27 Feb 2015

Illinois National Guard 5th Civil Support Team exercises with local first responders

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/25/2015)(readMedia)-- MACOMB, Ill. - In the mid-morning hours a freight train carrying chemical agents passes through the sleepy college town of Macomb, Illinois. Without warning, near a railhead, the train derails sending three tanker cars full of potentially harmful sodium cyanide crashing to the earth. This scenario is the backdrop for Western Response 2015, a multi-agency exercise in Macomb, Illinois.

These are the situations the Illinois National Guard's 5th Civil Support Team (CST) trains for. The CST is a specified domestic operations unit comprised of highly trained Soldiers and Airmen that integrates with local authorities to respond to chemical, nuclear, biological, and radiological threats.

The goal for this exercise was to allow local first responders and authorities to establish an operations center and integrate state-level resources into response operations. Though Western Response was a smaller scale exercise involving the Macomb and Galesburg police and fire departments as well as the 5th CST, it was still valuable training.

Maj. Travis Humphrey of Washington, Illinois, 5th CST deputy commander, said he enjoyed the opportunity to work at the smaller scale.

"Typically, we exercise at a much larger level. It's planned and executed at the national level and when we get on scene, we speak to someone who's not usually a local," said Humphrey. "I like this because you get the National Incident Management System experience and you get to talk to the local guys who know the area and give good input on staging and integration."

Normally, local hazardous materials teams would respond to and contain an incident of this scale. The exercise had local first responders containing the incident and the 5th CST conducting decontamination operations.

Sgt. Andrea Boggs, of Springfield, Illinois, 5th CST human resources non-commissioned officer and decontamination team member, said she saw benefit in the exercise as well.

"This is a great exercise to get used to integrating and working with civilian agencies," said Boggs. "It allows us to train with local agencies and it allows them to see what's available to them in a real-world incident."

Maj. Marc Wright, of Peoria, Illinois, 5th CST commander, echoed the comments of his team members.

"Given the scale, it was a great opportunity for training and awareness for the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System and local departments," he said. "While local HAZMAT is fully capable of handling an incident of this magnitude, it's always good for them to get an idea of the state-level assets that are available to them in an incident."

27 Feb 2015

Camp Lincoln's 129th Regional Training Institute makes leadership changes

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/25/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -The Illinois National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute (RTI) held a change of responsibility ceremony and a change of command ceremony for its Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) Feb. 21, at the Illinois Military Academy at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

The RTI's mission is to train soldiers and leaders at all levels in multiple specialties, such as drivers, cooks and signal specialists.

A change of responsibility ceremony is held when the senior enlisted leader of a unit changes. A change of command ceremony is held when the commanding officer of a unit changes.

The change of responsibility was conducted first, with Command Sgt. Maj. Lester Edwards of Mechanicsburg, Illinois, relinquishing responsibility of the 129th RTI to Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns of Benld, Illinois.

The 129th RTI HHD change of command ceremony immediately followed with Capt. Dayton Loyd of Carbondale, Illinois, relinquishing command to 1st Lt. Anthony McClain of Springfield, Illinois.

Loyd, will move on to join the 244th Digital Liaison Detachment in Chicago, said the RTI was one of the most special units he served with in his 30 years of service.

"At first, I wasn't sure if I was up to the task - the RTI is a unique unit with a lot of high ranking individuals - but everyone embraced me right away and took care of me," said Loyd. "It really speaks to the quality of the unit."

Before taking command of the HHD, McClain served as the full-time plans and operations officer for domestics operations for the Illinois National Guard. He will serve as both the HHD commander and full-time training officer for the RTI.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity and I'm looking forward to fulfilling both of my roles for this stellar organization," said McClain.

Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, commander of the 129th RTI, said the HHD is a great unit to command.

"Captain Loyd is getting promoted on his way out and Lieutenant McClain is a good lieutenant," said Fanning. "It's a lot of work, but this is a good unit and it will provide good seasoning for him."

27 Feb 2015

THE MOLINE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DEADLINE FOR GRANTS SUBMISSION

By Linda Martin

A grants submission deadline has been announced by the Moline Foundation. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply if they serve the citizens of Moline and the surrounding region, including the Quad Cities.

All materials necessary to receive funds are due in The Moline Foundation offices by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 or must be postmarked by or on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.

Any non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, including those who have never received Moline Foundation funding in the past, is welcome to apply.

An application should consist of eleven copies of a written request stating the name and address of the organization, its mission, names and addresses of Board members, income and expense statement, balance sheet, and the specific purpose for which any money received would be used including a project budget. The name, telephone number, and email of a contact person must also be included. The requested materials should be mailed according to the above deadline. If you need further information, please call Linda Martin at the Moline Foundation at (309) 764-4193 or visit the website at www.molinefoundation.org.

The Moline Foundation offices are located at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, workforce development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities region in both Iowa and Illinois. Counties served by the Moline Foundation include Scott County in Iowa and Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough Counties in Illinois. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and works with citizens to achieve their goals to improve the community.

-30-

27 Feb 2015

Stop Stressing & Start Living: A 6-Week Series

By Joe Gauthier

Davenport, IA: Stop Stressing & Start Living: A 6-Week Series will be presented at Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center in Davenport, Iowa, on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., beginning March 12th and running through April 16th.

Overtime stress can seriously affect our mental and physical wellbeing.  The wear and tear of our everyday responsibilities can put such a strain on our mind that even when we do get a break we cannot enjoy it because we know the next wave of challenges is coming soon.   Thankfully stress is entirely created from within our mind, not from without.   In this course will examine meditation as a powerful tool we can use to overcome the stress and tension that normally fills our mind.  We can learn to change how we react to our normal daily pressures with a peaceful creative and clear mind all the time. We can even learn to enjoy challenges and responsibilities that previously were the source of great anxiety.

"Many people are looking for a quick fix when it comes to dealing with stress," states Joe Gauthier, Buddhism & Meditation teacher at Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center in Davenport, Iowa, "but you have to go to the source of it-our unrealistic ways of looking at our life.  There are many factors that contribute to our daily stress that we are completely unaware of; just by knowing these we can start to protect our mind from the daily strain that robs us of our happiness and wellbeing."

(563)322-1600

info@meditateiniowa.org

27 Feb 2015

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft delivers State of the Coast Guard Address

By U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters

WASHINGTON – U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft delivered the 2015 State of the Coast Guard Address at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tuesday.

"Countries in our hemisphere are on the cusp of instability," said Zukunft. "The United States leads the world in oil and gas production. The cyber domain is transforming industries and governments at an astonishing rate. Arctic waters continue to open. There is no question: the United States Coast Guard is operating in a world unlike ever before."

The commandant outlined how America's Coast Guard will meet today's challenges while preparing for complexities that remain ahead. "I will take decisive action to alleviate the strain of an austere budget environment and will make tough decisions in the face of our increasing demands," said Zukunft. "Through investing in our people, the recapitalization of our aging cutter fleet, including acquisition of the Offshore Patrol Cutter and sustainment of front-line operations, the Coast Guard will return more operational value on every dollar."

The commandant stated that the service's increasing demands in the areas of drug interdiction, Arctic operations, cybersecurity in the maritime domain and transportation of energy resources are converging with its daily operations and limiting the Coast Guard's ability to respond to major contingencies. "I am committed to ensuring that our budget priorities are driven by a Coast Guard strategy aligned with national priorities to ensure our people have the platforms they need to serve the nation now and into the future," said Zukunft.

The commandant also spoke of the duty to the people of the Coast Guard and investing in the future of its workforce. Among the actions to be taken are reinforcing a culture of respect that is inhospitable to sexual assault and the behaviors that enable it; completing a human capital plan that will provide guiding principles to enable the human resources directorate to build an adaptive, specialized and 21st-century workforce; revision of the service's diversity and inclusion strategic plan; review of civilian career management processes to eliminate barriers and improve upward mobility; and build proficiency by continuing to specialize within the officer and enlisted communities and extend tour lengths where it makes sense.

You can find the commandant's complete speech and video of the 2015 State of the Coast Guard Address at http://www.uscg.mil/coastguard2015/. Photographs of the State of the Coast Guard Address are available for public use at https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1783509/2015-state-coast-guard-address.

 

 

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27 Feb 2015

Help Davenport's Volunteer Win Purina Cat Chow Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest

By Rick Martin
Did you know that more than 3.4 million cats enter shelters nationwide and only 1.3 million find forever homes each year? Though shelters have staff members to help take care of animals in their care daily, they rely heavily on their local volunteers who tirelessly care for cats as they await their forever homes.

That is why Purina Cat Chow is holding the Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest to recognize and thank those volunteers who work to make cats' temporary shelter homes safer, less stressful places.

The Humane Society of Scott County is the only shelter in your state to be selected to participate in the Purina Cat Chow Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest. From Feb. 23 to Mar. 15, 2015, the Davenport community can support Animal Welfare Society at www.catchow.com by voting for Debbie Schmidt's volunteer story daily.

If Debbie wins the contest - based on consumer votes and a judging panel - the shelter will receive a $25,000 shelter makeover. Each participating shelter will receive a $1,000 donation, Purina® Cat Chow® Gentle Formula brand food and cat care supplies.

Debbie's ever-present smile, soothing voice, calm demeanor and positive "can-do" attitude creates a gentle environment for cats and everyone who cares for them at the Humane Society of Scott County Shelter.  Debbie gets to know the personality behind each whiskered face, and twitching tail and enthusiastically shares those perks, quirks and nuances with interested potential pet parents.

Below you will find the Purina Cat Chow Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest press release where you will find more information. Please let me know if you would like to interview the nominated volunteer or shelter spokesperson.

Best,

Keri

KATE WALSH JOINS PURINA CAT CHOW TO RECOGNIZE CAT SHELTER VOLUNTEERS;BRAND TO DONATE NEARLY $100,000 AMONG 50 SHELTERS NATIONWIDE
Actress Kate Walsh asks cat people to support a nominated volunteer by voting in the Purina Cat Chow Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest; The shelter of the winning volunteer will win a $25,000 shelter makeover
ST. LOUIS (Feb. 23, 2015) - Every animal shelter has that volunteer - the one who cleans the visiting rooms, goes door-to-door collecting blankets from the community, fosters cats and kittens, and spends countless hours simply petting the cats to keep them calm and happy. Today, Purina® Cat Chow® launched the Purina Cat Chow Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest to thank and recognize these dedicated volunteers. The program will donate nearly $100,000 among the 50 participating shelters - one in every state - in recognition of their volunteers in cash donations, cat food and cat care supplies to lessen the stress for cats living in shelters while they await their forever home. 

Purina Cat Chow asked 50 cat-focused shelters - one in every state - to nominate their top volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to create a gentle, less stressful environment for shelter cats.

From Feb. 23 to March 15, consumers nationwide can vote daily for their favorite volunteer story on www.catchow.com. Consumer votes and a judging panel will determine the top shelter volunteer and four runners-up volunteers.

Well-known actress and cat owner Kate Walsh teamed up with Purina Cat Chow to help honor the shelter volunteers who devote their time and talent to caring for shelter cats and encourage consumers nationwide to vote for their favorite volunteer story. Walsh is the proud cat owner of Billy and Pablo, two cat brothers she rescued 10 years ago.

"The second I saw my cats Billy and Pablo, I knew they belonged with me," Walsh said. "I'm grateful they had the care of dedicated volunteers before I adopted them. Shelter volunteers give selflessly to support the cats that need the most help. Their time and energy helps lessen the cats' stress as they await forever homes."  

Purina Cat Chow Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest Voting and Prizes
The shelter of the winning volunteer will win a $25,000 shelter makeover. The shelter makeover will help create a gentler, less chaotic environment for the cats awaiting their forever home. Renovations and upgrades may include building a free-roam, soundproofed cat room, installing cat cubbies for personal space or painting the walls soothing colors. 

Purina Cat Chow team members will volunteer at the winning shelter for one day to assist with the makeover.

In addition to the shelter makeover, four runners-up volunteers will each win a $5,000 donation for their shelter. Purina Cat Chow will also support each of the 50 participating shelters - one in every state - via cash and cat food donations. Every participating shelter will receive a $1,000 donation, new Purina® Cat Chow® Gentle Formula brand food and cat care supplies.

"Each year, millions of cats enter animal welfare organizations. The dedication and hard work of shelter volunteers are critical to these cats' care," said Sarah Johnston, Purina Cat Chow brand manager. "We want to recognize the volunteers who make sure shelter cats have a comfortable place to live, access to high-quality nutrition, and provide unconditional support while they're waiting to be adopted."

The Purina Cat Chow Shelter Volunteer of the Year Contest is part of the brand's "Building Better Lives" program, an ongoing commitment to help improve the lives of cats through rescue, nutrition and adoption support. The Brand works to support shelters and help more cats find forever homes. In three years, the Purina Cat Chow will donate nearly $600,000 to more than 100 local cat-focused shelters nationwide and help improve the lives of more than 86,000 cats.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare
Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness.
27 Feb 2015

The Quad Cities Comic Book Convention

By Alan Morton
The Quad Cities Comic Book Convention will be held on Saturday March 14 at
the Ramada Inn in Bettendorf, IA. The Ramada Inn is located at 3020 Utica
Rd (I-74 @ Kimberly Rd / Spruce Hills Dr, IA Exit 2). It will be open to
the public from 10 AM to 4 PM and admission for the public is free.
Dealers from three states specializing in comic books new and old, toys
and related. Or if you have old comics lying around that you no longer
want bring them by dealers are buying. For further information contact
Alan at (309) 657-1599 or visit www.epguides.com/comics.
27 Feb 2015

Military Cost Cutters

By Todd Morris

Military Cost Cutters, Dream Big Grow Here: Military Cost Cutters, a local veteran owned start up based in Davenport, IA, is competing for a $5,000 grant from Dream Big Grow Here Contest. Military Cost Cutters connects military friendly businesses with veterans and military members via our patent pending Loyalty Rewards Program. You can check us out at www.militarycostcutters.com or download our free mobile app in the Android and IPhone stores.

To vote, visit http://www.dreambiggrowhere.com/entrydetails.aspx?entry=1056.

This contest utilizes Facebook voting and if you don't have an account then one can easily be created.

You can vote once per day and the voting will end on March 1st. We look forward to receiving your vote!

27 Feb 2015

AREA STUDENTS NAMED TO DEAN'S LIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE

By Sandra D Humes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (February 24, 2015) - The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Fall 2014 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Honored were Jordyn O'Rourke, Senior, Nursing Undergraduate and Joseph Steiner, Freshman, School of the Arts-Undergraduate, both from Davenport.

- 30 -

27 Feb 2015

Loebsack Announces 2015 Congressional High School Art Competition

By Joe Hand

Original works by local high school students due April 3rd

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that high school students in the Iowa's Second Congressional District may now submit their original artwork to be considered for the 2015 Congressional Art Competition. The annual competition is hosted by the United States House of Representatives to recognize talented young artists from across the nation. The winning student from each district is invited to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception held in their honor and will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The deadline for entries to be received is April 3rd.

"The vast amount of talent that Iowa's students display year after year continues to amaze me. The creativity of our talented young artists demonstrates that the arts are thriving in Iowa," said Loebsack. "For a young artist, having your artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol is quite a remarkable accomplishment. I look forward to seeing this year's entries and meeting the winning student."

Once again, to make the contest as easy as possible and open to as many students as possible, this year's winner will be chosen by the public through an online vote. Details on how to submit art work are available by clicking here to visit Loebsack's website. All entries must be received no later than Friday, April, 3rd at 11:59pm. The artist of the winning piece will receive two round trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the reception and unveiling of their artwork in the Capitol (all other expenses must be covered by the winner). For additional details about the competition, students or teachers should contact Jared Mullendore at 563-323-5988 or by email at Jared.Mullendore@mail.house.gov.

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