21 Oct 2009

Braley's Funding for New Era Program Signed into Law

By Rick Martin

Funding included in Agriculture Appropriations bill, along with additional money for agriculture development in the First District

Washington, DC–Today, funding secured by Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) for a USDA grant program was signed into law by the president. Braley announced that he secured $875,000 to continue the New Era Rural Technology Program he established. This program allows community colleges and advanced training facilities to train the next generation of agriculture-based energy professionals.

"This funding for the New Era Program allows us to keep Iowa at the forefront of the bio-energy industry," Braley said. "As our economy shifts to a culture of renewable energy, it's crucial that we provide education for the emerging professionals in Iowa. I'm proud to have introduced, passed into law and funded legislation that does just that."

Additionally, the bill signed into law included $350 million in emergency assistance for dairy farmers. The language provides $290 million for direct assistance to dairy farmers and another $60 million for a large cheese purchase.

"I understand the struggle Iowa dairy farmers are going through as they deal with low dairy prices combined with high input costs. I'm hopeful that the assistance provided in the Agriculture Appropriations bill will help them get through this difficult period."

Braley also secured funding for the National Education Center for Agriculture Safety in Peosta, the National Ag Based Lubricants Center (NABL) at University of Northern Iowa and for UNI's Tallgrass Prairie Center to research floodplain restoration.

The $170,000 for the National Center for Agriculture Safety will provide interactive health and safety education to Iowa farmers, volunteer firefighters, EMS providers and agricultural businesses. The program will also provide youth safety training to over 300 young people in the First District.

The $405,000 for the UNI-NABL will fund research and testing of bio-renewable lubricants and greases. The goal is to create commercial, bio-based lubricant products which are bio-degradable and more environmentally friendly than petroleum based products.

The $134,000 for UNI's Blackhawk County's Tallgrass Prairie Center will fund a study of wetland communities to determine which species best aid in floodplain recovery. This will provide direct impact on restoration of wetlands in Eastern Iowa and across the country.

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21 Oct 2009

Autumn Chamber Music returns with Water Music

By Jared Johnson
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra returns for a second annual Autumn Chamber Music concert at the Outing Club, 2109 North Brady Street in Davenport, on Sunday, October 25, at 4 PM. The concert features Handel's famous Water Music, originally composed for King George I to listen to as he recreated on a barge on the Thames. The ensemble will also be performing Dahl's Music for Brass Instruments, Gabrieli's Canzona per sonare No. 2, and Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

You can turn this afternoon festival for your ears into a feast for your taste buds as well, with an dinner at the Outing Club, available for $25. The cash bar opens at 5:30, with dinner served at 6:30. The dinner includes a tomato bisque, tournedos of beef and fresh cod with a wild mushroom compote, served with herb-dried fruit couscous, haricot vert, and completed with a pumpkin crème brûlée. Reservations for the dinner can be made through the Outing Club at 563.324.5284.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased for $27 at the QCSO Box Office, 327 North Brady Street, Davenport,  www.QCSymphony.com, 800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

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21 Oct 2009

Whitey's New Sgt Camo Carton... ready for deployment

By Jeff Tunberg

On Thursday, October 22nd, at 10:30AM, Whitey Ice Cream will begin packaging their new camouflage colored cartons with Sgt Camo Ice Cream and deploying them to all Hy Vee stores.

Media representatives are invited to witness this event and also taste how different and delicious Sgt Camo Ice Cream really is.

Special Forces will begin filling the new green & brown cartons w/ Sgt Camo at 10:30am at the Whitey's Manufacturing Plant, 2525 41st St., Moline, IL. (Entrance at door with American flag).

Sgt Camo is their newest camouflaged tinted, s'more tasting ice-cream that has been very popular and only available, in the past, at Whitey's 11 stores in the Quad Cities area. Whitey's owner, Jeff Tunberg, describes Sgt Camo as, "It's more than a new flavor...it's a new creation."

Sunday, October 25th, is D-Day for Hy Vee to begin selling Sgt Camo at their 13 stores in the Quad Cities.

The historical execution will be the first time Whitey's has used camouflaged colored cartons instead of their familiar red & white half-gallon containers. The Tunberg's are hoping the new non-traditional camouflaged cartons will act like a radar beacon to ice cream lovers and those who support the military.

In August, Whitey's designated that all profits from Sgt Camo would be allocated to veterans organizations. The Military Warriors Support Foundation, which sponsored "A Night to Honor Our Heroes" on Sept 5th at LeClaire Park, Davenport, was the first recipient of proceeds from Sgt Camo which will continue until December 31st.

Sgt Camo has been sent to the Pentagon and on October 9th & 10th, the Tunbergs handed out the ice-cream to WWII vets and their guardians, departing the Honor Flight plane from Washington, DC. On November 20th the Tunbergs will travel to Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX to deliver 3,500 scoops of Sgt Camo to military and their families before troops are deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan.

Recently the Tunberg's committed to sending their ice cream to Iraq and Afghanistan and say they will continue to support other military opportunities in the Quad Cities.

For more information contact: Jeff Tunberg @ 309-235-2600.

20 Oct 2009

Camp Courageous Antique Market Show

By Charlie Becker

MONTICELLO, IA - The Camp Courageous Antique Market Show will be held on Sunday, November 1st at the Berndes Center on the fairgrounds in Monticello,  Iowa. Doors will be open from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. This show, held each spring and fall, feature dealers and exhibitors from around the Midwest displaying a wide variety of quality antiques and collectables including unique primitives, glassware, folk art, furniture and accessories, architectural elements, quilts, toys, jewelry, baskets, buttons and so much more! Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the day, including pie and ice cream.

All proceeds for the antique show will benefit over 5,000 campers with special needs who attend Camp Courageous each year.  Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with disabilities of all ages. It is run on donations, without government support, without paid fundraisers, and without formal sponsorship.

Space is still available for dealers and exhibitors to display their quality antiques and collectibles. For inquiries or dealer information contact Sharon Roller at Camp Courageous (319) 465-5916 Extension 2200.

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20 Oct 2009

Virtual Illinois tour motivating thousands to get active

By Margo O'Hara

Thousands of people in Illinois are finding a new motivation to be active through a free online program that offers participants support in developing healthier, more active lifestyles.

Walk Across Illinois is a free health initiative that creates opportunities for everyone to achieve their full potential for physical activity. Find out more at www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org.

Registered participants earn "miles" through physical activity and use those miles to track their progress on virtual routes across the state.  Walk Across Illinois is a program through the Active Transportation Alliance, which works to improve the health and sustainability of Chicagoland's transportation.

More than 12,000 walkers have logged over 1.2 million miles since Walk Across Illinois launched in 2005.

"One of the easiest ways to earn miles is to replace car trips with walking or biking trips," said Rob Sadowsky, Active Trans executive director. "Whether it is a walk to the store or a bike ride with your family, your virtual tour starts right at home."

The program's website provides participants with resources to make it easy to get active. Resources like information on route locations and a tracker that allows participants to report and track their progress will make help walkers stay motivated every step of the way.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four people living in Illinois are obese and more than half of the population is considered overweight.  Through Walk Across Illinois, thousands from all across Illinois are on the path towards better health by incorporating physical activity into their daily routine.

Walk Across Illinois envisions neighborhoods and streets filled with residents being active together within their communities.  This free online program is a fun and rewarding opportunity that makes it easy for everyone to develop active lifestyles through walking and other physical activity.  Anyone can register at www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org and embark on a journey towards health and fitness one step at a time.

Find out more about Walk Across Illinois at www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America's largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

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20 Oct 2009

Alzheimer's Association Hosts Regional Caregiving Conference

By Rick Martin

Davenport, Iowa - October 13, 2009- The Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter, is hosting The Art of Caregiving.  A series of informative interactive presentations designed for professional and family caregivers.

This year's conference is one of the Alzheimer's Association annual fall caregiver conferences. The annual conference rotates between the communities of Burlington, Davenport and Dubuque.  This year's conference is being held at the Best Western Steeplegate Inn in Davenport on November 5 from 8am -4:15pm.

The conference is intended for anyone whose personal or professional life puts them in daily contact with people who have Alzheimer's disease or related disorders, anyone who designs, administers or manages programs or services people with dementia and for those who are interested in acquiring a better understanding of dementia and the best ways to interact with those with the disease.

The keynote speaker for the conference is Bill Bridgwater a former executive and Early Onset patient.  Mr. Bridgwater is the only Alzheimer's Association national board member to serve while having the disease, and is a contributing member of the Alzheimer's Association advisory committee to the FDA.  He is presenting Living a Full and Rewarding Life with Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease.

Other speakers include : Connie Lucas of the Alzheimer's Association presenting Activities for Persons with Dementia, Jade Angelica and Amy Ressler of Healing Moments™ Alzheimer's Ministry presenting Meeting in the Moment:  Communicating Effectively with Persons with Alzheimer's and Dr. Seema Joshi of Bettendorf Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Clinics who will speak on medical updates and research.

"It is important that caregivers and potential caregivers be aware of the best methods for dealing with Alzheimer's," said Jerry Schroeder, program specialist with the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Iowa Chapter, "an estimated 65,000 Iowans are currently living with the disease.  We need to make every effort to address the needs of the community of patients and caregivers.  This conference puts us in a position to train others on the latest strategies, methods and research."

Deadline for registration is October 29th.  For more information on the conference and registration costs please contact Jerry Schroeder at the Alzheimer's Association 563-324-1022.

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20 Oct 2009

Ghostly Tales of Route 66 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Oct 24th

By Connie Wilson

The second in a trilogy of ghost stories set along Route 66, Ghostly Tales of Route 66: Arkansas to Arizona from Connie (Corcoran) Wilson was published October 2. 2009, from Quixote Press. Volume II is a solo project. Connie was the featured speaker at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Second Annual Route 66 Festival on October 3rd in St. Louis, Missouri (see article below). A website (www.ghostlytalesofroute66.com) is up, and the book is available there or by contacting Quixote Press at 1-800-571-2665 ($9.95 plus postage). It should be "up" on Amazon.com soon (I hope) and it will obviously be available on October 24th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Davenport (North Park Mall). It contains 13 ( a lucky 13) different stories and numerous photos, including one that para-normal investigators swear depicts "ghostly orbs."

I took all the pictures myself with a Nikon D90 and I have no explanation for the "ghostly orb" photo on page 47. (Come see for yourself.) It's a very small book (150 pages) and takes almost no time to read. The second volume is much better than the first volume, as it is laid out better and has "real" pictures that Craig and I took while on a 2,000 mile whirlwind trip from Oklahoma City to the coast last November. (The first book started in Chicago and ended in Oklahoma). Lots of stories from the last "Ghost Tour" of the season at Fort El Reno, Oklahoma.) and then moving on to the Cadillac Ranch, New Mexico, etc.

If you are a friend now or a former friend or someone who would like to pretend to be my friend for about 120 minutes: I'll be there at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 3. This has been a Connie Wilson public service announcement.

The author---"good-and-faithful-friend" material for a lifetime, not just a mere 40 years--- comes with a lifetime guarantee of loyal friendship and a track record of providing same, along with many nice things done for others, voluntarily or by request. Others can vouch for this, if they're being honest.  I'll gladly provide a guarantee of satisfaction on Volume II (although not on Volume I).  If you are dissatisfied with Volume II for any reason after purchase, email me and I will gladly provide you with a FREE copy of Volume I (I'm trying to get rid of them from my basement anyway!).

--- Connie Wilson

20 Oct 2009

Iowa Pork Tailgate Challenge

By Stacy Christoffersen
The Iowa Machine Shed is hosting the "Iowa Pork Tailgate Challenge" on Saturday October 24th with all proceeds going to the Child Abuse Council.  Starting at 11am at the Iowa Machine Shed, up to 12 amateur grill contestants will be grilling and competing for a panel of judges and a people's choice award as they prepare their own specialty recipes using Pork Tenderloin or Pork Loin.  People can show their support and purchase a $2.00 ticket to sample the contestant's entrees and vote for their favorite amateur cook.  "The Shed enjoys celebrating October Pork Month and what better way then to have a tailgate competition and partner with the Child Abuse Council," states Jeff Grunder, manager of the Iowa Machine Shed.

For more information on the event or to be compete as an amateur cook, please call the Machine Shed Restaurant at (563) 391-2427 or visit www.machineshed.com. The Machine Shed is located at I-80 and Northwest Blvd in Davenport.

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20 Oct 2009

New Virus Targets Facebook, MySpace and Twitter Users

By Rachel Friedman

IT Expert Offers Tips To Protect Your Network

From Social Network-Based Bugs

By Tony Panaccio

News & Experts Syndicate

Facebook isn't just a place to hook up with ex-girlfriends from high school anymore. Companies large and small are now using it for networking and legitimate business tasks. Unfortunately, it can also be a place to hook your company's network up with some nasty viruses.

The latest one, a worm called Koobface, has hit all the social networks, including Facebook, MySpace, hi5, Bebo and Twitter, and can riddle your network with malware, spyware and can steal sensitive data right from your workstations' hard drives. Like past generations of computer bugs, Koobface wants to not only infect your computer, but then use you as a jumping off point to infect others. But unlike past viruses, Koobface and similar new malware programs are leveraging your company's social network account to reach out and infect your online friends and business associates.

"Somewhere in the world there are some guys sitting around and dreaming up things that will make you click on a link," said Chip Reaves, global director of Computer Troubleshooters, the largest international network of outsourced IT providers that offers onsite computer services to small businesses. "Koobface's most effective way to spread is to send links to your friends with text like 'I can't believe it's you in this video - were you sober? LOL!' Koobface combines state-of-the-art software which can infect your computer in multiple ways with these creative lures designed to make you want to click on the infected links. It's pretty insidious."

According to an analysis by malware research firm Trend Micro, Koobface is composed of as many as 26 separate functional pieces, each of which is designed to use you and your computer in different malicious ways.

Reaves suggests these tips to protect your office network:

  • Anti-virus, Anti-spyware
    First and foremost every computer user on the Internet needs professional, up-to-date protection software. This should at a minimum include both anti-virus and anti-spyware support (some free packages do not include anti-spyware), and ideally should also include a link scanner component to minimize the risk of visiting websites which are known to be infected.
  • Claim your name, Check your fame
    If you are using social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook, do periodic searches for yourself. This is especially helpful with small businesses to see what people are saying about you, but if you're infected you may find updates from yourself - which you never sent.
  • Use a 3rd party Twitter application or your phone
    Third party applications such as Tweekdeck or Twhirl can help block certain exploits that would otherwise infect you from the Twitter website. They can also help by showing where a "shortened" URL will take you before you click. Using your cell phone for updates is also safer than using the Twitter or Facebook websites directly.
  • Secure Your Browser
    Make sure your web browser is the most up-to-date version, since many vulnerabilities in older browsers (even ones from just a few months ago) are often used by malware creators to infect your computer. Chrome and Firefox are generally considered safer than Internet Explorer, but any browser with its security setting set to "High" and with the most recent updates should be fine. For the highest level of security consider using Firefox plus Noscript.net to block most potential points of vulnerability.
  • Ask to Include Social Media protection in your IT Management Plan
    Many small businesses and home users today are outsourcing all their computer management to a local computer service provider through what's called a Managed Services plan. Ask your local Computer Troubleshooter or other service provider to include social media protection in your computer management plan.

"If your IT department or outsourced support doesn't take all those elements into account, it's not a matter of if you'll experience downtime - it's a matter of when and for how long," Reaves said. "It's not right to be held hostage by your computer troubles or by your IT support by proxy. Uptime is not a luxury - it's a necessity for any home or business. Make certain that your IT company guarantees it. If they don't, look for another firm."

(Tony Panaccio is a staff writer for News & Experts Syndicate.)

16 Oct 2009

Credit HAUNTED Island set for Visitors

By Jordan Trip

On October 23rd & 24th, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Davenport's Credit Island Park will become the HAUNTED ISLAND for Halloween. This first annual family event is tailored for all ages that love Halloween yet don't want a hard scare. There will be hay rack rides and concessions in the Lodge where you can warm up with hot chocolate, cider and snacks.

If you want to wear your costumes, make sure you dress warm, because there are 430 acres of surprises for everyone to enjoy.

A donation of $2.00 for youth and adults will make this an affordable family adventure.

Credit Island Park is located on West River Drive in Davenport, nestled along the Mississippi River between the Oscar Mayer plant and South Concord St.

Sponsored by the Friends of Credit Island Park. Contact Robin Enoch at (563) 529-3082 or Shonnie Holmes at (563) 823-0902 with any questions.

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