'100 Years, 100 Cellos' Project to Support the Music Education Programs of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - To raise awareness of the 100th Anniversary of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) and funds to support its Music Education programs, the 100 Years, 100 Cellos program of the Volunteers for Symphony (VFS) is now underway. One-hundred full-size cellos were transformed into beautiful works of art by artists from the Quad-City area and beyond. All funds raised from sponsorship and auctions of the cellos will benefit the QCSO and its education programs.

The 100 cellos used for the "100 Years, 100 Cellos" campaign arrived Feb. 6, 2015, at Asbury Methodist United Church in Bettendorf, IA, and from there they were distributed to the artists. Ninety of the final decorated cellos are being displayed throughout the Quad Cities at indoor locations selected by their sponsors from March to mid-May. Each cello is labeled, stating its art title, the name of its artist, and sponsor.

"The painted cellos displayed around the community make a beautiful statement about the link between the visual and audio arts," said Benjamin Loeb, Executive Director of the QCSO. "They bring a powerful general awareness of the arts in the Quad Cities."

According to Loeb, the QCSO's 100th Anniversary Masterworks Season opened with a spectacular appearance by acclaimed pianist André Watts and will end with an epic performance of Beethoven's glorious Symphony #9: Ode to Joy. "The 100 Years, 100 Cellos project will capitalize on the excitement of our 100th Anniversary Season to the benefit of our Music Education programs," he said.

"The Volunteers for Symphony is heading up the 100 Years, 100 Cellos project," said Laurie Skjerseth, who with Mary Kae Waytenick serve as Co-Presidents of the VFS. "Several exciting events will be taking place, and we invite the community to take part in this fantastic collaboration of the art world meeting the music world."

Waytenick and Skjerseth are both past music educators who believe in the importance of music education shaping a child's life. They see the 100 Years, 100 Cellos project as a source of funds that will anchor the music outreach program of the QCSO for many years to come.

"A collaboration between musicians and artists is not that uncommon, but the scope of this project is both mind-boggling and attention-grabbing," said Waytenick. "These artists are painting and using other techniques to create their visual representation of that cello. This could be, for example, its distinctive sound or its role in the orchestra. I'm calling this entire event a 'cello-bration.' Laurie and I are grateful that we have over 100 members in the Volunteers for Symphony. We are using every one of them to pull this project together."

QCSO Music Education Programs

The funds raised from this initiative will help support QCSO music education programs. These include School Engagement classroom visits, Symphony Day, Students@Symphony, Instruments for Kids, and the QC Symphony Youth Ensembles (QCSYEs). "Music education is a central part of the QCSO mission, and 100 Years, 100 Cellos will help us greatly expand our positive impact and eventually grow the audiences and patrons of the future," Loeb said.

Sponsors were offered the opportunity to decorate their individual cellos and to decide where they will be placed. "We compiled a list of artists, art educators and art students willing to volunteer their services to decorate a sponsored cello," Loeb said. "All cellos will be featured in a beautiful, collector's quality commemorative 100 Years, 100 Cellos book."

All of these efforts will culminate in a ticketed event at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, IA, on May 29, 2015, the actual 100th Anniversary of the QCSO. At this event, attendees will enjoy a display of all 100 painted and decorated cellos.

For more information on the 100th Anniversary Season, visit https://qcso.org/concerts. Performance tickets are available at the QCSO Box Office at 327 Brady St., Davenport. You can also call the QCSO for more information at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org.

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'100 Years, 100 Cellos' Project to Support the Music Education Programs of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - To raise awareness of the 100th Anniversary of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) and funds to support its Music Education programs, the 100 Years, 100 Cellos program of the Volunteers for Symphony (VFS) is now underway. One-hundred full-size cellos were transformed into beautiful works of art by artists from the Quad-City area and beyond. All funds raised from sponsorship and auctions of the cellos will benefit the QCSO and its education programs.
The 100 cellos used for the "100 Years, 100 Cellos" campaign arrived Feb. 6, 2015, at Asbury Methodist United Church in Bettendorf, IA, and from there they were distributed to the artists. Ninety of the final decorated cellos will be displayed throughout the Quad Cities at indoor locations selected by their sponsors from March to mid-May. Each cello will be labeled, stating its art title, the name of its artist, and sponsor.
"The painted cellos displayed around the community will make a beautiful statement about the link between the visual and audio arts," said Benjamin Loeb, Executive Director of the QCSO. "They will bring a powerful general awareness of the arts in the Quad Cities."
According to Loeb, the QCSO's 100th Anniversary Masterworks Season opened with a spectacular appearance by acclaimed pianist André Watts and will end with an epic performance of Beethoven's glorious Symphony #9: Ode to Joy. "As a world-class grand finale, the QCSO will host a one-night-only performance by legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma on May 14, 2015," he added. "The 100 Years, 100 Cellos project will capitalize on the excitement of our 100th Anniversary Season to the benefit of our Music Education programs."
"The Volunteers for Symphony is heading up the 100 Years, 100 Cellos project," said Laurie Skjerseth, who with Mary Kae Waytenick serve as Co-Presidents of the VFS. "Several exciting events will be taking place, and we invite the community to take part in this fantastic collaboration of the art world meeting the music world."
Waytenick and Skjerseth are both past music educators who believe in the importance of music education shaping a child's life. They see the 100 Years, 100 Cellos project as a source of funds that will anchor the music outreach program of the QCSO for many years to come.
"A collaboration between musicians and artists is not that uncommon, but the scope of this project is both mind-boggling and attention-grabbing," said Waytenick. "These artists are painting and using other techniques to create their visual representation of that cello. This could be, for example, its distinctive sound or its role in the orchestra. I'm calling this
entire event a 'cello-bration.' Laurie and I are grateful that we have over 100 members in the Volunteers for Symphony. We are using every one of them to pull this project together."
The Volunteers for Symphony and QCSO staff are still seeking more corporate and individual sponsorship of 90 of the cellos. The remaining 10 cellos will be painted by selected 'Lead Artists' and then live-auctioned at the Yo-Yo Ma pre-concert dinner on May 14, 2015.
QCSO Music Education Programs
The funds raised from this initiative will help support QCSO music education programs. These include School Engagement classroom visits, Symphony Day, Students@Symphony, Instruments for Kids, and the QC Symphony Youth Ensembles (QCSYEs). "Music education is a central part of the QCSO mission, and 100 Years, 100 Cellos will help us greatly expand our positive impact and eventually grow the audiences and patrons of the future," Loeb said.
Sponsors were offered the opportunity to decorate their individual cellos and to decide where they will be placed. "We compiled a list of artists, art educators and art students willing to volunteer their services to decorate a sponsored cello," Loeb said. "All cellos will be featured in a beautiful, collector's quality commemorative 100 Years, 100 Cellos book."
All of these efforts will culminate in a ticketed event at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, IA, on May 29, 2015, the actual 100th Anniversary of the QCSO. At this event, attendees will enjoy a display of all 100 painted and decorated cellos.
How the Community Can Participate
Potential sponsors and other community members interested in participating in the 100 Years, 100 Cellos project should email the QCSO at 100cellos@qcso.org or complete the online form at https://qcso.org/support-qcso/100-years-100-cellos-project/.
"We look forward to hearing from many area residents, companies and organizations," Loeb said. "If you have never collaborated with the QCSO before, this will be the perfect opportunity to get involved."
For more information on the 100th Anniversary Season, visit https://qcso.org/concerts. Performance tickets are available at the QCSO Box Office at 327 Brady St., Davenport. You can also call the QCSO for more information at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org.
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IA/IL QUAD CITIES - Since 1984, New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT) has been giving affordable riding lessons to people with accident-related injuries, mental handicaps, cerebral palsy and other physical, mental, and emotional challenges, as well as development and learning disorders. Now NKT provides services to military veterans through their Equine Services for Heroes Program, in conjunction with the Wounded Warriors Project. To celebrate this program and provide vital financial support, NKT will hold the Big Impact for Everyday Heroes Fundraising Banquet, and the public is invited.

The Big Impact for Everyday Heroes Fundraising Banquet will be held 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12, at the Radisson Quad City Plaza, 111 E. 2nd St., Davenport, IA. The evening starts with registration and a social hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the banquet and entertainment, which ends at 9 p.m. The cost is $25 per ticket and funds raised will go toward the Equine Services for Heroes Program. For online registration, visit www.nktriders.org/event-registration/?ee=8.
"The Equine Services for Heroes Program is free to any military veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, limb loss and other combat-related issues," said Alexandra Dirck, Marketing Volunteer for NKT. "Wounded Warriors can contact NKT directly to participate. We want the public to know about this program and encourage potential participants to get in touch."
The event will be hosted by emcee Jason Fechner, WQAD-TV anchorman. One of the special guests at the event will be NKT Ambassador Sarah Hitchcock, who was once a rider with the program. She has since graduated from the program and now volunteers. She will talk about her experiences with NKT and tell how they helped her. Another special guest will be SFC Scott Smith, a local wounded veteran who will share his story at the event.

In addition to dinner, the evening will include a wine pull, a blind silent auction and live auction, and a "Diamond Dig" courtesy of Necker's Jewelers. Gracie the Comfort Dog from Trinity Lutheran Church and School and representatives of Military Cost Cutters will be there, along with live music.
NKT annually serves 90 to 100 students representing ages ranging between three and adult, with a variety of challenges. The program operates four evenings a week. During the day, private classes are available, as well as field trip experiences for group homes, agencies and schools. In addition to group classes, private classes are available as well as one-day field trip experiences for group homes, agencies and schools. NKT is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation.
For more information on New Kingdom Trailriders, call (309) 764-4220 or visit www.nktriders.org.
Toxic chemical exposure during military duty can cause long-term health issues. Learn more at an Agent Orange Town Hall Meeting that will be held at the Rogalski Center on the St. Ambrose University Campus, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA, on March 7, 2015. Sessions will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend. 

An informative video about the event is available at 
https://vimeo.com/119759165.

The meeting is sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapters 776, 669 and 299. For more information on the Vietnam Veterans of America, visit www.VVA.org.
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - According to a survey from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2.1 billion people - almost 30 percent of Earth's population - are either overweight or obese. America's population includes 78 million obese adults, and nearly 30 percent of U.S. children and teens are either overweight or obese.

"Obesity has become a global epidemic," said Dana VanGilder, General Manager of Fitness Xpress, a locally owned fitness club with locations in Davenport, Moline, and Iowa City. "At Fitness Xpress, we offer the Project 10 Challenge to help people in our communities to develop healthier lifestyles and slim down."

Visitors can register for the Project 10 Challenge at the Fitness Xpress website, www.fx247.com. This fitness and weight-loss program features an effective mix of exercise and eating right. Fitness Xpress has partnered with ViSalus Sciences, developers of Project 10, to provide clients with Vi-Shape, a high-protein shake mix which is integral to the program. ViSalus Sciences is a healthy lifestyle company which has developed a platform for achieving weight-loss and fitness results by encouraging participants to concentrate on losing just 10 pounds at a time.

Fitness Xpress will be part of ViSalus' upcoming World's Largest Simultaneous Group Workout. "We're working on setting a Guinness World Record," VanGilder said. "People in 11 countries will be participating." The event will be held at 11:45 a.m., Saturday, January 3. Local sites for the event will be the three Fitness Xpress locations:

109 East 50th Street, Davenport, IA 52806, 563-386-2348
4200 24th Ave Moline IL 61265, 309-797-3150
1059 Hwy 6 E., Iowa City, IA 52240, 319-351-1729

For every person who participates in the Jan. 3 event, ViSalus will donate 30 kids' meals through their Project 10 Kids program. Locally, the meals will go to the Project 10 In the Schools program, designed to help kids fighting childhood obesity, or the Backpacks for Kids program of the River Bend Foodbank.

"If 500 people participate at each location, that translates into 45,000 meals donated for local kids," VanGilder said. No purchase or membership is required to participate. To find out more or to sign up, visit www.fx247.com.

Helping the Community
According to VanGilder, the Project 10 Challenge has proven to be especially effective - and, it helps the community.

"With every 10 pounds a client loses, he or she receives a month of free membership, if they continue using the Vi-Shape shake mix," VanGilder said. "Another perk of the program is that ViSalus awards participants with ten chances to win $1,000 for every ten pounds they lose."

She noted that ViSalus offers an additional benefit to help others. "ViSalus will send 30 meals to a community charity for every 10 pounds lost by a client through the program. An excellent example of such a charity is the Backpacks for Kids Program of the River Bend Foodbank." The Backpacks for Kids Program, which is funded by John Deere, strives to make sure that children don't go hungry over the weekend when there are no school meals available.

"Fitness Xpress plans to sponsor at least 1,000 kids in the Project 10 In The Schools Program, designed to educate local overweight students and their parents in exercise, proper meal planning, and nutrition," VanGilder  said.  

VanGilder and the Fitness Xpress team invite more community members to take the Project 10 Challenge. "It's a win-win deal," she said. "It helps clients to lose weight, and it helps the community. Our goal is for at least 5,000 new people to try the program in the next six months. We want to become the Quad-Cities' transformation location."

The Fall Fashion and Gun Show
Later this year, Fitness Xpress will host their first Project 10 Fall Fashion & Gun Show. "In this case, the 'guns' are muscular arms!" Van Gilder said. "It will be a fundraising fashion show, and the models will be people who have lost weight through our plan. The models will get free outfits and makeovers. It will be held Sept. 3 at the Clarion Hotel in Davenport and will include dinner, a silent auction, and much more."

VanGilder noted that their plans for the community fit in well with the Fitness Xpress Mission, which reads: "To motivate our community towards a healthy lifestyle; to empower our members with ideas and techniques that produce results; to inspire our fitness family to discover the meaningful parts of life through the happiness of health. We change lives!"

To find out more about Fitness Xpress, visit www.fx247.com.
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The Holiday Ball of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley (BGCMV) will be held Saturday, December 13, and will feature music, dancing, fine dining, and cocktails. But for five extraordinary Quad-Cities children, the highlight of the event will be the Club Member of the Year Awards, honoring them for observing the values of the Boys & Girls Clubs.

The Holiday Ball will be held at the Isle of Capri, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, IA. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktail receptions for the general public, as well as a VIP and Sponsor reception with Special Guest Chad Pregracke, Founder of Living Lands and Waters and CNN's 2013 Hero of the Year. Guests can bid on a selection of Silent Auction items, and art pieces and ornaments made by BGCMV members will also be for sale.

The dinner and presentation begin at 7 p.m. A steak dinner with a vegetarian option will be served, with gourmet cupcakes for dessert. The emcee will be KWQC news anchor Morgan Ottier. During the presentation, the winners of Club Member of the Year Awards will be announced and introduced. Later, partygoers can dance to the music of the band Ear Candy from 8:30 to 11 p.m.

"We welcome the community to the Holiday Ball," said Tim Tolliver, Chief Executive Officer of the BGCMV. "The funds raised by this event will help the Clubs to reach more young people, maintain the Clubs that they enjoy, and provide them with services to enhance their lives."

The awards ceremony will follow the same format as the Oscars, Tolliver noted. "The names of the nominees in each category will be read and the winners will be announced," He said. "The five winners will be there to accept their awards in categories following the Five Core Values emphasized by the Boys & Girls Clubs. These categories are Character and Leadership Development; The Arts; Sports, Fitness and Recreation; Education and Career Development; and Health and Life Skills."

Tolliver added that the results of this year's Literacy Challenge will be shared during the presentation. "Members of the BGCMV are given free books, donated by the community," he said. "They've been keeping track of how many pages they've read. Those who have made the greatest progress will be recognized at the Holiday Ball."

Registration for the Holiday Ball is $100 per person. To register, call (309) 757-5777 or visit the Holiday Ball page on the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley website: www.bgcmv.org/portal/holiday-ball

An Evening to Remember
The Holiday Ball will honor 20 years of serving young people in the Quad-Cities area. "It's like a big birthday party," Tolliver said. "We will be holding the Holiday Ball every year from now on, so we want the first one to make a memorable impression."

As part of the evening's entertainment, the Metropolitan Youth Program will dazzle guests with their outstanding drumline skills. The Program is headquartered at 712 8th St., Rock Island. "The young people who belong to this group are highly skilled and their performance will be one of the highlights of the evening," Tolliver said.

The event's Special Guest, Chad Pregracke, has dedicated his life to cleaning up the Mississippi River and other waterways. His efforts are organized through his nonprofit organization, Living Lands & Waters. For his contributions to his country, Pregracke was named 2013 CNN Hero of the Year.  

"Chad was in his teens when he realized that the Mississippi River needed help," Tolliver said. "He decided to fix the situation, and at age 23, he founded Living Lands & Waters. He serves as an excellent role model for today's youth and we are proud to have him as our Special Guest."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, as a chartered member of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is a tax-exempt organization, duly qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with Federal law. For more information on the BGCMV and their work in the community, call (309) 757-5777 or visit www.bgcmv.org.
IOWA/WESTERN ILLINOIS - On Oct. 27, MRA - The Management Association, Inc., held their inaugural 2014 Business Appreciation & Awards Reception and announced the winners of their Business Community Award and Regional Impact Awards.

MRA, a Midwest-based employers association, hosted the ceremony at the iWireless Center, Moline, IL. The theme of the event was Celebrating Our Past, Growing Our Future. In keeping with the theme, keynote speaker Jim Edgar, former Governor of Illinois, shared his vision of growing opportunities in the Midwest through compromise, civility and compassion. 

Earlier this year, MRA asked residents of Iowa and western Illinois to nominate businesses in their areas for the awards. "The finalists were all companies that have touched people's lives and helped the community," said Heather Roberts, Executive Director of the Iowa/Illinois Division of MRA. "The finalists were judged based on their levels of community involvement."

In the Business Community Award category, five finalists were chosen and the winner was Royal Neighbors of America. The other finalists were Arndt Chiropractic Center, Inc.; Bush Construction; DHCU Community Credit Union; and Modern Woodmen of America.

The Regional Impact Awards category had 10 finalists - five Not-For-Profit companies and five For-Profit. 

In the Not-For-Profit category, the winner was Renew Moline. The other finalists were Ascentra Credit Union; Career Cruising Quad Cities; Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and the Quad City Botanical Center. 

In the For-Profit category, the winner was Alcoa - North American Rolled Products. The other finalists were Group O; KJWW Engineering Consultants; Missman, Inc.; and Tennant Truck Lines.

Also, MRA presented Visionary Awards to their charter members who created the association in 1948. Visionary Awards went to Deere & Company; George Evans Corporation; Hansaloy; M. A. Ford®; Nestlé-Purina; Nichols Aluminum; Parr Instruments; Rock Island Arsenal; and Roth Pump Company. MRA also honored the retirement of employee Debra Carlson after 19 years of service. 

About the Winners

Business Community Awards

Royal Neighbors of America, Rock Island, IL, has been part of the Quad Cities landscape for more than 100 years, interweaving the empowerment of women through education and the sale of insurance products with social responsibility. As a not-for-profit organization and one of the nation's largest women-led life insurers, Royal Neighbors uses a portion of its earnings to fund such member benefits as scholarships, disaster relief, and health and retail discounts.

Regional Impact Awards

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Renew Moline, Moline, IL, is a non-profit economic development entity, planning for the future, facilitating development, connecting resources and people, and advocating for public policies and programs. These efforts work to realize opportunities for continued investment in, and repositioning of Moline's riverfront, so it can become a place to live, work, play and learn. More than $300 million has been invested in the area Renew Moline serves, with more than $150 million in additional investment underway. 

FOR PROFIT

Alcoa-North American Rolled Products, Bettendorf, IA, is a global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing. Alcoa technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. Alcoa's efforts to make the world a better place enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles, deeper oil and gas drilling, and more efficient power generation.

"Everyone had a great time at the 2014 Business Appreciation & Awards Reception," Roberts said, "and we look forward to our 2015 event. We encourage members of the community to consider who they might like to nominate for these awards next year." 

MRA is one of the largest not-for-profit employers associations in the nation. Organizations join MRA as corporate members for the latest information, resources and guidance on recruiting, compensation, benefits, compliance and talent management. Members are supported with a 24/7 HR Hotline and InfoNow e-mail, access to crucial survey data, and HR, management and leadership training. To find out more about MRA, call 888-516-6357 or visit www.mranet.org.

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IOWA/WESTERN ILLINOIS - Earlier this year, MRA - The Management Association, Inc., asked Iowa and western Illinois residents to nominate businesses in their areas for two community involvement awards. "The response was amazing," said Heather Roberts, Executive Director of the Iowa/Illinois Division of MRA. "As a result of the public nomination process, we are recognizing a total of 15 finalists for the Business Community Award and two Regional Impact Awards."

MRA, a Midwest-based employers association, will host a ceremony recognizing the finalists and the award winners. The public is invited to the 2014 Business Appreciation & Awards Reception, to be held 5 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2014, at the iWireless Center, Moline, Illinois. The theme of the event will be Celebrating Our Past, Growing Our Future. 

The event will start with gourmet appetizers, cocktails, and music provided by Ellis Kell and the Friends of the River Music Experience. At 6:30 p.m., keynote speaker Jim Edgar, former Governor of Illinois, will share his vision on exploring future opportunities in the Midwest. Master of ceremonies Kai Swanson will begin the awards presentation at 7 p.m. Admission is $75 per person, $550 for groups of eight. Dress will be business attire. To register for the awards reception, call 888-516-6357 or email awards@mranet.org

15 Finalists
In the Business Community Award category, five finalists have been chosen. The Regional Impact Awards category has 10 finalists - five For-Profit companies and five Not-For-Profit. 

For the MRA Business Community Award, the finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Arndt Chiropractic Center, Inc.
Bush Construction
DHCU Community Credit Union
Modern Woodmen of America
Royal Neighbors of America

For the MRA Regional Impact Award, the finalists are (in alphabetical order):

For-Profit Finalists:
Alcoa-North American Rolled Products
Group O
KJWW Engineering Consultants
Missman, Inc.
Tennant Truck Lines

Not-For-Profit Finalists:
Ascentra Credit Union
Career Cruising Quad Cities
Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Quad City Botanical Center
Renew Moline

"The finalists are all companies that have touched people's lives and shown support for the community," Roberts said. "Based on the many responses we received, we determined that the Regional Impact category would be better served if we separated it into For-Profit and Not-for-Profit finalists. Anyone interested in entrepreneurship, business growth, networking and leadership will want to attend this inaugural event."

The MRA Business Community Award recognizes a business that has created an impact in the Iowa/Illinois region in three or more of the following areas:
- Has shown significant growth over the past five years and has increased employment.
- Recognized in the community for its 'give back' attitude.
- Has benefited the community by its presence.
- Participates in a variety of volunteer roles within the community.
- Known for outstanding customer service.
- Supports charities that benefit Iowa/Illinois area communities.

The MRA Regional Impact Award recognizes an organization that has created an impact in the Iowa/Illinois area in three or more of the following ways:

- Provides or has influence on the growth of jobs in Iowa/Illinois area communities.
- Recognized as a leader within its industry or service area.
- Recognized outside the Iowa/Illinois area for products, services, and/or changes.
- Provides a positive influence in the Iowa/Illinois area regarding transportation, environment, education, quality of life, and other community issues.
- Has shown commitment to the Iowa/Illinois area through new construction, redevelopment, or expansion.

At the event, MRA will present Visionary Awards to their charter members, who created the association in 1948. MRA will also honor the retirement of employee Debra Carlson after 19 years of dedicated service.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MRA is one of the largest not-for-profit employers associations in the nation. Organizations join MRA as corporate members for the latest information, resources and guidance on recruiting, compensation, benefits, compliance and talent management. Members are supported with a 24/7 HR Hotline and InfoNow e-mail, access to crucial survey data, and HR, management and leadership training. To find out more about MRA, call 888-516-6357 or visit www.mranet.org.
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IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. This act put into place health insurance reforms designed to roll out over four years and beyond. And while more than 8 million Americans have signed up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, many people still have questions. 

To inform businesses and the community about the Affordable Care Act, the Idea Lab offers the presentation, Individual Responsibility Under the Affordable Care Act by Benefit Specialist Stefanie Belanger. The Idea Lab is an educational program of Results Marketing. 

The presentation will be held from 12 to 1 p.m., Sept. 26, at DHCU Community Credit Union, 1900 52nd Ave., Moline, IL. Admission is $15 and the event will include a catered Chick-fil-A meal. Attendees can select from a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich meal, a veggie-wrap meal, or for one dollar more, a Grilled Chicken Market Salad.

Stefanie Belanger is a Benefit Specialist and owner of Group Benefit Consulting, LLC, in Davenport. She has been serving the Quad Cities and surrounding areas in the benefit field for the past 12 years. As an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) and the current Health Chair on the board of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), she is both knowledgeable and forward thinking in today's ever-changing health industry. 

In her presentation, Belanger will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act and answer any questions you may have. Questions that Stefanie will answer will include :

1.) Open Enrollment: What does that mean to me?

2.) What is the Individual Penalty for 2015?

3.) What should I be doing now to prepare?

Employers and employees alike are welcome to attend and find out more. Be sure to get the facts about the Affordable Care Act so that you can stay in compliance.

For more information or to register, please call Les Flesher at 563-322-2065 or email Les@resultsimc.com. Feel free to follow the Idea Lab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Idealabqc.


Celebrating the Past, Looking Forward to the Future

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The 2014-2015 season marks the 100th year of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) in the Quad Cities area. Over the past century, the QCSO has presented masterpieces both old and new for the enjoyment of music lovers in the Midwest. "In celebrating our 100th Season, we look back on the rich legacy of our past, and also look forward to how we will serve the community in the next 100 years," said Mark Russell Smith, QCSO Music Director and Conductor. "We thank the people of the Quad Cities area for their sincere ongoing support." 

"We see the 100th Season as a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness as we celebrate this historic milestone," said Benjamin Loeb, QCSO Executive Director. "During the 100th Season we will present the world premieres of five compositions in the QCSO Masterworks series. Also, the season will end in a one-night-only concert featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a best-selling classical recording artist with more than 75 albums, including 15 Grammy Award-winners."

According to Loeb, the 100th Season will feature works by three composers from the Quad-Cities and surrounding area. "The Riverfront Pops featured world-premiere music from a local composer in its pre-show," he said. "Several new arrangements by William Campbell, Composition Professor at St. Ambrose University, were performed by the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensemble." 

The first premiered piece in the Masterworks series is by John Frantzen, originally from Maquoketa, Iowa. "John now lives in Los Angeles, California, and composes for films and documentaries," Loeb said. "He comes from an artistic family - his sister, Rose Frantzen, is an accomplished artist whose work has appeared in full exhibits at Davenport's Figge Museum."

Loeb noted that the season will also include a commissioned work by Jacob Bancks, Assistant Professor of Theory and Composition at Augustana College. Loeb, an accomplished pianist, will perform the work with violinist David Bowlin on the first Signature Series concert October 19. 

The Holiday Pops will be conducted by new QCSO Assistant Conductor Benjamin Klemme and will feature the return engagements of the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir and Quad City Symphony Youth Choir. Cirque de la Symphonie, the group that thrilled QC audiences a few years back with their energetic troupe of aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers and more, will be back as well. A new work by composer Gary Fry will receive its world premiere at the Holiday Pops. This year, Holiday Pops will be back at the Adler Theatre in three performances including a Saturday matinee perfect for family members of all ages.

According to Smith, the many premieres in the 100th Season show that the QCSO is deeply invested in perpetuating the classical tradition. "Classical music isn't meant to be a museum," he said. "It's a live, vibrant, creative force. It's not just about the past: it's about the present and the future. We enjoy bringing new works to the public's attention. The composers we are working with all have very different voices, as unique and diverse as the individuals themselves."

The 100th Season also marks the return of famed pianist Garrick Ohlsson, who last appeared with the QCSO in 1989. Ohlsson is an international grandmaster pianist and the first American to win the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition. "Ohlsson is a personal favorite of mine," Loeb said. "He creates incredible emotion without being overly sentimental."

The highlight of the 100th Season will be a performance by master cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. "He is today's biggest star in classical music," Loeb said. "He receives countless requests to perform. We went through seven months of negotiations before he said 'Yes' in late 2013. He has worked with me and Mark Russell Smith before, and that helped to secure the engagement." 

Loeb went to work lining up sponsors for the Yo-Yo Ma performance and gained enthusiastic support from the Riverboat Development Authority, Modern Woodmen of America, and John Deere. "We are delighted that Yo-Yo Ma will be coming to the Quad-Cities to share his unique talents," he said, "and we know most music lovers throughout the area share that sentiment."

In addition to the Pops Series, Masterworks Series and Signature Series, the 100th Season will also include Youth Concerts, Family Concerts, Side by Side Concerts, and Volunteer Events, as well as such multi-faceted educational programs as youth ensembles and school education engagements. Many other programs are also in place to enhance the public's enjoyment and enlightenment, including:

Inside the Music: Conversations with QCSO Music Director Mark Russell Smith on Thursday afternoons at the Hotel Blackhawk before the Masterworks. Students@Symphony: Local students are invited to QCSO dress rehearsals and interact with the guest soloists, QCSO musicians and Music Director Mark Russell Smith.

Concert Conversations: Pre-concert conversations one hour before concert start time, hosted by Kai Swanson of Augustana College.

Afterglow: A gathering in the lobby of the Hotel Blackhawk after Saturday Masterworks with free hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and a chance to socialize with the musicians from the concert.

"The QCSO has been a part of this community for a century, and that says a lot," Smith observed. "It has played an important role in this area since it first began, and will continue to be just as important 100 years from now. The Symphony is part of what makes this an exciting place to live. It adds inherent value to the community."

For more information on each event, be sure to download the full season brochure at  http://www.qcso.org/calendar.

Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit  http://www.qcso.org.

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