06 Jul 2009

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Chairman and Founder Bernie Goldstein Passes Away

By Todd McGreevy

ST. LOUIS, July 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., today announced that the Company's founder and chairman of the board of directors, Bernard Goldstein, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

"Bernie was a true visionary, an entrepreneurial spirit. He will be remembered fondly as a man who stood by his word, who cared deeply about all those who worked for the many companies he led and loved his family with all of his heart," said James B. Perry, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer. "He founded and built this company with his outstanding dedication and constant desire to help improve communities and create good jobs. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends and those who knew him, but his legacy will live on each day through the thousands of individuals who proudly go to work in a company Bernie built."

Complete Obituary of Bernard Goldstein:

Bernard (Bernie) Goldstein, chairman of the board of the Alter Companies and Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2009 surrounded by his family. A Quad Cities native and Florida resident, Bernie will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit and extraordinary commitment to his family, to the communities where his companies operate and to all those who worked with him at the companies he led.

Born in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1929 and raised in the Quad Cities, Bernie married his high school sweetheart Irene (Renee) Alter in 1949. Graduating from Rock Island High School at age 15, he earned a law degree from the [] in 1951 the same year he became a full-time employee at Alter Company, a Davenport, Iowa scrap metal company owned by his father-in-law, Frank R. Alter.

His career was marked by his innovative business spirit. Bernie always focused on his co-workers, his customers and his communities; over the course of his career Bernie created thousands of jobs essentially producing lifelong careers for many of his employees. In addition to building Alter Company into a multi-state scrap recycling business, he went on to found Alter Barge Line, River/Gulf Grain, Rock Island River Terminal, Azalea Fleet in Louisiana, Blackhawk Fleet in Davenport, Iowa and Green Bridge Company. He remained chairman of the board of Alter Companies until his death.

Following a successful 40-year career in scrap metal recycling, river freight transportation and affiliated businesses as leader of the Alter Companies, Bernie tested retirement in Florida before he started a second career. At that time in the early 1990s, many industrial towns found themselves in a recession and like today, were diligently looking for new sources of revenue. With strong ties to the Quad Cities region, Bernie became a pivotal figure lobbying for the original legislation for riverboat gaming in Iowa and opened the nation's first riverboat casino the M/V Diamond Lady, which opened in Bettendorf, Iowa, at 6:00 a.m. on April 1, 1991.

Bernie went on to found Casino America and opened the first riverboat casino in the South, Isle of Capri Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 1, 1992. Under Bernie's leadership as chief executive officer and chairman of the board, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. owned and operated regional casinos in Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado and Florida. He retired from his role as CEO in 2008 and served as chairman of the board until his death.

He also served as chairman of the board and president of Casino Cruises, Inc., which opened and managed the gaming operations of the Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino in Peoria, Illinois, through March 1993.

Bernie was often referred to in the gaming industry as the Father of Riverboat Gaming. His strong community commitment is illustrated in his pledge to a provision in the Iowa gaming legislation that requires the funding of community non-profit organizations, in effect creating a lasting legacy to support community needs. His community spirit was tapped once again in 2005 when three hurricanes wrought havoc on the lives of so many. His guidance and leadership led Isle of Capri to keep its employees in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida on the payroll until operations were repaired and reopened.

In addition to his interests in the gaming industry, Bernie Goldstein served as chairman of the board of Goldstein Group, Inc. The affiliated Goldstein companies include Alter Barge Line, Inc; Alter Trading, Inc; River/Gulf Grain Company, and Green Bridge Company.

The author of "Navigating the Century," a book published by the History Factory (1998), Bernie earned recognition from various organizations for his community spirit. He twice received the Simon Wiesenthal Distinguished Community Award. In 1993, he was selected Outstanding Business Leader by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Florida. In 1995, Passenger Vessel Association presented him the Compass Award, and in 1999, he was inducted into the National Rivers Hall of Fame. He was also honored in 1999 as Louisiana Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2004 he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the [] College of Law at Champaign-Urbana, where he served on the Board of Governors. In 2007, the Goldstein Family Foundation honored Bernie by establishing a scholarship fund at the A.B. Freeman School of Business at []. In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries and was named to the American Gaming Association Hall of Fame.

Bernie's charitable donations included gifts to philanthropic and community organizations, including the Jewish Federation and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Renee; his children, Jeffrey Goldstein (Regina) of Bettendorf, Iowa; Robert Goldstein (Susan) of St. Louis, Missouri; Kathy Goldstein of Bellevue, Washington and Richard Goldstein (Isabel) of St. Louis, Missouri; and his nine grandchildren, Michael Goldstein, Josh Millan, Marc Goldstein, Nathan Millan, Samantha Goldstein, Lauren Goldstein, Jeremy Goldstein, Alex Goldstein and Jesse Goldstein. He will be remembered by his lifelong friends and thousands of employees.

Services and burial will be held at the Tri-City Jewish Center in Rock Island, Illinois on Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, or the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

About Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., founded in 1992, is dedicated to providing its customers with an exceptional gaming and entertainment experience at each of its 17 casino properties. The Company owns and operates casinos in Biloxi, Lula and Natchez, Mississippi; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Bettendorf, Davenport, Marquette and Waterloo, Iowa; Boonville, Caruthersville and Kansas City, Missouri, two casinos in Black Hawk, Colorado. and a casino and harness track in Pompano Beach, Florida. Isle of Capri Casinos' international gaming interests include a casino that it operates in Freeport, Grand Bahama, a casino in Coventry, England, and a two-thirds ownership interest in casinos in Dudley and Wolverhampton, England.

This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. These forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted, either positively or negatively by various factors, including without limitation, licensing, and other regulatory approvals, financing sources, development and construction activities, costs and delays, weather, permits, competition and business conditions in the gaming industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein.

NOTE: Other Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. press releases and a corporate profile are available at http://www.prnewswire.com. Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.'s home page is http://www.islecorp.com.
    CONTACTS:
    Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.,
            Dale Black, Chief Financial Officer-314.813.9327
            Jill Haynes, Director of Corporate Communication-314.813.9368
            http://www.islecorp.com
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

CONTACT: Dale Black, Chief Financial Officer, +1-314-813-9327, or Jill
Haynes, Director of Corporate Communication, +1-314-813-9368, both of Isle
of Capri Casinos, Inc.

Web site: http://www.islecorp.com/

01 Jul 2009

Russell Construction wins Safety Award

By Erin McConaughey

Davenport, IA - If at first you don't succeed try, try again. For the third year in a row Russell
Construction was nominated as one of five finalists for Safety Program of the Year by SafetyXChange.
This year, Russell Construction was awarded the first place honor of Safety Program of the Year.
SafetyXChange, an online community where safety professionals can go for new ideas, workable
solutions and fresh perspectives, holds their annual Saxies Awards in order to recognize safety
professionals for their achievements and dedication to the fundamental principle of safety. Nominees are
chosen based on their dedication to: on/off-the-job safety training, management buy-in, use of
technology, employee involvement in safety, communication, awareness building, supervisory
leadership, auditing, performance measurement, accident investigation and culture building.
According to Wayne Pardy, Executive Vice President of E.V. Quality Plus, Inc., who served as a judge
for the Saxies, Russell Construction was awarded this distinction based on "their approach,
professionalism and the way in which this organization has integrated safety management into their
overall business objectives. Their overall operational plan is exemplarily and is one that others can learn
from."
As a 2009 winner of a Saxies award, Russell Construction will be honored with a life-size
replica of a helmet worn by warriors of the Greek city-state of Corinth from around 500 B.C.
The helmet represents personal protection as it was the gear able-bodied men of Corinth
were expected to don when performing their duty of defending the city-state. The helmet is
also seen in depictions of many of Ancient Greece's leading thinkers, such as Socrates,
Plato and Aristotle. In short, the helmet embodies the qualities of citizenship, civic
responsibility and enlightened thinking.
For the first time, the SafetyXChange held their annual awards ceremony virtually.
To view the awards ceremony, please visit www.safetyxchange.org/saxcies-video.
Michael Doucette, Safety Director at Russell Construction noted "this recognition belongs to everyone
here at Russell. It is a testament to the years of hard work and dedication, especially to those working at
our jobsites helping keep not only our team safe but subcontractor employees, our clients and the public
safe everyday!"
At Russell, safety is more than a way to do business; it is a core value that everyone at the company
strives to achieve. In September of 2008, Russell's safety program reach an extraordinary milestone of
1,000,000 hours worked without a lost-time incident.
Established in 1983, Russell Construction is a regional provider of Construction Management, Design
Build and General Contracting services. For more information on Russell Construction, please visit their
corporate website at www.russellco.com.
###

29 Jun 2009

Shoe Carnival wants to help their customers through tough economic times

By Stacy Carr

Evansville, IN- June 24, 2009-- Beginning July 1 through July 4, with any purchase, Shoe Carnival customers will receive a "BOGO When You Want 2" (SM) card. This card allows customers to buy one pair of shoes and then get a second pair of equal or lesser value for ½ off anytime they want through January 19, 2010.

"We know our customers continue to face tough economic times, so we wanted to offer this promotion again so that those that didn't have the opportunity to participate in April can do so now," said Todd Beurman, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Shoe Carnival. "With the "BOGO When You Want 2" card, our customers can take advantage of this valuable deal, even when the promotion isn't running in our stores."

Shoe Carnival first ran the "BOGO When You Want 2" promotion in April and wanted to offer this deal again to coincide with their July 4th Sale Event. This event, running July 1st - July 4th, allows customers to get great deals on name brand footwear for the entire family plus get Buy 1, Get 2nd Pair ½ off just in time for the 4th of July holiday.

About Shoe Carnival

Shoe Carnival is a chain of 313 footwear stores located in the Midwest, South and Southeast. Combining value pricing with an entertaining store format, Shoe Carnival is a leading retailer of name brand and private label footwear for the entire family. Headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, Shoe Carnival trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol SCVL. Visit www.shoecarnival.com for more information.

The Shoe Carnival location in the Quad Cities is at the Village Shopping Center, 902 W Kimberly Rd in Davenport. They can be reached by calling (563) 391-5350.

12 Jun 2009

APAC Customer Services, Inc. in Davenport is Expanding

By Bobbi Chester

June 11, 2009 - APAC Customer Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: APAC) a leading provider of quality customer care services and solutions, is excited to announce the expansion of its Davenport, Iowa customer care center. APAC will be hiring 150 customer care agents and support professionals within the next several weeks.

Overall, APAC employs over 10,000 contact center professionals throughout nine domestic and four Philippine locations, and is recognized as an industry leader in inbound customer care. Agents hired will be answering calls from consumers and assisting with product features, usage, billing and general support.

The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills, a strong knowledge of the computer, a positive attitude coupled with a professional demeanor, and an ability to type at least 18 WPM. Candidates with customer service and college education are encouraged to apply. APAC offers excellent compensation and benefits. First and second shifts are available.

To apply for one of these full-time positions, go to www.APACjob.com/Davenport. You can also apply in person at 250 East 90^th Street. The Davenport recruiting office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

APAC Customer Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: APAC) is a leading provider of customer care services and solutions for market leaders in healthcare, publishing, business services, financial services, communications and travel and entertainment industries. APAC partners with its clients to deliver custom solutions that enhance bottom line performance. For more information, call 1-800-OUTSOURCE. APAC's comprehensive web site is http://www.apaccustomerservices.com.

05 Jun 2009

TAG Communications Formed, Senior Management Team Announced

By Susan Weber

Davenport, IA - The Ad Group is pleased to announce the creation of TAG Communications, an umbrella corporation that will serve as the parent organization for the specialized agencies working from the company's Davenport, Iowa, headquarters. TAG Communications will provide senior management oversight as well as shared technology and logistical resources to current divisions. The following entities, founded as The Ad Group, will continue to operate as divisions of TAG Communications;

The Ad Group will maintain the direction established over its nearly 20-year history, with efforts focused on service to local, regional and national retail and Business-to-Consumer clients. It will also provide an entry point for new ventures as well as offering marketing services to companies in all stages of development. (http://www.adgroup.biz)

TAG Healthcare Marketing was formed in 2008 to serve the growing communication needs of The Ad Group's healthcare partners nationwide. Since its inception, TAG Healthcare Marketing has broadened its reach and service to include relationships with clients in Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois. (http://www.taghcm.com)

TAG Yellow Pages is a Yellow Pages Association "Certified Marketing Representative" that places advertising for clients nationwide directly with the publishers of thousands of online and print directories throughout the United States and Canada. This allows TAG clients who rely on print and online directories to ensure cost-effective performance consistent with their marketing plan. Certification is given only to those select agencies that have met the industry's strictest qualifying criteria. (http://www.tagyp.com)

TAG Legal Marketing is a full-service marketing firm dedicated to providing state Bar Association-compliant advertising and communications campaigns to law firms nationwide. (http://www.taglegalmarketing.com)

According to TAG Communications President and CEO, Mike Vondran, a key to the company's reorganization was the ability to secure senior management for the new entity. He's pleased to announce the appointment of three new members of the senior management team;

Randy (RJ) Jacobs has been named Senior Vice President. He most recently served as CEO/partner of Jacobs Thoms LLC from 2007-2009, Vice President and Account Director for Charleston Orwig (Milwaukee) from 2003-2007, and President, Managing Partner with Henry Russell Bruce from 1991-2003. RJ has more than twenty-six years of leadership experience in marketing, sales and operational management from successful start-ups to turnaround companies. Throughout RJ's career, he has been instrumental in leading strategy and brand initiatives for clients such as global elevator and escalator manufacturer KONE, Trinity Regional Health System, national healthcare equipment leader Hill-Rom, Genesis Health System, General Electric Major Appliance and Amica Wireless.

Tim Crosby has joined TAG Communications as Vice President Creative/Brand Management. Tim has more than 25 years of experience as the principal creative and marketing strategist for a list of clients that includes Haworth, HarperCollins, John Deere, Rockwell Collins, and Amana. Over the course of his career, he has guided successful product launches for several clients in publishing, the hunting/outdoor industry, the automotive aftermarket, telecommunications and healthcare. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a "Best of Show" Addy from the Quad Cities Ad Federation in 2001. Tim is the former owner of Crosby-Kirchhoff Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has worked with The Ad Group for several years as a consultant. Tim will oversee the creative and branding efforts of all TAG Communications divisions.

David Blake has joined TAG Communications as Vice President, Accounts Management. David brings a high level of strategic planning as well as sales and marketing leadership to the company. Being a proactive leader and coach, David has spent the last several years consulting for companies throughout the United States focusing on business development and overall business strategy. He served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for i WirelessÃ‚â„¢ where he was instrumental in creating a pre-paid product as well as increasing the company's overall market share. David also brings experience as Operations Manager for a commercial real estate development firm along with a background in franchise management.

"Our common sense, results-oriented approach has become increasingly valuable to marketers in recent years," notes Vondran. "We're pleased and excited to find a management team that shares that commitment and vision, while providing seasoned, proven leadership. We believe we're building something special, both for our industry and the region. It is an exciting time."

TAG Communications is a complete advertising, marketing and public relations firm with divisions serving a variety of regional clients as well as healthcare, legal and Yellow Pages clients nationwide. TAG Communications is based in the Quad Cities, with offices in Cedar Rapids, IA, Rockford, IL, and Oklahoma City, OK. Founded as The Ad Group in 1990, the company specializes in strategic analysis and creative solutions that deliver results through creative, responsive and cost-effective communication for clients throughout the nation.

###

01 Jun 2009

Grand Opening of Main Street Farmers Market-downtown Aledo

By The Buzz Gallery of modern Art

WHAT: The Main Street Farmers Market-downtown Aledo opens for business June 11th with local growers and producers selling fresh from the farm products such as fruit, vegetables, berries, wines, cheese, flowers, breads, eggs and meats. The Aledo and Illinois Quad Cities Chambers of Commerce will conduct a ribbon cutting for Aledo Main Street and partners to open the Market for business. The Monmouth Dixieland Jazz Band will be taking the stage later that evening to entertain shoppers.

WHEN: Thursday, June 11, 4 to 7 p.m. (note: The Ribbon cutting will be held at 4 p.m.)

WHERE: Central Park parking lot in Aledo, Illinois

WHY: Area residents will enjoy homegrown produce and seasonal crops throughout the summer and fall months. The Main Street Farmers Market not only supports local vendors, but also promotes a healthy lifestyle and connecting with neighbors and new visitors to the Mercer County. It will be open every Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m., from June 11 through October 22 at Central Park (intersection of Highway 17 and College Avenue). Community Days are also featured each week, include the Aledo Fire Department, Friends of the Library, the Aledo Police's K9 Unit, a Curves demonstration, and Chef's Choice that features an area chef with a specialized menu.

The Main Street Farmers Market-downtown Aledo was made possible through funds from the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for Illinois Where Fresh Is. Sponsorship dollars were also provided by Aledo Community Schools District #201, Aledo Main Street, Mercer County Health Department, Mercer County Farm Bureau, and University of Illinois Extension/Mercer EDP Office.

Participating advertising merchants are MGM Graphics, East Moline; Radish Magazine, Rock Island; The Times Record, Aledo; Torrey Outdoor Advertising of East Moline and WRMJ Country 102.3, Aledo.

Interested vendors and sponsors of community days should contact Pam Myers at Aledo Main Street, (309) 582-2751, or email aledoms@qconline.com. Application and rules may also be downloaded from the website www.aledomainstreet.com.

29 May 2009

Country Style Ice Cream Grand Opening

By Lori Weber

On Thursday, June 4th from 4pm-6pm, Country Style Ice Cream and Hawaiian Style Coffee will hold a Grand Opening at the 4th official franchise on 53^rd Street just east of Division in Davenport. We'll start the event with a ribbon cutting at 4:30pm and will have plenty of samples of Country Style Ice Cream and Hawaiian Style Coffee on hand, along with door prizes and other refreshments.

Country Style Ice Cream has been a local favorite since 1947 and in 2006 Kent Kindelsperger added Hawaiian Style Coffee to the mix. "Coffee is a great complement to our ice cream line. The unique and rich flavor of these two brands set this company apart," Kent Kindelsperger said.

The new owners, Kari and Tres Gomez, at the Davenport location add, "We are very excited to bring Country Style Ice Cream and Hawaiian Style Coffee back to Davenport. We are proud to support a local product and feel the quality of the ice cream and coffee products are second to none." This new location will provide a warm and relaxed atmosphere for customers to sit and enjoy an ice cream malt or latte or take advantage of our free wi-fi internet connection. Customers will also be able to enjoy wraps, hot dogs and pastries while a drive thru window provides our products for people on the run.

19 May 2009

House Panel Formally Adds "Cash for Clunkers" to American Clean Energy and Security Act Compromise o

By Todd McGreevy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday May 19, 2009
CONTACT: Jeff Giertz/ Nicole Buseman jeff.giertz@mail.house.gov/ nicole.buseman@mail.house.gov 202.226.4026 / 202.226.0572

Washington, DC - During a markup hearing today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee formally adopted a compromise reached between the White House and Congress to include a "Cash for Clunkers" program in the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act. Braley, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH), and others formally introduced the amendment to the energy and climate bill that would implement the "Cash for Clunkers" compromise, which would provide consumers with incentives of $3,500 or $4,500 to purchase new, fuel-efficient vehicles to replace old gas-guzzlers. The amendment passed this afternoon 50-4-1. "Cash for Clunkers is a common-sense idea that can have a big impact on the economy," Braley said. "The 'Cash for Clunkers' concept will help boost our economy, save families money, and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. By including this compromise in the new energy bill, we can accomplish many goals at once: consumers will get a break to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles; we will all benefit from a reduction of greenhouse gases; and we will save American jobs by jumpstarting the auto industry." In March, Braley introduced the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act with Reps. Betty Sutton (D-OH) and Candice Miller (R-MI). The bill created a "Cash for Clunkers" program that would take older, gas-guzzling vehicles off the road and spur new car sales by providing consumers with a $3,000 to $7,500 incentive to buy more fuel-efficient cars or trucks. The CARS Act provided graduated incentives based on greater fuel efficiency. A summary of the compromise adopted today is attached to this message. # # #

May 5, 2009

Fact Sheet: Cash for Clunkers

Committee on Energy and Commerce

Consumers may trade in their old, gas-guzzling vehicles and receive vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help pay for new, more fuel efficient cars and trucks. The program will be authorized for up to one year and provide for approximately one million new car or truck purchases. The agreement divides these new cars and trucks into four categories. Miles per gallon figures below refer to EPA "window sticker" values

Passenger Cars: The old vehicle must get less than 18 mpg. New passenger cars with mileage of at least 22 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new car is at least 4 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new car is at least 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $4,500.

Light-Duty Trucks: The old vehicle must get less than 18 mpg. New light trucks or SUVs with mileage of at least 18 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.

Large Light-Duty Trucks: New large trucks (pick-up trucks and vans weighing between 6,000 and 8,500 pounds) with mileage of at least 15 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 1 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.

Work Trucks: Under the agreement, consumers can trade in a pre-2002 work truck (defined as a pick-up truck or cargo van weighing from 8,500-10,000 pounds) and receive a voucher worth $3,500 for a new work truck in the same or smaller weight class. There will be a finite number of these vouchers, based on this vehicle class's market share. There are no EPA mileage measures for these trucks; however, because newer models are cleaner than older models, the age requirement ensures that the trade will improve environmental quality. Consumers can also "trade down," receiving a $3,500 voucher for trading in an older work truck and purchasing a smaller light-duty truck weighing from 6,000 - 8,500 pounds.

Summary of Cash for Clunkers Agreement
	Passenger Car	Light-Duty Truck	Large Light-Duty Truck (6,000 - 8,500 pounds)	Work Truck (8,500 - 10,000 pounds)
Minimum Fuel Economy for New Vehicle	22 mpg (EPA combined)	18 mpg (EPA combined)	15 mpg (EPA combined)
$3,500 Voucher	Mileage improvement of at least 4 mpg	Mileage improvement of at least 2 mpg	Mileage improvement of at least 1 mpg or trade-in of a Work Truck.	Trade-in must be at least pre-2002
$4,500 Voucher	Mileage improvement of at least 10 mpg	Mileage improvement of at least 5 mpg	Mileage improvement of at least 2 mpg

19 May 2009

Bruce Braley to Let Electricity Rates Skyrocket Votes Against Amendment to Protect Pocketbooks of M

By Submittted

For Immediate Release: Contact: Press Office May 19, 2009 (202) 479-7070

Washington- Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA), are allowing a climate bill to impose new and burdensome regulations on the power and manufacturing industries in America that could cause electric utility rates to skyrocket, killing American jobs and costing American families even more on their energy bills each month. Bruce Braley voted to kill an amendment that aimed to protect struggling families from soaring utility rates. This amendment would have ensured that electricity rates for residential customers couldn't increase by more than ten percent over 2009 rates, or else the harmful regulations of U.S. industries contained in this climate bill would no longer be in effect. "Bruce Braley failed to protect struggling families in Iowa from crippling utility rates that are inevitable under this Democrat National Energy Tax bill," said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. "Bruce Braley's refusal to put safeguards in place for American families will only prolong and increase the burden of soaring energy costs across this country."

There is mounting evidence that under the Democrats' National Energy Tax plan utility rates will skyrocket and American families and businesses will suffer as a result. There is no mistaking that this bill will drastically burden already struggle families with increased energy costs. How much more can Iowa families take?: The average Iowa household already pays nearly 9 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity (Energy Information Administration, Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government, Electric Power Monthly with data for January 2009, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_a.html) 12.3% of people in Iowa are past-due on their electric utility bills by about $102.09 (2008 Individual State Report by the NARUC, Consumer Affairs Subcommittee On Collections Data Gathering, http://www.naruc.org/Publications/2008%20NARUC%20Collections%20Survey%20Report.pdf) President Obama Even Admitted Utility Rates Would "Skyrocket": "Under my plan of a cap and trade system electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket ... that will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers ..." (President Barack Obama, Meeting with the Editorial Board at the San Francisco Chronicle, January, 2008)

Deep Concern over Increased Costs: An overwhelming majority of Americans are deeply concerned about the drastic increase in cost they would bear as a result of the National Energy Tax. Seventy-seven percent of Americans said they are concerned that federal regulation of greenhouse gases could substantially raise the price of things they have to pay for. (Source: ABC News/Washington Post; conducted April 21-24, 2009; Survey of 1,072 Adults Nationwide) A new study shows the devastating effects the National Energy Tax will have on the economy: * Electricity rates would spike by 90 percent (after adjusting for inflation) * The annual energy bill for an average family would increase by $1,500 (William W. Beach, David Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen Campbell, Ph.D. and Ben Lieberman, Heritage Foundation WebMemo #2450, "Son of Waxman-Markey: More Politics Makes for a More Costly Bill," May 18, 2009) View the text of the amendment offered by Rep. Roy Blunt here: http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090519/hr2454_I_blunt.pdf ###

18 May 2009

GRAND OPENING FOR NEW LOCATION

By The Buzz Gallery of modern Art

On Thursday, May 21^st from 4pm-6pm, Purple Polka Dotted Hippo will hold a Grand Opening at its new location in Davenport's Old Town Mall on Kimberly Road. The event will start with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. and there will be plenty of child friendly refreshments on hand as you browse our new site. To show our appreciation of your support, all attendees are eligible to win a custom designed diaper cake and a Purple Polka Dotted Hippo Basket.

Purple Polka Dotted Hippo opened in 2009 at 3601 North Division in Davenport to provide affordable quality clothing and accessories for children and to give mothers the opportunity to sell and consign their gently used children's and maternity clothing. "After providing so many children with a new look, we decided the Purple Polka Dotted Hippo deserved a new look as well," Melanie Schneckloth said. "The new location has more room and parking for our customers, while still maintaining its warm and welcoming surroundings to parents and children alike." Schneckloth adds, "We're excited to get the opportunity to provide a more central location for our local customers."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: Melanie Schneckloth

Telephone: 563-388-5076

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