15 Jun 2010

Giving Constructive Feedback Without Making People Angry

By Leadership IQ
Do you avoid telling employees what you really think because you know they'll get angry or drag their feet?  When you give constructive feedback, do people get defensive or start blaming and making excuses?

A special 60-minute teleconference/webinar called Giving Constructive Feedback Without Making People Angry teaches you how to have open and truthful feedback conversations, even about the toughest topics, without making people defensive or angry. The results are improved performance, better relationships, smarter decisions and greater accountability.  
On Giving Constructive Feedback Without Making People Angry you'll learn...
  • 6-step script for delivering constructive criticism that helps the recipient improve and without making them defensive or angry (called the I.D.E.A.L.S. script)
  • 1-sentence that opens any difficult conversation and deescalates tough criticism
  • Avoid the "trigger words" that instantly make people defensive
  • Quiz for testing whether you're making people defensive with blaming and loaded language
  • The "Compliment Sandwich": What it is and why you should NEVER use it
  • Delayer your conversations (Facts, Interpretations, Reactions, Ends) and learn which pieces you should and shouldn't share
  • How to avoid "pleading" and "attacking" in when you're giving someone constructive feedback
  • 7-part model for assessing your relationship so you know how this person will take your feedback
  • Tackle "taboo topics" and "sacred cows" without bruising egos or starting turf wars
  • Discover the 5 Stages of Accountability (Denial, Blame, Excuses, Anxiety and Accountability) and how to respond to each one

On a special 60-minute teleconference & webinar called Giving Constructive Feedback Without Making People Angry you can invite as many colleagues as you'd like and the first 100 registrants get a special $50 discount.
You can get more information:
15 Jun 2010

IBHS Provides Tips During National Homeownership Month

By Joseph King

Tampa, Fla. (June 15, 2010) - June is National Homeownership Month and the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers advice on how to keep the American dream of homeownership from becoming a nightmare.

Nearly seven out of 10 people own a home in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's "Homeownership Rates for the United States: 1968 to 2010." When considering the purchase of a home, buyers typically research key area demographics such as the quality of schools, property tax rates, and crime rate. However, another critical aspect of homeownership - and the benefits or strains on that ownership experience - is the potential for natural disaster(s) native to the area.

"Buying a home is typically the largest single investment people ever make," said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. "While researching a neighborhood or town, it is absolutely critical for prospective homeowners to learn what natural disasters, such as wildfire, windstorms, hail, or flooding, may impact the area."

To help home buyers and homeowners identify and learn more about several types of natural disasters where they live or may want to live, the IBHS offers a ZIP Code-based tool at www.DisasterSafety.org . The tool provides a list of the natural disaster(s) that may occur in that particular area.

People who already own homes can use the information on DisasterSafety.org to guide them in retrofitting their houses so that they are more resistant. Retrofits range from simple tasks (e.g., covering exterior hose bibs in the winter to prevent frozen/burst pipes) to more complex tasks (e.g., installing impact-resistant windows). DisasterSafety.org offers guidelines on ways to increase a home's resiliency against earthquake, flood, wildfire, hurricane, high winds, tornadoes, severe winter weather and hail.

"No matter the type of natural threat, there are a number of ways - from simple and inexpensive to more complex and costly - that homeowners can make their homes stronger and safer," Rochman said. "People need to know that they can do things to protect their home and family against damaging and potentially deadly effects of a natural disaster. This is important information for people in every corner of the nation, and Homeownership Month is a perfect time to focus on this issue."

###

15 Jun 2010

One Man Show: Mr. U.S. Grant: A Man and a Patriot!

By Maggie Rensberger
Mr. U.S. Grant:  A Man and a Patriot!
July 3rd, Sat., 7:30 pm
A one person show featuring Dan Haughey as the General
Where: Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church
1201 13th Street, Moline, Il.
ADMISSION FREE: PUBLIC INVITED
A free will offering to benefit American
Military Veterans will be accepted
Contact 309-764-0619

Sponsored by Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church
Maggie Rensberger
Communications Chsir
mrens@mchsi.com
15 Jun 2010

Cinema in the Park - Movie location changed due to inclement weather prediction

By Rick Martin

    Davenport Parks & Recreation Presents:

    Cinema in the Park - Movie location changed due to inclement weather prediction

    Friday, June 18th, 2010

    Davenport, IA, June 14th, 2010: Cinema in the Park event (Monsters vs. Aliens) will be relocated to The River's Edge (formerly known as the Quad City Sports Center - next to Modern Woodmen Park) due to inclement weather predictions.

    Davenport Parks and Recreation's Mobile Playground will have family activities from 7:00pm-8:00pm.

    The movie will being at 8:00pm.

    Concessions will be available.

    People can bring chairs and blankets at sit on turf-but NO outside food or beverage is to be brought into the facility.

    Date:  Friday, June 18th, 2010

    Time: 7:00pm

    Location: The River's Edge (700 W. River Drive)

15 Jun 2010

INTRODUCING WQPT'S 2010 PBS AMBASSADORS

By Rick Martin

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS introduces their 2010 WQPT/PBS Ambassadors, an elite volunteer corps made up of college students.

The WQPT/PBS Ambassador program is in its sixth year and provides an opportunity for college students to represent their local public television station at a variety of events throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois.  "Ambassadors are a highly trained extension of our volunteer team," said WQPT Special Projects Coordinator, Bea Brasel.   This year the WQPT/PBS Ambassadors are:

  • Michele Moreno from Black Hawk College
  • Brandie DeClerck from Black Hawk College
  • Shanen Norlin from the University of Iowa
  • Irene Cruz from Black Hawk College
  • C.J. Bates from Black Hawk College
  • Joan Frank from Western Illinois University
  • Kelly Libberton from Western Illinois University
  • Daniel Brasel from Illinois College
  • Koko Nicoue - Black Hawk College

"Our Ambassadors traditionally return throughout their college years because the experience has been fulfilling and often come back as volunteers because they believe in the mission of public television," said Ms. Brasel.

WQPT is the public media service of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities.

 

# # #

15 Jun 2010

"Grandfathering" rules for health care law

By Grassley Press

June 14, 2010

Today the Obama Administration issued new rules that govern whether individual and employer-sponsored health insurance plans can remain exempt - or "grandfathered" -- from the new health care requirements passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in March.  The New York Times wrote, "... in some respects, the rules appear to fall short of the sweeping commitments President Obama made while trying to reassure the public in the fight over health legislation."  Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, made the following comment on the new rules.

"My goal in health care reform always is to fix the parts of our health care system that are broken, but still allow people to keep the things they like.  Today's new rules from the federal government on 'grandfathering,' which were crafted without any opportunity for public input, are just more proof that despite all of the promises made by the President and other supporters, you actually can't keep what you like under the new partisan health reform law.  Change is coming for a lot of people, whether they want it or not."

15 Jun 2010

Harkin Joins Democrats in Calling on BP to Set Aside $20 Billion to Ensure Payments for Gulf Coast Spill Victims

By Sen. Tom Harkin
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today joined 54 of his Senate Democratic Colleagues in writing to British Petroleum (BP) CEO Tony Hayward calling on the company to set aside $20 billion in a special account to be used to pay for economic damages and clean-up costs stemming from the recent oil spill in the Gulf Coast.  In the letter, the Senators note that damages and liability from the spill may not be evident for years to come and call on BP to establish the fund in order to ensure financial security for persons and businesses harmed by the spill.  The Senators requested a response to this letter no later than Friday, June 18.  A PDF of the letter can be found here.  

"Every day we hear more and more stories from the Gulf of Mexico of people losing their livelihoods and our natural treasures being destroyed, all while BP is considering billions of dollars in dividend payments to shareholders," said Harkin. "As Iowans learned two years ago after the floods that damaged much of our state, recovery from a disaster is an expensive and drawn out process.  We must hold BP accountable and ensure they put aside these funds to help the Gulf Coast clean up and recover after what is easily the worst man-made environmental disaster in our nation's history."

According to the letter, after the Exxon Valdez tanker spilled more than 11 million gallons of oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound, damages totaled more than $7 billion.  Although Exxon continued making massive profits after the accident, it fought liability at every step and ultimately paid far less than the billions of dollars worth of damages it had caused.

Tomorrow, Harkin will chair a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing to examine the effects of the BP oil spill and remediation efforts on public health and what can be done to minimize the negative impacts.  Witnesses and committee members will discuss in detail the many concerns and unknowns regarding the health effects of the oil spill on the workers, the general public and the food supply in the Gulf.
15 Jun 2010

Remember to Nominate Iowa's Shining Stars for the Iowa State Fair

By Samantha Liametz

DES MOINES, IA (06/14/2010)(readMedia)-- This year's deadline is quickly approaching for the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation's Iowan of the Day program. Sponsored by the Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookie's Food Products, Iowan of the Day program honors Iowa's most dedicated volunteers each year at the Iowa State Fair.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation seeks to honor those in your community who personify the greatness of Iowa with a strong work ethic, loyalty to helping others and an outstanding sense of Iowa pride. With your nomination, the Blue Ribbon Foundation can celebrate the hard work these people do to better our state and give them the recognition they deserve.

Iowan of the Day winners will receive their own day of recognition during the Iowa State Fair complete with an introduction on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage, VIP parking, gate admission, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart and Grandstand show tickets for the evening of their award day. In addition, all winners will receive $200 in cash, accommodations at the Des Moines Downtown Marriott Hotel, and one-year subscriptions to Iowan and Iowa Gardening magazines.

Help us celebrate the people who do so much for our state! Download a nomination form from www.blueribbonfoundation.org/iotd or stop by your local post office to pick one up. Nomination forms are also available upon request by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 1-800-450-3732. Note that all nominees must currently be Iowa residents. Nominations must be received by July 1, 2010.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $80 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Remember-to-Nominate-Iowas-Shining-Stars-for-the-Iowa-State-Fair/1416860

Attachments:

Nomination Form: http://app.readmedia.com/news/attachment/16412/Iowan_of_the_Day___Nomination_Form.pdf

Informational Sheet: http://app.readmedia.com/news/attachment/16413/Iowan_of_the_Day___Quick_Facts.pdf

Former Iowan of the Day - Lori Sherling: http://app.readmedia.com/news/attachment/16414/Lori_Sherling.JPG

15 Jun 2010

illegal immigrantion oversight

By Sen. Charles Grassley

Friday, June 11, 2010

Grassley Looking for Information on Detained Illegal Immigrants Gaining Access

to Taxpayer Funded Entertainment, Internet

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today asked for additional information from the federal agency that detains illegal immigrants about its plans to provide those who it has detained on immigration charges with access to free email and phone access and new recreational activities including bingo, dance lessons and art classes.                      

Grassley said his concerns follow a June 8 Houston Chronicle article that said, "Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are preparing to roll out a series of changes at several privately owned immigration detention centers, including relaxing some security measures for low-risk detainees and offering art classes, bingo and continental breakfast on the weekends."

"Taxpayers will not tolerate Uncle Sam using their money to provide dance lessons and bingo to those who knowingly broke our laws," Grassley said.

Here is a copy of Grassley's letter to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Secretary.

June 11, 2010

The Honorable John Morton

Assistant Secretary

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

500 12th Street Southwest

Washington, D.C. 20536

Dear Secretary Morton:

I'm writing with serious concerns about your agency's latest changes to detention policies that will allow illegal aliens access to recreational activities and increased communication opportunities, giving detainees an overly-comfortable place to reside while they are prosecuted for breaking the law.

According to the Houston Chronicle, illegal aliens could now be given access to bingo, art classes, and continental breakfasts on weekends.  The article also states that ICE plans to eliminate lockdowns and lights-out for low-risk detainees, allow visitors to stay as long as they like in a 12-hour period, and allow low-risk detainees to wear their own clothing or other non-penal attire.  More disturbing is the report that ICE will now be providing e-mail access and Internet-based free phone service to detainees.

I realize that there are many low-risk detainees under the control of ICE, but reducing the standards for these lawbreakers will create a moral hazard and reduce the deterrent effect that prison time is supposed to have.  Even one ICE official stated the new management standards reinforces the idea that detention is "not about punishing people for a crime they committed."   These detainees, low-risk or not, broke the law in order to enter or remain in this country, and could have more entertainment and access to the outside world than other inmates in U.S. jails.  Giving illegal aliens access to computer training and tutoring, as well as dance lessons, cooking classes and movie nights, will only encourage illegal aliens to ignore the law and take more risks to defraud our immigration system.

According to the same article from the Houston Chronicle, many working in these facilities will fear for their safety if detention standards are lowered.  One union leader states that while some of these detainees have no serious criminal history, many may be former gang members. Gang members and the like will now have an easier time to ply their trade in this setting, jeopardizing the safety of the other detainees and correction officers.

Finally, taxpayers would be very disappointed if the reports are true since they are financing detention and removal efforts.  Expending taxpayer dollars to give illegal aliens access to bingo, dance lessons and the internet is a slap in the face to hardworking Americans who foot the bill.  It's even more frustrating given that so many Americans are unemployed and looking for work while illegal aliens are getting free tutoring and computer classes to advance their own lives.

For these reasons, I urge you to reconsider lowering detention standards.  I would also appreciate a copy of the internal memo obtained by the Houston Chronicle in addition to a briefing to discuss this report no later than Friday, June 18. Please contact Kathy Nuebel Kovarik of my staff at 202-224-3744 about this matter.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

United States Senator

15 Jun 2010

Braley Introduces Bill to Ensure Fair Compensation for Victims of BP Oil Spill

By Caitlin Legacki

Washington, DC - June 11, 2010 - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) introduced the "Securing Protections for the Injured from Limitations on Liability Act" (SPILL Act) yesterday, a comprehensive bill addressing legal liability issues arising from the Gulf Coast oil spill. Braley visited Louisiana last weekend to participate in a Congressional field hearing on the local impact of the BP oil spill. Braley introduced the bill with Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Charlie Melancon (D-LA).

"As we continue working to stop the BP oil spill and clean up the disaster in its wake, we must also ensure the victims of this spill are fairly compensated for their trouble," Braley said. "At our field hearing in New Orleans, we saw firsthand that this spill is having a devastating impact on the families of the workers killed in the explosion, local fisherman and small businesses in the Gulf Coast.  BP keeps saying they will make this right and this bill will make sure they do just that. One of the few requests made by Natalie Roshto and Courtney Kemp, the widows who testified at our hearing, was that Congress take the necessary steps to strengthen these laws and ensure their husbands did not die in vain."

The SPILL Act amends grossly outdated legislation, clarifies rules for class action suits, prevents corporations from silencing victims and strengthens bankruptcy rules to ensure corporations are held accountable for their actions for both pending and future claims.

The SPILL ACT will:

· Amend the Death on the High Seas Act and the Jones Act, dating back to 1920, to ensure the families of those killed in maritime accidents, like the widows who testified in Rep. Braley's field hearing earlier this week, can recover damages such as pain and suffering and loss of care, comfort, and companionship

· Repeal the Limitation on Liability Act, dating back to 1851, which limits the liability of vessel owners to the value of the vessel and its cargo

· Clarify the class action rules so that impacted States can seek legal remedies in their own courts

· Specify that victims cannot be forced to waive their legal remedies or limit their right to speak out.  In previous hearings Braley discovered Transocean made these types of attempts following the Deepwater Horizon explosion

· Strengthen bankruptcy rules to prevent multibillion-dollar corporations responsible for widespread damages under the Oil Pollution Act from seeking to sever their assets in order to avoid compensating innocent victims

# # #

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