13 Jun 2014

Braley Backs Bill to Address Skyrocketing Student Loan Debt

By Jeff Giertz

As student loan debt reaches $1.3 trillion nationally, bill would allow Iowa students, graduates to refinance federal and private loans

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today signed onto the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, allowing individuals to refinance their student loan debt at lower interest rates, helping address the record high levels of crippling loan debt and delinquencies increasingly affecting millions of students and their families.

The U.S. Department of Education estimates this new legislation would benefit 311,000 Iowa student borrowers.

"Students that are getting an education and fighting for a brighter future shouldn't have to mortgage that same future in order to afford it," Braley said. "I was fortunate to have access to student loans when tuition was less costly and interest rates were dramatically lower?and it's important that current students and recent graduates have the same opportunities that I had."

Student loan debt today totals $1.2 trillion, $864 billion of which is backed by the federal government. More than 70 percent of students who graduated from college in 2012 had student loan debt.

The Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act would allow eligible student loan borrowers to refinance their high-interest federal loans to the low rates offered to new federal student loan borrowers. The bill would also allow eligible students with loans from the private market to refinance their high-interest private student loans by converting the private loans to government loans. Those who refinance their private loans would gain access to the protections and benefits of the federal student loan programs.

Braley has repeatedly fought to keep student loan rates affordable for Iowa's students, writing Congressional leadership, urging them to make affordable student loan rates and priority. Braley also introduced the Student Loan Affordability Act in 2012 in an effort to prevent a significant spike in student loan rates.

 

A link to the bill can be found HERE. 

# # #
13 Jun 2014

BeeRME for Music Beer Tasting

By QCCVB
The 6th Annual BeeRME for Music begins at 7:00 p.m. on the second floor of the RME on Friday, June 13th.  BeeRME will feature a wide range of beer samples from Great River Brewery, Millstream Brewing Company, 7G Distributing, Wolfe Beverage, and Mississippi River Distillery Company, and many others!  The night will also feature live music by OSG and local food samplings. A complimentary tasting glass will also be included in the ticket price. www.rivermusicexperience.org
13 Jun 2014

On World Day Against Child Labor, 17 Senators Urge Largest Tobacco Companies to Prohibit Child Labor in the Supply Chain

By Sen. Tom Harkin

Letter follows the release of a national report showing children experience sudden, serious health ailments while working in tobacco fields, curing barns

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Seventeen U.S. Senators led by Tom Harkin (D-IA) today sent a letter to the ten largest tobacco companies urging them to prohibit child labor in their supply chain.  The letter comes on the heels of a new report by Human Rights Watch.  The report found that nearly three-quarters of the child tobacco workers in the four largest tobacco-producing states had experienced the sudden onset of serious symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, skin rashes, and irritation to their eyes and mouths; while working on tobacco fields and in curing barns.  Many of these symptoms are consistent with acute nicotine poisoning.

In the letter, the lawmakers urged the companies to develop company policies and industry-wide standards that would include the following:

·         A prohibition on child labor anywhere in the tobacco supply chain, including any work in which children under age 18 come in direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves, including in countries where national laws provide lesser protections;

·         Provisions in all contracts with growers and suppliers that child labor is prohibited, including work by children under age 18 that brings them in direct contact with tobacco;

·         Provisions stipulating qualified third-party monitors to conduct regular inspections of suppliers during peak season when children are most likely to work, and ensure that their reports are made public."

·         Support for programs to prevent child labor in tobacco, including programs to support educational, recreational, and alternative skills building and vocational opportunities.

Noting that other major tobacco-producing countries, including India and Brazil, prohibit children under age 18 from working in tobacco, the Senators wrote, "We urge you, as the world's leading tobacco companies and tobacco leaf merchants, to take the steps outlined above to ensure that all children are protected from nicotine poisoning and other health hazards in tobacco production."

The letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).  It was sent to executives at Altria Group, Inc., British American Tobacco PLC, China National Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, Japan Tobacco Inc., Lorillard, Inc., Philip Morris International Inc., Reynolds American Inc., Alliance One International, Inc., and Universal Corporation.

A signed copy of the letter can be found here.

###
13 Jun 2014

Moline Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards

By Linda Martin

The Moline Foundation awarded almost $21,000.00 in scholarships to 20 college-bound students this spring. The following scholarships were awarded:

Dolores A. Hulse-DiIulio Scholarship: Anna Henderson, Moline High School, $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to a female student graduating from Moline High School who plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, engineering or pre-medicine. Henderson plans to attend University of Illinois, Champaign, IL to pursue a degree in Computer Science. Mrs. Hulse-DiIulio was a chemistry teacher at Moline High School for 36 years, retiring in 1994.

Lee Womack Memorial Scholarship: Molly Rumler, Moline High School, $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduate who plans to obtain a degree in education. Rumler plans to study Social Studies Education at Illinois State University, Normal, IL. The scholarship was established by Womack's wife, Peggy and the Lee Womack Memorial Golf Outing Steering Committee. Annually since his death, a golf outing has been held in his memory to raise funds for a local charity. In 2004, the scholarship fund was established and is now administered by the Moline Foundation.

Moline High School Class of '59: Justin Rumley and Elizabeth Ehlers, both graduates of Moline High School, $1,000.00 each. Rumley plans to major in Political Science at Black Hawk College, Moline IL. Ehlers plans to major in Business at University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. The fund was established by the MHS Class of 1959 as a way to commemorate their 50th class reunion. Funds are raised by class members and volunteers through various fundraisers.

Maggie Webb Scholarship: Justin Rumley, Moline High School, $1,000.00. Rumley plans to major in Political Science at Black Hawk College, Moline, IL. The fund was established as a memorial to Maggie Webb, a 2001 graduate of Moline High School who was killed in December 2007 in a mass shooting at a retail store in an Omaha mall.

Clem T. Hanson Scholarship: Hannah Wright and Amelevi Tossou graduates of Moline High School, and Miguel Peralta, student at BlackHawk College $1,500.00 annually for the next four years. Wright plans to major in Community Health at University of Illinois, Champaign, IL. Tossou plans to major in Nursing/Health Care at Black Hawk College, Moline, IL. Peralta plans to major in Computer Science at Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, IA. The fund was established through the generosity of Clem T. Hanson (1901-1985), a former Moline businessman and community leader.

DARE Scholarship: Hannah Wright, Divya Joseph and Tanner Logan $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to Moline High School graduates based on academic merit, good citizenship, attendance, and active involvement in school and community. Wright plans to major in Community Health at University of IL, Champaign, IL. Joseph plans to major in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Logan plans to major in Pre-Physical Therapy and attend Augustana College, Rock Island IL. The DARE scholarship is based upon the principles of the former DARE anti-drugs program in Moline-Coal Valley elementary schools.

Lee McAllister Scholarship: Molly Rumler, $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduate planning to major in education. Rumler plans to major in Social Studies Education at Illinois State University Normal, IL. This scholarship was established in memory of Lee McAllister who taught in Moline School District No. 40 from 1948 to 1981.

Stan Woods Scholarship: Katherine Finch, $1,000.00. The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduate based on community involvement and leadership and academic achievement. Finch is attending University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. This scholarship was established in memory of Stan Woods who was a teacher, guidance counselor and dean of students in Moline School District No. 40. Former students, co-workers, parents, and the community have contributed to the Woods Scholarship Fund.

Srikanth Yerra Scholarship: Jessica Mendez, $1,000.00. This scholarship provides funds to a Moline School District graduate or community college student based on financial need and potential for future personal achievement. Mendez is majoring in Marketing at Loyola University, Chicago, IL. The family established this scholarship in memory of Srikanth Yerra, a 2005 graduate of Moline High School.

Hazel Van Arsdale Scholarship: Amelevi Tossou, $1,000.00. Tossou is majoring in Nursing/Health Care and plans to attend Black Hawk College, Moline IL. The scholarship provides funds to a Moline High School graduating senior based on financial need, potential for future personal achievement.

Sherrard Academic Foundation, through the Moline Foundation, awarded five scholarships to graduating seniors from Sherrard High School. Danica Stanfield, Preemption, IL, received a $1,000.00 Farmers State Bank of Western Illinois scholarship. Stanfield plans to major in Respiratory Care and attend Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Rock Island, IL. Chelsea Rae Munday, Davenport, IA, received a $1,000.00 scholarship. Munday plans to major in Biology and attend University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Grant Gingerich, Sherrard, IL, received a $1,000.00 scholarship. Gingerich plans to major in Pre-Med Biology and attend Wartburg College, Waverly, IA. Dylan Bishop, Matherville, IL, and Rachael Shull, New Windsor, IL, each received a $750.00 Wayne and Joyce Holdsworth Scholarship. Bishop plans to major in Electronics Engineering Technology at Hamilton Technical College, Davenport, IA. Shull plans to attend Black Hawk College, Moline, IL.

Anyone is welcome to contribute to any of the above scholarship funds. The donation will be noted as a charitable contribution.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to benefit health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which help the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities.

 

The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Henderson and McDonough counties in Illinois.

-30-

13 Jun 2014

Glenn Beck's "We Will Not Conform" Addresses Common Core Education in Cinemas for Two Nights this July

By Rick Martin
Fathom Events and Glenn Beck invite you to experience a night of action against Common Core as Glenn Beck's "We Will Not Conform" is broadcast LIVE to cinemas nationwide on Tuesday, July 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / tape-delayed to 8:00 p.m. PT with a second showing on Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. (local time). Cinema audiences will not only hear from experts like Michelle Malkin, David Barton, and others, they will have the opportunity to join LIVE with fellow theatergoers across the country to develop tangible strategies in the pursuit of enacting real change in America's education system.
"We Will Not Conform" will be shown at the following cinemas in your area on July 22:
Cinemark Davenport 18 with IMAX 3601 E 53Rd St Davenport IA 52807

13 Jun 2014

USDA Announces New Farm Bill Funds Available for Research to Fight Citrus Greening

By USDA Office of Communications
$31.5 Million Being Allocated to Test Various Ways to Combat Disease Threatening U.S. Citrus Industry

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2014 - United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $25 million in funding for research and Cooperative Extension Service projects to combat huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening disease. The funding comes from the 2014 Farm Bill. USDA allocated another $6.5 million, for a total of $31.5 million, to several other projects through its Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination Group (HLB MAC).

"USDA is committed to the fight against citrus greening, including making major research investments to counter this destructive disease," said Vilsack. "The citrus industry and the thousands of jobs it supports are depending on groundbreaking research to neutralize this threat."

Today's announcement provides funding to the Citrus Disease Research and Education Program (CDRE) and is a supplement of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI). The 2014 Farm Bill provides $25 million per year for a total of $125 million of the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative funding toward citrus health research over the next five years.

Because there are wide differences in the occurrence and progression of HLB among the states, there are regional as well as national priorities for CDRE. These priorities fall within four categories: 1) priorities that deal with the pathogen; 2) those that deal with the insect vector; 3) those that deal with citrus orchard production systems; and 4) those that deal with non-agricultural citrus tree owners. Priority will be given to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional, or trans-disciplinary and include clearly defined mechanisms to communicate results to producers. Successful applicants will be expected to engage stakeholders to insure solutions are commercially feasible. Projects should also include an economic analysis of the costs associated with proposed solutions. A letter of intent to apply is due to NIFA by June 27, 2014. Full applications, to be invited based on relevancy review, are due September 29, 2014.

Also today, USDA's Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination Group (HLB MAC) announced funding allocations for three new projects to combat HLB. The first project will commit approximately $2 million to field test antimicrobials that have shown promise in combating HLB in laboratory and greenhouse studies. The second HLB MAC project, also funded for up to $2 million, will support the deployment of large-scale thermotherapy since studies have shown heating a tree to 120 degrees for approximately 48 hours can kill the HLB bacterium in the upper part of the tree, allowing the tree to regain productivity. This funding will address the challenge of identifying a quick and practical way for growers to use the technology on a large scale. For the third project, the MAC Group is providing about $2.5 million to establish several model groves in cooperation with Florida Citrus Health Management Areas. A model grove would use best management practices?including systematic surveys, timely chemical treatments, new planting strategies, and the removal of dead and abandoned groves - so growers can produce healthy citrus crops even in the presence of HLB.

Secretary Vilsack created the HLB MAC Group last December to foster greater coordination among federal and state agencies in responding to citrus greening. The Group includes representatives from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), as well as State departments of agriculture and the citrus industry. The HLB MAC Group serves to coordinate and prioritize Federal research with industry's efforts to complement and fill research gaps, reduce unnecessary duplication, speed progress, and more quickly provide practical tools for citrus growers to use. Additional information on the activities of the HLB MAC Group, including regular updates on activities, can be found here.

The Farm Bill, which provided funding for today's investment in HLB research, builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which administers the Citrus Disease Research and Education Program, focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)

#
13 Jun 2014

"See for Yourself" Participants to See Soy Checkoff in Action

By Rick Martin
Ten U.S. soybean farmers to visit domestic, international soy markets

ST. LOUIS (June 12, 2014) - Unloading soybeans at the elevator after harvest may seem like the end of the season for farmers, but it's really just the beginning of the journey. From there, the soybeans travel to various markets domestically and abroad. How are they used? Ten U.S. soybean farmers are about to see for themselves.

The United Soybean Board (USB) recently selected participants for this year's See for Yourself program, which will be held Aug. 14-22 in St. Louis, Panama and Ecuador. The annual program will give the following farmers a firsthand look at some of the many uses for their soybeans around the world:

  • Kyle Bridgeforth - Tanner, Alabama
  • James Caudle - Peachland, North Carolina
  • Kate Danner - Aledo, Illinois
  • Brennan Gilkison - Winchester, Kentucky
  • Matt Hinderer - Chelsea, Michigan
  • Don Holbert - Dandridge, Tennessee
  • Darin LaBar - Union City, Michigan
  • Kevin McGrain - Hornick, Iowa
  • Wade Walters - Shickley, Nebraska
  • LaVell Winsor - Grantville, Kansas
"The See for Yourself program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," says David Hartke, a soybean farmer from Teutopolis, Illinois, and chair of the USB's Audit and Evaluation Committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. "Not only do farmers see the checkoff in action firsthand, but they have the chance to provide feedback directly to me and other farmer-leaders on the checkoff programs they learn about."

These farmer-participants will learn about their domestic and international customers' needs for soybean meal and oil. That includes animal agriculture, which uses nearly 97 percent of U.S. soybean meal, and the food industry, which uses two-thirds of U.S. soybean oil.

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

13 Jun 2014

National Launch of Revolutionary App to Know What's in your Food!

By Jeff Sonnenburg

Jeff Sonnenburg, Executive-Director, "It started when I was simply trying to find products without aspartame. I couldn't believe the amount of hours I was spending looking on the back of long complicated labels over and over. I was also seeing all the millions of people who were actively trying to get legislation passed to have GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) listed on labels. I thought why can't a consumer have their own virtual label through a mobile-app where by scanning the UPC-code anyone can see just the information they personally care about."

"I also decided to include information such as GMO that is not always publicly available. Finally when I saw a television news report about a child who had died of a peanut-allergy, I saw how hard it was for 3.3 million people who have a peanut-allergy to figure out what products have peanuts or are made in factories with peanuts. I was shocked how totally unsuspecting products have peanuts in them. This seemed essential for the over 100 million Americans who have special dietary needs."

Affinity is a mobile-app and site where anyone can decide what information about a product they want to know. It also recommends alternative options for the same type of product that is more according to your preferences. To save you time it your previous choices and products you already scanned.

We are starting our crowdfunding now for the Peanut-Allergy Edition to be out before Halloween and then the GMO Edition and Prescription-Drug Food-Interaction Edition will follow one per quarter. We will be rolling-out a web-site in the next 30 days for crowdsourcing for people to search our database for type of products they want without peanuts and to beta-test the functionality for the app. We are getting ready to do the same each quarter following for GMO and prescription-drug food-interactions.

A pre-launch event will be on Tuesday 17 June 2014 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at Theo's Java Club (side-stage room) 213 17th St. Rock Island, IL where we will have a five minute video of the app and product-database. We want everyone's input on what you want to know about your food by simply swiping your mobile. We want to know what do you want it to keep track of to make your shopping choices easier and quicker. We'll be making a national video for crowdfunding kick-off! We will also be taking applications for coders, developers, data-key-entry and general staff.

Mighty River Ventures is a local incubator for mobile-apps and sites that already has six apps in the pipeline. We have monthly brainstorming online and local master-minds where people can bring their ideas for us to scope them out for viability, development costs and revenue potential. We will soon be including a youth program where they will be offered work-study to learn coding skills and have fun making viral videos.

eff Sonnenburg, Executive Director, has been an Executive Business Consultant for Cap Gemini with such clients as Utilicorp, TWA, DSI and consulted privately for Humane Society, Human Factors and MindPlay including speaking at the United Nations. Many of his references are at http://bit.ly/jeff-results.

###
13 Jun 2014

ARTery Music Event - June 28th, 2014

By Nancy Humphrey Case

The ARTery, a Rock Island gallery which features new regional talent, will expand its programming with a novel idea on Saturday, June 28. Acoustic double-neck guitarist Ian Ethan will give a concert accompanied by selected local artists interpreting and painting, in real time, what they hear in the multi-layered instrumental music. An artists' reception will follow the show, when the just-painted, musically-inspired pieces will be displayed.

Ian Ethan's music is loaded with visual possibilities. With 18 strings, innovative playing techniques, and a complex array of electronic looping pedals which he uses to capture and play back parts of the live compositions, the young guitarist builds scores of harmonic and rhythmic layers into his original, uncategorizable songs. The result is music that has been described as "colorful," "rich," "magical," and even "spiritual." The idea of combining visual and musical art is not new to Ian Ethan. Recently, the Planetarium at the Boston Museum of Science held a series of light-image shows specifically designed to accompany his music, performed live under the dome. For a preview of the evening's music, visit www.IanEthan.com.

Avenue, Rock Island. The June 28 event will run from 6 to 9 p.m., with the concert beginning at 6:30. Wine, beer, and snacks will be served. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the gallery's current show titled "Text is a Four-Letter Word," by Steve Banks, Heidi Hernandez, and Terry Rathje. No admission will be charged but donations in support of the ARTery and the guest musician will be gratefully received. For more information, please call (309) 781-7668 or e-mail Carolyn Krueger at carolynjkrueger@gmail.com.

13 Jun 2014

Connecting Advocacy to Your Mission

By Doug Schenkelberg

Please join Donors Forum, the Moline Foundation, and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend for a training session and discussion on connecting advocacy to your mission! This training session will be a follow-up to the meeting we had in October around "Building a Stronger Illinois" and will help you learn more about the nuts and bolts of effective advocacy.

Advocacy has a role in fulfilling the mission of nonprofits and making an impact in our communities. It can be connected to every organization's mission, no matter the level of experience, no matter the size organization. Participants will leave the training with:

  • skills on how to leverage advocacy for their organization through well planned educational action
  • tools and actionable next steps to make their voices heard by their Illinois elected officials
Please note that the training will be focused on Illinois advocacy and politics (though some of it will be general).

Tuesday, July 22, 2014
1:00 p.m. - Check-In
1:15 - 3:45 p.m. - Briefing and Discussion
Please RSVP by July 17
**Snacks will be served

The Deere-Wiman House
817 11th Avenue, Moline

We look forward to seeing you!

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar