You can help out a local group of young adults and get your small jobs taken care of, too.

Soon the leaves will be falling and homeowners will need to rake their leaves. Don't despair! Theplace2b youth have decided to offer their services and rake leaves and do other yard work for members of the community. After a youth council meeting, they have agreed to offer their services for free for the elderly and disabled. They request that those who do not fall in this category give a donation to their group fund. They are saving money for a new pool table and a new PS3 control for theplace2b. The youth will be supervised by staff and are available after school and on the weekends. If you need some help, please contact Miriam. miriam@theplace2b.org or 309-786-2030. Spread the word!

Theplace2b is a safe haven for homeless, displaced and at-risk youth in Rock Island and Scott Counties, located in the YWCA Annex in downtown Rock Island at 1600 2nd Avenue. The center is open from 3:00-9:00 pm, Monday through Friday, providing warmth, food, clothing, shelter, homework help, creative programming, and counseling for the youth.

Sunday, November 3rd at 2pm. Only $5 per child!

Greetings!
Join instructor Kathi Hofmann as we create our own paper lanterns for St. Martins day just like children in Germany! Two designs to choose from and adult helpers are free!
to register today!
"Lantern, lantern, sun, moon, and stars. . . " This refrain echoes through the autumn streets of Germany every year on November 11. Happy children with colorful, handmade lanterns promenade through the streets, cheerfully singing songs they learned by heart. The candles in the lanterns flicker playfully, bringing a sparkle to the children's eyes.

St. Martin was born Martinus the son of a Roman military tribune in Savaria, in what is now Hungary. He joined the Roman army as a youth. At the age of 18 he was baptized and in 371 became the third bishop of Tours, a city in France. He performed missionary work and helped the poor and ostracized.

Legend has it that at the gates of Amiens, Martin met a poor, scantily clothed beggar who asked him for help from the freezing cold. But Martin had nothing with him other than his military cloak, so he decided to share it with the man. With one stroke, he split his warm cloak in two and gave one half to the man, who was deeply grateful. After performing this act of generosity, Martin left the military service so he could help people in need and value love greater than force.

While each year more and more families are celebrating Halloween in Germany, the big fall tradition for children is still the St. Martin's Day lantern procession. It is primarily a religious tradition. There are some similarities to Halloween- children are rewarded for their singing and their homemade paper lanterns with candy, money and other treats. But you won't see any gruesome costumes or spooky tricks in St. Martin's Day processions, just kids bundled up against the chilly November night

-Germany.info

First-ever "longest toast in Galena, Illinois" planned November 22 during Galena Nouveau Weekend; participants welcome

GALENA, Ill. - On November 22, Galena's historic Main Street will be lined with merriment as participants raise their glasses high to "Toast the Town" and set a first-ever record for the longest toast in Galena, Illinois.

"We have a lot to celebrate in Galena, and especially this year," said Scott Lawlor, general manager of Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery, whose goal, along with many supporters in this picturesque town, is to make more history in Galena on Friday, November 22, 2013 during its 29th annual Nouveau wine festival.

The Lawlor family, owners of Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, along with the city of Galena plan to toast the town and its visitors to celebrate the many awards and accolades Galena received in 2013: one of "America's Best Small Towns" by Executive Travel Magazine; "America's Prettiest Towns" by Forbes Magazine; "10 Best Small Towns in America" by Fodor's; "20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013" by Smithsonian Magazine; and "2nd Friendliest City in the U.S.", as well as "14th Friendliest City in the World" by Condé Nast Traveler.

The plan: participants will register by purchasing a $3 keepsake glass. Onsite pre-registration for the event begins at 11:30 a.m. Lineup for the toast, which will take place along Galena's historic Main Street, starts at 2:30 p.m., with the toast scheduled and documented at 3 p.m. The traditional horse-drawn wagon parade delivering Galena Cellars' 2013 Nouveau wine to area businesses will take place at 4 p.m. Toast tickets may be purchased in advance at www.nouveauweekend.com.

Galena Nouveau Wine Weekend, based on the French Beaujolais Nouveau celebration (named after the region in which it was founded), launched in 1985, spearheaded by Galena Cellars' winemaker Chris Lawlor. "Nouveau is a shortly fermented wine from the fall's harvest," said Lawlor. "It's meant to provide a preview of the vintage and celebrated."

In Galena, the entire community celebrates. Area restaurants offer French-inspired lunch and dinner specials such as peasant stew served in a freshly baked bread bowl or other creative ways to incorporate or pair with Nouveau wine. Lodging properties offer specials. Area spas and shops pull out all the stops (or corks should we say...) with everything wine and grape.

To learn more about Galena Nouveau Wine Weekend happenings, including information on the "Toast the Town", visit www.nouveauweekend.com. Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or by calling 877.464.2536. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. (corner of Park Avenue) in Galena for on-site assistance and countywide information.

 

#   #   #

On Sunday evening October 21, 2013 the Scott County Sex Offender Task Force began home compliance checks for all Scott County registered sex offenders. The purpose of the home checks was to verify that the offender resided at the address listed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry and that all registry requirements were being complied with.

The compliance checks continued throughout the week and were completed the afternoon of Wednesday, October 23, 2013. The following are results of the home compliance checks:

Total number of offenders checked: 317

Total number of offenders who's residency was compliant: 301 (95%)

Total number of follow-up investigations needed to be completed: 16

Total number of arrests for registry and non-registry violations: 7

The follow-up investigations will determine if the offender resides at the registered address they have provided. Those found to be non-compliant will result in an arrest warrant being issued for their arrest.

The agencies that participated in the home compliance checks included the Scott County Sheriff's Office, Bettendorf and Davenport Police Departments, Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Department of Correctional Services (DOC), U.S. Federal Probation and Parole Office, Department of Human Services (DHS), Scott County Attorney's Office and the Department of Public Safety Iowa Sex Offender Registry.

Thank you,

Lt. Bryce Schmidt

Scott County Sheriff's Office

Orders

This section of the site contains orders of statewide interest recently issued by the Iowa Supreme Court. Orders will be posted in this section for one year from the date they are first posted.

Links on this page go to files that may be unusable if you do not have the proper programs installed on your computer. Visit the Site Tools and Accessibility page for any plug-ins or programs your may need.


Request for comments to proposed amendments to the Rules for Expanded Media Coverage (October 28, 2013)

Chapter 25 of the Iowa Court Rules

Order (113 kb)


Chapter 25 (190 kb)


Final Report (301 kb)



In the Matter of the New Rule of Juvenile Procedure (October 16, 2013)

Juvenile Procedure 8.36

Order (125 kb)


Rule 8.36 (253 kb)


Standards of Practice (309 kb)



No. 11-0492 (August 28, 2013)

State of Iowa vs. Jason Jon Means

Order (63 kb)



Request for Public Comment Regarding Proposed Amendments to Division III of the Iowa Court Rules (August 5, 2013)

Order (72 kb)


Chapter 39 (130 kb)


Chapter 40 (22 kb)


Office of Professional Regulation memo (823 kb)



Video of Public Hearing (July 9, 2013)

A public hearing on the proposed new rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.36 was held July 9, 2013, with oral presentations from individuals expressing different viewpoints on the proposed rule.
Video, Part 1
Video, Part 2





Schedule for Public Hearing on Proposed New Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.36 (June 20, 2013)

Public hearing will begin at 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Order (64 kb)



No. 11-0553 (June 7, 2013)

St. John's Full Gospel Baptist Church vs. Tax 207 and Polk County Treasurer

Order (34 kb)



In the Matter of the Appointment of an Independent Special Counsel (May 10, 2013)

Order (209 kb)



No. 11-2019 (May 10, 2013)

Residents of Elsie Mason Manor & Ligutti Tower, Katherine Daniel, et al., vs. First Baptist Housing Foundation and American Baptist Homes of the Midwest

Order (64 kb)



Request for Public Comment Regarding Proposed Amendments to the Rules Governing Court Interpreters (March 18, 2013)

Order (765 kb)


Chapter 47 (307 kb)


Chapter 48 (224 kb)



Setting Public Hearing and Reopening Comment Period on Proposed New Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.36 (March 18, 2013)

Order (724 kb)


Proposed New Rule 8.36 (95 kb)


Iowa Standards of Practice for Attorneys Representing Parents in Juvenile Court (195 kb)


Public Comments on Proposed New Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.36 (June 3, 2013) (477 kb)



In the Matter of Appointment of Judges to the Iowa Business Specialty Court Pilot Project (March 4, 2013)

Order (46 kb)



In the Matter of Court Forms for Adult and Minor Child Petitions for Change of Name (February 14, 2013)

Name change forms pdf

Supervisory order and name change forms (681 kb)



Request for Public Comment Regarding Recommendations of the Iowa Supreme Court 2012 Child Support Guidelines Review Committee (January 25, 2013

Order (89 kb)


Filed with the clerk of the Iowa Supreme Court office on January 25, 2013

Final Report of Review Committee (3592 kb)



In the Matter of Establishment of the Iowa Business Specialty Court Pilot Project (December 21, 2012)

Supervisory Order and Memorandum of Operation (345 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating the Practice of Law (December 10, 2012)

The Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice has signed an order amending various rules of Division III (Professional Regulation) of the Iowa Court Rules. With two exceptions noted in the order, these amendments are effective immediately. Also accompanying the order is a summary of the amendments.

Order (27 kb)


Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating the Practice of Law (254 kb)


Comments to Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Regulating the Practice of Law (177 kb)



In the Matter of Appointments to the Committee on Expanded Media Coverage (December 7, 2012)

Order (380 kb)



Corrected Expanded Media Coverage Committee Order

Nunc Pro Tunc (47 kb)



Request for Public Comment Regarding Proposed Emeritus Pro Bono Practice Rule (December 6, 2012).

Order (309 kb)



Request for Public Comment Regarding Proposed rules governing the filing of electronic documents in the Iowa Appellate Courts (December 6, 2012).

Order (546 kb)



Request for public comment regarding proposed collection activities (October 25, 2012)

Order (84 kb)


Proposed new Chapter 26 (288 kb)


Public Comments on Proposed Rules for Collection Activities of the Iowa Courts (2951 kb)


Committee Response to Public Comments (31 kb)



In the Matter of the Electronic Document Management System and Standard eForms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (October 25, 2012)

Supervisory Order (72 kb)


www.iowacourts.gov/Online_Court_Services/EDMS/

Small Claims eForms (591 kb)



In the Matter of Appointments to the Advisory Committee Concerning Certain Civil Justice Reform Task Force Recommendations (October 10, 2012)

Order (78 kb)



Request for public comment regarding a proposed new rule of juvenile procedure 8.36 (August 30, 2012)

Order (140 kb)


New Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.36 (228 kb)


Iowa Standards of Practice for Attorneys Representing Parents in Juvenile Court (1818 kb)


Public Comments on Proposed New Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.36 (Oct. 31, 2012) (29813 kb)


Additional comment (November 1, 2012) (792 kb)



Request for public comment regarding amendments to Professional Regulation of the Iowa Court Rules (August 27, 2012)

Order (420 kb)


Proposed amendments to Professional Regulation (142 kb)



Request for public comment regarding amendments to Chapters 6 and 21 of the Iowa Court Rules (August 27, 2012)

Order (496 kb)


Proposed amendments to Chapters 6 and 21 (107 kb)



Request for Comments to Proposed New Rule of Civil Procedure 1.1702 (August 3, 2012)

Order (407 kb)


Proposed New Rule (88 kb)



In the Matter of Rules for Involuntary Commitments or Treatment of Persons with Substance-Related Disorders (July 5, 2012)

Supervisory Order and Chapter 13 (516 kb)



In the Matter of Mileage Reimbursement (June 29, 2012)

Supervisory Order (32 kb)



In the Matter of EDMS and Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims (June 29, 2012)

Supervisory Order (991 kb)



In the Matter of Forms for Court Orders Issued in Small Claims Court (June 28, 2012)

Supervisory Order and Forms for Court Orders (3515 kb)



In the Matter of Appointments to the 2012 Iowa Child Support Guidelines Review Committee (June 11, 2012)

Nunc Pro Tunc (103 kb)



In the Matter of Appointments to the 2012 Iowa Child Support Guidelines Review Committee (June 11, 2012)

Order (533 kb)



In the Matter of the Notice on Court-Generated Documents in Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (May 1, 2012)

Supervisory Order (56 kb)



In the Matter of Revision of Interim Rules 16.306(5) and (6) Relating to Signatures in the Electronic Document Management System (April 24, 2012)

Supervisory Order (82 kb)


Revised 16.306(5) and (6) (36 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to lawyer advertising rules (April 20, 2012)

Order (386 kb)


Proposed amendments (12844 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to Rule 31.16 Registration of House Counsel (March 21, 2012)

Order (77 kb)


Proposed New Rule (304 kb)



In the Matter of Interim Rules to Govern the use of the Electronic Document Management System (March 1, 2012)

The Iowa Supreme Court amends the interim rules of Chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules governing EDMS

Order (77 kb)


Chapter 16 interim rules (349 kb)


Summary (43 kb)


General Commentary (114 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to Rule of Appellate Procedure (February 10, 2012)

Order (244 kb)


Proposed New Rule (186 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to Rules of Civil Procedure (December 2, 2011)

Order (575 kb)


Proposed New Rule (479 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to Rules of Juvenile Procedures (November 23, 2011)

Order (103 kb)


Juvenile amendments (11 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to rules regulating the practice of law (November 17, 2011)

Order (429 kb)


Summary (96 kb)


Proposed amendments (200 kb)



In the Matter of Request for Public Comment Regarding Proposed Small Claims Pleadings Forms (October 7, 2011)

Order (550 kb)


Small Claims Forms (944 kb)

Des Moines, October 28, 2013 ?Today, the Iowa Supreme Court released a proposal to revise the Iowa Court Rules for Expanded Media Coverage (EMC) ?the court rules regulating audio and video recording and photography of courtroom procedures. The proposal broadens the court's definition of news media and allows for live electronic reporting, such as tweeting and blogging, from the courtroom by members of the news media, with advance approval from the presiding judge. The court seeks feedback on the proposed revisions to the rules during a 60-day public comment period.

The proposal is the product of a ten-month review by a fifteen-person supreme court advisory committee consisting of Iowa judges, attorneys, and members of the media. The supreme court requested the review because judges and court staff are faced with bloggers, smart phones, and twitter, among other forms of technology that are not specifically addressed in current rules. The EMC rules were first approved by the supreme court in 1979 and have been only slightly modified since that time.

"I thought the committee did an excellent job of considering all the tools used by journalists today and revised the rules in a way that prepares for future changes in technology," Justice Zager said. "The proposed rules are intended to address modern news gathering practices in the courtroom while protecting the right of parties to a fair trial, personal privacy, and safety. The proposed rules also keep safeguards in place to preserve the decorum and dignity of our court proceedings, and assuring the fair administration of justice."

The proposed revisions would allow media coverage of initial appearances in criminal cases with approval of the presiding judge. The revised rules would allow the request for media coverage to be made either in writing or orally to the magistrate or judge presiding over the initial appearance, subject to an oral objection by the prosecutor, defendant, or defendant's counsel.

"Iowa historically has been at the forefront of allowing open access to its court proceedings, and the proposed revisions to the rules for expanded media coverage will prepare Iowa's courts for the reality of modern digital news-gathering and publishing." Iowa Freedom of Information Council Executive Director Kathleen Richardson said. "The revisions, if adopted, would also provide more consistency in courtrooms across the state."

Any interested individual or organization may submit comments to the supreme court by January 6, 2014. The proposed revisions to the Iowa Court Rules for Expanded Media Coverage and instructions for submitting comments can be located at http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Advisory_Committees/Expanded_Media_Coverage_Rules_Committee/

# # #

2013

 

Iowa Supreme Court

1111 East Court Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50319

515-281-3952

Innovative tools to increase college completion and reduce costs to be released at higher education conference

Building on her efforts to reduce costs and boost graduation rates at Illinois universities and community colleges, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon on Wednesday will release a College Completion Playbook while hosting the two-day Scaling Up: Effective Practices in Higher Education invitational conference in Bloomington. Simon's guide collects the effective practices of national experts and successful Illinois educators.

"It can be challenging to take a good idea from one campus and make it work on another," Simon said. "The guide will instruct educators on what to do - and what not to do - when trying to replicate programs that help students complete meaningful degrees on time and in less debt. Our goal is to scale up successful college affordability and completion practices across the state."

Finding and recommendations of the College Completion Playbook include plans for:

 

·         Reducing "credit creep" or the unnecessary credits students take to attain a degree. Modeled by Southern Illinois University.

·          Increasing internship opportunities, preparing students to join the workforce and creating connections with future employers. Modeled by Illinois State University.

·         Streamlining course credit transfers from one school to another. Modeled by Northern Illinois University and Waubonsee Community College.

·          Identifying when students may be heading off course for graduation. Modeled by Northern Illinois University.

The conference is hosted in partnership with the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Lumina Foundation, College Productivity Strategy Labs, Complete College America, and Microsoft. Speakers will include : Jamie P. Merisotis, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, the nation's largest private foundation committed solely to enrolling and graduating more students from college; Harvard Graduate School Professor, Dr. Christopher Dede; Dr. Larry Abele, Provost Emeritus of Florida State University; and Illinois State University President Dr. Timothy Flanagan.

Prior to coordinating the conference, Simon visited all 48 community colleges in Illinois to discuss their completion efforts and convened Affordability Summits at each of Illinois' 12 public university campuses to learn how best to address rising costs. In February, she released a white paper outlining game-changing reforms that save students money and speed time to degree; the conference shows many of these reforms in practice.

Simon serves as the state's point person on education reform. In this capacity, Simon is working to increase the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees or certificates to 60 percent by 2025. She aims to make our state workforce prepared for the highly skilled jobs of the future, to improve employment opportunities and ensure continued economic growth.

The Scaling Up: Effective Practices in Higher Education will take place Oct. 30-31 in the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University in Bloomington.

EVENT: Scaling Up Press Conference

DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 30

TIME: 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Founders Suite (lower level of Bone Student Center), 100 N. University St., Normal

###
Financial Expert Explains the Vital Importance of this
Document

Of the trendy terms to come around in the past decade, "bucket list" remains among the most useful, says retirement planning expert Jeff Gorton.

"As a neologism, I hope it endures because it reminds us of how precious our time is - and that it's important to plan wisely," says Gorton, a veteran Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner®, and head of Gorton Financial Group (www.gortonfinancialgroup.com).

"Unfortunately, after some have listed their items and even checked a few things off, they forget about one important item that really counts after they've 'kicked the bucket' - their will."

Only about 40 percent of adults in America have a will, which is probably due to people not wanting to be reminded of their own mortality and that life will go on without them, he says.

"But what's the alternative? If you die without one, the state decides what becomes of your property, without regard to your priorities," says Gorton, who also advocates his clients make use of a written income plan (WIP), a living document that helps organize financial priorities. "Why not enjoy the fact that a will is an instrument of power? You get to decide who gets what."

Since so many adults don't have a will, many don't understand how they work. Gorton breaks down wills into four basic parts:

· Executors ? Most wills begin by naming an executor, the person responsible for carrying out the wishes outlined in the will. Duties include assessing the value of the estate, gathering the assets, paying inheritance tax and other debts if necessary, and distributing assets among beneficiaries. It is recommended that you name at least two executors in case your first choice is unable to fulfill the obligation.

· Guardians ? A will allows you to designate a guardian for your minor children. Whomever you appoint, you will want to make sure beforehand that the individual is able and willing to assume the responsibility. For many people, this is the most important part of a will since, if you die without naming a guardian, the court will decide who takes care of your children.

· Gifts ? This section enables you to identify people or organizations to whom you wish to give gifts of money or specific possessions, such as family heirlooms or a car. You can also specify conditional gifts, such as a sum of money to a young daughter, but only when she reaches a certain age.

· Estate ? Your estate encompasses everything you own, including real property, financial investments, cash and personal possessions. Once you have identified specific gifts you would like to distribute, you can apportion the rest of your estate
in equal shares among your heirs, or you can split it into percentages. For example, you may decide to give 45 percent each to two children and the remaining 10 percent to a sibling.

"You're not legally required to have a professional write a will for you, but I highly recommend you get certified help because these documents are often contested by people who are unhappy with the decisions you made," he says. "After working a lifetime for your assets, you deserve to have them go where you want after you're gone, and your family will be grateful to you for not leaving them with the headache of trying to sort out your estate."

About Jeff Gorton, CPA, CFP®

Jeff Gorton is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner® specializing in individual tax and retirement planning. He is also an Investment Advisor Representative under Alphastar Capital Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, and has a life and health insurance license. Gorton works with individuals and their families to create and protect their financial legacies. He specializes in working with retirees in the areas of tax planning, benefits, retirement planning, estate planning and safe money techniques. He received his BBA in Accounting from the University of Oklahoma. Gorton previously worked for 10 years as the Chief Financial Officer for a large retail organization, overseeing their accounting, benefits and 401(k) retirement plans
Inaugural Event to be held on November 13, 2013
Athletes/Celebrities vs. Sponsors & Guests in Grand-Gaming Tournament,
sponsored by SONY Playstation and EA SPORTS
Major League Baseball All-Star outfielder and Chicago native, Curtis Granderson and the Grand Kids Foundation (501c3) will host inaugural Grand-Giving Fundraiser to benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Granderson, born and raised in Chicago's south suburbs, is a life-long Chicagoan. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Curtis is one of approximately thirty-six current professional baseball players with a four-year college degree.
The Grand Kids Foundation will launch a series of Chicago-based community programs, starting with the Grand-Giving Fundraiser to benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository's Kids Café program, which provides children with nutritious meals at after-school programs and during the summer at sites throughout Cook County - as nearly 1 in 5 children are food insecure. Granderson will personally visit two Kids Café sites pre-event - Kelly Hall YMCA and Miguel A. Barretto Boys & Girls Club.
"Children should never have to worry about where or when they will have their next meal", said Granderson. "Kids who go hungry can fall behind in virtually every way - physically, behaviorally and academically. The Grand Kids Foundation and our Grand-Giving event partners are dedicated to making a difference in Chicago this holiday season, and all year long."
"We are very grateful to Curtis Granderson for his support of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and programs that provide food for Chicago's children," said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "Curtis has been a philanthropic leader among Major League Baseball players, and we're pleased to partner with him on this initiative."
WHAT:
The inaugural Grand-Giving Fundraiser is an interactive event featuring a Grand-Gaming DreamSeat Lounge sponsored by SONY Playstation and EA SPORTS in which sponsors and guests can compete against athletes and celebrities. The event is supported by Pete's Fresh Market, New Balance, SONY Playstation, EA SPORTS, DreamSeats, Uber, John Barleycorn and more.
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
WHERE:
John Barleycorn River North
149 West Kinzie
Chicago, IL  60654
About the Grand Kids Foundation:
Established in 2007, the Grand Kids Foundation (501c3) focuses on aiding positive youth development via education, physical fitness and nutrition - providing tools and resources for educational and societal advancement. In 2009, Curtis released a children's book, All You Can Be, which shares personal stories from his youth encouraging children to chase after their dreams. Proceeds from All You Can Be benefit the Grand Kids Foundation.
Curtis Granderson serves as a National Ambassador of the White House's anti-obesity campaign Let's Move, National Spokesperson of the Partnership for a Healthier America's Drink Up water initiative and International Ambassador of Major League Baseball. In 2012, Granderson made a personal donation of $5 Million to his alma mater - The University of Illinois at Chicago - for the development of Curtis Granderson's Grand Kids Youth Academy at UIC, which will serve Chicago's inner-city youth (2014).
Social Handle: @CGrand14
About The Greater Chicago Food Depository:
The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository, founded in 1979, makes a daily impact across Cook County with a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children's programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 66 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 150,000 meals every day. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.
***
Christina Coleman

New Boys & Girls Club Director Remembers His Early Years

 

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - After conducting a nationwide search, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley (BGCMV) Board of Directors has selected Tim Tolliver as their new Chief Professional Officer (CPO), the title given by Boys & Girls Clubs to their executive directors.

"We welcome Tim to our organization and to the Quad-Cities," said Chris Johnson, President of the BGCMV Board. "He brings a wealth of applicable skills and experience to the role of Chief Professional Officer."

"Tim Tolliver has dedicated his career to helping others," said Tim Stinson, Board Vice President and Search Committee Chair. "We are pleased that he is now a member of our community and we look forward to working with him."

Community members can meet Tim at the organization's 2013 Annual Steak & Burger Dinner. "This important fundraiser helps to open the door to a better future for Quad Cities youth and teens," said Johnson. "The Steak & Burger Dinner offers a fun night of socializing with the many friends of BGCMV, and attendees will meet Tim and have dinner with some of our Club members."

The fundraising event will be held 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the iWireless Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline, IL. The social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 each. Individual tickets and tables for groups are available by calling (309) 757-5777.

A Life Shaped by the Boys & Girls Clubs

"Truly, my life has been shaped for the better by my involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs," Tim said. "I am happy to say, I was a Club kid as a child and my son was also a Club kid. It's a great place for young people to learn important values."

Tim, age 40, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended high school at Cleveland Junior Naval Academy, named after President Grover Cleveland. He attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO, where he majored in Political Science/Public Administration.

According to Tim, he might not have attended college if it weren't for the encouragement he'd received from the Boys and Girls Club. He started attending what is now the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis at age 8. "Back then, it was a club for boys," he said. "Girls became part of the club in 1991, which is the year I graduated from the club."

Tim stated that he grew up in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in St. Louis. "Gangs were running rampant, since the Los Angeles gangs, the Cripps and the Bloods, were working their way into that area," he said. "The club was my safe haven. My mom felt a lot better, knowing I was hanging out there. Back then it was a 'swim and gym' - other recreations there included pool, foosball and ping pong."

The big reason Tim kept going to the club, he noted, was because of the positive reinforcement he received. "I had many friends there and the camaraderie kept me coming back," he said. "I developed strong friendships with the people who worked there, like the social recreation leader, Mr. Bates, and the gym and sports director, Mr. Mitch. Mr. Mitch recruited me to play baseball for their team, and I eventually moved into basketball."

In those days, Tim observed, the big draw of the club for him was sports, but he also became involved with Keystone Club, the group's leadership and service club. "The kids who are a part of Keystone help others in the community and learn the value of volunteer service," he said.

At age 16, Tim was vice president of his club's Keystone group. "We got to go places and also took part in fundraising," he said. "A lot of kids didn't get to leave their neighborhoods very much, so taking part in Keystone Club helped them to see more of what the world had to offer. For many, it was the first time they'd ever left the inner city."

Dedicated to Serving Others

Over the years, Tim has held key positions of guidance and leadership where he could help the community. Early in his career, from January 1998 to February 2010, he served as the Branch Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas/Collin County in Dallas/McKinney, Texas.

From February 2010 to December 2011, Tim worked as the Associate Services/Shelter Manager for the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance in Dallas. When that position was eliminated due to budget cuts, he became the Chief Executive Officer of the Children's Advocacy Center in Van Zandt/Kaufman County, Texas. He held that position from May 2012 to February 2013, when a state realignment resulted in an unaccepted transfer offer that did not meet his future plans.

He had been working with the St. Louis Public Schools when he heard about the opening in the Quad-Cities as the CPO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley. "When I first read about it, I thought the position was located in the state of Mississippi," he said with a laugh. "I was happy to find out it was much closer than that!"

"The community is invited to come and meet Tim Tolliver at the Steak & Burger event and also enjoy our youth group performances," said Johnson. "It will be an enjoyable evening, and the funds raised through this event represent an investment in our community's future and quality of life."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, as a chartered member of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is a tax-exempt organization, duly qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with Federal law.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, please call (309) 757-5777 or visit www.bgcmv.org.

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