From the Quad Cities Dispatch/Argus - April 26th, 2009 http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=436689 Leader Dogs trains puppies for special service By Nicole Harris, nharris@qconline.com
Leader Dogs trains puppies for special service
MOLINE – After months of training and lots of love, Linda and Tony Gimble will soon be sending their ninth baby off to college, and that's only counting the four-legged ones.
The Gimble family of Moline soon will part ways with Vesper, a one-year-old yellow lab. In addition to all the typical puppy-raising tasks of midnight potty breaks and teaching the art of sitting, the Gimbles have spent a year as puppy raisers to prep Vesper for an important mission.
Vesper is one of more than 12,500 Leader Dogs who will go on to graduate from the nonprofit organization Leader Dogs for the Blind, in Rochester, Mich. After a medical exam and a few more months of training, Vesper will be matched with a person with visual impairment to help guide them through their day.
During their one-year puppy-raising experience, the Gimbles said they've taken Vesper to museums, on a flight to Philadelphia, to the movies, restaurants and church.
"Sometimes Vesper will yawn big during service," said Mrs. Gimble with a laugh.
Soon it will be time again for the Gimble family to part ways from their puppy in training. Mr. And Mrs. Gimble said letting go is difficult, but knowing the dogs are going on to make a difference in a person's life is rewarding.
Leader Dog Central Illinois chapter puppy counselor Janice White said when the time comes for the puppies to leave their raisers and complete training, the pups know it's time.
"Out of 13, I've never had one turn back and look back at me," Ms. White said.
Ms. White led Vesper and several other pups in training on a monthly socialization visit. This month's agenda included touring the John Deere Pavilion and a dinner out on the town.
Because the Leader Dogs need to be trained to go anywhere a blind person would, Ms. White encouraged the puppy-raisers to climb up the stairs with their pups and into the cabs of the big green and yellow tractors on display at the pavilion.
The dogs made their way up the open-slatted stairs, some of them bounded up without a thought, and others were a little more skittish. The scene drew several stares and questions from passersby.
Ms. White said future Leader Dogs start out as puppy shepherds, labs or golden retrievers because those breeds have good temperaments. If all goes well, the dogs will be placed with a person in the United States or elsewhere with a visual impairment after going through training in Michigan.
"Anytime during those four months, they could be career changed," Ms. White said. "Which is a nice way of saying they flunked out."
Ms. White said typically dogs that don't go on to be matched with a visually impaired person have issues with small animal distractions or another troubles. However, most learn over time that once they don the special jacket it's time for business.
Ms. White has switched from puppy-raising to puppy-breeding for Leader Dogs. As part of breed stock, her golden retriever named Lacey soon is expected to have 10 pups, which will go on to Leader Dog training.
Leader Dog volunteers do not get paid for their countless hours of working with dogs or their financial investment of pet food, veterinary care and other costs. Ms. White said sometimes vets will provide a discount, but the expenses also can be written off as a donation to Leader Dogs.
Many people have wished they could claim Fido or Benji as a dependent on their tax returns. The designated group of puppy-raisers have found a way to do it.
"They're our tax deduction," she said.
Each puppy in the Leader Dog program is valued at $10,000. When the dog graduates to full-fledged status, the total cost of each Leader Dog team, meaning the dog and the handler, is considered about a $35,000 investment.
Just starting out on his journey to being a Leader Dog is Julie Hogenson's 13-week-old golden retriever Belle. They got paired up six weeks ago, but Ms. Hogenson said a good breed stock family will start training the dog for service from Day 1.
Although most volunteers keep their day jobs, Ms. Hogenson, of O'Fallon, Ill., said training Belle is her only job, and the pair go everywhere together.
"The only reason I leave her at home is once in awhile she should have to stay," she said.
Ms. Hogenson said saying good-bye at the end of puppy-raising is necessary.
"These are special dogs for special people," she said. "I've got one at home that returns tennis balls." For more information visit leaderdog.org
Photo: Paul CollettiJulie Hogenson instructs Belle, a 13-week-old Golden Retriever, to stay at her feet on Saturday afternoon, April 25, in Moline. Belle was one of several dogs at the John Deere Commons getting exposure to new people and places as part of her training to become a seeing-eye dog.
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Photo: Paul CollettiVesper, a one-year-old yellow Labrador, looks down the stairs that he will have to navigate on Saturday afternoon, April 25, in Moline. Vesper and his handler, Tony Gimble, were at the John Deere Commons to give the dog exposure to new environments and the general public. Vesper is being trained to become a seeing-eye dog.
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Photo: Paul CollettiToby, a six-month-old black Labrador, relaxes in the parking lot of the John Deere Commons on Saturday afternoon, April 25, in Moline. Toby could soon be more familiar with parking spaces for the disabled as he is being trained to become a seeing-eye dog.
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From Kent Johnson
Dear Gen-Air Members and Aviator Guests,Please mark your calendars and join us for the Gen-Air sponsored aviation movie nightsat the Central Theatre in downtown Geneseo. We will show free aviation feature movieswith selected aviation shorts to begin each evening.
Doors open at 6:30 with the featurefilm starting at 7:10. Concessions available from the theater and there will be a free willdonation bucket available for those who wish to contribute. All donation proceeds willbe used to help maintain the Geneseo airport.
Our thanks to Suzy Heaton and theGeneseo Park District for making our movie nights possible.
Movie Night ScheduleThursday, February 18…………………….The Blue Max………with George PeppardThursday, March 18……………………….Memphis BelleThursday, April 15…………………………Firefox……………..with Clint EastwoodDoors open at 6:30 pm See you there!!!!
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, March 11, 2010.
The Moline Civil Air Patrol is hosting "The O'Connor Girls"
presented by Playcrafters Barn Theater.
Reception at 6:30 and performance at 7:30
Tax deductible tickets are available at the door for $10
Proceeds go to support the Quad City cadets of the Civil Air Patrol.
Please see below,
or call 309-797-1588 for more information.
The annual meeting location has changed this year and will be at the Civil Air Patrol building at the Quad City Airport. at 2480 69th Avenue, Moline, IL. The monthly regular board meeting will be changed from its regular time and held just before the annual meeting.
Please send in your proxy forms that you will receive even if you think you will be attending just in case something would come up and prevent you from being there.
Pilots Mark Your Calendars!! Log on to www.FAAsafety.gov to Register
"Communications, Equipment Failures, & Runway Incursions."
Learn how to effectively communicate to reduce runway incursions, pilot deviations, and what to do in a emergency. This timley seminar will review real world scenarios, provide tips from professionals, and help pilots at any level to refresh on three very important topics.
Location & Date: Clinton, IA FBO, October 30th @ 6:30 pm
Speakers: Jim Sweeney & Amanda Gray
*NOTICE TO PILOTS- The Clinton Airport will be closed to air traffic due to construction during the seminar.
"A Cold Weather Flying Review"
This timely seminar will review vital information for staying safe when flying during the Midwest winter season. The seminar will provide insight and information regarding icing, survival, pre-flight planning, enroute, and arrival procedures (TOAAL).
Location & Date: Bettendorf, IA Library, December 15th @ 7:00 pm
Contact Amanda Gray with Questions 319-931-8489
I will be hosting a safety seminar at the Moline Civil Air Patrol building on October 15th, 7pm. There will be a presentation on Runway Safety from a representative at our Regional Office in Chicago.
There will also be controllers from the Tower in Moline covering the latest procedure changes on Arrivals/Departures, Taxiing with the construction of the new "Temporary Runway", and the choices of runways for Takeoff and Landing with regards to the "Flow Pattern". I'm also trying to get someone from the airport authority to update us on the construction process on the field as well.
Please make sure to register on the following site (www.faasafety.gov ) so that you will get email notification of the event from the FAA Safety Team as there is limited seating. When sent the email, you can register for this event so we will know when it's full. This notification should be sent out the first of October.
Happy Flying,
Tim Leinbach CFII, FAASTEAM REP.
Windows in the area will be curtained for our banquet and will include a buffet for sit down dinner, a cash bar, silent auction and speaker for the evening. Parking passes will be issued. Events have been held in this area in the past, some larger than ours, with great success. Please mark your calender!
The club has purchased a 1973 Cessna 210L Centurion (N59090) and will be selling our other one (N1626X). The new Centurion has updated avionics including a Garmin 530 gps and Garmin audio panel, fully coupled S-Tec 55 autopilot, BF Goodrich StrikeFinder, dual Glideslopes, Digital Engine Analyzer, Digital Tach and more!
You can see more pictures on our website http://qcflyingeagles.com/newairplane.aspx that include panel shots.
Mike Wiskus to present "A True Mentor"One of the Top Airshow Pilot's in North AmericaFAA Safety Team - Mike Wiskus handoutFriday night June 19th, 2009Davenport, Iowa AirportCarver Aero's New Maintenance Hangar starting at 6:30 pm9230 N Harrison StDavenport, IA 52806(563) 391-5650*park by the terminal
(suggested donation $5.00 for dinner to support FAASTeam)
Free admission to public
Have you ever wanted to learn to fly?
Young Eagle airplane rides (weather permitting), compliments of our local EAA Chapter 75, will be offered to youth, ages 8-17 years old, free of charge. Flight instructors will be on hand to answer questions and give introductory flight lessons for $59 (weather permitting).
Regardless of the weather, come out to the Open House and speak with aviation experts in different career fields. Activities include flight simulator, University of Dubuque Aviation, Carver Aero Flight School, Elliot Aviation, Davenport Civil Air Patrol and different types of airplanes including warbirds, light sport, training, and experimental aircraft.
For More Info, Please Call:
Diane Beauchamp 309-764-4210 or
Pat Rynott 309-737-3435
From Bill Swaim Quad City Aviators - event page
Here's a Video from last year's Wannabe - We hope for another successful day, but need your help to do it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnz88DTqpHk
We will hold our 4th Wannabe planning meeting at the Moline Civil Air Patrol office, QC Airport, on Thursday, June 4th at 6pm. As it was last year, this year's Wannabe will be a joint effort of the QCAA and EAA Chapter 75 and will be held at the Davenport Airport Terminal Building on June 27th, one week after the Quad City Air Show.
PLEASE NOTE that we urgently need the assistance from the membership to make this event happen and as of this date, only a handful have stepped up to assist.I mention this so that if you are thinking of helping out and figure that it's already covered, it's not. We need help from all of you, so please put aside an hour or so on Thursday and stop by CAP.
Thanks and hope to see you all on Thursday!
From Diane:
I will be at the Club office Monday night at 6PM, May 18th. Please show up at that time to get the training and the test you will need to get the badge.
I suggest everyone at least get the forms filled out and dropped off at the airport authority office so they can get the background check completed.
- and also from Diane-
Hi All. The Airport will be installing a card reader for the south T's area by June 1st. Starting that day no one can come into the T area without a badge or unescorted. Very few people have even dropped off their filled out forms at the airport office. You must pass the background check, then schedule an appointment with the airport to pay $50 for a picture badge.
The club has the training materials in the office to study for and take the test required to get the badge.
Play the CD by the computer or study the color 18 page handout and then take the test which will also be on the desk by the computer. One of the signatories which is all of the Board or Jim Strickland, must be with you to sign off on the test. One of us must also sign your application form. You can also take the training and test at the airport when you go in for the badge, but still need one of us to sign the application form.
Questions? Please email me or Jim, Ron Morton, Ron Anderson, Tony Gimble, Steve Ahman or Frank Johnson.
Diane has obtained the needed forms and they are at the club office.
From the QC Aviator’s newsletter::
New Security Measures at MLI In February, a memo was issued to tenants of the Airport Operations Area (AOA) of the Quad City International Airport. In this memo, Public Safety Manager Mike Swanson states that a new security measure would be implemented, effective April 30, 2009. All people who have unescorted access to the AOA must be fingerprinted and receive an airport-issued ID badge from MLI. This badge would activate the drive-through gate and turnstyle.
When brought to the attention of the QCAA Board at the March Board meeting, Secretary Diane Beauchamp took the lead in investigating and protesting this action. She made many attempts to get details about TSA Security Directive 1542-04-8F, checking with AOPA as well as the TSA and FAA webpages. She wrote to Phil Hare, and emailed out details on what legislators to contact to as many aviators as possible And she was in near-daily contact with Mike Swanson. Finally, on Thursday, April 9, 2009, Mike Swanson hosted a meeting to discuss these security measures. Held at 6:00pm at the terminal meeting room at MLI, Mike fielded non-stop questions from the approximately 60 aviators that crowded into the meeting room. While Mike did not have a lot of answers, here are some of the points that he made:
1. TSA issued a secret Security Directive, last year, and all commercial airports are scrambling to comply. Unfortunately, the guidance for compliance changes on a weekly basis.
2. The deadline for implementing the directive has now been changed to June 1, 2009.
3. As of that date, any unescorted access to the AOA must have an ID that is issued after an extensive Security Threat Analysis (STA) is conducted on each person.
4. To have an STA, you do not have to be fingerprinted. You complete three forms that Mike has available. These are an Access Control Application, a Disqualifying Crime List, and an Authorization to Proceed.
5. Each person must complete these forms and return them to the secretary at the airport between the hours of 8:00am-4:30pm. Bring along two forms of identification, such as a passport or birth certificate and social security card. The information, which includes your Social Security number, is entered into a computer. The computerized search in ongoing, every month, thereafter. It takes about 3 days to get a “green light” (clearance) or a “red light.” Any “red lights” must be discussed with TSA, who will determine if a badge can be issued.
6. To receive an ID badge, you must be approved by an official Signatory. This is a person that attends training and takes a test to prove he or she has a knowledge of airport security. Only with a completed signatory form can anyone be issued an ID.
7. Mike will accept responsibility to be Signatory for all tenants of the South T’s. Only the person named on flying club leases will be given Mike’s signature. Each club will have to send a person or persons to security training, so that club members can get signatory forms.
8. There are two options being considered for the ID’s. One would be an ID that activates the gate, and it will cost $50. The fee is refundable when the person turns in the ID badge. The other option would be a simple photo ID that costs $5 (non-refundable) and an individual code to gain access. Badges are made by appointment only; call the Badging Office at 309-757-1746, once your STA has cleared.
9. The system will monitor each person that enters the AOA, and reports will be reviewed by TSA to see that there are no abuses.
10. Note that the ID badge is only good at MLI. Each commercial airport will develop its own security system. Because it is access to the AOA that is being controlled, there is no problem for pilots landing at other commercial airports. They will have to learn the procedure for re-entry, if they leave the AOA.Mike Swanson will produce an outline of the process, as soon as all of the details of the Directive have been determined. Also, he will schedule additional meetings, to be held at different days and times, so that everyone needing a badge has a chance to attend.
4:21 PM GMT | Read comments(0)April 14Rate Changes Effective May 1st, 2009 for dues and aircraft
The QCAFE Board has been reviewing the financial status of our club over the last several months, including discussions at our Annual Meeting. At the monthly meeting April 13, 2009 the Board decided to increase monthly dues to insure fixed costs are covered, but, the Hourly Aircraft Rates will be lowered to reduce flying costs.
The new rates will become effective with Dues Billing Statements in May 2009 and Hours flown on or after May 1, 2009. The new rates are listed on the Airplane Rates page at http://qcflyingeagles.com/rates.aspx
It won’t take much flying at the lower plane rates to more than offset the increase in dues. 8:05 AM GMT | Read comments(0)April 13Jeff Kelly – QC Flying Eagles former treasurer passed away April 10th, 2009
http://www.qctimes.com/app/obits/?section=profile&id=133150
I am sorry to let everyone know, that our past Treasurer, Jeff Kelly, passed away today. He was our Treasurer for almost 15 years. He had been fighting lung cancer and lost the battle today. We do not have any details as to the arrangements, but his wife Denise will inform us as soon as she knows. We are all very sorry for the family. 9:42 AM GMT | Read comments(0)April 02TSA Badges required June 1st, 2009 at MLI – Meeting Thursday, April 9th, 2009
Mike Swanson, Public Safety Manager, at the Quad City Airport contacted me today. The TSA is moving forward with their directive to have all people with access to the Airport Operations Area, to be badged by June 1st. After this date no one will be allowed through the gate without a badge or escorted by a person with a badge. You will have to pay for the background check, they are not requiring fingerprinting.
Several meetings will be set up with Mike so he can give us some information and start the paper work required to get the background checks completed by June 1st. The first meeting will be at the airport lobby, 6PM on April 9th. Please pass this information on to anyone you know that will have to get the badge.
Keep writing and calling your government representatives to ensure they know how we feel about this. 9:03 AM GMT | Read comments(0)March 25Changed Weekend hours for Elliott Aviation, Moline, IL