30 Dec 2014

Hilltop Campus Village News Dec. 2014

By Scott Tunnicliff

COMMENTARY:

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Hilltop Campus Village Corporation. It was approved by the Main Street Iowa program in May 2009 and operations began following the formation of a board of directors, their appointment of a director in August, and technical training for volunteers in September and October.

We have all observed gratifying progress in efforts to revitalize our commercial corridors and seen increasing levels of quality reinvestment. Much of this has occurred as a result of partnerships being formed - with the area churches, colleges and universities, existing and new businesses, commercial property owners, the school district, multiple city departments, social agencies and interested volunteers who know that the successful encouragement of quality reinvestment helps enhance surrounding neighborhoods.

OVERVIEW:

Main Street Iowa recently put out their Cumulative Report Totals, an economic impact report that shows a running total of reinvestment and job creation in each of the 52 Iowa districts since they became part of the Main Street Iowa network.  While the results vary considerably by size of community and by how long the communities have been in the program, a look back 5 year shows some compelling data:

Among districts less than 25 years old, the Hilltop Campus Village is 2nd among all districts in private sector investment in rehabilitation,  7th in number of buildings rehabilitated, and 3rd in private sector dollars invested in acquisition. This doesn't include public sector investments in street resurfacing, curb repair, sidewalk upgrades, street lights and the other many things done to enhance the area by our city.

If these trends continue, we can look forward to more businesses, more customers coming to shop at those businesses and more employment opportunities in those businesses as they grow.

HAPPENINGS OF NOTE

Of particular interest to the businesses and institutions in the Hilltop Campus Village. The City of Davenport has been studying the potential of a possible city-wide broadband service and are looking for more input from businesses in our area as to what they might want to see out of such an offering. They have had a lot of residential participation, but need to hear from businesses too. This survey will run through Jan. 5.  The link to the background info and the survey is:

https://www.davenporttoday.com/business/business-stories/tell-davenport-what-you-want-from-the-internet . Let them hear from you!

There will be a Lydia Home meeting on Tuesday Dec 30th at 7 p.m., at the Lydia Home, 1431 Ripley Street. This informal monthly gathering is an excellent forum for neighbors and citizens to work with police and others to address concerns in the area and gather information. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Joyce Klopp at 563 322 0382.

The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is promoting VENTURE SCHOOL, a 6-week program for persons with a marketable idea, designed to accelerate the business startup process while increasing a person's chance for success. The program is offered through a partnership between the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, The University of Iowa John Poppajohn Entrerpreneurial Center, and Ignite Quad Cities, a component of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. Information sessions will be held Thursday January 15 at noon and 5:30pm at the Quad Cities Chamber in downtown Davenport. Learn more and apply online at venture-school.com.

WORK GROUP SESSIONS

The four work groups that make things happen in our area deal with Design, Organization, Economic Restructuring and Promotion. All meet monthly and are open to the public. Persons wishing to learn more about these groups may do so by asking the director or a volunteer, by coming to the meetings as listed below and by visiting www.hilltopcampusvillage.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

o   Meeting time: Third Thursday of the month (January 15), 5:00pm, Hilltop Campus Village office conference area, 601 Brady Street, Suite 301

§  Reviewing Mission and Vision statements

§  Action Plan updates from Work Groups

§  Consideration of grant program for signage proposal

ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE

o   Meeting time: Second Monday of the month (January 12), 4:00 pm., Hilltop Campus Village conference area, 601 Brady Street, Suite 301

§  Prioritization of Org. Work Group 2015 Action Plan initiatives

§  1028 Harrison Street property update

§  Main Street Iowa Business Innovation Challenge Grant (Studio Start up phase 1) update

DESIGN COMMITTEE

o   Meeting time: Third Monday of the month (January 19), 5:00pm, Hilltop Campus Village conference area, 601 Brady Street, Suite 301

§  Design Review Board update

§  Prioritize Design Work Group 2015 Action Plan initiatives

§  Information column/public art update

PROMOTION COMMITTEE

o   Meeting time: Second Tuesday (January 13), 4:00pm, Hilltop Campus Village conference area, 601 Brady Street, Suite 301

§  Prioritization of Promotion Work Group 2015 Action Plan initiatives

§  Comprehensive Promotion Strategy development

§  Review of CHS presentation of December 18

§  Interest in Cupid Comes to the Hilltop

§  Start of planning for Altar Crawl in May

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING COMMITTEE

o   Meeting time: Third Wednesday, (January 21) noon, Hilltop Campus Village conference area, 601 Brady Street, Suite 301

§  Prioritization of Economic Restructuring 2015 Action Plan initiatives

§  Bus shelter progress

§  New businesses and redevelopment plans

§  Needs survey for Hilltop Campus Village

The Hilltop Campus Village is a not for profit organization dedicated to restoration, redevelopment and revitalization of the area.  Questions, comments and suggestions may be addressed by contacting the Hilltop Campus Village office at 563-322-8293 or hcvscott@gmail.com or board members.

30 Dec 2014

The Salvation Army in Quad Cities Still Needs over $100,000 to Reach the 2014 Red Kettle Goal

By Holly Nomura

Quad Cities, USA - On Christmas Eve the bells at the Red Kettles finished ringing, but the goal has not yet been met. Currently, The Salvation Army in the Quad Cities has raised 86% of their goal with $655,000. Another $105,000 needs to be raised in order to meet the $760,000 goal. This goal is about 60% of the annual operating budget which helps provide homeless family shelter, transitional housing, a community meal program, rent and utility assistance, supplemental food boxes, nursing home visits, youth character building programs i.e. summer camps, and various other social services.

"This community's generosity has amazed me - the coins, dollars, checks and 3 gold coins have added up to $400,000!" said Major Gary Felton. "On Christmas Eve alone, the Red Kettles brought in $18,552 ... but we still need help! We encourage everyone to consider making their year-end donations to The Salvation Army to help make sure that we're able to continue offering various services to those hurting in our community."

The large Red Kettles will be inside the malls until January 5th and small Red Kettles are still standing on counters at the following stores throughout the Quad Cities: Hungry Hobo, Express Lane, Hy-Vee Gas Stations, Mother Hubbard Cupboards and Papa Johns.

For your gift to be tax-deductible in 2014, your envelopes need to be post-parked by December 31st. To make your year-end contributions today to help reach their goal you can mail your donations to 301 W. 6th Street, Davenport, IA 52803 or to give by credit card call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go online to www.salvationarmyqc.org.

If you are interested in learning more about The Salvation Army, its programs in the community and how you can help, please call 563-271-7933.

30 Dec 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Combat Cyberbullying

By Katie Hickey

Also Signs Legislation to Terminate Pension Benefits of Public Employees Convicted of Felonies

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that makes it a crime to distribute private images without a person's consent. The law seeks to combat the growing epidemic whereby former romantic partners disseminate private images without the subject's consent. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect the rights and privacy of the people of Illinois.

"Cyberbullying can have lasting and often devastating effects on a person, especially when it involves the distribution of very personal images," Governor Quinn said. "This shameful act can be as harmful as any other form of abuse. This law cracks down on perpetrators and will help prevent more people from becoming victims, most of whom are women."

Senate Bill 1009, sponsored by State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Matteson) and State Representative Scott Drury (D-Highwood), makes the non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, also known as "revenge porn," a Class 4 felony. The law also removes any profit and voids any contract or agreement the offender may receive as a result of the illegal use of these images. According to the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, 90 percent of revenge porn victims are women. The new law is effective June 1, 2015.

"This is an important modernization of our laws that will protect people's lives and reputations from cyberbullying and intimidation," Senator Hastings said.

Governor Quinn today also signed Senate Bill 2809, a new law that will help terminate the pension benefits of public employees convicted of felonies. Sponsored by State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook), the legislation allows the Illinois Attorney General to intervene in cases like those involving former Chicago Police supervisor John Burge, who was convicted of crimes committed while on duty but was still able to receive his publicly funded pension benefits. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make government and public employees more accountable to the taxpayers. The new law is effective June 1, 2015.

Governor Quinn also signed legislation creating a TIF extension for the Village of Lansing to support development in the West Lansing area. House Bill 6303 is effective immediately.

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30 Dec 2014

Join Rock Island Library for "APPy Hour" Next Year

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: From tracking personal fitness to family budgets, and from games to new photo editors, it seems that there's a mobile app for just about everything.

A new monthly discussion group from the Rock Island Library can help you learn more about what's new and useful in these self-contained computer applications for smartphones and tablets. "APPy Hour" will meet 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 first meeting is January 14.

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.

Additional information about library events and services is available by visiting www.rockislandlibrary.org, following the library's Facebook and Twitter sites, or by calling 309-732-READ (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.
30 Dec 2014

Join Fitness Xpress on Jan. 3 for World's Largest Simultaneous Group Workout

By Rick Martin
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - According to a survey from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2.1 billion people - almost 30 percent of Earth's population - are either overweight or obese. America's population includes 78 million obese adults, and nearly 30 percent of U.S. children and teens are either overweight or obese.

"Obesity has become a global epidemic," said Dana VanGilder, General Manager of Fitness Xpress, a locally owned fitness club with locations in Davenport, Moline, and Iowa City. "At Fitness Xpress, we offer the Project 10 Challenge to help people in our communities to develop healthier lifestyles and slim down."

Visitors can register for the Project 10 Challenge at the Fitness Xpress website, www.fx247.com. This fitness and weight-loss program features an effective mix of exercise and eating right. Fitness Xpress has partnered with ViSalus Sciences, developers of Project 10, to provide clients with Vi-Shape, a high-protein shake mix which is integral to the program. ViSalus Sciences is a healthy lifestyle company which has developed a platform for achieving weight-loss and fitness results by encouraging participants to concentrate on losing just 10 pounds at a time.

Fitness Xpress will be part of ViSalus' upcoming World's Largest Simultaneous Group Workout. "We're working on setting a Guinness World Record," VanGilder said. "People in 11 countries will be participating." The event will be held at 11:45 a.m., Saturday, January 3. Local sites for the event will be the three Fitness Xpress locations:

109 East 50th Street, Davenport, IA 52806, 563-386-2348
4200 24th Ave Moline IL 61265, 309-797-3150
1059 Hwy 6 E., Iowa City, IA 52240, 319-351-1729

For every person who participates in the Jan. 3 event, ViSalus will donate 30 kids' meals through their Project 10 Kids program. Locally, the meals will go to the Project 10 In the Schools program, designed to help kids fighting childhood obesity, or the Backpacks for Kids program of the River Bend Foodbank.

"If 500 people participate at each location, that translates into 45,000 meals donated for local kids," VanGilder said. No purchase or membership is required to participate. To find out more or to sign up, visit www.fx247.com.

Helping the Community
According to VanGilder, the Project 10 Challenge has proven to be especially effective - and, it helps the community.

"With every 10 pounds a client loses, he or she receives a month of free membership, if they continue using the Vi-Shape shake mix," VanGilder said. "Another perk of the program is that ViSalus awards participants with ten chances to win $1,000 for every ten pounds they lose."

She noted that ViSalus offers an additional benefit to help others. "ViSalus will send 30 meals to a community charity for every 10 pounds lost by a client through the program. An excellent example of such a charity is the Backpacks for Kids Program of the River Bend Foodbank." The Backpacks for Kids Program, which is funded by John Deere, strives to make sure that children don't go hungry over the weekend when there are no school meals available.

"Fitness Xpress plans to sponsor at least 1,000 kids in the Project 10 In The Schools Program, designed to educate local overweight students and their parents in exercise, proper meal planning, and nutrition," VanGilder  said.  

VanGilder and the Fitness Xpress team invite more community members to take the Project 10 Challenge. "It's a win-win deal," she said. "It helps clients to lose weight, and it helps the community. Our goal is for at least 5,000 new people to try the program in the next six months. We want to become the Quad-Cities' transformation location."

The Fall Fashion and Gun Show
Later this year, Fitness Xpress will host their first Project 10 Fall Fashion & Gun Show. "In this case, the 'guns' are muscular arms!" Van Gilder said. "It will be a fundraising fashion show, and the models will be people who have lost weight through our plan. The models will get free outfits and makeovers. It will be held Sept. 3 at the Clarion Hotel in Davenport and will include dinner, a silent auction, and much more."

VanGilder noted that their plans for the community fit in well with the Fitness Xpress Mission, which reads: "To motivate our community towards a healthy lifestyle; to empower our members with ideas and techniques that produce results; to inspire our fitness family to discover the meaningful parts of life through the happiness of health. We change lives!"

To find out more about Fitness Xpress, visit www.fx247.com.
30 Dec 2014

10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Type 2 Complications

By Everyday Health
Help avoid dangerous diabetes-related complications by discussing these important items with your doctor.

People with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for serious health complications, but you can help prevent these by knowing how to recognize problems and learning what to do if one develops. Here are 10 questions to ask your doctor so that you can better understand your own personal risks and take the right steps to address them.

  1. How often should I visit you for checkups in order to stay as healthy as possible and avoid diabetic complications?
  2. I have a family history of heart attack and/or stroke. Will my diabetes put me at greater risk for those problems?
  3. What are the most important warning signs to look out for in terms of diabetic emergencies, and when is calling 911 necessary?
  4. How can I tell if my blood sugar is too high or too low? What should I do about either high or low blood sugar?
  5. Is there anything I should keep with me in my purse or car that could help me treat an unexpected symptom or problem?
  6. Are there any parts of my normal routine that need to change in order to keep myself as healthy as possible?
  7. Do I need to take pills or inject insulin in order to manage my diabetes and prevent further problems?
  8. How often should I have my blood, blood pressure, and urine tested for irregularities?
  9. What are the most important signs to look out for in terms of eye damage or dental problems? Is there anything I can do to keep my eyes and teeth as healthy as possible?
  10. Is there anything in my medical history that concerns you and could be a factor in my type 2 diabetes? What can I do to address this?
30 Dec 2014

Milner Called Up by AHL's Iowa Wild

By Rick Martin
MOLINE, Ill. (December 29, 2014) - Quad City Mallards goaltender Parker Milner has been signed to a professional tryout agreement by the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild while the Mallards have signed Breton Lindoff as an emergency back-up goaltender, the Mallards announced today.

Milner, 24, joins Iowa for the third time this season.  He served as the Wild's backup netminder in three games last month and earlier this month spent a single day with Iowa.  

Milner, who ranks fourth in the ECHL in save percentage (.922) and fifth in goals against average (2.31), has gone 8-5-1 in 15 games with the Mallards this season.  The 6' 1", 197-pound Pittsburgh native last night saw his five-game winning streak halted when he suffered a loss in relief despite giving up just a single goal and making 14 saves as the Mallards fell to the Brampton Beast 4-3.

Milner last season went 4-2-0 and turned in a 2.95 goals against average and a .904 save percentage in eight AHL games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  Milner spent the bulk of last year with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, for whom he posted a 2.84 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and two shutouts while going 9-14-2 in 25 games.

Milner's is the fifth AHL call-up for a Mallard this season.  Milner will join defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel, who was called up from the Mallards earlier this month, when he arrives in Des Moines.

Milner turned professional last season after winning two national championships in four years at Boston College.  Milner went 64-20-5 while turning in a 2.23 goals against average, a .919 save percentage and six shutouts in 93 games over the course of his standout collegiate career.

Milner helped Boston College to the NCAA title as a freshman in 2010 and again as a junior in 2012.  He acted a backup during BC's run to the 2010 championship before taking a leading role in the 2012 triumph.  Then a junior, Milner was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2012 NCAA tournament and also earned NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament honors after going 4-0 with a 0.50 goals against average, a .982 save percentage and two shutouts during the tournament.  Milner's goals against average was tied for the best in tournament history while his save percentage was the highest since the tournament expanded beyond four teams in 1972.  He capped off his superb tournament effort by making 27 saves in BC's 4-1 victory over Ferris State in the national championship game.  The NCAA title was the crowning achievement of a season that also saw Milner and his teammates win the Hockey East regular season and tournament titles as well as the Beanpot and Icebreaker tournaments.

Over the 2011-12 campaign as a whole, Milner went 29-5-0 while registering a 1.66 goals against average, a .911 save percentage and three shutouts in 34 games.  His .853 winning percentage was the best in the nation.  He completed his college career in 2012-13 by playing in all but one of the Eagles' 38 games, going 22-11-4 and recording a 2.66 goals against average, a .911 save percentage and two shutouts.

During Milner's time in Chestnut Hill, BC not only claimed a pair of NCAA crowns but also secured three Hockey East postseason titles along with two conference regular season championships, made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and won four straight Beanpots.

Before putting on the maroon and gold, Milner spent one season in the junior ranks with the United States Hockey League's Waterloo Black Hawks and one in prep school hockey at Avon Old Farms. 

Lindoff, who celebrated his thirty-first birthday yesterday, arrives from the Danville Dashers of the Federal Hockey League.  The 5' 11", 180-pound product of Red Deer, Alberta, has gone 2-1-0 with a 3.00 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and one shutout in three games with the Dashers this season.

Lindoff played in the Southern Professional Hockey League each of the last two seasons- first for the Louisiana IceGators in 2012-13 and then for the Bloomington Thunder last year.  Lindoff went 1-3-0 while recording a 3.85 goals against average and a .879 save percentage in six games with Bloomington.  He broke into the professional ranks with Danville in 2011-12 after playing senior hockey in his home province for the Innisfail Eagles of the Chinook Hockey League.  Lindoff's junior career saw him tend goal for the Red Deer Vipers of the Heritage Junior Hockey League and the Dryden Ice Dogs of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
30 Dec 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Protect Condominium Owners and Associations

By Dave Blanchette

Legislation Establishes State Ombudsperson to Educate Owners and Help Resolve Disputes

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that will help protect condominium owners and associations across Illinois. The legislation creates a position within the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to help resolve disputes and to educate condominium owners. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect property owners across Illinois.

"This new law will give condominium unit owners alternatives to litigation as they work to resolve disputes," Governor Quinn said. "By helping prevent potentially expensive litigation the Condominium Ombudsperson can help keep costs down for property owners throughout Illinois."

House Bill 4204, sponsored by State Representatives Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) and State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago), creates the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act which establishes an Ombudsperson within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. This new position will provide dispute resolution assistance on behalf of condominium unit owners beginning January 1, 2019.

"I have heard from a number of constituent condo owners who have struggled to find answers when they have disputes," Representative Nekritz said. "This bill creates an important process to have those disputes resolved, and I am happy to have helped push for this new law to address this problem."

"The rights and responsibilities of condo owners and associations can be complex, so I'm pleased that Illinois will follow the lead of four other states whose residents are able to enlist the assistance of a condominium ombudsperson in resolving conflicts," Senator Steans said. "Educating the public about condo law and assisting with dispute resolution when requested will help prevent unnecessary and expensive litigation."

Also under the law the new office will provide educational materials on a website that are relevant to condominiums and common interest communities. Additionally, condominium and common interest community associations must have a written policy for resolving disputes and have registered with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The legislation is effective July 1, 2016.

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30 Dec 2014

Eating High-Fiber Foods for Type 2 Diabetes

By Joy Bauer, MS, RD

Q: Do you have any suggestions for adding fiber to my diet? I've heard a high-fiber diet can help people manage diabetes.

A: You're smart to focus on incorporating more fiber into your diet. Fiber helps slow down the body's absorption of carbohydrates, which keeps blood sugar on a more even keel. In general, starchy beans, lentils, and whole grains (brown or wild rice, whole-grain breads and cereals) tend to pack the most fiber punch, but fruits and vegetables have plenty to offer too. Some good choices of produce for fiber are leafy greens (like spinach, kale, and chard), broccoli, sweet potatoes, artichokes, berries (especially raspberries and blackberries), apples, and pears.

Just keep in mind that even high-fiber foods raise blood sugar to some extent, so you always want to pair them with protein to help stabilize your blood sugar. For example, pair a piece of fruit with some nuts or cottage cheese, serve scrambled egg whites with whole-grain toast, or enjoy a bowl of chili made with beans and lean ground turkey.

29 Dec 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Law that Allows Payment of Certain Traffic Fines Without Court Appearance

By Katie Hickey

Legislation Follows "Sign and Drive" Law Signed this Summer

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that allows persons charged with certain minor traffic offenses to pay their fines or penalties without appearing in court. The legislation follows the "Sign and Drive" law recently signed by Governor Quinn that ends the practice of requiring individuals to give up their driver's license as security for traffic violations. Both laws are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make Illinois government more accountable, transparent and effective.

"Motorists can now stay out of court when all they need to do is pay a fine for a minor traffic offense," Governor Quinn said. "This new law helps reduce the burden on drivers and our court system by cutting the number of unnecessary minor cases."

Senate Bill 3509, sponsored by State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) and State Representative John D'Amico (D-Chicago), allows motorists ticketed with certain petty traffic violations to plead guilty and pay their fines without a court appearance. This is companion legislation to a previously approved law that eliminated the requirement that a valid driver's license be posted as bail for certain traffic offenses. Both laws are effective January 1, 2015.

Governor Quinn has signed a number of new laws to make travel on Illinois roadways safer and more convenient. Last year he signed legislation to prohibit the use of all hand-held mobile phones while driving on Illinois roads and to increase the penalties where any use of an electronic device while driving is the cause of an accident. This summer, Governor Quinn signed legislation to prohibit municipalities from requiring police officers to meet ticket quotas and to prevent quotas from being used to evaluate an officer's performance.

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