On Wednesday, October, 28, 2009, at 6:00 PM, the NAACP Davenport Youth Council invite you to attend Disastrous Planning. Presented by the American Red Cross. Davenport Fairmont Library. For more information, call 563-323-4307.
A CASA Volunteer is a Voice for Abused and Neglected Children
DES MOINES, IA - October 21, 2009 - The Iowa Child Advocacy Board is currently seeking people interested in becoming COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE® (CASA) volunteers for some of the thousands of Iowa children currently under the juvenile court's jurisdiction due to abuse and neglect.  The Iowa CASA Program trains and supports community volunteers to serve as an effective voice in court for these most vulnerable children, strengthening efforts to ensure that each child is living in a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
"CASA volunteers are truly special people who play a huge role in a child's life by serving as an extra set of eyes and ears for judges presiding over abuse and neglect cases," said Michael Isaacson, Chair of the Governor-appointed Child Advocacy Board. "They donate their time and energy to provide a safety net for kids in the child welfare system. The need for this safety net is even more obvious in these times of troubled budgets, as our Courts and child welfare agencies are being challenged to do more with less. CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things to help keep the best interests of our children in the forefront."
CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to a specific abuse and neglect case, to gather information and make recommendations to the Court that help assure the child's needs are being met and that everyone is working together to resolve problems and achieve permanency for the child. Volunteers typically stay with each case until it is closed by the Court, and the child is in a safe, permanent home.
The basic requirements for becoming a CASA volunteer are that one be a committed, caring adult who can think independently and use good judgment, have good communication skills and time to spend on their assigned case. Volunteers average about 10 hours a month on their cases attending court appearances and maintaining contact with the child, the child's parents, case workers, foster parents, therapists, teachers, doctors, relatives and anyone else who has knowledge of the child's situation.
CASA volunteers are asked for a one year commitment following 30 hours of training in the child welfare system, juvenile law and legal procedures, child development, family dynamics, child abuse and neglect issues, interviewing and reporting techniques, advocacy skills and child permanency factors. Each volunteer works with their local Program Coordinator on a day-to-day basis and is appointed to each case by a juvenile court judge.
CASA® and COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE® are registered trademarks of the National CASA Association. For more information on how you can help an abused or neglected child in the Iowa juvenile court system please contact the Iowa Child Advocacy Board at 866-448-4608 or cab@dia.iowa.gov or visit www.casaiowa.com.
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The Scott County Family Y Offers Seasonal Fun for Everyone

DAVENPORT, Iowa - October 21, 2009 - It's that time of year - time for spooky, silly fun.  That's exactly what will take place at the North Family YMCA on Friday, October 23, from 5:30-8:00p.m., at "Halloween at the YMCA."

This year's event is a family spooktacular and will give all the ghosts and ghouls a night of Halloween fun with unlimited visits to the YMCA Haunted House, holiday crafts and games and much more.  Families are invited to dress-up and participate in the Halloween costume contest.  Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed.

"Halloween at the YMCA" is a safe and imaginative experience for kids of all ages," said Angela Rodriguez-Finch, Membership Director, North Family YMCA.  "All of us here at the YMCA believe it's a time to be a creative with costumes, decorations and games while making this night a fun without the worry that our children are in harms way."

"Halloween at the YMCA" is from 5:30-8:00 p.m., Friday, October 23, at the North Family YMCA, 624 West 53rd Street, Davenport. The YMCA will run a "lights on" haunted house for younger trick-or-treaters from 6:00-6:30pm.  Festivities are $5.00 per YMCA member families and $10 per family for community-members.  For more information about this event call (563) 391-777 or log onto www.scottcountyfamilyy.org.

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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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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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.


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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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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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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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

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