30 Dec 2014

New Rock Island Library Play Group Focuses on Early Learning for Toddlers

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: When it comes to toddlers ages three and under, play and learning go hand in hand. To help parents and caregivers support early learning pre-reading skills, the Rock Island Public Library will offer a new monthly play group at its 30/31 Branch.

Starting Jan. 8, the Play and Grow group will meet at 10:30 am on the second Thursday of each month within the bookstore at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street. The program uses Every Child Ready to Read pre-reading skills to help toddlers ages three and under with a parent or caregiver talk, sing, play, write, and read their way to early literacy.

Play and Grow meets at 10:30 am on Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9 and May 14, and offers play, stories and songs designed to support the early learning needs of babies and young toddlers. Additional activities include sharing strategies with parents and caregivers for healthy child development and early learning, and occasional presentations from local professionals on resources for parents of young children

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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30 Dec 2014

What to Know About MS Symptoms

By Everyday Health
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is far from a one-size-fits-all disease. It progresses differently for everyone, and while some people experience only a few symptoms, others must cope with many more. The frequency and severity of MS flares also vary. But one thing is the same for almost everyone with MS: A lot depends on how well you stick with your treatment plan.

"There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of exacerbations", says Jack Burks, MD, a neurologist and the chief medical officer of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. "And if you're successful in reducing the number of attacks, you may also alter the progression of the disease in the long run," he says.
One way to manage MS attacks is to understand the potential triggers and take steps to keep your symptoms under control.

Read the full article.
30 Dec 2014

Notice of proposed rulemaking by U.S. Coast Guard focuses on seafarers' access to maritime facilities

By U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters

WASHINGTON – The Federal Register Monday published a notice of proposed rulemaking by the U.S. Coast Guard to implement section 811 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-281).

This proposed rule would provide clear regulatory requirements for each facility owner or operator to provide seafarers associated with a vessel moored at the facility, and other individuals, access between the vessel and facility gate without unreasonable delay, and at no cost to the seafarer or other individual.

Generally, transiting through a facility is the only way that a seafarer or other individual can egress to shore beyond the facility to access basic shoreside businesses and services, and meet with family members and other personnel who do not hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

Also, this proposed rule would provide facility owners and operators flexibility to implement a system to provide seafarers' access that is tailored to each facility. Facility owners and operators also would be required to amend and document their access procedures in their Coast Guard-approved facility security plans within one year of the publication of the final rule.

In particular, the Coast Guard seeks comment on:

  • Whether one year is an appropriate timeframe to implement the system.
  • Whether this proposal provides an appropriately-inclusive list of individuals who should be allowed access to a vessel.
  • Whether the approach provides the necessary flexibility for a diverse regulated population to ensure that timely access is reasonable in each case.
  • Whether the proposal provides an appropriately-inclusive list of methods for providing seafarers' access.
  • The Coast Guard's estimated non-compliance rate of MTSA-regulated facilities with respect to providing seafarers' access.
  • Whether the cost estimates for Facility Security Plan amendments and changes to facility operations to implement the proposed rule's provisions.
  • Other regulatory alternatives to this proposed rule.

You can read the NPRM at this link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-12-29/pdf/2014-30013.pdf.

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30 Dec 2014

MALLARDS RALLY FOR WILD 7-5 WIN IN FORT WAYNE

By Jim Kersten

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (December 29, 2014) - Pearce Eviston- who broke a 5-5 third period tie- Todd Fiddler and Mario Lamoureux scored two goals apiece as the Quad City Mallards (15-10-5) ripped off three unanswered goals in the third on the way to a wild 7-5 victory over the host Fort Wayne Komets (21-6-1) Monday night.

Eviston delivered the game winner by pouncing on a rebound just a minute and seven seconds after Fiddler broke in alone to even the score at five at 6:54 of the third.  Lamoureux's empty net goal finished off the Komets with just five seconds left in the contest.

The Komets took the lead into the third after Shawn Szydlowski cut into the slot and fired his second goal of the night into the top corner to put Fort Wayne on top 5-4 with just 1:39 left in the second period.  The Mallards had erased a 4-2 deficit with back-to-back goals from Joe Perry and Lamoureux in the second.  Perry's shot from the top of the left wing circle broke between Fort Wayne goaltender Roman Will's pads and narrowed the margin to a single goal at 14:29 of the middle frame.  Just over a minute and a half later Lamoureux jammed in the tying goal from the doorstep.

The Komets had seemingly taken control in the first period by roaring back with four straight goals after falling behind 2-0.  The Mallards were on the power play when Eviston opened the scoring from the left wing circle at 2:29 of the first.  Fiddler buried Evan Haney's centering pass to double the lead at 6:25, but that strike seemed to awaken the Komets, who responded just nine seconds later with Eric Faille's breakaway goal.  A mere 14 seconds after that, Gabriel Beaupre's long range drive tied the game.  At 14:42 Szydlowski swooped around a checker and snapped home the tie breaker from the slot.  Brett Perlini's one timer stretched the Komet lead to 4-2 a minute and two seconds later.

The Mallards earlier Monday signed Larkin Saalfrank as an emergency back-up goaltender.  Saalfrank, 23, played one game last season for the Komets.  The 6' 0", 185-pound Fort Wayne native arrived after Mallard goaltender Parker Milner signed a professional tryout agreement with the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild Monday.

The Mallards return to action Wednesday night on the road against the Evansville IceMen. The Mallards next play at home Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks.  Friday also brings the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during all Friday home games.  97X will follow in the spirit of the evening by presenting hot dog-themed intermission entertainment.

Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Friday night's contest- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.
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?

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