German language classes will be conducted at the German American Heritage Center on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. starting April 7^th through June 9, 2009.

Instructor Kathlyn Hofmann has twenty-seven years of experience teaching beginning-AP levels in the German language within Germany for the Department of Defense Education Activity.

This class will concentrate on commonly used words and phrases and their correct pronunciation.  A conversational approach to teaching will be used with some explanation of basic grammar. Handouts will be made available. Students do not need to purchase a book.  This class is meant for those who know no German or who want to brush up on the basics. Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to pronounce the alphabet and sound out word combinations, read and speak simple phrases, and be able to understand and speak simple sentences. Topics may vary depending on the interest and make-up of the group but will include greetings, introductions & useful expressions;  talking about your family and yourself; numbers, telling time, money, the calendar and weather;  food likes and dislikes; travel, hotels, shopping; going to the doctor. No prerequisite.

Cost for the class is $50 GAHC members; $60 non-members. Deadline for reservations is April 3, 2009.

To make reservations, call the German American Heritage Center at (563) 322-8844 or send reservations to German American Heritage Center, 712 West Second Street, Davenport, IA 52802. You can also email your reservations to director@gahc.org

Hot, humid summer weather is quickly approaching. With energy rates increasing across the country, homeowners will see some of their highest energy bills ever. A home and duct performance test helps homeowners find real solutions to increase energy efficiency and lower heating and cooling bills.

Most homes are not nearly as energy efficient as they should be, leading to energy loss and higher than necessary heating or cooling bills. Up to $0.40 of every heating and cooling dollar spent is lost through poor construction, leaky ductwork and improperly sized or installed equipment according to the Department of Energy.

Professional testing of the home to find problems now can save homeowners substantial money on heating and cooling in the long run.

A home and duct performance test will pinpoint exact causes of energy loss, comfort and indoor air quality problems. A qualified comfort consultant performing the test will offer solutions to insure equipment runs efficiently and cost effectively. Many energy loss problems discovered during the checkup in the home can be simply and affordably solved by the homeowner.

"An HVAC contractor is like a doctor for your house," says Comfort Institute President Brendan Reid. "Without diagnostic testing, your doctor would just be cutting you open and poking around. There's a reason doctors don't do that anymore. This test lets us find the problems in a scientific manner so we can offer real solutions."

Homeowners who choose to have a home and duct performance test performed on their home should do research before hiring a contractor for the testing. A qualified contractor will provide the homeowner with a full list of problems and solutions to energy, comfort and indoor air quality problems found during the testing and will offer a money back guarantee if the homeowner does not see value in the information found during the testing.

For more information about whole house comfort checkup, visit www.comfortinstitute.org and click on "Whole House Comfort Check-up." Comfort Institute Member Contractors are fully trained on performing the testing. Certified Comfort Institute Member companies are listed on the Comfort Institute Web site under "locate a CI contractor."

Comfort Institute provides short educational videos explaining the home and duct performance test to its member contractors. Locate a Comfort Institute Member company to view the videos from that company's Web site.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa–It took three years for St. Ambrose University Occupational Therapy alumna Angie DeLost to convince ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to choose her client's family for a home makeover. On Friday, March 20, at 11 a.m., St. Ambrose will hold a "Lunch and Learn" featuring DeLost, along with eight-year-old client Jake Grys, who suffers from the genetic disorder Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Rogalski Center, located at the corner of Ripley and Lombard Streets, one block west of Harrison Street. Reservations are recommended and those who attend are invited to bring a sack lunch.

Following a viewing of the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Grys family episode, DeLost will discuss her work with show producers and her involvement in the home's modifications. Grys, along with his mother, Jean, will share their experiences with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, often referred to as "brittle bone disease," as well as answer questions about the home makeover process.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Rhonda Lane at 563/333-6277 or LaneRhondaL@sau.edu.

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Monday, March 16 @ Scott Community College, Belmont Campus
12-1:30 pm, $20 per person

Lunch catered by: Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor

Regardless of how your current job may be affected by the downturn in the economy, now might be the best time to fuel up for a new start. You have skills which have served you well in the past, but now you may feel like you're headed into uncharted territory. Area community colleges and local job placement resources can help you find your way.

The topic for the Knowledge at Noon on March 16 hosted by the Eastern Iowa Community College District and Scott Community College will be "Strength Finders", a program that focuses on resources for building job skills, assessing career goals, and surviving a tough job economy. Presenters will be staff members from Scott Community College's Job Placement Office and Iowa at Work. Information will be provided on career training options, financial aid for college (YES, there is aid available!) as well as job search skills in a networked world, interviewing techniques, and other tips on preparing yourself for a changing job market.

The session will be held in the Student Life Center at Scott Community College, 500 Belmont Road in Bettendorf, Iowa. Please enter through Door #5 or Door #6. The Student Life Center is Room 2300 on the main floor.

Call 355-4753 or email bev.ricketts@bettendorfchamber.com for reservations.