25 Feb 2015

ST CLOUD TECH & COMM COLLEGE FALL HONORS

By Dan Hornseth
St. Cloud, Minn. (February 23, 2015) - St. Cloud Technical & Community College congratulates Gregory Gustafson of Moline, Illinois, for landing on the President's List for his academic achievement Fall 2014. He has earned recognition on the President's List for a grade point average of 4.0, or the Dean's list for a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.9. View full list online at www.sctcc.edu/honors-fall-2014



-30-

25 Feb 2015

Genesis Nursing Homes Earn High Ratings From CMS

By Craig Cooper

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Feb. 23, 2015 -- Westwing Place at Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, and Illini Restorative Care, Silvis, Ill., have earned 5-star overall quality ratings in the latest Nursing Home Compare ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Genesis Senior Living, Aledo, earned a 4-star rating, the highest rating among Mercer County facilities.

Five stars are the highest rating a nursing home can achieve from Nursing Home Compare. The overall quality rating is based upon health inspections, staffing and quality measures.

Westwing Place earned 5 stars in health inspections and quality measures and 4 stars in staffing to achieve the top overall quality rating. Illini Restorative earned 5 stars in staffing, 4 stars in health inspections and 3 stars in quality measures. Genesis Senior Living, Aledo earned 5 stars for quality measures, 4 stars for health inspections and 1 star for staffing.

The Genesis Senior Living facilities maintained their high quality ratings at the same time nearly one third of the nation's nursing homes received lower scores reflecting revised, tougher standards.

"We are proud of the quality of care provided every day to our residents,'' said Glen Roebuck, executive director of post acute services, Genesis Health System. "We try to care for each resident the way we would care for our own family and loved ones and in fact, in communities where are facilities are located, our residents may be the family or friend of one of our staff.

"It takes a team of providers who truly care about quality to achieve these top ratings. To be able to earn these ratings on a consistent basis is a tribute to their skills and compassion.''

For more information about senior living options at Genesis, go to www.genesishealth.com/seniorliving

###

25 Feb 2015

Moline Acupuncturist Completes Advanced Studies in Tung's Style Acupuncture for Pain

By Rick Martin

Moline, IL, February 24th -  Scott Stewart, licensed acupuncture practitioner, and owner of Healing Lotus Acupuncture at 4300 12th Ave. in Moline, has just completed advanced certification in Tung's style acupuncture.

Dr. Tung's style acupuncture is an advanced style of acupuncture developed by Dr. Tung's family, and can be traced back over 300 years.  This form of acupuncture is unique, because it uses fewer needles with greater results.  The points chosen are often distal to the site of injury, or on the opposite side of the body.  This acupuncture system is particularly effective in cases of acute & chronic pain, but also treats internal disorders as well.

For more information regarding Tung's style acupuncture or Eastern medicine, please contact Healing Lotus Acupuncture at (309) 764-4753 and ask for Scott, or visit our website at:  www.HealingLotus.co

###

Scott Stewart, MSAc., Dipl.Ac., LAc.

4300 12th Ave

Moline, IL

(309) 764.4753

healinglotustcm@gmail.com

25 Feb 2015

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds' continue 99-county tour Friday

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released their public schedules for Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, when the pair will continue their annual 99-county tour.

 

The following events are open to credentialed members of the press:

 

Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 

 

8:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Shelby County, tour STEM Acceleration program

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry

1901 Hawkeye Avenue

Harlan, IA

 

10:15 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Puck Custom Enterprises

Puck Custom Enterprises

1110 100th Street

Manning, IA

 

12:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit Lindeman Tractor

Lindeman Tractor

715 W. 7th

Atlantic, IA

 

2:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit CR\T-Greenfield

CR\T-Greenfield

401 Townline Road

Greenfield, IA

 

4 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds visit the John Wayne Birthplace Museum

John Wayne Birthplace Museum

216 S. 2nd Street

Winterset, IA

 

###
25 Feb 2015

Women of Faith Simulcast

By New Anthem

February 27 - 28, 2015

Friday 6 - 9 pm

Saturday 8 am - 12:30 pm

 

To register, click HERE

Heritage Church Bettendorf Campus

2700 Middle Road

Bettendorf, IA  52722

(563) 449-5530
24 Feb 2015

Lt. Governor Reynolds Launches Statewide "Stories of Women's Lives Tour"

By Rick Martin

Emphasis on Iowa's Female Leaders

(DES MOINES) - Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds announced today that she is embarking upon a statewide tour to celebrate "National Women's History Month" in March.  The Lt. Governor will be traveling to several communities to meet with female leaders and highlight how women are positively impacting Iowa with their ideas, actions and ingenuity.

"This year's national theme for Women's History Month is 'Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives.'  Every year, during my travels to all 99-counties in Iowa, I witness first-hand how women are making a difference in their homes, businesses, schools, and communities," said Lt. Governor Reynolds.  "Women have played an important role in Iowa's history and will continue to be trailblazers who serve as role models for current and future generations of Iowans."

As part of her "Stories of Women's Lives Tour," the Lt. Governor will be traveling to Webster City, Aldin, and Atlantic, to name just a few communities during March. The Lt. Governor will use the hashtag #KimTours99 during her travels across the state.

Joining Lt. Governor at the news conference was Renee Hardman, who is principal owner of Hardman Consulting and a 2014 inductee into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.  She spoke on the importance of women making positive impacts on lives, especially through their actions.

"Women play a critical role in helping other women.  As a woman, who was raised by a single parent along with two other sisters, it was female role models - like my mom and my aunts - who helped shape me into the strong, civic-minded person that I have become," shared Hardman.

She went on to say, "Women need to see role models who have overcome barriers and who face challenges and have made it, in spite of all.  Our life is not measured by the jobs we have or the money we have in the bank, but by the lives we touched."

According to Molly Murphy MacGregor, executive director and co-founder, chair of the National Women's History Project, sharing stories about the lives of individual women is critically important.

"The stories of women's lives, and the choices they made, encourage girls and young women to think larger and bolder, and give boys and men a fuller understanding of the female experience.  Knowing women's achievements challenges stereotypes and upends social assumptions about who women are and what women can accomplish today."

In 2015, the Women's History Movement and the National Women's History Project are celebrating their 35-year anniversaries.  For more information about the National Women's History Project, visit www.nwhp.org.

A high resolution photo of Reynolds can be found here.

### 

24 Feb 2015

MALLARDS WEEKLY UPDATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2015

By Brian Lavelle
 

THIS WEEK
Monday, February 23, 10:00 a.m.

Powerade Centre, Brampton
Quad City Mallards vs. Brampton Beast

Wednesday, February 25, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Allen Americans vs. Quad City Mallards

Friday, February 27, 7:05 p.m.
Independence Events Center
Quad City Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks

Saturday, February 28, 7:05 p.m.
Independence Events Center
Quad City Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks

Sunday, March 1, 4:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Missouri Mavericks vs. Quad City Mallards

 

LAST WEEK
Monday, February 16

Quad City 2 Allen 1

Friday, February 20

Brampton 6 Quad City 2

Sunday, February 22

Quad City 6 Brampton 3

 

Quad City
26-19-6, 58 points
2nd place, Central Division
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Brampton
16-32-2, 34 points
7th place, Central Division
Coach: Brent Hughes

Allen
35-10-6, 76 points

1st place, Central Division
Coach: Steve Martinson

Missouri
19-26-5, 43 points
6th place, Central Division
Coach: Richard Matvichuk

QUACK TRACKS
Road's End
The Mallards today in Brampton complete a stretch of five straight away games.  They have gone 3-1-0 over the first four games of that road swing.

Rubber Match
Today's game is the third in four days between the Mallards and Beast in Brampton.  The two clubs split the first two games of the series.  The Mallards rebounded for a 6-3 win yesterday after falling 6-2 Friday night.

Busy
Yesterday's win kicked off a run of six games in eight days for the Mallards.  The Mallards close out that stretch by playing Missouri three times in 48 hours next weekend.

Second

Yesterday's win insured the Mallards enter today's game in sole possession of second place in the ECHL's Central Division.  The Mallards are two points ahead of third place Tulsa and three points ahead of fourth place Wichita and Rapid City.

Delightful Dozen
The Mallards have gone 8-4-0 in their last twelve games.

2015
Yesterday's win lifted the Mallards over .500 (10-9-1) in 2015.

Red Light District
The Mallards broke loose for six goals yesterday after scoring three goals or fewer in each of their prior six games.
They are now tied for fourteenth in the ECHL in goals per game (2.9).

Stingy

While the Mallards have allowed three goals or fewer in 11 of their last 12 games, last Friday they surrendered a season high six goals to the Beast.  The Mallards are tied for fourth in the ECHL in goals against per game (2.7).

Fantastic Four
The Mallards matched a team season high by scoring four times in the second period yesterday.

Trifecta
Kevin Baker, Todd Fiddler and Nicholas Rioux yesterday piled up a goal and two assists apiece to match the team single game season high for points.

Downer
Last Friday's 6-2 defeat in Brampton was the Mallards' most lopsided loss of the season.

Shooting Gallery
The Mallards fell Friday night despite outshooting the Beast 43-19.  The Mallards outshot Brampton 35-6 over the second and third periods but were outscored 4-1 in the final 40 minutes.  The Mallards Friday night established a team season best for shots allowed in a game and matched club season bests for shots taken in one period (18 in the second) and shots allowed in one period (two- both of which produced goals- in the third).

Special Teams

The Beast converted its only power play yesterday and went 3-for-5 on the man advantage over the weekend against the Mallards.  The Mallards rank sixth in the ECHL in penalty killing (84.8).  After going 1-for-2 on the man advantage yesterday, the Mallards have now produced power play goals in each of the first two games of their trio of tilts with Brampton to climb to eleventh in the league on the power play (17.9 percent).

Tight
The Mallards defeated the Americans 2-1 last Monday night Allen in what was the Flock's fourth straight one-goal game.  The Flock went 3-1-0 during that string of close contests before playing a pair of more lopsided games over the weekend in Brampton.

Foxy

Fox yesterday extended his point-scoring streak to five games (3-5-8).

Super Mario
Mario Lamoureux has eight points (two goals and six assists) in his last six games.  Lamoureux ranks fifth in the ECHL in assists (37) and is tied for ninth in points (53).

Can't Get Enough of That Wonderful Duff

Matt Duffy Friday night scored his eighth power play goal out of nine overall this season.  He is tied for third in the ECHL in power play goals.

Between the Pipes
Evan Mosher made 25 saves on the way to yesterday's win and has now claimed back-to-back victories.  Mosher is tied for ninth in the ECHL in save percentage (.914).  Parker Milner allowed six goals Friday night in Brampton after giving up two or fewer in his prior nine games.  Milner is fifth in the ECHL in goals against average (2.27) and save percentage (.923). 

First
Berkley Scott recorded his first Mallard point- an assist- Friday night.

Milestones
Baker reached 300 career assists by picking up a pair yesterday...Darren McMillan has 199 career points.

Head to Head
The Mallards have gone 7-3-3 against the Beast this season and have posted a 3-1-3 record in Brampton.  All-time, the Mallards have gone 14-6-6 against the Beast overall and 8-6-4 at the Powerade Center...The Mallards Wednesday night host the Americans for the first time this season.  Last Monday's victory at the Allen Event Center gave the Mallards a split of the only two road games they will play against the Americans this season.  The Mallards fell 5-2 in Allen on December 10.  All-time, the Mallards have posted a regular season record of 4-6-1 against the Americans: 2-3-0 at home and 2-3-1 on the road... The Mallards have gone 3-4-2 against the Mavericks this year: 1-1-1 at home and 2-3-1 away.  All-time, the Mallards have turned in a 19-23-3 overall record against the Mavs and have gone 8-10-1 on home ice and 11-13-2 on the road against Missouri.

Ins and Outs
Logan Nelson returned to the Mallards' line-up Friday night after missing nine games with an upper body injury...Antti Pusa is on 21-day injured reserve retroactive to February 7... Pusa (out seven games), Evan Haney (two games) and Johnny Rogic (13 games) have all been sidelined by upper body injuries.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Wednesday, February 25, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Allen Americans

4 Tickets for $20; T.G.I. Friday's Postgame Party
Fans can get four tickets for just $20 for each Wednesday home game.  After each Wednesday home tilt fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline for a postgame party.

Sunday, March 1, 4:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks

Kids Day; Skate with the Mallards
Children 12 and under can get tickets for just $5 for every Mallards Sunday home game.  After Sunday's game fans can bring their skates and join the Mallards on the ice for a post-game skate.

ON THE AIR
Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Power Sports Performance.  Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net.  A limited number of Mallards games- including Wednesday's meeting with Allen and the tussles Saturday and Sunday with Missouri- will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football.  ECHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts and free audio webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.net.

TICKETS
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available.  Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.  Single game tickets are also available at the iWireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Group Tickets
Groups of at least ten receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of group benefits.  Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events.  For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -

24 Feb 2015

How to Avoid an Online Vacation Rental Scam

By Steve Burke

By Jason Alderman

Imagine renting a home on a beautiful beachfront from a trusted website, arriving to start your vacation and finding out you've been scammed?

This scenario reflects thousands of complaints placed with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year involving local vacation rentals. The FTC reports some victims lost money by wiring cash to thieves posing as property owners. Others lost money through fake websites replicating legitimate sites.

In today's economy in which home sharing has become more popular, how do travelers protect themselves from a range of potential online scams? Here are some suggestions:

Review rental contracts carefully. Check the address of the property you're interested in with on-the-ground resources like the local tourism office or the leading real estate brokerage in the community. While you're speaking with the tourism office, ask if there have been any specific complaints against the rental service you have consulted or if there might be more reliable and possibly more affordable rental resources in town.

Be wary of your source. Legitimate property owners may use free print or web classified ads to save money, but it's important to vet any free listing very carefully. Also, confirm with a live representative to ensure the site is legitimate.

Compare rental rates in the immediate area. A good deal might be tempting to seize immediately, but the FTC notes that severely below-market pricing for rentals and other vacation services in a community might indicate a scam. Crosscheck the pricing of home rentals and related services in the community before you make a reservation. Given the example above, don't rely on the Internet alone. Pick up the phone and talk directly to a representative.

Check transient license law in your destination city. Transient licenses regulate properties rented to guests for time periods generally 30 days or less. Call your destination city to get details on their transient license law and whether you can confirm the registration of the property you're considering. Ask the property owner for a copy of his or her transient license and see if the city will share the same license for your inspection to make sure they match. Also ask the city whether any specific complaints are available for the property you are considering.

Be wary of phishing scams. Be on the lookout for email and phone scammers who masquerade as employees of businesses you trust - they're after your bank or credit information. If you receive emails or phone calls demanding advance payments, contact the original website to confirm your reservation and payment policy. Recently, travel site Booking.com had to pay out compensation to more than 10,000 customers from the U.S., UK, France, Italy, Portugal and the UAE who were victims of a phishing scam.

Follow recommendations. Personal recommendations from friends and family can ensure a safe transaction. If you know someone who has visited a destination or rented property recently, ask which companies or individuals they would recommend.

Report fraud. Inform the local police at your vacation destination, the local Better Business Bureau and the FTC. When you get home, notify your local police or your state attorney general's consumer protection office to alert them to this particular cybercrime if you made the money transfer from your home state.

Bottom line: As online vacation rentals grow, so does cybercrime. Be cautious when booking arrangements online to protect your payments data.

24 Feb 2015

What is Congee?

By Nho's Cafe
Congee is a type of rice porridge. It is cooked with a water/broth for an extended amount of time until the texture is desired (where the broth is cooked for at least a few hours). Like Pho (Beef Noodle Soup), Congee is packed with healthy flavors such as herbs, meat bones and vegetables. Then when eaten, Congee is served with meat and vegetables.
Congee must serve hot like Pho and it definitely give you the feel-good food on a cold day or feeling under the weather . Congee is one of the most favorite dish in Asia, it is eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack. If you have been to Dim Sum Restaurant, (where you get to eat all different kind of bite-sized buns/dumplings served in a small steamer baskets), Congee is served there as well.
We're making Duck Congee this week, come in and try a cup of Congee on us :)
Nho's Cafe-3801 rockingham road, Davenport IA 52802-563-275-8905. Find us on Facebook.
24 Feb 2015

3 Tax Saving Plans for Gold Investments

By Ginny Grimsley
Financial Strategist Says Gold May Face Higher Taxation in Future

Adding to the confusion of extensive tax laws is the fact that they change, says gold financial strategist William A. Storum.

In 2013, for example, new tax laws moved the highest federal income tax rate from 35 percent to 39.6 percent. For 2014, if your taxable income topped $406,750 - or $457,600 if you're married and file a joint return - you are in that 39.6 percent.

"Whether you're in that percentile or not, inflation is an inevitable part of our future because the government is printing money it doesn't have, affecting every American," says Storum, author of "Going for the Gold" (www.goldandtax.com).

"Gold is the standard, and that's why it's a great investment for your portfolio assets - anywhere from 5 to 35 percent is a good range."

But gold investments may be highly taxed in the future, which is why you'll need a tax-planning strategy.

In trying to navigate stocks, mutual funds and various tax traps for gold, such a strategy likely requires a comprehensive and highly detailed plan, says Storum, who offers a few basic tips for gold coins and bars.

•  Trading with like-kind exchanges : As many real estate investors know, like-kind exchanges mean that an owner can exchange one investment property for another and thus avoid paying tax on a sale. Like-kind exchanges are also possible for gold investors. You can exchange bullion - coins or bars - for another form, and as long as equal value changes hands, no income tax will be due. Why trade? One reason may be to obtain smaller, more liquid gold items. A one-ounce gold bullion coin worth $1,400 or more may not be practical for purchases or gifts.

•  Privacy protection: Unlike gold stocks, funds and other similar securities investments, the purchase of gold bullion often is not reported to the IRS. No government agency is able to keep track. For the most part, investors in gold coins and bars, and other precious metals, have a great deal of privacy - if you know the rules and understand when forms must be filed. It's important to work with a dealer who is in compliance with reporting regulations. The IRS may scrutinize dealers and their customers if their compliance is in question.

•  Helping loved ones: Many people today are still not making what they used to, and finding a job right out of college is still challenging for many recent grads. Instead of giving cash to your child, consider giving an appreciated gold coin, which can be sold to pay the mortgage, pay property taxes, buy food, etc. In times of financial distress, your child may be in a low tax bracket - perhaps a 0 percent bracket - and thus would owe much less tax than you probably would pay if you sold the coin yourself. However, due to the so-called kiddie tax, this strategy won't work as well with children who are fulltime students younger than 24.

About William A. Storum

William A. Storum, JD, is a member of the California Bar Association (inactive) and a licensee (inactive) of the California Board of Accountancy. He has extensive experience in individual, corporate, real estate and partnership taxation and has represented clients in tax audits and other tax matters with the IRS. As an investor, Storum came to understand the need to own gold in order to preserve wealth from the government's reach. He wrote "Going for the Gold" (www.goldandtax.com) in an effort to clarify widespread confusion about investment in and taxation on gold. Storum graduated cum laude from the University of Santa Clara with a bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in economics, and from the University of Santa Clara School of Law, cum laude.

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