CHICAGO - Governor Quinn today issued the below statement regarding President Obama's call to increase the national minimum wage:

"President Obama and I agree - no one should work 40 hours a week and live in poverty.

"Increasing the minimum wage will ensure that workers get a fair day's wage for a fair day's work, while fighting poverty and bolstering our economy.

"Earlier this year, I called for increasing the minimum wage in Illinois to at least $10 an hour and I will continue to work with members of the General Assembly to make it happen."

 

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DAVENPORT, IA - Griggs Music will recognize their 110th anniversary with a week-long celebration and displays beginning Dec 9. 

Historical memorabilia including vintage photos, celebrity autographs and the store's antique cash register will be on display starting Monday. Patrons are encouraged to share photos, stories and to sign up for raffle prizes and participate in trivia contests throughout the week. A reception will be held at the store on Saturday, Dec 14, 11 am to 5 pm with refreshments and prizes.

Arthur P. Griggs opened A.P Griggs Piano Company in 1903 in downtown Davenport before the store changed its name to Griggs Music in 1946. The company originally concentrated on piano sales and service. Through the years Griggs Music has responded to the changing needs of the community adding guitars, band and orchestra instruments and even refrigerators and appliances to fill a need during The Great Depression. Griggs was also one of the first to sell stereo components in the Quad Cities.

Griggs Music president Steve Judge, who has been with the company for nearly 40 years said, "The best part about Griggs Music serving the Quad Cities music community is knowing how many musicians first learned about music within the walls of Griggs Music. Some of our customers are 3rd and 4th generation." Judge added, "It's so rewarding to be part of such a long tradition of serving musical families. We have always changed and adapted to the times and we continue that tradition while we look toward the next 110 years!"

Griggs Music which also has store locations in Cedar Rapids and Washington Iowa has been located at 3849 Brady Street since 1970.

For more information, contact Danielle Heller at (563) 391-9000 or dheller@griggsmusic.com. ##
League to Expand Membership for 2014-15

GLENDALE, AZ (December 4, 2013) - Central Hockey League Commissioner Steve Ryan announced today that the League will expand by a maximum of two teams for the 2014-15 season.  The CHL Board recently gathered in Las Vegas and after the meetings concluded, expressed their confidence and support to expand membership to 12 teams. 

"The Board is enthusiastic about the current momentum and future direction of the League and wishes to expand beyond its current geographical footprint," said Ryan.  "We receive numerous expressions of interest for expansion, both formal and informal, and are now prepared to commence a formal bid process."

"When we came together to purchase the League, we gained control of our future and the ability to grow the legacy of the CHL into the future," said Brad Fain, Owner of the Arizona Sundogs.  "Under the guidance of the Commissioner, we believe this will be the best 'AA' minor league in North America.  Our efforts to build a sustainable and compelling business model will attract highly qualified and passionate owners in the best markets."

This past off-season saw the CHL expand to St. Charles, Missouri (St. Louis area) and Brampton, Ontario (Toronto area).

Last June, team owners acquired the CHL in an asset purchase acquisition from Global Entertainment, a publicly traded company that had owned the League for the previous two decades. 

In October, the CHL appointed Steve Ryan as its Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer.  Ryan has an extensive management background in professional sports serving as President of NHL Enterprises from 1981-95.  Additionally, he was President of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins and Commissioner of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

To facilitate its expansion strategy, the League has retained the Sports Advisory Group (SAG), a division of W.B. Grimes, which is one of the leading sports acquisition firms in North America.  SAG will initiate interaction with potential expansion candidates and advise the League on its plan for growth.

Founded as a professional league in 1963 by the National Hockey League, the Central Hockey League delivers outstanding family entertainment and in-arena excitement and is comprised of 10 teams in eight U.S. states and one Canadian province.  Learn more about the CHL at www.centralhockeyleague.com.  

WHITEWATER, WI (12/04/2013)(readMedia)-- The following students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling team for the 2013-14 season.

  • Maxx Hubbard, a freshman undeclared major from Sterling, Ill.

After finishing third in the national championships last year, the Warhawks have high expectations this season and intend to offer a strong challenge to each opposing team. The team holds preseason-training sessions with new and returning players to increase performance before the regular season begins.

"The team is going to get better as the year goes on," said Tim Fader, the team's head coach. "We have to keep our eyes on the prize, every team has its struggles but we'll power through them. We are going to continue to push expectations and raise the bar, it's what we're known for and it's what we pride ourselves on."

When the wrestlers are not under the spotlights, they give back to the community. They helped build the new Children's Center on campus and they volunteer for the Salvation Army in Janesville every Thanksgiving.

View schedule >>

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will continue his tour of businesses that support Iowa's farmers, rural communities and economy on FRIDAY, DECEMBER, 6th in Clinton. The Fueling Iowa's Economy tour is making stops across Iowa's Second District to highlight the importance of homegrown renewable fuels, as well as wind energy. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to lower the renewable fuel volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for 2014, which will have devastating consequences in Iowa. Also, the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind is set to expire at the end of the year unless Congressional action is taken.

"Renewable, homegrown energy supports tens of thousands of jobs in Iowa alone. The cuts to the RFS that the EPA has proposed and allowing the PTC to expire will have a devastating impact on our economy. We have to stand together to opposes these reckless cuts. The RFS and PTC are meant to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase use of homegrown energy sources. I will fight to ensure that Iowa farmers are able to continue to move our nation on a sustainable path forward and that good jobs continue to grow in our rural areas," said Congressman Loebsack.

The tour will continue FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th with a stop in Clinton. Loebsack previously made stops in West Burlington and Washington. Additional stops will be announced at a later date. Media are invited to attend.

Fueling Iowa's Economy Tour

Friday, Dec 6 @ 3:00pm

Clinton County Bio Energy (CCBE)

5640 44th Ave. South, Clinton

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Two Quad Cities-area students will gain summer internship, first year of college tuition

DAVENPORT, Iowa (DEC. 4, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits are now accepting applications for the 2014 Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship and 2014 Bandit Scholarship. Through the Bandit Scholars Program, each scholarship is awarded annually to an area high school senior. Each scholarship pays for the winner's entire first year of tuition and includes a summer internship with the River Bandits following the winner's first year of college.

Applications for each scholarship are available at www.riverbandits.com and will be accepted until Feb. 14, 2014, at Modern Woodmen Park. The Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship is open to all Quad Cities-area high school seniors entering the University of Iowa. The Bandit Scholarship is open to all Quad Cities-area high school seniors entering either Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., or Western Illinois University in Moline, Ill. The scholarship winners will be announced and honored at a 2014 River Bandits home game at Modern Woodmen Park.

"The Bandits Scholars Program recognizes and supports the promising futures of talented students and young leaders in the Quad Cities, and it continues to be a wonderful way for the River Bandits to give back to a community we love," said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "Giving out these scholarships is the single most enjoyable thing I do as owner of the River Bandits, and I can't wait to help make the dream of free college tuition become real for two more Quad Cities families!"

River Bandits owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt founded the Bandit Scholars Program in 2009. The Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the late Keith Lucier, who passed away in 2009. The Lucier Scholarship honors Keith's strong belief in higher education and celebrates his love for sports, learning, charitable endeavors and the Quad Cities community. Lucier graduated from Bettendorf High School and the University of Iowa. He was the River Bandits' Assistant General Manager in 2008.

The Lucier Scholarship pays for the entire year's tuition for an incoming fresshman at the University of Iowa and includes a summer internship with the River Bandits. It has been awarded annually to one Quad Cities-area high school senior since its inception. The Bandit Scholars Program expanded in 2012 with the addition of a second scholarship; the second scholarship pays for a year's tuition for an incoming freshman on the Illinois side at either Western Illinois University or Black Hawk College, and also includes a summer internship with the team.

To help fund the scholarships, the River Bandits hold promotional events, including the annual Frost Fest, set for Sunday, Dec. 15, and the Bandits Race to Home 5K. Early registration for the next Bandits Race to Home 5K on April 12, 2014, runs through Dec. 31. Fans can also send donations for the scholarship fund to Modern Woodmen Park. One hundred percent of every donation goes to fund the scholarships.

UP NEXT: Join the River Bandits for a free day of holiday fun and activities at Modern Woodmen Park, Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a chance for holiday shopping, activities and indoor fun at the ballpark. To order ticket plans - with new lower prices - for next season, call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

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Open to the Quad City Community

To spend less on college, spend an evening with us! A college education is one of the most important investments you will make in a lifetime - educate yourself on the resources available.

What: Free Presentation on Financial Aid for College

Presented by the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN)

When: Tuesday, December 10th - 7:00 p.m.

Where: Rivermont Collegiate - 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722

(located directly off 18th Street, behind K&K Hardware)

Lupe Hernandez from the Iowa College Access Network will discuss completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), important deadlines, and types of financial assistance available. This presentation is very helpful for high school students and parents who are unsure exactly what is involved in the financial aid process and filing the FAFSA. Bring questions!

Contact:

Bonnie Campbell

Rivermont College Counselor

(563) 359-1366 ext. 304

campbell@rvmt.org

For more information on the Iowa College Access Network, visit www.icansucceed.org

For more information on Rivermont Collegiate, visit www.RivermontCollegiate.org
They Have Fundamentally Different Learning Patterns, Says Pioneering Expert; Uncovers Secrets & Offers Tips

The problem of boys in education is not a new one - data has been mounting for many years that our sons are simply falling behind our daughters, says pioneering veteran in education, Edmond J. Dixon, Ph.D. But it's not because boys are any less intelligent than girls, he adds.

A recent study from researchers at the University of Georgia, which followed 10,000 students as they moved from kindergarten to eighth grade, indicates that though boys scored well on tests, indicating mastery of material, girls got better grades. Researchers account for higher scores in girls because they comported themselves better than boys while in the classroom.

"I think that, by now, most academics have accepted that boys and girls have fundamentally different learning needs; girls are better at sitting still and listening, whereas boys learn better via kinesthetic learning, which involves more physical activity," says Dixon, who has more than three decades experience as a teacher and is a parent of boys, and is the author of "Helping Boys Learn: Six Secrets for Your Son's Success in School," (HelpingBoysLearn.com). He also has a teacher's edition titled "Helping Boys Learn: Six Secrets for Teaching Boys in the Classroom."

"There are many other studies, however, showing boys underperforming in school; now, it's a matter of what we're going to do about it."

Dixon, a cognitive-kinesthetics specialist, discusses why his first three "secrets" are so important in helping boys with active minds and bodies.

· Movement matters: Nearly ever time, the student who disrupts class because they cannot sit still is a boy. Research reveals that young boys' brains develop a tremendous amount of neural wiring to facilitate movement and sensitivity for how things "fit" together. When a boy is a toddler, we would never think that a sedentary child is a good indicator of health, so what makes us think that he should change while in grade school? One tip: Allow a boy to use his "movement wiring" by allowing him to use his body as he learns to represent the topic.

· Games work: Their testosterone makes males are naturally competitive. If you want them to become suddenly engaged in something, make a game out of the lesson?it's just like flipping a switch on. Just look at sports talk shows with analysis such as "Pardon the Interruption;" each expert has a clock clicking down to make his point. Little gaming tricks like this works on the male brain. Tip: create clear rules - they help boys understand victory, and they add legitimacy to the lesson. Games also serve as an excellent method for male bonding, too.

· Make them laugh: Observe a group of males; whether young our old, they bust each other's chops. Not only is it okay, they enjoy it! Everyone has a positive chemical reaction with laughter; boys, however, often use humor as a form of communication, an asset with which most girls do not have a problem. Research has demonstrated that boys' emotions are processed initially in the more primitive parts of the brain and come more indirectly to the speech centers. That's why making a crude joke is easier for males to communicate sensitive feelings. Tip: Before starting homework or an assignment, ask a boy to consider what might be funny, weird or strange about it; his mind will be more focused on the topic afterwards.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg; if parents and teachers are serious about getting their boys off to a better start in life, I encourage active participation and education," Dixon says.

About Dr. Edmond J. Dixon

A pioneer in the field of cognitive-kinesthetics for learning, Edmond J. Dixon, Ph.D., is a human development specialist with more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, writer, researcher - and parent of boys. He is the founder of the KEEN Differentiated Learning Group, an organization dedicated to helping struggling learners, and the creator of KEEN 5X, a series of strategies for classroom engagement and learning that were have been used with more than 50,000 students and teachers. His previous books, "KEEN For Learning" and "Literacy Through Drama," have been used by educators to improve classroom learning. A dynamic and popular presenter, he has spoken throughout North America on education and human development topics. 

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today demanded that the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, keep the House in session until it completes all of the work that the American people are demanding get done. Some of Iowan's top priorities, including the Farm Bill, extension of both the Production Tax Credit for Wind and Medicare provisions important to rural hospitals, a Sustainable Growth Rate fix, and the Water Infrastructure bill, remain in limbo. Also awaiting action is the National Defense Authorization Act, which contains provisions important for the workers at the Rock Island Arsenal, as well as a comprehensive budget agreement to create jobs and grow the economy. Between today and the end of the year, the House is only scheduled to be in session for a total of 6 days.

"Rather than sending Members of Congress home for vacation after only a total of nine work days since Thanksgiving, it is imperative that you keep the House of Representatives in session and voting every day to complete the pressing work of the American people," Loebsack wrote in a letter to Speaker Boehner. "The list of unfinished business is long and continues to grow. To put it simply - with so much work left to do after months of partisan fighting, that last thing Congress deserves is a vacation. Turning off the lights and putting a "closed for business" sign on the Capitol is irresponsible and shameful. I call you on to keep the House in session and working every day to get the work of the American people done."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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74 Projects in 40 States Will Improve Service for More than 211,000 Rural Residents

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for projects in 40 states to finance investments in improved water and wastewater systems for more than 200,000 rural residents.

"Rural businesses and residents need access to clean water and modern waste disposal systems. This isn't just an economic issue, it's an issue of basic health and safety," said Vilsack. "Water and wastewater projects like these help safeguard rural access to a modern, working infrastructure, which in turn ensures a decent quality of life and helps attract - and keep - the best and brightest in small towns across America."

Vilsack noted that passage of a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs bill would help tackle the $2.1 billion backlog of shovel-ready rural water/wastewater projects, and said the bill is vital to rural communities. These are just some of the reasons why Congress should pass a comprehensive bill as soon as possible, he said.

In today's announcement, USDA is providing $203 million to finance 74 water and infrastructure improvement projects in 40 states. For example, Eagle Butte, S.D., has been selected to receive a $2 million loan/grant combination to upgrade a wastewater treatment system that serves more than 3,000 residents in one of the poorest parts of the state. In Texas, the El Paso County Water Improvement District #4 is getting a $4.2 million loan/grant combination to install a new water storage tank and nano-filtration system. The project will provide clean, safe water for more than 8,000 residents.

The funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program. It will have a significant impact on rural residents and businesses - as it did for people who live and work near Berlin, Md. At the start of the Obama Administration, USDA Rural Development awarded the town $11.8 million in Recovery Act loans and grants to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to meet environmental standards. The project had benefits beyond improved wastewater services for local residents and businesses. Sixty-five construction workers, who had lost their jobs just before the town received the Rural Development funds, were hired to work on the project.

The Berlin project is one of nearly 3,900 water and wastewater projects supported with funding authorized by the Farm Bill that Rural Development has financed since 2009. These projects have created jobs and provided clean water for nearly 14 million rural residents.

View here the list of projects that will receive USDA funding, contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the funding agreement.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.

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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).


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