CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today will present Hillary Rodham Clinton with the Order of Lincoln, the state's highest honor. He released the following statement:

"Through her decades of service, whether as First Lady, U.S. Senator or Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton has personified the best of Illinois and the United States.

"As the First Lady and later U.S. Senator, she worked across party lines to expand economic opportunity and access to quality, affordable health care, including for wounded service members, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves.

"As Secretary of State, she helped restore America's standing in the world. She strengthened our global leadership and pushed the frontiers of human rights by demonstrating that giving women the opportunity to fully participate is vital to security, stability and prosperity.

"Hillary Clinton was born right here in Illinois and has traveled to more than 80 countries representing the United States. She's earned worldwide respect as a champion of human rights, democracy, civil society and opportunity for women. She has shaped and changed the world we live in and serves as an inspiration for the people of Illinois, as well as millions of people around the globe.

"The Order of Lincoln is the state's highest award, given to those who have brought honor to Illinois, years of public service, or contributions to the betterment of humanity.

"Hillary Clinton has exemplified all of these qualities.

"It is an honor to present Hillary Clinton with the state's highest award and thank her for the service she continues to provide to the people around the world."

Clinton will receive the award on Saturday evening at the Field Museum in Chicago as part of the 50th Annual Convocation of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. The Lincoln Academy is a non-partisan, independent organization which administers the award and chooses each year's honorees.

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ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/02/2014)(readMedia)-- Jordan Kirkbride of Rock Island co-curated "Whistler and His Context" as part of her Senior Inquiry for art history. The exhibition examines the works of James McNeill Whistler and artists working before, during and after his career, in an effort to understand Whistler's life and art in their context.

This exhibition reflects the sustained research on Whistler from the Centre for Whistler Criticism. The center's mission is to promote scholarship related to Whistler, and to create a digital archive of lifetime criticism of Whistler and his art. Kirkbride was afforded the rare undergraduate opportunity to research original archival collections from such international centers as the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Glasgow.

Kirkbride will present her senior inquiry paper on May 13 at 7 p.m. in Room 12, Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts (3701 7th Ave., Rock Island, Illinois).

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 149 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

Maquoketa Art Experience and the Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce

Invite you to our OPEN HOUSE

Tuesday, May 6, 2014 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm

124 S. Main St., Maquoketa, Iowa

5:30 pm...Ribbon Cutting

Hors d'oeuvres will be furnished by Black Hills Energy

Refreshments furnished by B & C Liquor

We hope you can stop by and see the remodeling of the building housing both of us!

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the City of Davenport will receive $418,918 in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

"As we have seen firsthand here in Iowa, AmeriCorps members are an indispensable resource for the communities and individuals they serve," said Loebsack. "We are fortunate here in Iowa where civic engagement and a sense of community are the norm. I am proud to support AmeriCorps and other programs that truly make a difference in our communities. I congratulate the City of Davenport for receiving this grant, and thank all those who have answered the call to serve others."

This competitively awarded grant will be used to put 73 AmeriCorps members on the ground in Davenport to help improve graduation rates across the city. At the end of the first program year, the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for raising the attendance rates and course grades, and decreasing the high-risk behaviors and disciplinary actions, for at least 1,000 at-risk youth in the Quad Cities region. In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage an additional 600 volunteers who will be engaged in one-to-one youth mentoring each year.

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Rock Island, IL - The Rock Island Rotary Club awarded a $500 grant to help Christian Care provide therapeutic services to children who arrive at its Domestic Violence Shelter with their mothers. "All children who have seen and experienced domestic violence in the home can benefit from professional counseling," said Christian Care's CEO, Dr. Elaine Winter. "With our Awakening Children to Empowerment (ACE) Program, children over the age of two receive the mental and emotional support, the nurturing, and the affirming validation they need to heal from the effects of domestic violence. We thank the Rock Island Rotary for its gift; not only are we working together to help these families in need, but to help their future families, as well."

Christian Care is transforming the lives of homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illness. Its two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to those in need. Christian Care's services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the goal of nourishing the bodies, minds, hearts and souls of the men, women and children who come seeking a new way of life. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care crisis hotline any hour of the day or night at (309) 788-2273.

YOURTOPIA Frozen Yogurt Lounge is generously partnering with Churches United of the Quad City Area to help our local food pantries. Starting Monday, April 21 through Sunday, May 11, YOURTOPIA will donate $1.00 per transaction to Churches United to support the Bettendorf and NE Davenport food pantries.

We are very grateful to our friends at YOURTOPIA for their support in this endeavor.

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The 23rd annual IOWA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL & Gathering o'Celts will expand its grounds this year to create more room for large living history demonstrations and games of skill activities.
>    It will run on all three days of Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-25-26th, from 11am to 6pm. It takes place at the pastoral and shaded Middle Amana community park in the heart of the Amana Colonies.
>    This year will also see an added performance space and additional artisan merchants, along with several new food stalls. All of the novelty foods, drinks and treats booths will return, along with the beer garden.
>    The hi-lights of the entertainment roster will be Joust Evolution's latest equestrian arena spectacular, Clann Tartan's large outdoor museum & living history village, three children's shows including the Jester Puppet's "Punch & Judy" show which earned 'Best New Act' at the festival last year, the Blue Rose Mermaid in her pond, two new celtic bands -- Clearly Guilty from Kansas City and Silverthorn from eastern Iowa, the living statue performance artist Katelyn McBurney, Have Court Will Travel royal entourage, Shattock Schoole of Defense and Sons of the Mist.
>    Added to the games and activities roster will be the public participatory sword fencing challenge, DaVinci's bubble machine and a treasure hunt.
>    One of the featured aspects of the event are the 60 artisan crafts merchants who will be demonstrating their skills and offering for sale unique items that usually can only be found at a Renaissance Faire.
>    The Iowa Renaissance Festival, known as 'Iowa's Best Family Fest', has grown into a regional event drawing repeat patrons from neighboring states.
>    Admission will remain $10 for adults, $6 for kids from ages 6 to 13 and free for children 5 and under. Parking is free. All tickets can be obtained at the entrance gate.
>    For location and direction information go to www.amanacolonies.com. For details about the festival see the new website layout at www.iowarenfest.com or contact greg@festint.com (641) 357-5177.
>                                                    -30-
>
> CONTACT: Greg Schmidt                                
>                 641-357-5177
>                 greg@festint.com

WHAT:  The Epic Iowa Road Trip will stop in Scott County and state and regional tourism officials will recognize contributions to the Iowa Tourism Industry by the Iowa 80 Group and Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.

WHEN:  Monday, May 5, 11:15-11:45 a.m. at the World's Largest Truckstop, 755 W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott

BACKGROUND:  The Epic Iowa Road Trip is a partnership among the Central Iowa Tourism Region, Eastern Iowa Tourism Association, Western Iowa Tourism Region and Iowa Tourism Office to promote tourism destinations in the state and raise awareness of tourism's impact on Iowa's economy. During the nine-day event (May 2-10), a specially wrapped motorcoach will travel nearly 2,100 miles promoting more than 60 tourism destinations in 33 counties and 46 communities.

State and regional tourism officials will recognize communities on the route for the contributions to Iowa Tourism Industry and the state's economy. In 2012, tourism-related expenditures in Scott County were $592.38 million.

VISUALS:  Photo of the motorcoach available at www.traveliowa.com/epiciowaroadtrip

INTERVIEWS:  Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office Manager and Carrie Koelker, Eastern Iowa Tourism Association Executive Director

(Rock Island, IL)–Royal Neighbors of America will host a kick-off ceremony for a new Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities home in Davenport, IA, on May 6, 2014. Women volunteers will be welcome throughout the year, with special build days set aside for female crews only. To volunteer, call Barb Hiesterman at (563) 359-9066.

WHAT: Kick-off ceremony for a Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities home

WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, 2014; 8 a.m.

WHERE: 6400 Appomattox, Davenport, IA

CONTACT: Sarah Reemtsma, (309) 732-8348 or (563) 343-7770

Royal Neighbors' partnership with Habitat began back in the 90s when it was part of a "blitz build" in Kansas City, MO. Other projects included building homes in Rock Island and Moline, IL, Moorhead, MN, and San Angelo, TX, and sponsoring The First Ladies Build and the Women Building a Legacy project.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to help make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ, Royal Neighbors serves more than 200,000 members and is licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, visit www.royalneighbors.org or

call (800) 627-4762.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions.

The following individuals' appointments are effective May 1, 2014, and are not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

 

Human Rights Board:

Floyd Winter, Cedar Falls

Benjamin Jung, West Des Moines

Sal Alaniz, Mt. Pleasant

Clair Rudison Jr., Des Moines

Michelle Ray-Michalec, Cedar Rapids

Elizabeth Coonan, Des Moines

 

State Banking Council:

Glenn Rowe, Lorimor

 

Watershed Improvement Review Board:

Stephen Hopkins, Newton

Carrie Keppy, Davenport

Jacob Hansen, Des Moines

 

Interoperable Communications System Board:

Ted Kamatchus, Marshalltown

Ellen Hagen, Jewell

Tom Ling, Glenwood

 

City Finance Committee:

Denise Hoy, Liscomb

Kevin Jacobson, Mason City

Carrie Kruse, Des Moines

 

Organic Advisory Council:

Danielle Wirth, Boone

Jolene Caldwell, Council Bluffs

 

Judicial Nominating Commission, District 5C:

Marvis Landon, Ankeny

 

Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission:

Scott Tunnicliff, Bettendorf

 

The following interim appointments are effective May 1, 2014, and are subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

 

Mental Health Disability Services Commission:

Tom Broeker, Burlington

 

Commission on the Status of African Americans:

Dr. Candace Williams, Davenport

 

Elevator Safety Board:

Todd Christensen, Des Moines

 

Board of Barbering:

Robert Gray, Davenport

 

Landscape Architectural Examining Board:

Debra Schiel-Larson, Indianola

 

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