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.

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.

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

Davenport, IA - Mike Vondran, President and CEO of The Ad Group, announced today that the TAG team was the recipient of a national healthcare advertising award.  Winners have been announced in the Twenty-Sixth Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards sponsored by Healthcare Marketing Report and TAG received a silver award for the consolidated services trailer wrap done for Iowa Health System.

The Healthcare Advertising Awards is the oldest, largest and most widely respected healthcare advertising awards competition.  The awards are sponsored by Healthcare Marketing Report, the leading publication covering all aspects of healthcare marketing, advertising and strategic business development.  Over 3,600 entries were received in this year's competition, making the awards the largest healthcare advertising awards competition.

Based in the Quad Cities, The Ad Group is a complete advertising, marketing and public relations agency serving businesses in nearly every industry. TAG Healthcare Marketing is a division of The Ad Group. Since its founding in 1990, The Ad Group has specialized in strategic analysis and creative solutions that achieve results via the staff's creative, responsive and cost-effective service to their clients throughout the nation. For more information, visit www.adgroup.biz.

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