31 May 2011

More News from Senator Grassley's Office

By Grassley Press

Feinstein, Grassley Release Senate Caucus on Int'l Narcotics Control Report on Mexico

Senators Urge Congress and Administration to use report as a blueprint for cooperation with Mexico to combat drug trafficking

Washington, DC - May 25, 2011 - U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today released a report outlining key steps and initiatives to combat Mexico's brutal drug trafficking organizations and reduce violence in the country.

The report, U.S. and Mexican Responses to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations, is endorsed by all seven Members of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control and makes several recommendations for the U.S. government.  The report synthesizes information gathered through a country visit, briefings, interviews, and a review of documents from both government and non-government subject matter experts.

"The United States provides counternarcotics assistance throughout the world, but our security partnership with Mexico is unique since we share a 1,969 mile border," said Senator Feinstein.

 

"What happens in Mexico has a deep impact on the United States and the reciprocal is also true. Today, U.S. - Mexico ties are stronger than ever, and we must take advantage of this historic moment by continuing to deepen our security partnership with Mexico," continued Feinstein. "I urge my colleagues in Congress and members of the Obama Administration to read this report and use it as a blueprint for future cooperation with Mexico to combat drug trafficking."

 

"The drug trade has long been associated with violence, but the recent escalation has been unprecedented. Stopping this violence will take cooperation from those of us on both sides of the border," Senator Grassley said. "And, while more work needs to be done in this area, this report can be a guide as we move forward and work to curb the drug trade and the violence associated with it."

Findings and recommendations of the report include :

Money Laundering

  • The report calls on the Obama Administration to do more to starve Mexico's drug trafficking organizations of the money that fuels them.  Specifically, it urges the Obama Administration to immediately make pre-paid gift and credit cards - known as stored value - subject to cross-border reporting requirements.

Stored value is not subject to any cross-border reporting requirements.  This means that an individual crossing from the United States into Mexico with thousands of dollars on pre-paid cards is not required to declare these cards at the border.

Mérida Initiative

  • The report calls on the State Department to expedite the delivery of air assets to Mexico under the Mérida Initiative, a security assistance program that includes air assets, other equipment and training.
  • It also recommends that the State Department quickly develop performance measures for the Mérida Initiative and provide these metrics to Congress.  A multi-year timeline should be developed with targets in several areas, including equipment delivery, judicial and police reform, and state capacity to respond to drug trafficking organizations.

The U.S. government has provided vital security assistance to Mexico, including 11 helicopters - eight Bell 412 helicopters for the Mexican military and three Blackhawk helicopters for the country's federal police.  Six more Blackhawk helicopters are still in the pipeline.

Justice Reform

  • The report concludes that in order to have long-term success in combating organized crime, much-needed judicial reforms must be implemented throughout Mexico.

According to data from the Mexican government, 1.55 percent of suspected crimes in Mexico result in convictions.  By comparison, the U.S. federal courts logged a 90.3 percent conviction rate in FY 2008.

The report recommends that judicial sector training be proactively offered by the United States through the Mérida Initiative to each Mexican state that requests it.  This should include specific training on oral trial topics, such as evidence, opening and closing statements, direct and cross examination and objections.

Southbound Inspections

  • The report asks the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to conduct and submit to Congress an assessment of immediate infrastructure and staffing needs at the Southwest border - including important tools like License Plate Readers - and activities and resources by the Mexican Government to stand-up southbound inspections on the Mexican side of the border.

Border Tunnels

  • The report calls on Congress to pass legislation to enhance the 2007 law that criminalizes the financing, construction and use of border tunnels.  The legislation proposed in the report would increase prosecutorial options by criminalizing conspiracy to use, construct or finance a border tunnel.  The Caucus also recommends that illegal tunneling be included as an offense eligible for Title III wire interception.

Cross-Border Kidnappings

  • The Caucus's report calls on the FBI to develop and sponsor a vetted unit with trusted Mexican counterparts who have the expertise to conduct investigations of the kidnappings of U.S. citizens.

The entire report can be found here:  U.S. and Mexican Responses to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations

###

SEC approves whistleblower rules

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa helped to enact provisions beefing up the Securities and Exchange Commission's treatment of whistleblowers.  Earlier, Grassley was the Senate author of the 1986 whistleblower amendments to the federal False Claims Act, which has become one of the government's most powerful tools against fraud.  He also was key to improving the IRS' whistleblower office.  He made the following comment on the SEC's approval today of new rules giving whistleblowers incentives to come forward about financial fraud.

"In general, there's a long history of retaliation against whistleblowers.  To come forward, they need protection and independence from the operation that's potentially doing wrong.   The SEC took a step in the right direction today.  A whistleblower might prevent the next Madoff.   Twenty years ago, the Justice Department resisted whistleblowers.  Since then, whistleblowers have helped the department recover $28 billion that otherwise would have been lost to fraud.  More recently, there was a lot of skepticism about beefing up the IRS' whistleblower incentives.  That office recently recovered $20 million for the taxpayers in the first reward under the new set-up.  Both of these programs faced some of the same criticisms facing the SEC program but the concerns were overstated.   Now, the SEC needs to break away from its past of resisting whistleblowers.  It needs to make sure whistleblowers are taken seriously and that their complaints are given the attention needed to prevent fraud."

###

Grassley Elicits Confirmation of Risk to U.S. Market Share Over Korea Trade Agreement Delay

WASHINGTON -- May 25, 2011 - In response to a question from Sen. Chuck Grassley, a top U.S. trade official confirmed today that U.S. agricultural producers are indeed at risk of losing valuable market share in Korea to the European Union because the United States has not implemented its pending Free Trade Agreement with Korea, and the European Union has implemented such an agreement.  The White House and congressional allies continue to move the goal posts on the necessary conditions for implementing pending trade agreements, to the detriment of U.S. producers.

The exchange occurred at a hearing of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over international trade.  Grassley is a senior member and former chairman and ranking member of the committee.

A video clip is available here.

The text of a Senate floor speech Grassley delivered today on the value of trade agreements is available here.

-30-

31 May 2011

Braley "True Cost of War" Amendment Passes House

By Rick Martin

Washington, DC - Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Bruce Braley's (IA-01) "True Cost of War" amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Braley's amendment would require a full accounting of the human and financial costs of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya from the Departments of Defense, State and Veterans Affairs.

"In the last 10 years, Congress has appropriated over a trillion dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and most recently in Libya," said Rep. Braley. "But what we don't account for in that figure is the more than 5,800 U.S. Service members who've been killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Or the more than 40,000 who've been wounded and who will spend the rest of their lives treating injuries like PTSD, severe burns and amputated limbs. These are not just costs that our troops and their families bear - these are also significant costs for the Department of Veterans Affairs and all American taxpayers. As a nation, we have a right to know what these conflicts will actually cost us.

Earlier this year, Rep. Braley returned from a Congressional fact-finding mission in Afghanistan where he met with General David Petraeus and discussed the cost of the Afghanistan war.

"With our neighbors currently deployed to Afghanistan with the Iowa National Guard, these wars are incredibly personal for me and the people of my district," said Rep. Braley. "I've met with dozens of my constituents - young men and women and their families - who have sacrificed a great deal in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And when I meet injured soldiers and I see the hardships - physical and financial - that they and their families will endure for the rest of their lives, it becomes crystal clear that the true cost of the war is not being accurately reported. With this amendment, we can change that."

The amendment, similar to Rep. Braley's bipartisan True Cost of War Act, requires the President to work with the Secretaries of Defense, State and Veterans Affairs to submit a written report to Congress on the long-term human and financial costs of the war inIraq and Afghanistan.

Rep. Braley has beenfighting for a true accounting of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars since he came to Congress.

###

31 May 2011

Mississippi Valley Fair Fun Cards now on sale

By Phil Roberts

Davenport, Iowa (May 25, 2011) -- Take a stellar lineup of grandstand acts and a variety of free grounds shows and attractions. Add the Evans United Shows Carnival, commercial and craft displays, some great fair food and lots of livestock shows. And you've got the recipe for the 92nd Great Mississippi Valley Fair, being held here Aug. 2-7, at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St.

Fun Cards -- good for daily admission to the grounds and all grandstand shows -- are now for sale at Hy-Vee stores and the fair office. They are $40 each through July 6, then the price goes to $45.

For those without Fun Cards, grounds admission is $10 at the gate for adults and $3 for children 4-12. Children 3 and under are free.

Entertaining in the grandstand this year at the Great Fair are Joe Nichols on Tuesday, Blake Shelton on Wednesday, Darius Rucker on Thursday, the Steve Miller Band on Friday, the Charlie Daniels Band on Saturday and Miranda Lambert on Sunday. All shows begin at 8 p.m., and admission is by Fun Card only. Those 3 and under, however, are admitted free.

Grounds shows and attractions, as always, include some perennial favorites and some newcomers. Fair manager Bob Fox, who books the acts, keeps a close eye on them and doesn't let any one get stale with fair-goers.

In no particular order, the 2011 shows and attractions include the Caboodlestoppers, the Giant Ejector Seat, The Diamonds, Gym Bob's Jamboree with Mike Porter, a diving show, Robinson's Racing Pigs, Kachunga and the Alligator Show, professional break dancers, Frisco's Elephants and Petting Zoo, Todd the Stilt Walker, Michelle's Magic Poodles, a woodcarver, the National Belgian Horse Show, Great Cats, Granpa Cratchet and Dallas, the Fire Guy.

For more information, go to www.mvfair.com or phone (563) 326-5338.

-30-

31 May 2011

Tree Identification Booklet from the Arbor Day Foundation Makes It Easier to Identify Tree Species in Iowa

By Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation has a booklet that helps people identify trees in a simple, step-by-step process. The booklet, What Tree Is That?, is available for a $5 donation to the nonprofit tree-planting organization.

What Tree Is That? is a fun, easy-to-use tree identification guide that features hand-drawn botanical illustrations highlighting the distinctive characteristics of many tree species.

Nature lovers and professional arborists alike have called this pocket field guide one of the most user-friendly resources to have. Its beautiful, full-color illustrations are in precise detail to depict natural colors, shapes, and textures, so users can make a positive species identification in just a few easy steps.

The Arbor Day Foundation offers this booklet to help people identify trees in Iowa and throughout the Eastern and Central regions of the United States. What Tree Is That? uses a unique step-by-step approach to identify the species of each tree. The booklet explains what to look for in the shape of the leaves and differences in the leaf stems and twig structures, specifics on the fruits and flowers, and the details of buds and bark.

"Our What Tree Is That? pocket brochure is an ideal resource to help people develop a greater appreciation for trees," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The Arbor Day Foundation strives to help people enjoy and appreciate trees, and we feel our pocket field guide will do just that."

What Tree is That? is also available as an online interactive version at arborday.org. The Arbor Day Foundation offers this unique, one-of-a-kind online tool so people can identify trees using the internet.

To obtain a tree identification guide in full color, send your name and address and $5 for each guide to What Tree Is That?, Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, NE 68410. You can also order the book online at arborday.org.

###

31 May 2011

Area students make Academic Lists

By various sources

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2010-2011 academic year.  Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the honor.
To view an online listing, visit http://registrar.wisc.edu/deans_list.htm . For questions or concerns about eligibility, please contact deanslist-registrar@em.wisc.edu
Here are the students from the Quad Cities area who have received this honor:

Maria Elena Ontiveros, Bettendorf, School of Human Ecology, Dean's Honor List;

Meghan Elizabeth Khoury, Davenport, School of Human Ecology, Dean's Honor List;

Mehmet Gultekin Badur, Moline, College of Engineering, Dean's Honor List;

Andrew James Hoogerwerf, Rock Island, College of Engineering, Dean's Honor List

###

Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin has announced that William A. Hawkinson, Senior, and Devin T. Lundy, Freshman, both from Davenport, have achieved academic distinction during the Spring term of the academic year and has been named to the Dean's List, which recognizes students who have maintained at least a 3.4 cumulative grade point average for the semester.

###

31 May 2011

President Obama Meets with Illinois National Guard Unit in Poland

By Randy Stalsberg

WARSAW, POLAND (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- President Barack Obama and twelve Illinois National Guard Soldiers laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, Poland Friday. The Illinois troops and Polish Soldiers have been training together on responding to a chemical attack since May 19 as part of the crisis management exercise EPIFAKTOR 2011 in Warsaw, Poland.

Capt. Douglas Coop of Jacksonville, the State Partnership Program Director said the Illinois National Guard received the request to support the President's visit on Tuesday and the 12 troops were happy to assist.

"To meet the President and share with him the Illinois National Guard's cooperation with Poland was the icing on the cake of almost two years of hard work," said Coop.

Since 1993 Illinois Army National Guard and Polish force have trained together as part of the State Partnership Program.

Coop presented Obama with an Illinois National Guard State Partnership Program coin and said Obama expressed remorse about the Chicago Bulls playoff loss and thanked them for their service during their brief visit.

"The President took time to shake each of our hands and visit briefly with use, acknowledging that we're all from his home state," said Coop.

The Illinois Soldiers are part of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) and will return from Poland this weekend.

"Who gets to do this?," said Maj. Michael Eiter of Woodstock with the Joint Force Headquarters. "When I joined the guard I never imagined that I'd be part of something called the State Partnership Program and working with Polish counterparts and have a chance to meet the President."

Illinois and Poland have conducted exercises both in Illinois and Poland for 18 years. Polish forces and Illinois National Guard troops have deployed together to both Iraq and Afghanistan during every Polish rotation into theater.The Soldiers participating in EPIFAKTOR 2011 are from Carol Stream, Chicago, Bismark, Rockford, Granite City, Cottage Hills, Glenarm, Alton, Jacksonville, Chatham and Woodstock.

31 May 2011

Augustana Graduates Class of 2011

By readMedia

ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Five hundred and eighty students of the class of '11 graduated from Augustana College with their Bachelor of Arts degree on May 22, 2011. Augustana's 151st commencement convocation was held at the iwireless Center in Moline, Ill.

From your area this includes:

Debra Butler from Bettendorf , IA. Butler majored in psychology.

Lauren Carver from Bettendorf , IA. Carver majored in biology.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf , IA. Narvaez majored in psychology and Spanish.

Emily Voigt from Bettendorf , IA. Voigt majored in business marketing.

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf , IA. Voigt majored in biology.

Anna Smith from Davenport , IA. Smith majored in biology and psychology.

Regina Jarrell from Davenport , IA. Jarrell majored in art.

Christopher Wadsager from Davenport , IA. Wadsager majored in biochemistry.

Audrey Waner from Davenport , IA. Waner majored in art.

Anita Cook from Davenport , IA. Cook majored in art.

Kelsey Van Dyke from Davenport , IA. Van Dyke majored in music education instrumental.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island , IL. Anderson majored in math and computer science.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island , IL. Dyer majored in teaching English.

Neil Friberg from Rock Island , IL. Friberg majored in English.

Travis Greenlee from Rock Island , IL. Greenlee majored in speech communication.

Jacob McDowell from Rock Island , IL. McDowell majored in psychology and English.

Hee Do Park from Rock Island , IL. Park majored in Asian studies and economics.

John Patton from Rock Island , IL. Patton majored in English.

James Sales from Rock Island , IL. Sales majored in biology.

Andrew Shaffer from Rock Island , IL. Shaffer majored in honors history.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island , IL. Vandewiele majored in political science and accounting.

Robert Fite from Coal Valley , IL. Fite majored in business management.

Rebekka Laverenz from Coal Valley , IL. Laverenz majored in biology.

Michael Seevers from Cordova , IL. Seevers majored in geography.

Emma Burgess from East Moline , IL. Burgess majored in psychology.

Matthew Kustes from East Moline , IL. Kustes majored in business management information systems.

Nicole Molina from East Moline , IL. Molina majored in international business.

Kayla Papish from East Moline , IL. Papish majored in teaching math and math.

Lauren White from East Moline , IL. White majored in accounting.

Jeremy Smith from Milan , IL. Smith majored in political science.

Brian Stone from Milan , IL. Stone majored in teaching math and math.

Felipe Aguilar from Moline , IL. Aguilar majored in business management.

Kellene Anthony from Moline , IL. Anthony majored in psychology and sociology with social welfare.

Steven Ash from Moline , IL. Ash majored in physics.

James Hallene from Moline , IL. Hallene majored in business finance.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline , IL. Harmon majored in political science.

Allison Hughes from Moline , IL. Hughes majored in accounting and business marketing.

Nicole Johnson from Moline , IL. Johnson majored in teaching English.

Jasmin Landeros from Moline , IL. Landeros majored in elementary education.

Courtney Mitten from Moline , IL. Mitten majored in psychology.

Anna Press from Moline , IL. Press majored in biology and pre-medicine.

Michael Reeves from Moline , IL. Reeves majored in accounting.

Meghan Showers from Moline , IL. Showers majored in Asian studies and political science.

Mark Stumphy from Moline , IL. Stumphy majored in biology.

Audrey Taylor from Moline , IL. Taylor majored in teaching biology and biology.

Jane Wiborg from Moline , IL. Wiborg majored in art history.

Nicholas Armstrong from Orion , IL. Armstrong majored in psychology.

Adam Bohland from Orion , IL. Bohland majored in psychology.

Ryan Hancock from Orion , IL. Hancock majored in geography.

Deanna Zwicker from Orion , IL. Zwicker majored in business finance and economics.

Jonathan Wallace from Port Byron , IL. Wallace majored in political science.

Megan Lecander from Sherrard , IL. Lecander majored in business management.

Bonnie Barlow from Silvis , IL. Barlow majored in psychology.

Randi Johnson from Silvis , IL. Johnson majored in communication science and disorders.

Janelle VanWatermeulen from Silvis , IL. VanWatermeulen majored in business marketing.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls nearly 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 60 majors and areas of study. Augustana employs 226 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

31 May 2011

Quinn, Illinois National Guard, Families View the Faces of Fallen

By readMedia

SPRINGFIELD- Gov. Pat Quinn joined Gold Star families and military supporters to honor the sacrifices that Illinois servicemembers have since Sept. 11, 2001. Quinn unveiled the Portrait of a Soldier Memorial exhibit May 27 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield.

"As we approach Memorial Day, we must never forget the contributions our servicemembers have made around the world to ensure America remains strong and free," said Governor Quinn. "We honor their sacrifices and stand with our Gold Star families to make sure we keep the memories of their loved ones alive."

Along with Quinn, Air Force Col. William Cobetto of Hillsboro, Acting Assistant Adjutant General-Air and Director of Staff-Illinois Air National Guard stood with families and reflected on the service and sacrifice of Illinois' servicemembers.

"There have been 235 Illinois servicemembers who have died overseas since 9/11, 34 where Illinois Guardsmen," said Cobetto. "Each of their faces are on these walls and each are remembered here."

Artist Cameron Schilling of Mattoon drew the first Portrait of a Soldier in August 2004, after Army Spc. Charles Neeley, also of Mattoon, was killed in Iraq. Schilling presented the portrait to Neely's parents. Moved by their joy for the portrait Schilling began a project to preserve the memory of the fallen.

"There are no words in our language or any language to express the feeling of loss of the child, spouses and parents who have lost a love one in Iraq and Afghanistan.

photo 1) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Air Force Col. Cobetto of Hillsboro, Acting Assistant Adjutant General-Air and Director of Staff-Illinois Air National Guard stand with Gold Star families and reflect on the service and sacrifice of Illinois' servicemembers. Quinn unveiled the Portrait of a Soldier Memorial exhibit May 27 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield.

Story by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

31 May 2011

Illinois National Guard Soldiers with Solemn Duty Lay Fallen to Rest

By readMedia

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- The life of a service member is never a simple one. Missions, deployments and sacrifice come often in the service of one's country.

For many Illinois' veterans who have served in the U.S. military, their sacrifices bring respect and honor in both life and death.

Approximately 80 Soldiers with Illinois National Guard's Funeral Honors Program are tasked with the solemn duty of performing military honors at the funerals of those who have honorably served in the U.S. military, said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Vocks of Taylorville, the non-commissioned officer in charge of casualty operations with Joint Forces Headquarters for the Illinois National Guard.

"These are the final respects we're allowed to give to our comrades in arms," said Vocks. "It's the military's way of giving back to their own. It is steeped in military customs and traditions, but when it comes down to it, it's taking care of those who have come before us."

The veterans who have served deserve to be honored said Patrick Jockisch of Petersburg, the state coordinator for the Illinois National Guard's Funeral Honors Program.

"The number one purpose of the Funeral Honors Program is to honor our nation's veterans and we do that for all veterans who have served in either war or peace," said Jockisch.

The funeral honors team, the Honor Guard, pay respect to veterans by folding the flag placed on their casket, presenting it to the family of the fallen and then sounding Taps to honor the deceased, said Jockisch. At larger ceremonies they may hold a 21-rifle volley.

The Soldiers who perform the military honors are trained in a comprehensive week-long course and are certified as members of the Honor Guard and part of the Funeral Honors Team, said Staff Sgt. Brandon Page of Marion, the Funeral Honors trainer for the Illinois National Guard. Soldiers are trained how to properly perform the ceremonies and the motions involved.

Page said the Soldiers who become part of the Honor Guard put forth dedication to honoring the fallen.

"They're here for one reason and that's to honor veterans," said Page. "To be in the Honor Guard you have to be the best of the best ... not everyone can do this job."

Page said the Soldiers can be at seven to 10 funerals a week and the nature of the job can be tough. Dealing with death and the fallen can take its toll, but Honor Guard Soldiers know the significance of their mission.

"It's not an easy job," said Jockisch. "Even though the sequences are always the same every day, every day it's a different family, it's a different circumstance. We are the face of the (Illinois National Guard) and we connect with the community and are a part of that community. By laying our nation's and our state's veterans to rest, we're reaching out to that community letting them know we still care and that a Soldier may be fallen but never forgotten."

Older veterans of the World War II, Vietnam and Korea conflicts make the main percentage of the fallen with a small percentage of traditional National Guardsmen and Soldiers who have died overseas in the current operations, said Jockisch.

Any veteran who has been honorably discharged from the U.S. military is eligible to receive military honors at his or her funeral.

The Illinois National Guard's Funeral Honors team performs approximately 300 funeral services a month and performed more than 3,000 funerals in 2010. The Funeral Honors Program works heavily with military supporting groups like the Patriot Riders, the Order of the Purple Heart and other veteran services organizations across the state.

For those interested in more information on military funeral honor services or joining the Illinois National Guard's Honor Guard please contact the State Funeral Honors Office at 217-761-3047.

31 May 2011

ART GUMBO CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS

By Paula Neuhaus

Art Gumbo Announces New Guidelines for Quarterly Submissions

[DUBUQUE, IA.] Art Gumbo, a quarterly soup dinner that supports local art projects with community-supported micro-funding, is now accepting applications from individual artists for the summer funding cycle. Applications for Art Gumbo mini grants for the summer funding cycle are available now through Tuesday, June 23. Application questions are available at artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com

New submission guidelines include the separation of individual artists and organizations or groups during funding cycles. Arts organizations and groups are not eligible to apply during the summer funding cycle. The first eight eligible applications received by 11:59 p.m. on June 23 will qualify for funding.

According to the new guidelines individual artists will be eligible to apply during summer and winter cycles, and arts organizations or groups will be eligible during fall and spring cycles. Applications and current guidelines are available artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com.

Art Gumbo is an independent community-based initiative that funds local arts projects using money collected at quarterly soup dinners. During each Art Gumbo funding cycle, artists or arts organizations are invited to submit a brief project proposal that demonstrates an impact on the Dubuque community. The public is invited to attend and vote for their favorite proposal. A $10 donation at the door entitles the attendee to a locally prepared soup dinner and the opportunity to review all submitted proposals and to vote for their favorite. The Art Gumbo fund's nightly proceeds will be awarded to the proposal that gets the most votes. Art Gumbo sessions will be hosted at new locations each quarter featuring soup by a regional food source. The next Art Gumbo Soup Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, June 30, 6-8 p.m. Location to be announced.

For more information visit artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com or contact Paula Neuhaus or Megan Starr at art.gumbo.dbq@gmail.com.

###

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar