(MAQUOKETA, IA) Maquoketa Art Experience (MAE) welcomes fine art photographer Sindi Mueller to their artist-in-Residence Program with an opening reception and exhibition on Friday, April 1, 7-9 p.m. at 124 S. Main Street in Maquoketa. Mueller joins working artists Rose Frantzen, Thomas Metcalf, and Charles Morris as a permanent resident artist. Maquoketa Art Experience is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to bringing accomplished artists to Maquoketa for short- and long-term residencies, workshops, and exhibitions.

The April 1 event features an exhibit by Sindi Mueller entitled "Unveiling" that offers an exploration of kinetic photography and a study in rural and urban landscape photography. Sindi's kinetic work, photography in which the camera is moved while the shutter is open, captures light, color, motion, and abstraction. Her landscape work explores color, shape, light, and texture of nature in her home state of Iowa, as well as the magnetism of the Chicago urban landscape.  Sindi's landscape images have been published in the Maquoketa Sentinel Press and Bellevue Herald Leader. Her first solo exhibit was held at Darkroom in Chicago entitled "Seduced by the Darkness" in December of 2010.

Sindi Mueller is a native of Dubuque, Iowa. She studied at the Chicago Photography Academy where her mentor William Benson inspired her to create photographs that did not appear to be photographs at all. This study revealed a world of surrealism, abstraction, and interpretation resulting in an exploration of kinetic photography.

As a resident artist Mueller will instruct classes and workshops at her studio and gallery space at 124 S. Main Street in Maquoketa. The instruction will be at various skill levels to inspire photographers to think outside the box and create a new form of photographic fine art.

The public is invited to attend the event and welcome Sindi Mueller to the Eastern Iowa art community. For more information contact Paula Neuhaus at maquoketaartexperience@hotmail.com or by calling 563.652.9925.

Maquoketa Art Experience programming is made possible in part by a grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

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Representatives from Christianity, Judaism, and the Muslim faiths discuss three questions: What does forgiveness mean in your faith tradition? How is your faith misunderstood by people of other faiths? Given the misunderstanding of your faith by others, what is the place of forgiveness? With Rabbi Tamar Grimm (Tri-city Jewish Center) - the Jewish faith; Rev. Ron Quay (Churches United) - the Christian Faith; Dr. Lisa Zaynab Killinger (Palmer College) - the Muslim Faith. Wednesday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Son Cafe (downstairs level) at First Congregational Church, 2201 7th Avenue, Moline. Free and no pre-registration required. For more information: allen@fccmoline.org.

 
Friday April 15th @ MARTINI'S On The Rock
Rock Island, Illinois
8:30 PM Show
 

Duluth, Minn. - maurices is putting out a nationwide casting call of sorts. The young women's retailer is looking for 12 real girls in all sizes to model maurices clothing, and the runways for the photo shoots will be the models' hometowns. The models will be selected through maurices Main Street Model Search.

"Fashion, small towns and community involvement are the heart and soul of maurices," says Brad Hartmann, maurices vice president of marketing. "Last year through our Small Town Charm campaign, we flew professional models into charming communities across America from St. George, Utah; to Miles City, Mont.; and Meridian, Miss., to Brunswick, Ga. The photos showcased our seasonal fashions as well as these beautiful locations. This year, the exciting twist is that we'll be highlighting hometown girls in their hometowns for our fall, holiday and spring campaigns."

Women ages 18 and older can enter the maurices Main Street Model Search online. They'll need to upload photos and a video about themselves. They'll also need to answer a few questions about why maurices should select them and what makes their hometown special. Full model contest rules should be reviewed before entering.

Fashion designer Christopher Straub from Lifetime's Project Runway will lead the judging panel. "His passion for fashion and sense of style are a great fit for maurices Main Street Model Search," says Hartmann. He adds that Straub also understands how exciting national exposure can be, and he can help guide winning models through this journey.

Straub says he sees beautiful women in all shapes and sizes and was inspired when maurices approached him about this model search. "Being in the fashion industry I have so many aspiring models who come up to me. They say, 'I'm not your typical model - I'm not 6' tall and thin - is there a place in the modeling world for me?' I think it's amazing that maurices is providing this chance for real girls of all sizes to have their dreams come true." In addition to his involvement with maurices Main Street Model Search, Straub is working on product design and development for maurices.

Judges will select models based on appearance, written and video responses, and their representation of the maurices' image.The top 12 models will each receive a photo shoot in their hometown and national exposure at maurices store locations, www.maurices.com, mailers and social media; $1,500 in maurices clothing; and a Flip Video camera to capture their path to becoming a maurices model. maurices will also work with each model to select a nonprofit organization in her hometown to receive a $7,500 charitable makeover.

Women can enter online now through April 7. Online voting is open from April 10 through 24, with each voter receiving a coupon for 20 percent off at maurices and a chance to win maurices' gift cards. Online voting will narrow the field of contestants to 50, and then maurices will select 20 models for a final casting call in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 5 and 6. The top 12 models will be announced May 9.

For more information, visit maurices.com or facebook.com/maurices.

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will temporarily close the Herbert Hoover Birthplace Cottage starting March 28 for routine maintenance. The Birthplace Cottage will remain closed through April 1. The grounds of the National Historic Site, Blacksmith Shop, Schoolhouse, Friends Meetinghouse, and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum will remain open for their usual hours.

This spring's maintenance work will include replacing the rag rug carpet, fixing a rotted post on the back porch, caulking windows, and touching up interior and exterior paint. "It is our hope to complete the necessary work prior to the busier spring and summer months," said park superintendent Pete Swisher, "We want to maintain Herbert Hoover's birthplace cottage in the best condition possible for those that visit the park."

Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, was born in the small, two-room cottage on August 10, 1874. He and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, purchased the cottage for restoration in 1938. The cottage, along with other historic buildings and the gravesite of President and Mrs. Hoover make up the 187-acre Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, one of Iowa's two national parks. Along with the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum the park commemorates Herbert Hoover's humble beginnings and his rise to international prominence as a businessman, humanitarian, and statesman.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go to www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa  52358

319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
www.nps.gov/heho

ST. LOUIS (March 14, 2011) - It's not often that a community is fortunate enough to have a citizen with the energy and determination to make a positive difference, but the Quad Cities area  is just that lucky. Sarah Cronk of Bettendorf, Iowa is being honored for her unstoppable energy and for her commitment to making a positive impact. In January, baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. and Energizer began a national search for the next member of the Energizer Keep Going® Hall of Fame, a program dedicated to celebrating everyday people who possess the same persevering spirit as the Energizer Bunny® and use that determination to make a difference. From all of the submissions received, Cronk's nomination rose to the top. She is now one of 100 Semifinalists in the running to become the 2011 Inductee into the Energizer Keep Going® Hall of Fame.

As the younger sister of a brother with special needs, Sarah Cronk knows firsthand how much students with disabilities yearn to fit in. With her brother as her inspiration, Sarah helped form the Spartan Sparkles, the nation's first high school-based cheerleading squad to include students with disabilities. But she didn't stop there, since then, she has also started The Sparkle Effect Inc., which provides grants for uniforms and free on-site training to new inclusive squads nationwide. As a result of these programs, students with disabilities experience true acceptance and gain confidence as high school students inspire entire communities to open their minds and hearts in the spirit of inclusion.

Everyone has the power to make a positive impact, so the Energizer Keep Going® Hall of Fame was created to honor unstoppable people making a difference, like Cronk, in the hope that their stories will inspire others to do the same. Baseball's Ironman, Cal Ripken, Jr., who holds the record for the most-consecutive games ever played (2,632), was the inaugural inductee in 2006. In January, Ripken and Energizer launched the sixth annual search for everyday people doing extraordinary things. Nominations poured in with inspirational stories of friends, family members, neighbors, teachers and coworkers who greet every day with a spirit of optimism and determination, all while making the world a better place to live.

"We're always so inspired by stories of people who live with the spirit of the Energizer Bunny® and then use that energy to make the world a better place" said Jim Olsen, Vice President of Marketing for Energizer North America. "We're thrilled with this year's 100 Semifinalists, who truly embody that spirit and turn it into something positive for their communities. Now That's PositivenergyTM"

Cronk now moves on to the second round of judging, during which judges will narrow the 100 Semifinalists down to a pool of nine Finalists. Energizer Bunny® Facebook fans will have the opportunity to select the 10th Finalist by voting for their favorite Semifinalist on www.facebook.com/energizerbunny beginning March 17, 2011 and ending March 25, 2011. Each of the 10 Finalists will receive a $1,000 donation to a charity of his or her choice.

And the Inductee Is ...

Then, it's up to America to determine the 2011 Inductee by voting for their favorite of the 10 Finalists at www.energizer.com/halloffame. Voting begins April 4, 2011 and extends through May 14, 2011. Each Finalist vote will trigger a $1.00 donation from Energizer to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, up to $10,000. The donations will help connect kids in distressed communities with mentors, giving them the opportunity to learn life's critical lessons while having fun on the fields and off the streets. Now That's Positivenergy™

The 2011 Inductee will receive a $10,000 cash prize plus a $5,000 donation to his or her favorite charity. That person will also be formally honored at an induction ceremony with Cal Ripken, Jr. in June at the Energizer Keep Going® Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Mo.

To read more about the Energizer Keep Going® Hall of Fame, past honorees and current Semifinalists, visit www.energizer.com/halloffame or www.facebook.com/EnergizerBunny.

WHAT: The Chick-fil-A® restaurant in Northpark Mall will host a Daddy-Daughter Date Night for the Davenport community on Friday, March 25 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event aims to provide fathers with an opportunity to enjoy engaging conversation with their daughters in a special setting.

The Chick-fil-A team will decorate the restaurant and provide table-side service for the father-daughter couples. The Picture People <http://www.picturepeople.com/home>  photographers will also be on site to take free 8x10 portraits for each couple. After dinner, couples will ride in a limousine around the mall, where the Chick-fil-A "Eat Mor Chikin®" Cows will greet them with gift bags. More than 20 Northpark Mall stores have donated gift cards and coupons for the gift bags.

"One of Chick-fil-A's goals is to promote community connections and enrich the lives of everyone we come in contact with," said restaurant Operator Jason Counselman. "We understand the importance of father-daughter relationships and want to encourage community members to take a break from busy schedules and celebrate the significant relationships in their lives."

Seating times are at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and require reservations. To make a reservation, visit the restaurant's website at <http://www.cfanorthpark.com> . Space is limited.           

WHEN:
Friday, March 25
4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Chick-fil-A at Northpark Mall
320 W. Kimberly Road
Davenport, IA 52806
(563) 391-2613
Website <http://www.cfarestaurant.com/northparkmall-ia/home>
Friend us on Facebook! <http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/cfanorthpark>

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Washington, D.C. - March 15, 2011 - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure that Iowa farmers have a seat at the table during the decision-making process for environmental policies and regulations that could affect U.S. agriculture.

Rep. Braley introduced the bill with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03). The Representation for Farmers Act would give the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to appoint up to three members with agricultural backgrounds to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science Advisory Board. This would ensure that the EPA gets technical advice from farmers when determining implementation of proposed regulations. Currently, only three of the board's 48 members have agricultural backgrounds.

"Our farmers must have a voice when it comes to their life's work," said Congressman Braley. "This bill will give them a chance to bring some common sense to EPA regulations that have an effect on them every single day."

The EPA Science Advisory Board provides analysis and recommendations for EPA regulations and other technical matters that often impact agriculture. Farmers have become increasingly concerned that EPA decisions are creating unnecessary and undue economic hardship. For example, proposals to regulate dust on farms have raised concerns. Braley recently voted to protect Iowa farms from these burdensome federal dust regulations.

The bill has been endorsed by the National Farmers Union, American Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, National Wheat Growers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, and National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/15/2011)(readMedia)-- As a former New Orleans resident, Mari Richardson of Athens saw the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina first hand. Since then, she decided to volunteer with the American Red Cross. She has been with the Red Cross for two years and has worked a lot with the Illinois National Guard. Richardson now works as a liaison between the Red Cross and Illinois National Guard's Family Readiness Group (FRG), keeping families of deployed Soldiers in contact with their loved ones.

"When my husband deployed during Vietnam, the FRG didn't exist and we really needed something like it," said Richardson.

She also helps with a program called Mail for Heroes, which sends holiday cards to deployed troops overseas. Most recently, she worked with a Girl Scout troop to send personalized Valentine's Day cards to servicemembers.

Richardson's work does not stop with the FRG and holiday cards. She also helps facilitate the annual ceremony for fallen Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. This year's event will be May 14.

"I lost two uncles during war and I saw how devastated and hurt my grandmother was; it has stuck with me all my life," Richardson said.

Richardson said she loves what she does for the Army and feels very passionate about her experience. Her hope is to build a strong unit, to contribute to "anything new which might improve the past."

Richardson's job with the Red Cross has earned her a lot of respect throughout the Illinois National Guard community.

"Mari is so modest and does so much more than most people realize," said Annette Chapman of Atlanta, Illinois National Guard State Family Readiness support assistant. "She helps our family readiness groups coordinate child care, attends deployment and homecoming ceremonies, promotes the National Guard throughout our communities and does so much more than you could imagine. The Illinois National Guard is blessed to have this special woman on our team."

Richardson said volunteers contribute time, effort and talent to meet a need and further a mission. She said the easiest way to help the Illinois National Guard is to contact the Red Cross or the FRG.

"Volunteers are always needed for the Army and the Army doesn't turn down the help," she said.

Story by Spc. Zachary Zimerman, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Washington, DC - March 15, 2011 - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) joined a bipartisan effort to keep the government running and voted to support a temporary measure that incorporates cuts from both parties:

"Let me be clear, passing two-week or three-week stopgap measures is no way to run a government," said Rep. Braley. "But when the choice is a temporary spending measure or a government shutdown that would deny care for our veterans and stop Social Security checks from going out - then I believe it's my duty to make sure crucial programs all over Iowa and the country are not disrupted by a shutdown.

"It's long past time that we sit down and have a responsible, adult discussion about the budget - and pass a long term spending plan that gives American families, soldiers and businesses the certainty they deserve."

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