Rock Island, IL: Assistance with figuring out that new smartphone or tablet is as close as the nearest Rock Island Public Library. The library will offer more programs in March on using Kindle Fire, Apple and Android devices, on using free library services to add content to your device, and drop-in "Gadgets and More" sessions for asking other questions.

A series of "Getting to Know your Device" classes on Mondays in March will cover basic functions, settings, organizing apps, tips, and more general information on using a particular brand or operating system of computer tablet and smartphones. Participants should bring their devices. Classes include :

  • Getting to Know Your Android device: 6:00 pm, Monday, March 2, Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street.
  • Getting to Know Your Apple device: 6:00 pm, Monday, March 9, also at the Main Library.
  • Getting to Know Your Kindle Fire tablet: 6:00 pm on Monday, March 16 at the Main Library.

"Download This," a class on using free library content services to download magazines, music and movies, will be offered at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 3 at the Main Library. Participants can bring their devices and library card and try out the services, which currently include Flipster for popular magazines, Freegal Music and Freegal Movies and TV.

"Gadgets and More" drop in sessions will be offered at the 30/31 Branch Library, 3059 30th Street. The Gadgets and More sessions allow participants to bring in their new device and get one-on-one tips and answers to questions about using it. Staff will be available in the bookstore room on Tuesday, March 17 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, and on Thursday, March 19 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Participants should bring a fully-charged device, with the set-up phase completed.

No registration is necessary for any of the above programs. For more events at Rock Island Public Libraries, visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow the library on Facebook or Twitter, or call 309-732-7323.

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Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

Rock Island, IL: Mobile apps can support your goals, make routine tasks easier, and provide access to educational and entertaining content on your tablet or smartphone. Learn more about them at monthly APPy Hours, presented by the Rock Island Library.

The Rock Island Library will offer "APPy Hour" at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th Street,  Rock Island. The informal gathering gives smartphone and tablet owners to way to learn about new apps and to share their personal favorites with the group. The next meeting is March 11.

APPy Hours are free and open to the public, and will focus on apps of interest to adults and teens. Refreshments will be available for purchase from the coffeehouse.

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Calendar of library programs: http://rockislandlibrary.evanced.info/signup/eventcalendar.aspx


Fire takes. And, when fire takes a house, it also takes everything that makes a house a home. Your clothes and the shoes you wear every day. Your most precious possessions. Your security. Your dignity. All incinerated in minutes. Help the Red Cross #GiveWhatFireTakes.

Approximately every 8 minutes the Red Cross responds to a disaster, including home fires. The need is constant. You can help people affected by disasters big and small by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Today, your dollars could provide the important items a family needs:
  • $10 can provide 2 blankets
  • $30 could provide 2 installed smoke detectors
  • $100 can provide shoes and clothes
  • $550 in immediate financial assistance to one family
Thank you for being a part of the American Red Cross.  And thank you for taking our mission to heart - to relieve suffering wherever and whenever it happens.

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowans to nominate farmers for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award who have taken voluntary actions to improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state. Nominations are due by June 15, 2015 and the nomination form can be found at www.iowaagriculture.gov/EnvironmentalLeader.asp.

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.

"The Iowa Water Quality Initiative is growing due to farmers' engagement in the plan," Branstad said. "The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award is our chance to recognize producers who are going the extra mile in their land stewardship."

"Iowa's farmers are leading the way in environmental stewardship through collaborative, science-based practices," said Reynolds. "The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award allows the state to recognize the famers who feed the world and continue to drive Iowa's economy."

Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and incorporated best management practices into their farming operation. As true stewards of the land, they recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream.

Nominations may be submitted on a year-round basis and are due by June 15th of the year to be considered for the award. Farm owners and operators are eligible for consideration.

"Iowa is leading the way in using voluntary, science-based practices to protect our soil and improve water quality.  This would not be possible without the thousands of farmers who have collectively invested millions in conservation practices on their farms.  This award is an opportunity to highlight those farmers that are leading the way and going above and beyond to adopt conservation practices on their farm," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners. The recipients will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair.

Since creation of the award in 2012, 219 farm families have been recognized. Winners are presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto. Hagie Manufacturing also sponsors a recognition luncheon for award recipients following the ceremony.

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Want To Be Read? - Publishing Sales Coach Offers Helpful Insight

By mid-2014, self-published authors began taking home the bulk of all ebook author earnings generated on Amazon.com, while authors published by all of the Big Five publishers - Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster - combined slipped into second place, according to the January 2015 Author Earnings Report .

While self- or indie-published authors closely follow the costly dispute between Amazon and Hachette over retail and wholesale ebook pricing, titles of all genres are faced with increasingly competitive markets, says publishing sales coach Kim Staflund.

"ISBNs - International Standard Book Numbers - continue to experience enormous growth with each successive year, and in the past decade we've seen a gold rush-style of exponential growth due to the self-publishing movement," says Staflund, founder and publisher at Polished Publishing Group (PPG), www.polishedpublishinggroup.com, which supports a business model in which authors take a proactive, entrepreneurial approach.

"To be a truly successful author who can sell enough books to earn a profit and possibly even become a bestseller, you must treat book publishing, sales and marketing as your own business. The same holds true whether you take today's supported self-publishing route or you go with a traditional trade publisher."

Staflund outlines some necessary points for making a book title a success.

• Writing to be read takes an entrepreneurial spirit. If you want to earn a profit or even become a bestseller, a writer must treat book publishing, sales and marketing as your own business. That's true whether you're taking the self-publishing route or you use a traditional trade publisher to produce your book. If you don't expect to invest time or money in getting the word out, or assume that your publisher is solely responsible for outreach, you'll likely be disappointed by the few books that you'll sell.

• An overview of what it means to be proactive. With so much competition today, you need to get in front of customers and communicate with them in a clear and consistent manner. You do this by virtue of book signings, readings, craft sales, art shows, media tours, social media campaigns, speaking engagements, book reviews and whatever else you can think of whenever and wherever you can. You "pound the pavement," as they say in the sales world.

"Another aspect of what it means to be proactive is to have a polished, professional presentation of your content," Staflund says. "This requires additional help including a professional editor, designer, and proofreader. You may also require an indexer, ghostwriter or publicist."

• Your book: a project deserving of communication and a plan. Inspiration for a great book idea is necessary but insufficient for a successful project; you also need a plan. Establishing a deadline is a good start. When can you reasonably have it done by, and how much time each week will you need to write to meet your deadline? You'll need to accept this commitment, and let close loved ones know about your goal. Family and friends will appreciate your aspiration, give you your time and space, and possibly even help with your project. Additional drafts will be necessary, but at some point you'll have to know when to say when. Also, the ability to handle constructive criticism from outside eyes is essential.

"Again, it's important to remember that writing is just one of many phases in the lifecycle of a book," Staflund says. "If you want your book to have a life outside of your own mind, you'll need to appreciate the aforementioned criteria."

About Kim Staflund

As the founder and publisher at Polished Publishing Group (PPG), www.polishedpublishinggroup.com, Kim Staflund works with businesses and individuals around the world to produce professional quality audiobooks, ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers using a supported self-publishing business model. As a bestselling author and sales coach, she shows authors how to sell their books using all the effective traditional and online tricks of the trade. Staflund has a substantial sales and sales management history combined with over 20 years of book publishing experience within the traditional and new publishing markets.

Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has nominated Ramon Cepeda and Jill Smart for openings on the University of Illinois' Board of Trustees.

Name: Ramon Cepeda 

Position: Board of Trustees - University of Illinois

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Ramon Cepeda to the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois. Cepeda is a graduate of UIC and is currently a senior vice president at Northern Trust.

Cepeda has worked at Northern Trust since 2007. Currently, he oversees the commercial real estate group, which he created in 2010. He also works as the managing director of the wealth management division.

Prior to his work at Northern Trust, Cepeda worked for LaSalle Bank (now Bank of America) as the first vice president in the commercial real estate group. He was responsible for construction and acquisition loans throughout the Midwest. Cepeda also worked for Second Federal Savings and Loan and Source One Mortgage.

 

Cepeda graduated from the University of Illinois in 1990 with a degree in criminal justice. He was also selected as a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow in 2011.

 

 

Name: Jill Smart

Position: Board of Trustees - University of Illinois

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Jill Smart to serve on the University of Illinois' Board of Trustees. She is a graduate of U of I and worked as an adjunct professor, and she was a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Smart also has nearly 35 years of experience in human resources. 

 

Smart worked for Accenture for most of her professional career. She retired from the company in 2014 as Chief Human Resources Officer. She was responsible for the full employee lifecycle at the global company. She was also a member of Accenture's Global Management Committee.

Currently, Smart is the president of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR), a non-profit organization that recognizes individuals and institutions for their work in human resources.  

 

Smart holds an M.B.A from the University of Chicago. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

 

Governor Rauner announced today he has made appointments to the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University and Chicago State University.

 

Name: John Gilbert

Position: Board of Trustees - Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected John Gilbert, 65, of Carbondale to the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Gilbert is a life-long public servant and is currently a United States District Court Judge (senior status).

Gilbert was appointed to the federal bench in 1992, and currently presides over criminal and civil cases. Prior to that, he was a First Judicial Circuit Court Judge for nearly five years.

Gilbert has also served the people of Illinois as a member of the State Board of Elections, where he set policy matters for the board and presided over election challenges.

Gilbert holds a law degree from Loyola University Chicago. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois.

 

Name: Joel Sambursky 

Position: Board of Trustees - Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Joel Sambursky, 32, of Carbondale to serve on the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Sambursky is a graduate of SIU and is the president of Liberty Wealth Management, LLC.

Sambursky has worked at Liberty Wealth Management since 2012. Currently, he manages the day-to-day affairs of the firm including financial and investment planning, marketing and client recruitment. He also advises clients on retirement and college savings plans.

Prior to his work at Liberty Wealth Management, Sambursky worked for Forbes Financial Group in Carbondale as a financial adviser. He advised clients and helped determine if they had adequate retirement assets and insurance policies. Sambursky also worked for the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

Sambursky graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2005 with a degree in science finance and earned an MBA in 2007. He was also recognized for his athletic accomplishments during his four years on the SIU football team.

 

Name: Amy Sholar 

Position: Board of Trustees - Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Amy Sholar, 43, of Alton to serve on the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Sholar is a graduate of SIU - Edwardsville and currently owns her own law firm.

Sholar has owned the Law Office of Amy Sholar, P.C. since 2004. Prior to owning her own law firm, Sholar worked for the City of Alton as a planning coordinator. She was responsible for community redevelopment, real estate acquisitions and zoning matters.

Sholar was also a recipient of the 2012 Women of Distinction award.

Sholar graduated from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville in 1998 with a degree in business administration and holds a law degree from St. Louis University.

 

Name: Timothy Burke

Position: Board of Trustees - Eastern Illinois University

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Timothy Burke, 65, of Evanston to become a member of the Eastern Illinois University's Board of Trustees. Burke is a graduate of EIU and is currently a member of the EIU Foundation Board of Trustees.

Burke is currently a project risk manager at William Blair & Company. In this role, he works on financial risk management and internal control matters. For ten years until 2012, he was the company's CFO.

Prior to his work at William Blair & Company, Burke worked at Arthur Andersen & Company for more than 20 years. He became partner in 1987 in the audit practice of the financial services group. He also managed a World Bank project in Indonesia focused on reforming securities industry regulations.

Burke received his bachelor's degree in math and master's degree in counseling from EIU. While earning his MS, he also served the EIU community as a residence hall counselor.

 

Name: Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch

Position: Board of Trustees - Chicago State University

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch to join the Chicago State University Board of Trustees. Hatch has spent years in the community and in public service to help others.

Since 1993, Hatch has been the pastor of the New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's west side. Prior to that, he served as the pastor of Commonwealth Baptist Church.

Throughout his work in the ministry, Hatch has created and developed a number of outreach programs. He is responsible for an interfaith affordable housing development project, which built more than 200 homes for Chicago families. He also established an annual mission trip for inner-city youth.

Hatch earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Western Illinois University. He holds a master's degree in government from Georgetown University. Hatch also earned a doctorate and masters degree in ministry and theological studies from McCormick Theological Seminary. He was also one of four Merrill Fellows at the Harvard Divinity School in 1998.

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The premise is simple: pick a creative project, do it every day in March, then show your work the following month in a big group art show!

Project working time: All month of March
Group Art Show: April 24 / 6 to 9pm
DAAC art gallery, 902 Main Street, Dubuque.

The Dubuque Area Arts Collective invites you to participate in Fun-A-Day Dubuque 2015, an artistic way to fight the winter doldrums. Fun-A-Day Dubuque is open to all ages, and participation is free. All types of creative expression are encouraged, and experience as an artist is not necessary.

Use all, most or some days in March to be creative and have fun! Previous years' efforts have included cartoons, audio recordings, knitting, and photography and visual art projects, all created daily (or mostly daly) throughout the month. 

How to participate? Its simple. Email funadaydubuque@gmail.com and tell us what your project will be. If possible, send us images of works-in-progress, so we can share it though our Facebook page and blog. We will send you instructions on how to show your finished project in the art show.

PROJECT IDEAS
to do each day:
1. Take a photo of your cat 
2. Write a haiku poem 
3. Draw a portrait each day
4. Send a postcard
5. Knit a bit each day
More Ideas


The Alzheimer's Association® is proud to have played a role in bringing the film "Still Alice" to life. The movie tells the story of a woman coping with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease, and Julianne Moore's performance has helped raise public awareness of this terrible disease ? and also earned her an Oscar last night!

Along with many other amazing women including Executive Producer Maria Shriver, book author Lisa Genova, and Co-Producer Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, I am honored to have worked behind the scenes on the film. As the science consultant, I guided the screenwriter and director team on the scientific accuracy of information about Alzheimer's disease, which is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States ? and the only cause of death among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

Despite these statistics, current federal funding for Alzheimer's disease research is only a third of what is needed to reach the goal set by the National Alzheimer's Plan to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025.

The hope is that with the poignant portrayal of Alzheimer's disease, "Still Alice" will inspire more people to take an active role in the fight. Your donation will provide much-needed care and support services to other families facing this devastating disease ? and help advance research so that every family can hope for a future without Alzheimer's.

Support the American Red Cross and become an everyday hero

PEORIA, Ill. (Feb. 23, 2015) – In honor of Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages people to uncover their inner hero and donate blood or platelets, volunteer their time or sign up to organize a blood drive.

Since 1943, every president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people down the street and across the country.

"The everyday heroes are those who donate blood, volunteer, take a lifesaving class, host a blood drive or make a financial contribution to help neighbors here in Illinois and across the nation," said Greg Novinska, CEO of the Heart of America Blood Services Region. "We thank and honor these everyday heroes who support the Red Cross."

People also can become everyday heroes by hosting a SleevesUp virtual blood drive or creating a team via the Blood Donor App. SleevesUp provides an easy way for Red Cross supporters to encourage those in their networks to give blood or platelets to honor someone's life, celebrate a special occasion or simply bring people together to help save lives. Campaigns can be created online at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp.

The Blood Donor App allows individuals to find a local blood or platelet donation opportunity, schedule appointments and track their donation history. Plus, it lets users create teams and recruit friends and family to roll up a sleeve with them. The Blood Donor App is available for download by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 or by visiting redcrossblood.org/BloodApp.

"It doesn't take superpowers to be a hero for a patient in need - just a little time," added Novinska. Blood donors with all blood types, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative, and platelet donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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ITHACA, NY (02/23/2015)(readMedia)-- The Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs at Ithaca College awarded Caitlin Walton, a junior music education major in the School of Music at Ithaca College, the Peggy Ryan Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership.

The Peggy R. Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership recognizes students who excel academically, perform service to the College community and nation, and represent an exemplary level of accomplishment.

Nominees for the award must be a junior or senior and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, be in good judicial standing and made a minimum of three contributions in academic, community service or extracurricular activities.

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From day one, Ithaca College prepares students for success through hands-on experience with internships, research and study abroad. Its integrative curriculum builds bridges across disciplines and uniquely blends liberal arts and professional study. Located in New York's Finger Lakes region, the College is home to 6,100 undergraduate and 460 graduate students.

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