15 Jan 2015

Agriculture Secretary to Announce Funding for Conservation Projects in 50 States--Farm Bill Initiative Marks New Era for Conservation Efforts

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, January 14, 2015 - TODAY, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will announce that over 100 projects across all 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive funding as part of the new USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In turn, these projects will leverage in partner contributions expected to double the impact of the Federal funds, and improve the nation's water quality, support wildlife habitat and enhance the environment.  The program was funded through the 2014 Farm Bill.

Participants: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Chief Jason Weller, Natural Resources Conservation Service

 

TIME: 11:15 Eastern, Wednesday, January 14, 2015

 

PRESS CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT ACCESS:

 

Dial: 800-857-9832

 

PASSCODE: RCPP (Given Verbally)

 

Trouble number - 202-720-8560

 

All callers using the above passcode will be placed in listen only mode.  To join the Q&A portion of the meeting, these callers are instructed to press *1 on their touch tone phone.

 

#

15 Jan 2015

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FALL GRADS LIST

By Jackie King
1,806 receive degrees at ISU commencement

AMES, Iowa (January 13, 2015) - At Iowa State University's fall 2014 commencement ceremonies, 1,806 students received degrees. Iowa State awarded 1,492 undergraduate degrees, 207 master's degrees, and 107 doctor of philosophy degrees.

Of the students receiving bachelor's degrees, 264 graduated "With Distinction" (cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude). Eleven students graduated "With Distinction" and as members of the Honors Program.

(EDITORS: The list below includes graduates from your area. A student may be listed more than once if they have multiple degrees and/or majors, or if they have listed more than one zip code that is covered by your publication).

-30-

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE, MAJOR(S), HONORS

Atlantic City, NJ

Brion Coleman, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering

Bettendorf, IA

James Boddie Jr., Bachelor of Science, Software Engineering, Magna Cum Laude
Tyler Cline, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Bryan Daxon, Bachelor of Science, Management
Gabriel Domingues, Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Systems Technology, Summa Cum Laude
Alain Gilles, Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
Andrew Healey, Bachelor of Science, Construction Engineering
Alexander Krist, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Jesse Leonard, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, World Languages and Cultures
Grant Sherrard, Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Magna Cum Laude
Matthew Stoehr, Bachelor of Science, Supply Chain Management

Blue Grass, IA

Dana Schweitzer, Master of Business, Business Administration

Charlotte, IA

Mallory McLaughlin, Bachelor of Science, Animal Science

Davenport, IA

Jeffery Adams, Master of Science, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Biorenewable Resources and Technology
Jillian Belman, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology and Health
Matthew Brueggen, Bachelor of Science, Finance
Samantha Burmeister, Bachelor of Science, Marketing, International Business
Matthew Decker, Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering
Michael Potter, Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering
Michael Shepard, Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems
Kayla Vance, Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science (AGLS)

Durant, IA

Andrew Lensch, Bachelor of Science, Construction Engineering, Magna Cum Laude

Le Claire, IA

Jeremy Gillam, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude

Long Grove, IA

Bryce Uitermarkt, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Maquoketa, IA

Ryan Flagel, Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Studies
Connor Hardison, Bachelor of Science, Industrial Technology, Agricultural Systems Technology

Moline, IL

Neil Rowe, Master of Science, Human Development and Family Studies

Rock Island, IL

Andrew Doyle, Bachelor of Science, Horticulture
Charles Eagle, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Urbana, IA

Rachel Kirkpatrick, Bachelor of Science, Child, Adult, and Family Services, Magna Cum Laude

Walcott, IA

Emily Andry, Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Marketing
15 Jan 2015

Senior Star at Elmore Place Takes Laughter on the Road in the Quad Cities

By Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass

Community invited to experience laugher yoga and learn how it will benefit their groups or businesses

 

DAVENPORT, IA (January 13, 2015) - Senior Star at Elmore Place is pleased to host the greater Quad Cities community on January 20 and February 3 at 4502 Elmore Avenue to experience the buzz about its laughter yoga program and learn why so many local groups are asking to bring the program to their businesses.

As part of an ongoing wellness focus, Senior Star has incorporated laughter yoga into its programming for the past four years.  A popular activity among the residents at Senior Star, laughter yoga has consistently been a frequent choice for entertainment and health benefits.  Additionally, as its popularity has risen among residents, so has the request to bring laughter yoga to the greater Quad Cities community.  Thus far, Senior Star associates have provided the program for community support groups, stroke survivors, chronic pain and brain injury sufferers and employee wellness programs.  Well known businesses and organizations such as Genesis, John Deere and United Health Care have requested Senior Star's laughter yoga program for their patients and/or employees.

"As a collaborator and good neighbor, we feel it's our responsibility to 'pay it forward' by providing this community service to our greater Quad Cities' friends," said Courtney Maddox, Senior Star independent living program director and certified laughter yoga instructor.

In order to know Senior Star's laughter yoga program and how it can help many businesses, community groups and individuals in the Quad Cities, Senior Star is hosting a community laughter yoga extravaganza on the following dates:

·         Tuesday, January 20 at 1 p.m.

·         Tuesday, February 3 at 12:30 p.m.  Lunch will be included at this program.

Please RSVP no later than one day prior to the date you would like to attend by calling 563.484.5114.

If you are unable to attend one of these dates and would like to learn more about how your group can request one of Senior Star's certified laughter yoga instructors, call 563.484.5114.

For more information about Senior Star at Elmore Place or to schedule a tour, call 563.484.5114 or visit the website at www.seniorstar.com.

About Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place, a Senior Star community, features 236 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 20 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents three distinctive living experiences:  independent living, assisted living and memory care.  For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

###

15 Jan 2015

50 Volunteers needed for January 24th Robotics Tournament and upcoming deadlines

By Dr. Jeffrey Bassman

50+ volunteers are currently being sought to support the Saturday, January 24, 2015

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics League Championship being held at Davenport West High School.

 

Feel free to forward this to others interested in volunteering!

Are you looking for a way to share your skills, talents, passion having fun and positively impact the lives of 250+ students age 12-18 in our community?

50+ volunteers are currently being sought to support the Saturday, 24Jan15 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics League Championship being held at Davenport West High School. 26 FTC Teams from the Quad City and Dubuque regions will be competing to qualify for the State Championship.  Link to Pictures from 2014 Quad City FTC Qualifier

No previous experience or technical background is required for many of the volunteer positions with training available. Positions are available for adults and students in college & high school. Applications for volunteering will continue to be accepted until we fill all of the posted positions.  Volunteers will be provided food, beverages, and a great experience supporting our local youth!

To volunteer,  you need to submit your on-line application with your contact

information and you can prioritize the volunteer roles you are interested in supporting. If you have not volunteered previously, you will need to create an account.  For others that have volunteered, you can log-in and select the 24Jan15 event and roles you want to support.

In order be assigned to a volunteer position, you will need to pass the background check which occurs when you apply as part of FIRST's new  Youth Protection Program.
Note: you are not required to provide your social security number and there is no cost for the background check to you.

Link to Apply to Volunteer at 24Jan15 FTC with FIRST VIMS (Volunteer Information & Management System)

You will receive an e-mail when you have been assigned to a role.

If you have any questions regarding volunteering at the 24Jan15 FTC event, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Pat Barnes
Executive Director Emeritus 
Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) 
Office:  (309) 765-3629 ; website:  www.qcesc.org

Other Upcoming Deadline Reminders:

  • 23Jan15 Deadline - QCESC scholarship applications for Quad City area high school students planning to enrolled in major in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are being accepted until 23Jan15. Last year, the QCESC awarded 15 scholarships totally $24,000.  Link to Further Information
  • 30Jan15 Deadline - QCESC is accepting applications for the its annual awards including STEM Teacher of the Year, Junior & Senior Engineer & Scientist of the Year (4 total), and Lifetime Achievement Award.  The awards will be announced at the 26Feb15 QCESC Banquet which will be held at John Deere's World Headquarters in Moline.  Link to Further Info on Awards

15 Jan 2015

QCSYEs Concerto Competition Results

By QCSO

2015 QCSYEs Concerto Competition

On Sunday, January 11, flutist Gabriella Nisly won the 2015 Grand Prize in the QCSYEs Concerto Competition performing Georges Hüe's Fantasie. The Iowa City West High School senior will perform with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and QCSO Music Director and Conductor Mark Russell Smith on Sunday, February 22, 2015 as part of the QCSO/QCSYEs Side-by-Side Concert at Centennial Hall.

This year eleven members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSYSO) participated as contestants in the 2015 QCSYEs Concerto Competition, which offers contestants the chance to compete for two opportunities to perform as a soloist with orchestral accompaniment. The two-round competition was held at Augustana College's Centennial Hall and was adjudicated by music faculty members from Augustana College, St. Ambrose University, and the University of Iowa, as well as members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Following the first round, five finalists were chosen to perform again in a final round, which resulted in the selection of two prize winners.
"As a judge, I was pleased to hear these fine young musicians.  The level of musical talent in the region was represented quite well by all the student participants.  Their musicality is a testament to their level of dedication to practice, to the hard work of the teachers and to the support of their families.  All the participants have reason to be proud of their accomplishments and I hope we continue to hear them make music for many years to come," said William Campbell, St. Ambrose University Music Department Chair, who served as a judge for the competition.
The YSO Prize was awarded to Muscatine High School junior Gabrielle Hartmann (pictured here with link to performance). She will perform the first movement of Carl Maria von Weber's Bassoon Concerto in F major, op. 75, with the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra and QCSYEs Music Director Benjamin Klemme on Sunday, April 26, 2015 as part of the QCSYEs Spring Festival Concert at Centennial Hall.

"This annual competition is a key component of the well-rounded musical experience we endeavor to provide the talented, young members of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles. It allows our leading members to perform in a context in which they can practice and develop confidence as a soloist and poise as a performer. And I can say, as a listener, that it is inspiring to observe them doing so as they pursue the highest standards of artistic excellence and informed musicianship. Showcasing the extraordinary talents of these young artists through the QCSYEs Concerto Competition is something we look forward to each year," Benjamin Klemme, QCSYEs music director shared.
THE QUAD CITY SYMPHONY YOUTH ENSEMBLES
The QCSYEs program is comprised of five performance groups (four youth orchestras and a youth choir) for students in grades two through twelve. Under the direction of the outstanding QCSYEs conducting staff, members have the opportunity to perform great orchestral and choral repertoire with the most talented young musicians in the area, and learn from rehearsals and coaching sessions with professional musicians from throughout the region. Ensemble members come from the greater Quad Cities, as well as other communities in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois.
GABRIELA NISLY, Flute–QCSYEs Concerto Competition Grand Prize Winner
Gabriela Nisly is a senior at Iowa City West High School and studies flute with Nicole Esposito and Megan Hofeldt. She is a prize winner of numerous competitions and has participated in a variety of summer music activities, including the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Gabriela hopes to double major in Flute Performance and Psychology in college.
GABRIELLE HARTMANN, Bassoon–QCSYEs Concerto Competition YSO Prize Winner
Gabrielle Hartmann is a 15-year-old junior at Muscatine High School and studies bassoon with Benjamin Coelho.  She is a 3-year member of the QCYSEs and Iowa All-State Music Festival. She also volunteers as a student director for Muscatine Children's Choir, and has been involved with implementing a youth music program in Haiti.?
15 Jan 2015

R.I.A. LITTLE SAVER PROGRAM, MALLARDS KIDS CLUB ENTER SECOND YEAR

By Brian Lavelle

MOLINE, Ill. (January 13, 2015) - R.I.A. Federal Credit Union has entered the second year of its title sponsorship of the Quad City Mallards' Kids Club and Little Saver program, the Mallards announced today.

R.I.A. has donated better than $1,000 to the savings accounts of young Mallards fans through the Little Saver program.  The R.I.A. Federal Credit Union Mallards Kids Club is presented by KARS- Kids Are Rewarded for Saving.  Young fans who open a savings account at R.I.A. Federal Credit Union can join the Kids Club free of charge.  In addition, for each Mallards home game, one fan age 12 or under is chosen at random to be the Mallards' "Little Saver".  The Little Saver is introduced at the start of the game with the Mallards' starting goaltender and R.I.A. Federal Credit Union opens a savings account for the Little Saver and contributes one dollar to that account for each save made by the Mallards' goaltender in that game.  

The Kids Club is open to Mallards fans ages 12 and under and provides a host of exclusive benefits.  Kids Club members receive vouchers good for four free Mallards tickets, discounted Mallards tickets for family and friends, the chance to watch a game from Mo's Madhouse, a Kids Club t-shirt, a Mallards hat, an exclusive meet and greet event with Mallards players, a birthday card from Mallard mascot Mo and more.  More information on the Kids Club can be found at www.myqcmallards.net.

Parents can stop by any Quad Cities area RIA Federal Credit Union location to open a savings account for their children and to enter the drawing to be chosen a Little Saver.  A full listing of locations can be found at www.riafcu.com.  Kids Club Memberships are also available for $20- or $30 for two memberships- by contacting the Mallards at corporatesales@myqcmallards.com or by stopping by the fan accommodation table on the iWireless Center concourse during a Mallards home game. 

RIA Federal Credit Union was first established in 1935 on the Rock Island Arsenal to serve our Military members and Federal Employees working on the Island. For over 20 years RIA Federal Credit Union has been open to serve all of the Quad Cities and surrounding areas, including Wilton, Iowa, and Savanna, Illinois, while maintaining a strong presence on the Rock Island Arsenal.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/qcmallards.

–## Quad City Mallards ##–
15 Jan 2015

Response by Tammy Wawro, President of the Iowa State Education Association to Governor Branstad's 2015 Condition of the State

By Randy Stalsberg

DES MOINES, IA (01/13/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Education Association's (ISEA) priorities for Iowa students have always been clear. Every student, regardless of ZIP code is entitled to a secure, healthy and robust educational environment so they are able to learn. This means funding must be adequate, equitable and sustainable and 6 percent State Supplemental Aid (SSA) for the FY 2016-17 and FY 2017-18 school years is absolutely necessary to meet this goal.

While we applaud the Governor for making anti-bullying legislation a priority, we deeply regret he has ignored the details in how he is proposing to fund Iowa's K-12 public education system. Currently, Iowa ranks 35th in the nation in educational funding per student which is $1,612 below the national average.

Iowa's schools cannot function on a wing and a prayer. We have seen the results of a slight-of-hand approach when the Governor claims he wants our public schools to be the best, yet still underfunds them. It seems to us that he can only tout our 1:1 technology schools and their opportunities for advanced student learning if he funds them properly so they have up- to-date equipment; he can only support our STEM program if he provides the program with enough tools in the labs to teach; and he can only brag about our Advanced Placement classes if he provides the funds for new text books which reflect the current world around us. Our leaders must realize that many Iowa classrooms are operating with outdated equipment, with history books that are over a decade old, technology that predates our students, and crowding with not a desk or square inch of space to spare.

We simply must fund our schools with adequate cost of living adjustments if we want to be competitive. Our hope today was that the Governor would not play politics and claim to support our schools with too little funding. Unfortunately, that is exactly what he has done.

--00--

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality education for all Iowa students.

15 Jan 2015

Genesis Foundation Selects New Board Members

By Craig Cooper

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Jan. 13, 2015 - The Genesis Health Services Foundation Board has been joined by five new directors.

The newest Genesis Foundation directors elected for a one-, two- or three-year terms are Richard Kleine, retired, Deere & Co.; Elizabeth Richmiller, Pediatric Group Associates; Caitlyn Russell, Russell Construction; Carol Miller, retired educator; and, Scott Florence, Mama Bossos.

New to the Genesis Philanthropy board is Rob Woodall, Alcoa.

The boards of the Genesis Health Services Foundation and Genesis Philanthropy serve on a volunteer basis. The boards are dedicated to improving health in the region by meeting the needs of patients and families.

Board members assist Foundation staff in developing organizational strategy, securing annual and legacy gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations, and planning events to benefit health and wellness-related projects.

In the past year, the foundations have provided free seasonal flu shots to elementary school-aged children; awarded nursing scholarships; provided free lung cancer screenings; funded music and alternative therapies for hospice patients; and, provided online classes to help individuals lose weight and reduce their risk for metabolic syndrome.

To discover how gifts to the Genesis Health Services Foundation and Genesis Philanthropy have an impact on the health of the region, call (563) 421-6865.

15 Jan 2015

Gustavus Adolphus College Announces 2014 Fall Semester Dean's List

By Matt Thomas
ST. PETER, Minn. (January 13, 2015) - The Fall Semester Dean's List at Gustavus Adolphus College has been released. The list comprises students who have earned a 3.7 grade point average (based on a scale in which 4.0 = A) or higher for the semester ending in December 2014.

The following local students were named to the Dean's List at Gustavus Adolphus College:

Carla DeWit of Bettendorf and Alec Aunan and George Roderick of Rock Island

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private liberal arts college in St. Peter, Minn., that prepares 2,500 undergraduates for lives of leadership, service, and lifelong learning. The oldest Lutheran college in Minnesota, Gustavus was founded in 1862 by Swedish immigrants and named for Swedish King Gustav II Adolf. At Gustavus, students receive personal attention in small-sized classes and engage in collaborative research with their professors. Fully accredited and known for its strong science, writing, music, athletics, study-abroad, and service-learning programs, Gustavus hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and is internationally recognized for its annual Nobel Conference.

- 30 -


15 Jan 2015

Leveling the Playing Field for Businesses

By Ginny Grimsley
ValidateIt™, Powered By Google Consumer Surveys,
Provides Affordable Access to Fortune 500-Style Data

Until now, businesses without the in-house expertise to write and design unbiased questionnaires could always turn to third-party research firms - if they had $20,000 or more to pay.

"In today's economy, businesses cannot succeed if they can't make data-driven decisions. Lack of research is one of the top five reasons products fail," says market research industry leader Corrine Sandler, citing a Harvard Business Review report.

To help businesses make data-driven decisions, Sandler has developed an online research platform called ValidateIt™(www.validateit.com), which is powered by Google Consumer Surveys and provides robust methodology at 90 percent less than traditional research.

Sandler notes that Google has been a leader in making information widely accessible to the masses. It's now time to make insights available to the masses.

Sandler discusses how a platform like ValidateIt™ is changing the landscape of business intelligence.

•  Can today's David-in-business compete with a Fortune-500 Goliath? With the recent opportunity to gain current, reliable data for business decisions at an affordable price, entrepreneurs no longer must rely exclusively on inspiration from epic parables from the Bible. The old, Goliath-like prices for solid-market research and product development have been felled for the Davids of today's entrepreneurship. In the spirit of Google's original mission statement - "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful" - the price for world-class data doesn't have to start at $20,000.

•  Is there any merit to the old way of gaining primary data for market research? The "old way" refers to privileged data available to only the top percentile of businesses. Beginning entrepreneurs and small businesses, which constitute the majority in the business world, often ended up relying on unreliable methods such as intuition and gut feelings to make decisions. That lack of research is why 85 percent of products fail, according to a Forbes online report, Sandler says.

"With ValidateIt™, decision makers receive 250 respondents, and the reports get to those decision makers within 24 hours," that immediate, accurate and actionable decision making

•  How does the platform help in product development? Your answers are only as good as the questions asked; that's where ValidateIt™ comes in through its scientifically designed questionnaires. IdeaRank is one of the research models launched. It will tell you whether your ideas are strong enough to withstand the competition and break through. The product development series of models will tell you the optimal price for your product, the realistic market demand for your concept or product and even evaluate your choice of name or tag line.

"As we've experienced in recent decades, technology has leveled the playing field in a number of industries," Sandler says. "Now, we're at a tipping point for doing the same in market research."

About Corrine Sandler

Corrine Sandler is a market research industry leader, CEO of Fresh Intelligence, international professional speaker, and Advantage best-selling author of "Wake Up or Die." She's the developer of ValidateIt™ (www.validateit.com), an online research platform powered by Google Consumer Surveys. Questionnaires designed by market researchers and distributed by Google Consumer Surveys return analyzed and aggregated responses with a 95 percent confidence level. Sandler's mission is to make intelligence accessible to the world.

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