January 12, 2011

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will award nine grants totaling $860,292 to Iowa fire departments.

The Department of Homeland Security will distribute the money as shown below.

• Chickasaw Township Fire District will receive $35,150 to purchase a complete air-fill system and thermal imaging devices.
• Davenport Fire Department will receive $131,184 to purchase a mechanical chest compression device and fund training.
• Elkhart Fire Department will receive $39,140 to purchase monitoring and sampling devices and other supplies.
• Jackson Township-Ollie Fire Department will receive $169,575 to purchase a fire truck.
• Janesville Fire Rescue will receive $196,427 to purchase a fire truck.
• Latimer-Rural Fire Department will receive $8,550 to purchase medical and rescue supplies.
• Pomeroy Fire Department will receive $30,416 to purchase communication devices and a complete air-fill system.
• Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department will receive $64,600 to purchase a brush truck - a fire truck capable of fighting fires in rough terrain.
• Stockport Volunteer Fire Department will receive $185,250 to purchase a fire truck.

"Iowa's firefighters must have access to training and equipment in order to do their job to the best of their ability.  Their lives - and ours - depend on it," Grassley said.

Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants from the federal government.  The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual's ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity administering the funds.

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Collectors visiting Muscatine providing free information to local residents uncovered a French Sword today made before the war of 1812 making it almost 200 years old. It was found in a cliff by the Mississippi River. The sword was purchased for $ 18,400.

This and other fabulous items are on display today thru Thursday, January 13th, at the Clarion (formerly Holiday Inn) in Muscatine. Call 217-243-6418 for more info.

Here is Why the American Rare Collectibles Association holds this event: The ARCA is made up of collectors who want to spend lots of money on their favorite toy, doll, train, musical instrument, sword, pocket watch, collectible jewelry items. . The collector members pay dues and fees to the association. Then the staff purchases items for their collection based upon their requests. All involved are willing to help for free identify the value, and help local residents with information needed to sell their item immediately. Also thousands of other people throughout the country donate their time to help the staff accumulate information and value. At the local event, you will find thousands of collectors represented ready to spend money on the spot to buy any and all collectibles. All items, whether expensive or ordinary will be purchased. The entire event is free. Local visitors are selling the item for collector prices, directly to the collector. The staff is on hand to assist the visitors with this task.

Professionals from the association will come prepared to give some of the highest offers in the world. A fierce competition takes place for rare, desirable and mint items requested by museums and disposable income level collectors. Some of the sensational prices collectors are paying include : $7,000 for a 1952 Gibson guitar. $3,000 for a Gang of Five Robot from Japan, $2,500 for a rare Civil war sword, $11,550 for a Silver Dollar coin Collection, 6 Buddy L 1920s Trucks $11,450, $20,000 for an Edison phonograph & Victrola collection.

IF YOU GO: Do not try to clean or alter the condition. Any condition from rusty to mint is welcome. Expect to leave this event with money. Most visitors do. There is a chance that some visitors will make this a once in a lifetime opportunity to sell something rare for a record price. Remember, the service is totally free. All expenses are paid by the ARCA association members.

Top Most Desirable Items.

1. Toys. Check out our extra page of desirable toys.

2. Dolls & Action Figures of all types: Composition, Antique French or German, Barbie & GI Joe, Mego to name wanted types.

3. Train-Related items such as model Lionel, American flyer, Bing, Lehmann, lanterns, signs, advertising, china are very popular.

4. Guitars & Musical Instruments. Such as Gibson, Martin, Fender, Stradivarius, Conn, Selmer, old or new.

5. Lamps lead and stained glass, of course Tiffany, any art deco or nouveau Designer types.

6. Advertising signs from famous companies like Coke, Pepsi, Budweiser, John Deere is most popular.

7. Watches and Clocks are hot: Lots of Functions, Illinois, Hamilton, Rolex, France, Ansonia.

8. Famous person collectibles. Political, Hollywood and music celebrities autographs and memorabilia.

9. Jewelry. Even costume, and of course gold. Also Sterling, Bakelite, Coins.

10. Coins. Especially US.

11. Military Related swords, daggers, helmets, buckles, bugles, autographs.

12. Music boxes, Victrolas, phonographs, early radios such as RCA, Edison, Regina, German made, 1880s to 1930s, obscure wood and bakelite.

13. Any Antique or Collectible. Anything you are curious about.

Any questions? Please call 217-243-6418

*Desirable Toys*

Worldwide collectors have given tens of thousands of dollars to this tour to buy more toys. This includes: Early pressed steel transportation toys like the big 1920's Buddy L or Keystone. As well as Smith Miller, Doepke, Tonka, Nylint. Movie, radio, television and famous character toys Toys. Worldwide collectors have given tens of thousands of dollars to this tour to buy more toys. This includes: Early pressed steel transportation toys like the big 1920's Buddy L or Keystone. As well as Smith Miller, Doepke, Tonka, Nylint. Movie, radio, television and famous character toys.

Toy popular brands and celebrity favorites include : Howdy Doody, Mickey Mouse, Disney, German windup and older Japanese tin toys: Lehmann, Marx, Schuco, Schoenhut, TPS, TN, Bing, Linemar. Cowboy related Roy Rogers, Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Johnny Yuma, Hartland, Ruehl, Cap guns & holsters, Barbie, Ideal, Madame Alexander, Kiddles, GI Joe, Matt Mason, Mego, Kenner, Ginny Vogue, Shirley Temple, Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Trains: Lionel, tin American Flyer, Ives, Bing, Marklin. Advertising Related Toys: Coca Cola, Pepsi, Shell, Texaco, Budweiser, Beer ads, Standard, Red Crown, John Deere, International, BF Goodrich, Goodyear, anything porcelain on steel, unusual companies, Eska Tractor & pedal cars. Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Corgis, Dinky, Slot Cars and Aurora, Scale cars, Pez, Hasbro Transformers, ERTL.

"The local housing authority reportedly has a record of trying to cover its tracks where it's spent tax dollars either inappropriately or in a way that would embarrass its leadership.  And, the federal agency that provides most of the money that local housing authorities have to spend has continued to provide tax dollars even after it's clear that there's not responsible stewardship of those dollars," Grassley said.  "Both situations are an affront to taxpayers, and taxpayers deserve an accounting of what's gone on so that it can be stopped."

Grassley's review of abusive spending of federal housing dollars was prompted by the dramatic increase in federal funds going to local housing authorities, even those with histories of mismanagement, by way of the federal government's economic  stimulus program.

A copy of the letter Grassley sent today is available by clicking here.  The same letter went to the following Philadelphia law firms:  Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP; Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP; Cozen O'Connor; Duane Morris LLP; Fox Rothschild; Buchanon, Ingersol & Rooney PC; Blank Rome LLP ; Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellot, LLC; Bowman Kavulich; Archer & Greiner; Margolis Edelstein; Reed Smith LLP; Haines & Associates; Kolber & Freiman; Flaster/Greenberg; Cohen & Grigsby; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin; Kelly, Monaco & Naples; and Smyler & Gentile.  Previous letters from Grassley regarding the expenditures of the Philadelphia Housing Authority are available by clicking here.

Last week, the Philadelphia Daily News reported that in September 2009, the then-executive director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority had spent $15,920 on expensive bags from Nordstrom for himself and 19 other executives of the housing authority.

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William Woods University celebrated the largest December commencement in its history, and graduates heard an inspiring speech from Charles E. Kruse, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. A total of 491 December graduates were conferred degrees. Another 158 graduates whose degrees were conferred in August were eligible to participate in the winter ceremony.

Kruse told the graduates that to become successful they should live and work "the Woods Way."

"When I first heard about the Woods Way, I was intrigued. I have observed that it is not just a slogan. I have learned that it does mean a lot. It says a lot about the culture of this university, the caring of the faculty and the closeness of the student body," Kruse said.

During her remarks later in the evening, WWU President Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett also spoke of "the Woods Way."

"At William Woods, the Woods Way is the way in which we live, learn and play. It is our small town campus, with big school opportunities. It is our knowledgeable faculty who impart their wisdom and experiences.