Mount Pleasant, Iowa (June 24, 2014) - Iowa Wesleyan College held Commencement ceremonies this spring on the Mount Pleasant, Iowa, campus. Students who completed their degrees in December 2013 and May 2014 received their diplomas.

Those from the local area include Tammy Elaine Fenton of Bettendorf, SP-14, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Bobby Hall of Davenport, SP-13, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Wellness; and Hector A. Manases, FA-13, Bachelor of Science in Human Services.

Dr. Steven E. Titus, President, and Dr. Richard J. McCallum, Vice President for Academic Affairs presided over the ceremony.

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7:00 PM Wednesday, October 8th

Adler Theater

Davenport, Iowa

On Sale this Friday!

Contemporary Christian musician and songwriter Jeremy Camp, will perform at the Adler Theatre on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets ($20, $30 & $40) will go on sale Friday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the Adler Theatre Box Office (136 E. 3rd St.), Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 and Ticketmaster outlets.

Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $18. Print and fill out the Group Tickets order form here: Group Order Form.

Send form via fax or email to contact on the form, or call 563-326-8526, for group tickets.

The Come Alive Tour will also feature special guests Kutless and Adam Cappa.

See the flyer here: Come Alive Tour Poster

Brought to you by Echo Ministries

Get your tickets this Friday and get great seats for Jeremy Camp and Kutless at the Adler Theater this fall!
Join us! We hope to see you there!
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Always a hockey fanatic, Andrew "Andy" Yohe of Bettendorf, Iowa, was a roller hockey player for the Bettendorf Young Guns before losing both legs in 1994. He was run over while trying to jump onto a train. But he did not allow the accident to prevent him from continuing with his athletic career. Andy became an ice sled hockey player and went on to serve as captain of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team that won the gold medal at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Andy has an indomitable spirit, as well as a vital message to share with the public. He will give a presentation called "Creating Positive Outcomes" at a Think Tank session to be held 6 to 8 p.m. June 26, at Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Dr., Bettendorf. Cost of the session is $20 ($10 for students 18 and younger) and includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres. The Think Tank is a division of Results Marketing in Bettendorf.

"The Think Tank provides a forum for the Quad-City area's most compelling thinkers and doers," said Todd Ashby, Managing Partner of Results Marketing. "We are pleased to have Andy as a presenter and believe that attendees will find his presentation both inspiring and informative." Results Marketing is also the creator of the Idea Lab, a progressive discussion group, and is the hosting sponsor of Leadercast in the Quad-Cities area.
"To receive positive outcomes, you must first be positive," said Andy. "This may sound simple, but you must focus and make an effort to be positive in all aspects of your life. Make sure to talk about things you like, and why your day is going good. Compliment someone or tell them, 'Good job.'" His presentation will stress the need to "Evaluate, Educate, Adapt, and Believe" in life. According to Andy, these abilities are "the reason humans are so amazing."
A Winning Attitude
After his accident, Andy got back into hockey when he joined the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Blackhawks. His winning attitude prevailed when he set the club's record for points in a season by a rookie. Andy was a member of Team USA in 2006 and helped the team win a bronze medal at the Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
Excited to compete again four years later, Andy helped the U.S. capture the gold medal at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. After the Vancouver Games, Andy took a three-season hiatus to begin a family with his wife Katie. Andy returned to the game as the oldest member and team captain of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team.
Andy manages a prosthetic and orthotic facility and currently resides in Bettendorf with Katie, three-year-old daughter Abby, and newborn son Levi. He is a 2009 graduate of Ashford University with a degree in Business Administration.
The Paralympic Games is a major international multi-sport event, involving athletes with a range of physical challenges. The Paralympics have grown from a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948 to become one of today's largest international sporting events. Paralympians strive for equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes. The Paralympic Games are organized in parallel with the Olympic Games.
To find out more about the event or to register, call Les Flesher of Results Marketing at 563-322-2065 or email  Les@resultsimc.com. To register online, visit  http://www.eventbee.com/v/. You can also follow the Think Tank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThinkTankQC.
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'You Need to Learn Enough to be Dangerous,' says P2P Pioneer

After the economy crashed in December 2007, nascent online peer-to-peer lending platforms quickly grew. They've since evolved into an increasingly popular investment alternative to Wall Street and other traditional options.

Peer-to-peer lending isn't new and it's no passing fad, says P2P pioneer Brendan Ross, president of Direct Lending Investments LLC, (www.dirlend.com), which runs a short-term, high-yield small business loan fund.

"It's a rebirth of the simplest and oldest way of making money: one individual loaning money to another and getting paid back with interest," Ross says.

What makes this new incarnation different is accessibility.

"Online lenders like IOU-Central and Prosper.com make it easy for prospective lenders to find and fund borrowers through a website," Ross says. "These platforms have automated the underwriting process, including checking credit and looking at applicants' bank accounts, so they can vet borrowers based on reliable information."

Each online lending platform operates differently, but all vet applicants. The lender posts qualifying requests on its website, and private investors decide which to fund, either in their entirety or in part. At Lending Club, for instance, investors can choose to lend the entire amount requested by a borrower, or as little as $25 to multiple borrowers, which adds protection if one defaults.

Investors can manually choose which loans to fund, or they can ask the platform to choose within certain parameters. Yields on a portfolio of loans can be 10 percent or more, Ross says.

He offers these tips for investors in three tiered financial levels:

•  Investing $10,000 to $24,000: Visit the Lending Club and Prosper.com websites, and choose the one that most appeals to you, Ross says.

"Open an account in a tax-deferred IRA and shift a portion of your investments out of stocks and into lending," he says.

The reason for that is interest income is taxed at a higher rate than the capital gains from stocks. Deferring those taxes until you begin spending from the IRA will help keep a lid on your current tax bill.

•  Investing $25,000 to $100,000: At $25,000, you have enough money to start getting professional advice about which loans to choose and how much to invest in each.

"I recommend going to www.lendacademy.com/invest because it's run by Peter Renton, who's very knowledgeable," Ross says. "You choose between a conservative or balanced portfolio - I recommend balanced for higher yield -- and they'll choose the loans for you and put them in your account."

The fee is just 0.95 percent.

•  Investing more than $100,000: Accredited investors have privileged access - they can shop around for private fund pools, Ross says.

"As P2P matures, borrower categories that have always had the highest yields, such as small businesses, become available as private fund pools that are managed to deliver the highest yields," he says.

These pools form mutually beneficial relationships with the P2P lending platforms, allowing the platforms to serve a larger volume of borrowers. The private funds get well-vetted borrowers from the platforms and manage the funds to the maximum benefit of all their investors.

"Everybody wins," Ross says, "including the borrowers, who get fast loans at reasonable rates."

About Brendan Ross

Money manager Brendan Ross is a peer-to-peer lending first adopter who has become an expert in this non-traditional transaction. The president of Direct Lending Investments LLC, (www.dirlend.com), which runs a short-term, high-yield small business loan fund, he previously ran a number of other companies, including ReserveAmerica, the world's largest outdoor recreation reservation company.

The Boomerang Guy!

Saturday, June 28 @ 10:00

Kendall Davis of Master Designs Boomerangs will appear at the Moline Public Library on Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 to discuss the history of boomerangs and throwing sticks and demonstrate throwing techniques. This program is free and open to all ages. No registration is required. For more information call 309-524-2440 or visit us at 3210 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265 or online at http://www.molinelibrary.com.

Handwriting Analysis

Thursday, July 10 @ 6:00

On Thursday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m. the Moline Public Library will host Chris McBrien as he discusses the science of handwriting analysis and leave you amazed by what your handwriting reveals about you. Open to those ages 11 and up. This program is free but registration is required. Call 309-524-2470 to sign up. For more information call 309-524-2440 or visit us at 3210 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265 or online at http://www.molinelibrary.com.

Brilliant Companions

Monday, July 14 @ 6:30

The Brilliant Companions, a Doctor Who fan club, will meet at the Moline Public Library on Monday, July 14 at 6:30 to discuss our favorite Classic Doctor Who featuring William Hartnell. This program is free and open to all ages. No registration is required. For more information call 309-524-2440 or visit us at 3210 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265 or online at http://www.molinelibrary.com.

 

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EAU CLAIRE (June 23, 2014) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has named 2040 undergraduate students to its Deans' Lists for the 2014 spring semester.

Included in this list is Kassondra Andereck, an Arts & Sciences major from Rock Island.

The Deans' list and eligibility criteria, as well as other listings of UW-Eau Claire student honors and awards, can be found online at www.uwec.edu/news/people/honors.htm.

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today issued the following statement marking the fifth anniversary of the tragic death of Aplington-Parkersburg Coach Ed Thomas:

"Coach Thomas' family and loved ones have worked to ensure that his legacy lives on and continues to positively impact communities all over Iowa. He had a tremendous impact on those around him, and that's an enduring tribute to the life he led."

In June 2009, Ed Thomas, longtime football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, Iowa, was fatally shot by Mark Becker, a mentally ill former football player. Becker had been released from a Waterloo, Iowa, hospital less than 24-hours prior to the shooting.

Recently, due to a request made by Rep. Braley, the Health and Human Services Agency (HHS) issued new guidance clarifying what healthcare providers can disclose in order to protect health and public safety while ensuring that a patient's privacy is protected?allowing greater sharing of information with law enforcement.

Last year, Jan Thomas, wife of coach Ed Thomas, joined Braley to testify before a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on gun violence and mental health.

Following Ms. Thomas' testimony, Rep. Braley sent a letter to HHS asking for clarification on whether the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules interfere with the timely and continuous flow of health information between health care providers, patients, and families, and whether these rules can impede patient care and put public safety at risk. The guidance released today is a result of Braley's letter.

HHS has also taken previous action as a result of Braley's letter. In September 2013, HHS released a pocketbook guide to help both law enforcement and health care providers understand when and to what extent the HIPAA privacy rules permit providers to disclose information about an individual to law enforcement. The guide is designed to inform law enforcement on specific instances when they can disclose protected health information to the public in the name of public safety.

On the first anniversary of the shooting Braley introduced the Ed Thomas Act, which sought to clarify that existing HIPAA privacy requirements allow law enforcement agencies and medical providers to communicate more effectively when patients pose an inherent risk to the community.

As a result of this incident, Iowa passed a law requiring hospitals to notify law enforcement prior to discharge of a patient brought to a hospital for emergency mental health treatment by a law enforcement agency if an arrest warrant had been issued or charges were pending.

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STORM LAKE, IA (06/23/2014)(readMedia)-- The following area individuals were among 699 students who received a degree from Buena Vista University at its commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 24:

Noah Bevins, from Davenport, graduated with a Master of Education degree in effective teaching and instructional leadership . Bevins attended the Buena Vista University Graduate & Professional Studies online program.

Kimberly Holliday, from Eldridge, graduated with a Master of Education degree in effective teaching and instructional leadership . Holliday attended the Buena Vista University Graduate & Professional Studies online program.

Kathleen O'Malley, from Bettendorf, graduated with a Master of Education degree in effective teaching and instructional leadership . O'Malley attended the Buena Vista University Graduate & Professional Studies online program.

Buena Vista University's main campus in Storm Lake, Iowa, was founded in 1891, and through its Graduate & Professional Studies (GPS) program, the University now extends to 16 remote learning locations across Iowa, plus online. BVU's GPS locations have graduated more than 15,000 students since it started almost 40 years ago. Students in the GPS program appreciate the pace, academic rigor, class size, and the online or local community college campus class options that their BVU experience gives them. A diverse menu of over 50 different programs offers options that meet your education needs and a variety of class formats which make scheduling even more convenient. Visit www.bvu.edu/gps.

Buena Vista University blends liberal arts with real-world applications, preparing students for lifelong success. BVU is an affordable option for all students and, combined with its academic programs, has led U.S. News & World Report to rank BVU as the third best value school among Midwest Regional Colleges and to an A-rating from Standard & Poor's. Visit www.bvu.edu.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (June 23, 2014) - The following students received degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University during spring commencement exercises:

Harold Bateman of Davenport, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology.

Since Taking Office Governor Quinn Has Achieved $220 Million in State Savings by Eliminating More Than 2.5 Million Square Feet of Leased Space - Equivalent to Emptying Out Chicago's Trump Tower

CHICAGO - As part of his ongoing budget review, Governor Quinn today announced that the state of Illinois had again cut property leases to save an additional $55 million by continuing to downsize the space it leases in the upcoming fiscal year. This brings the total savings accomplished since the Governor took office to $220 million in property leases through consolidation, elimination or negotiation - roughly the equivalent of space in Chicago's Trump Tower.

Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make state government efficient and accountable to taxpayers.

"Making government more efficient and doing more with less each year is always a priority," Governor Quinn said. "That's why as part of my ongoing budget review, we are continuing to downsize and eliminate space that the state leases, which will save taxpayers an additional $55 million this year alone."

When Governor Quinn took office, he directed the state to undertake a comprehensive effort to negotiate better lease rates for offices, and to close or consolidate duplicative, outdated or unnecessary space. That effort has resulted in $220 million in savings to date, including this year's additional $55 million, and cleared out 2.5 million square feet of leased space, roughly the equivalent of Chicago's Trump Tower. In addition, state facility closures are saving taxpayers an additional $100 million annually.

Moving offices of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) - from 32 W. Randolph St. in downtown Chicago to significantly less expensive space at 33 S. State St. saved taxpayers more than $4 million and eliminated 142,643 square feet of leased space.

Other recent lease cost-saving moves include :

·         The state is vacating two Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) offices on Chicago's North Side, consolidating the offices into new space at 5040-5060 N. Broadway to save state taxpayers about $118,000 a year.

·         The DHS is moving from the Hay Edwards Building into the Harris Building in Springfield, saving taxpayers $1.4 million a year in lease costs.

·         Five DHS offices in Charleston, Tuscola, Shelbyville, Paris and Effingham are moving into one new office in Charleston, saving state taxpayers $119,000 a year.

Since taking office and inheriting decades of mismanagement, Governor Quinn has enacted major reforms that are saving taxpayers billions of dollars. The Governor has saved taxpayers more than $3 billion by overhauling Illinois' Medicaid system, cutting Medicaid spending and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. He also passed comprehensive pension reform that will save taxpayers more than $140 billion over the next 30 years.

Additionally, the Governor negotiated a historic contract with Illinois' employee unions that includes $900 million in savings for Illinois taxpayers. The Governor also enacted comprehensive worker's compensation reform that has saved state taxpayers more than $40 million to date. The state workforce is the smallest it has been in decades, with 4,000 fewer state employees than we had five years ago. All things included, over the last five years, Governor Quinn has cut state spending by more than $5.7 billion.

To build on this progress, Governor Quinn is proposing a five-year blueprint to secure the state's finances for the long-term and invest like never before in education and early childhood. The blueprint includes a historic $6 billion increase in classroom spending over the next five years, doubling the investment in college scholarships for students in need and increasing access to higher education through dual enrollment and early college programs. The Governor's plan was lauded by all three bond-rating agencies for its comprehensive approach to paying down bills, stabilizing the state's finances and enacting spending restraints.

For more information on Governor's Quinn's budget cuts please visit:

http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/budget/Documents/Cuts_to_Budget_FY09-FY15.pdf

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