Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Library's Pop Open a Good Book winter reading contests for children, teens and adults continue through Saturday, Feb.28, and while you're reading, you can also pop-in for some free fun.

The Children's Department will offer free after school crafts at three locations next week. Children ages eight and up can make a pop-up dog card at 4:00 pm on Feb. 3 at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street, on Feb. 4 at the Main Library, 401 19th Street, and on Feb. 5 at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Materials will be provided. The craft is free.

Other children's events next week include morning Toddler Tale storytimes at the 30/31, Southwest and Main Library branches, a "Read with Rover" program at the 30/31 Branch, and a Pajama Storytime, also at the 30/31 Branch. For details, please visit www.rockislandlibrary.org.

Upcoming programs for teens next week include a "Tape to Make It" program at 6:00 pm on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the 30/31 Branch. Teens ages 12 to 18 will make crafts using colorful duct tape. Materials will be supplied.

Special events for adults include next week's Know Your Kindle Fire class at 6:00 pm on Feb 2 and the Know Your Android or Apple device class at 6:00 pm on Feb. 3. Both events are at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Participants should bring their devices to learn about basic features, settings, organizing apps and more.

The library will also show a free independent movie for adults at 5:30 pm on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Main Library. The monthly movie starts earlier than usual due to the film's running time. The unrated movie, which is set in Japan with English subtitles, includes popcorn and a discussion.

For more upcoming library events, visit library locations or the website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow Rock Island Library on Facebook or Twitter or call 309-732-READ (7323).

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DAVENPORT, Iowa - Jan. 29, 2015 -- Genesis Health System has entered into a new strategic partnership with Kansas City-based Cerner Corporation to optimize and advance the patient care and enterprise management benefits of the health system's already award-winning information technology solutions and services.

According to Genesis President and CEO Doug Cropper: "This new, more integrated partnership is a natural progression of our 15-year-old relationship with Cerner that has earned Genesis the distinction of being named the only provider in the Quad Cities region and the State of Iowa among the nation's "Most Wired" health care systems each year for more than a decade."

Specifically, the more integrated relationship with Cerner calls for the establishment of a "Value Creation Office." This collaboration will help Genesis innovate and optimize care processes with Cerner, ensuring patients receive the best possible care and the organization earns a greater return on its technology investment. By increasing access to expert Cerner resources in Kansas City, the agreement will enhance Genesis' ability to implement new Cerner applications, which includes application services, help desk operations and optimizing IT service delivery across the health system.

"Genesis entered into this relationship with Cerner due to the growing complexity and higher costs of maintaining these services on an 'in-house', independent basis," Cropper said. "Cerner is widely recognized as a health care IT industry leader, and this opportunity to partner ensures our future as a national leader in the use of these technologies to help meet our patients' needs in the most efficient and effective way possible."

"As the Quad Cities' only locally governed health care provider, Genesis has a unique obligation to balance the demands of our mission of 'compassionate, quality health care services for all those in need' with the growing number of regulatory requirements to improve the quality of care while lowering costs. These challenges have encouraged us to search for creative and innovative solutions that maximize efficiencies," said Cropper. "This agreement with Cerner will enhance our ability to keep pace with change, manage costs and accelerate our position as the leading health care provider in the region."

As part of the agreement, 43 Genesis IT employees will become Cerner associates, effective April 1, 2015. Cerner will transition these associates at their current compensation levels, including recognition of their length of service with Genesis, and provide additional training, resources and professional development. Cerner also provides a highly competitive benefits package.

Mike Nill, Cerner executive vice president and COO, said Cerner has seen Genesis as a "true partner" in advancing health and care in the Quad Cities for more than a decade. "We are very pleased and proud to strengthen our relationship with Genesis through this agreement to help ensure both organizations continue to create value together," Nill said. "By working together right where care is being delivered, we can continue to empower organizations like Genesis to know, manage and engage better in the health of their communities."

ABOUT CERNER: Cerner's health information technologies connect people, information and systems at more than 14,000 facilities worldwide. Recognized for innovation, Cerner solutions assist clinicians in making care decisions and enable organizations to manage the health of populations. The company also offers an integrated clinical and financial system to help health care organizations manage revenue, as well as a wide range of services to support clients' clinical, financial and operational needs. Cerner's mission is to contribute to the improvement of health care delivery and the health of communities. Nasdaq: CERN. For more information about Cerner, visit cerner.com, read our blog at cerner.com/blog, connect with us on Twitter at twitter.com/cerner and on Facebook at facebook.com/cerner.

Certain trademarks, service marks and logos set forth herein are property of Cerner Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. All other non-Cerner marks are the property of their respective owners.

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The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities Surpasses the $760,000 Red Kettle Campaign Goal

 Quad Cities, USA: The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities met its Red Kettle Campaign goal thanks to the remarkable generosity of the Quad Cities community. A total of $794,692.63 was donated. The funds help The Salvation Army meet the demand for services for shelter, food, clothing and other basic human needs; as well as provide programs and opportunities for children and adults to learn life and empowerment skills.

"The Salvation Army's work is simply not possible without the people of this community who believe in what we do.  And I'd like to share with them the greatest joys of the season: the warm embraces, tears of joy, handshakes and 'thank yous' from the thousands of families they helped serve," said Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator.

During the 2014 Christmas season, The Salvation Army makes Christmas much brighter for thousands of families in need locally. And more than 4,200 volunteer hours were given in order to make all of the Christmas season's programs possible. More than 6,000 toys and clothes items were donated through the Angel Tree program. Through the 2014 Christmas Distribution program nearly 2,000 children had a happier Christmas morning. The Salvation Army distributed food and gifts to 1,400 families or 3,900 people in need in the Quad Cities.

"The statistics mentioned are only a reflection of the many people whose lives were impacted because of YOU!  We are grateful to everyone who encouraged our work and supported this year's Christmas Campaign, either by supporting the red kettles, purchasing gifts for families, volunteering your precious time, supporting our efforts by spreading the word and encouraging others to participate or praying for the program itself and those we have the honor of serving," said the Major.

The Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest annual charitable fund raiser of its kind in the United States, helps raise money to support programs for the very neediest in communities nationwide providing toys for kids, food for the hungry and countless social service programs to all ages year-round. From its humble beginnings as a fund raiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable outreach efforts in the United States.

Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. Heart-attack symptoms may be severe and appear suddenly or they may be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort.

If you experience any of the following heart-attack warning signs, call 911:

• Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest and that lasts for a short time or goes away and returns
• Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness

Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Stroke

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reports that as many as two out of three adults with diabetes have high blood pressure. Because of the risks that accompany high blood pressure, the ADA and the National Institutes of Health suggest a lower blood-pressure target for people with diabetes (less than 130/80 mmHg) than they recommend for the general public.

You can control your blood pressure with lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and medication. (Sound familiar?)

Blood pressure ? also called hypertension ? raises your risk for heart attack, stroke, eye problems, and kidney disease. Having your blood pressure checked regularly and taking action to reach your target blood pressure can prevent or delay complications caused by high blood pressure.

It's also important to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. As with a heart attack, immediate emergency treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Call 911 if you suddenly experience any of the following stroke symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body
• Feeling confused
• Difficulty walking and talking and a lack of coordination
• Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason

Next step: Nerve Damage and Infection