Flood Recovery is moving forward this week with the Grand Reopening of Theatre Cedar Rapids and Other Local News

Theatre Cedar Rapids will re-open on Friday, February 26Th with the Grand Reopening Gala, which is sold out. There may still be tickets available for The Producers for other show dates. The Producers is the Tony-award winning musical by Mel Brooks. The show which marks TCR’s return to its home in the Iowa Theater Building, which has been closed due to the Flood of 2008.

Rotarian Robin Tucker is looking forward to The Producers on March 3Rd with fellow Rotarians and guests enjoying the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids fundraiser and social event at TCR. The Metro High School scholarship program will benefit from this Rotary fundraiser.

The new marquee has the ability to play video and it has a wonderful LED format for marketing of events being held at the Iowa Theater Building. Here's a recent story in our local paper on the TCR recovery efforts ...

TCR renovations render me speechless so hear what others have to say

- The Gazette
Feb. 11 tour of renovations at Theatre Cedar Rapids left me speechless. And that ain’t easy to do!The theater came to its new home in the Iowa Theatre Building in downtown Cedar Rapids in 1983, and after the initial renovation, it basically just had some cosmetic tweakings before the Floods of 2008 ...

Other exciting local news on Flood Recovery ...

The City of Cedar Rapids determined in a vote by the City Council on Wednesday night where the new Library will be built. The TrueNorth property, which was the site of the original Washington High School in Cedar Rapids was selected for the new Library to replace the Library flooded in 2008.

• Council Chooses TrueNorth for New Library Site - KCRG-TV9
  Feb 24, 2010 ... They voted for Emerald Knights location because of reservations about ... Replay Live Coverage: Cedar Rapids city council debates library site ...
• FEMA awards $15.7 million to Cedar Rapids for flood recovery - The Gazette
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $15.7 million to Cedar Rapids to pay for flood recovery work and demolition of the Sinclair meatpacking plant. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said FEMA obligates the funding to the state, which then reimburses the city for eligible expenses. The work qualifying for the public assistance grants are: $5.5 million for the demolition of 11 buildings on the city-owned Sinclair meatpacking plant site, which flooded and then burned. It is being removed as an immediate threat to ...
• Corbett says HUD approves 107-percent of pre-flood value - The Gazette
  Mayor Ron Corbett announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has agreed to pay owners of flood-damaged properties 107 percent of the pre-flood value of their properties. This is a change: Owners had expected to receive 100 percent of pre-flood value. Corbett also said the city would use local-option sales tax revenue to assure that those who purchase homes to replace ones lost in the June 2008 flood will get credit for up to $25,000 in down payment ...

The challenges in Flood Recovery have been hard on the Cedar Rapids area. While there is some good news with Theatre Cedar Rapids re-opening this week, news that the Library site has been determined and HUD increases on pre-flood value; there are plenty of challenges ahead with flood mitigation, taxation and sustainability for small business and individuals post flood.

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Are you using Social Media personally? Many in the Real Estate industry are beginning to use.

Robin Tucker joined fellow Realtors® around the area for the Hills Bank FREE Technology Seminar with Doug Devitre, National Speaker on Wednesday, February 24Th at the Cedar Rapids Hills Bank (3905 Blairs Ferry Road NE).

We were able to pick up three Continuing Education Elective Hours and Hills Bank provided a nice Lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

• Our Facebook Fan Page


• LinkedIn


• Twitter
  

Communicating Effectively and Minimizing Risk Using Social Media

Fish for clients on the web like bobbing for water. Find prospects, clients, past connections, and referral opportunities on the web using the power of social media. Create profiles that build your authority in your niche, script dialogues on common conversations online and craft an online community of raving fans using common social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Explode your communication on to other blogs and websites using RSS, status updates, and widgets.

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Realtors® Legislative "Bus-in" Day - February 23rd, 2010

This year's Legislative "Bus-in" Day is February 23rd, 2010.

Realtors® from throughout the State of Iowa will gather together at the Embassy Suites on the River - Des Moines, IA (101 E. Locust St.).

This event brings hundreds of REALTORS® to Des Moines to meet with legislators and discuss important real estate issues. http://www.legis.state.ia.us/index.html

THIS YEAR OUR FEATURED LUNCH SPEAKER IS LAURIE JANIK, who is the National Association of Realtors® GENERAL COUNSEL.

This event allows the legislature an opportunity to hear from REALTORS® regarding the issues that are important to real estate and important to keep the real estate industry a vibrant piece of Iowa’s economy. http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Legislators/LegislatorInfo.aspx

This event is critical to our legislative success in the coming year and has become one of the largest political action events for the Iowa legislature. The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will be enjoying Corridor Day at the Capitol - Des Moines as well on February 23Rd, 2010 in Des Moines.

Once again, the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors® will charter a bus. We will enjoy Lunch and briefing at the Embassy Suites - On the River - 101 E. Locust St. Des Moines.

Then from 2:00-4:30 PM - Capitol building and meetings 5:00-7:00 PM - Reception at the Embassy Suites - On the River - 101 E. Locust St. Des Moines

Then we get back on the bus from home - Cedar Rapids!

Robin Tucker, Broker/Officer will be attending this event on February 23Rd.

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Meet with fellow Realtors® ahead of Iowa Association of Realtors® Legislative Bus In Day

How a Bill Becomes a Law
Hill Notes

2010

The 2010 Iowa Legislature

Legislative Resources

• Iowa Legislature


• US Senate


• US House of Representatives


• Iowa Real Estate Commission

The top issues for this year's Bus-In

• Fire Sprinkler Legislation - HF 2062/SF 2051


• Private Transfer Fees


• Tenant-Landlord Issues


• Right to Work


• The State Budget

We had our final Monday morning Legislative teleconference this morning ahead of tomorrow's Bus In Day. Legislative issues are important and Realtors are involved at the grassroots level locally, statewide and in Washington DC.

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It's Monday, February 22Nd, 2010: What's going on today at the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids?

It's not Presidents' Day on the 22Nd, but it is George Washington's real birthday on the 22Nd!

See the latest Rotary Minute

Monday, February 22, 2010

Noon

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

Nancy Quelhorst, President, Iowa City Chamber of Commerce

Robin Tucker, Rotarian

Rotary Programs for the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids for the first half of the year:

• March 1, 2010 - Gary Hinzman, Director, Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services.
• March 3, 2010 - Rotary Club Social at Theatre Cedar Rapids
• March 8, 2010 - Woo Jin Jung, New Life Fitness World.
• March 15, 2010 - Doug Brakham, Manager, ADM.
• March 22, 2010 - Brian Connors - Experiences Living and Starting a Small Business in Beijing.
• March 29, 2010 - To be announced.
• April 5, 2010 - Rich Patterson, Director, Indian Creek Nature Center.
• April 12, 2010 - Angie Dethlefs-Trentin, Executive Director, Iowa Council of Foundations.
• April 19, 2010 - Breakout Meetings at Member Businesses.
• April 26, 2010 - Shannon Ramsay, President, Trees Forever.
• May 3, 2010 - Kirk Ferentz, Head Football Coach, The University of Iowa.
• May 10, 2010 - Robert Massey, Executive Director, Orchestra Iowa.
• May 17, 2010 - Joe Jennison, Executive Director, Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance.
• May 24, 2010 - Charles Swanson, Executive Director, Hancher Auditorium.
• May 31, 2010 - NO ROTARY IN OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY.
• June 7, 2010 - John Bloomhall, President, Diamond V Mills.
• June 14, 2010 - To be announced.
• June 21, 2010 - Chris Coleman, President, Better Business Bureau.
• June 28, 2009 - Passing the Gavel and Community Service & Appreciation Awards.

The Object of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

• FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
• THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
• FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Avenues of Service

Based on the Object of Rotary, the Avenues of Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based:

• Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club.
• Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.
• Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.
• International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.

The Four-Way Test

The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:
Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
   

Mission

The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Diversity and Rotary

Rotary International recognizes the value of diversity within individual clubs. Rotary encourages clubs to assess those in their communities who are eligible for membership, under existing membership guidelines, and to endeavor to include the appropriate range of individuals in their clubs. A club that reflects its community with regard to professional and business classification, gender, age, religion, and ethnicity is a club with the key to its future.

Moving toward the future

In 2001-02, Rotary International began developing a strategic plan to guide the organization as it entered its second century of service. In June 2007, the Board of Directors approved the RI Strategic Plan 2007-10, which identifies seven priorities:

• Eradicate polio.
• Advance the internal and external recognition and public image of Rotary.
• Increase Rotary’s capacity to provide service to others.
• Expand membership globally in both numbers and quality.
• Emphasize Rotary’s unique vocational service commitment.
• Optimize the use and development of leadership talents within RI.
• Fully implement the strategic planning process to ensure continuity and consistency throughout the organization.

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Saturday and Sunday: Drive by and consider a these houses for rent in Cedar Rapids!

Have a safe and enjoyable Weekend February 20Th and 21St ...

Current Properties being marketed:

We are currently accepting applications for Houses For Rent in Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

• Two Bedroom Ranch at 866 14Th Street NE for $525 per month
• Two Bedroom Ranch at 878 14Th Street NE for $575 per month
• Four bedroom coming available in Summer of 2010 in College Community ...

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How far will the U.S. Government reduce Itemized Deductions in 2010, such as the Mortgage Interest Deduction?

The National Association of Realtors' Eye on the Hill featured the subject ...

Protecting the Mortgage Interest Deduction

Eye on the Hill - February 2010 Edition (PDF: 200K) >

Major Highlight:

• The mortgage interest deduction has been part of U.S. tax policy since the federal tax code was first enacted in 1913.

What are some members of Congress saying on this important issue?

In the past, most Members of Congress have supported our views and also opposed changes to the MID. Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and Representative Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, along with their other colleagues, pointed out in 2009 that changes to itemized deductions were ill advised stating "some of the reforms and offsets contained or referenced in the budget, such as the limitation on itemized deductions, raise concerns and will require more study as we determine the best policies for getting America back on track."

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