to the Children's Miracle Network hospital in their community, or another designated local cause.

"We are flipping for 'five in five' with our 2010 National Pancake Day campaign, and with our guests' generous support, plan to reach our goal of $5 million in five years," said Carolyn O'Keefe, IHOP's senior vice president, marketing. "IHOP's franchisees and guests have raised more than $3.25 million to support Children's Miracle Network and other local charities since we started our National Pancake Day in 2006.  The day has become a tradition for families and friends who wish to enjoy great food and great service while helping out a great cause."

Children's Miracle Network "Miracle Balloons" will be sold for $1 and $5 each and will be personalized and displayed at participating IHOP restaurants from February 1 through February 23, 2010.  Miracle Balloon sales offer guests another way to show their support of Children's Miracle Network and contribute to the National Pancake Day fundraising effort.

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