Forward Back for Second Season After Standout Rookie Campaign

MOLINE, Ill. (September 9, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have re-signed forward Mike Stinziani, the Mallards announced today.

"Mike was a big part of our team last year and is going to be an even bigger part this year," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  "He can score goals, he's strong on the power play and he's got great speed.  We're banking on his talent, credibility and character and we're going to count on him even more this year"

Stinziani, 24, finished last season second among Central Hockey League rookies in goals (26), tied for second among first year players in points (51) and fourth among rookies in assists (25).  He was also the Mallards' second leading goal scorer and finished third on the team in point scoring.

The Montreal native completed his first professional campaign on a high note when he was named CHL Second Star for the month of March after scoring seven goals and totaling twelve points while helping propel the Mallards to a league-best 11-2-0 record in March.

The 5' 9", 205-pound Stinziani joined the Mallards after scoring 12 goals, picking up 31 assists and producing 43 points in 27 games with Concordia University in Montreal in 2011-12.  He finished third nationwide in both assists and points in what was his second university season.  For his efforts, Stinziani was named to the 2011-12 Ontario University Athletics East second all-star team.  Stinziani first took the ice for the Stingers in 2010-11, scoring eight goals and ringing up 17 points in just a dozen games.

Stinziani headed to Concordia after spending five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.  He scored 58 times and recorded 148 points in 269 career junior games with the Gatineau Olympiques, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Prince Edward Island Rocket.   In 2008 Stinziani helped the Olympiques to the QMJHL President's Cup title.

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night, October 19.  Mallards 2013-14 season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are now on sale.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.com.

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

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Rock Island, IL - Rock Island Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of Brainfuse, a new online tutoring service that provides learning tools for learners from kindergarten through college, as well as adult learning tools for career, job searching and skill building.

"Brainfuse is a great new resource that the Rock Island Public Library now offers to the community.  With live tutors helping with homework assignments, papers, and practice tests, students will have a chance to get help outside the classroom.  Adults can use Brainfuse to work on their resumes, interview skills, and practice the GED, GRE, and citizenship tests.  Brainfuse packages a wide variety of services into one website," says Natalie Struecker, Reference and Adult Services Director for the Rock Island Library.

The Brainfuse eLearning suite consists of HelpNow and JobNow modules.  HelpNow offers personalized live homework help aligned with state standards in math, reading, writing, science and social studies. It also includes dozens of practice tests, including the ACT, SAT, ASVAB and more.  HelpNow tutoring covers Kindergarten through 12th Grades, with additional resources for college-age students.  The Adult Learning Center offers resume assistance, career resources, skill-building exercises, and practice for GED and citizenship tests. Also useful to adults will be JobNow module, which offers real-time resume and interview coaching and career service.

Brainfuse is available to Rock Island Library cardholders from the public computers at three Rock Island Library locations, or from any computer with an Internet connection. Live online tutors are available 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Sunday through Saturday. The free service started Sept. 3, and requires a Rock Island Library card. To use Brainfuse, go to www.rockislandlibrary.org, select Online Tools, and click either the HelpNow or JobNow logos.

When using the program for the first time, users will want to create an account to save and use many of the features in the HelpNow and JobNow modules.

For information about getting or renewing a Rock Island Library card, Rock Island and Milan-area residents should call the library at 309-732-7323.

HelpNow™

HelpNow™ provides differentiated learning solutions for users of diverse needs and background.  Students communicate with live tutors using an interactive whiteboard to chat, write, draw, copy/paste text or images and graph homework problems.  HelpNow offers live tutor access for homework help, skills building and test preparation where after taking a quiz; the user can connect directly to a live tutor from the test center without having to return to the main page. Because HelpNow is personalized, both the student and the tutor can access quiz questions to do an intensive test prep which may include loading lessons on the whiteboard. All live sessions are saved and can be replayed as well as shared with friends and teachers by email.

The Writing Lab and the 24/7 Center options give users the freedom to receive assistance at any time of the day without connecting with a live tutor.  Users can submit papers through the Writing Lab for a detailed feedback.  24/7 Center is for non-writing assignments such as math or science.  All reviews and comments from our tutors are found and stored in the Message Center which is found on the student homepage. For students who prefer to work independently and form their own online study group, HelpNow offers a set of collaborative tools - Meet and Brainwave. Meet allows students to schedule their own online sessions using the Brainfuse Meet whiteboard which is specifically designed for a group setting.  Brainwave is a recordable whiteboard where students can draw, write on the whiteboard and chat then save and email it to others for feedback.

Adult Learning Center

Adult Learning Center is the adult learners' version of HelpNow™ where patrons can access GED prep, U.S citizenship test prep, resume assistance, Microsoft Office support, and Career Resources which lists popular job search links.  Microsoft Office support allows patrons to ask questions about Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Writing Lab, 24/7 Center and the Skills Building are also included in the Adult Learning Center suite.

JobNow™

JobNow™ provides library patrons with help in every step of the job search process.  Job coaches are available to help patrons with job search related questions.  In addition to helping beginning job seekers pinpoint their desired career field, coaches can also provide constructive suggestions on resumes, help write a professional cover letter, and give live interview practice and feedback.  If you do not have time for a live session, simply submit your resume at any time of day through the Resume Lab and a job coach will send it back to you within 1 business day with detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement.  The JobNow™ service also comes with an extensive collection of resources, including resume/cover letter templates, interview tips, sample interview questions, industry-specific sample interview questions, and a diverse array of online resources and links.

About Brainfuse™

Brainfuse is one of the nation's leading online tutoring providers, serving a diversified client base of libraries, school districts and colleges/universities. Brainfuse patrons receive one-to-one tutoring via a versatile and user friendly online classroom. Brainfuse clients include school districts, colleges, and library systems throughout the country including Dallas, Seattle, MELSA, Suffolk, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Sacramento, and San Diego. For more information about Brainfuse services, contact info@brainfuse.com.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the passing of legendary radio host Don Wade.

"Don Wade wasn't only a legendary radio star, he was a devoted husband and father who knew the value of family.

"When you were on the air with Don, you could tell he and Roma were made for each other. Their partnership attracted millions of listeners over their historic career and set a high bar for success in Chicago radio.

"I admired not only their passion for family and compelling radio, but also their commitment to our nation's veterans. Don earned a place in Chicago's heart.

"My sincere sympathies and prayers are with Roma, Hunter, Heather and their entire family."

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URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, IL (09/09/2013)(readMedia)-- A permanent memorial was dedicated in memory of Sgt. Shawna Morrison, a fallen Illinois National Guardsman, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sept. 8.

Morrison enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1996 at age 17 and was a member of the 1544th Transportation Company (TC) in Paris, Ill, and was a member of the University's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). While deployed with the 1544th to Iraq she was killed Sept. 5, 2004 by a mortar attack.

Hundreds of friends, family and fellow servicemembers gathered for the ceremony to include her company commander Maj. Brandon Tackett, the former 1544th TC commander. Tackett is with the Ohio Army National Guard and flew from Kuwait to be part of the ceremony. The entire 1544th along with the 144th Army Band and the University's ROTC program marched from the University of Illinois Armory to Lincoln Hall where the dedication was held.

"She had an infectious personality and energy to match her work ethic," said Tackett. "She was a special person, a person willing to leave the safe confines of the University and fight for other people's freedom in a far and distant dangerous land."

Morrison was the first female from the Illinois National Guard killed while serving in Iraq. She was also the first Illinois student actively enrolled in college to die in combat operations.

"She was a member of the Illinois family," said Phyllis M. Wise, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign chancellor. "Her service and commitment will touch all those who are at Illinois now and forever in the future. With this memorial marker, she will always have a place...in the heart of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign."

Morrison was enrolled at the University of Illinois as a psychology major and intended to commission as an Army officer after graduation to continue a career in the military.

"As students, teachers and parents walk past Shawna's memorial in this place of continuing pride, continuing purpose and continuing mission, someone will ask 'Who was Sergeant Shawna Morrison?' and someone will know and someone will remember," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General. "Someone will tell them she was a part of latest greatest generation. Shawna Morrison was a citizen. Shawna Morrison was a Soldier."

In addition to the memorial, Sept. 8, 2013 is now known as Sgt. Shawna Morrison Day in Illinois "in honor and observance of this heroic Soldier whose service and sacrifice is an inspiration to citizens of the land of Lincoln," stated the proclamation signed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.

DAVENPORT, IA - On September 6, 2013, David Adair Woolison, age 34, formerly from Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 70 months in prison, after pleading guilty to receiving child pornography, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. 

Judge Rose also ordered Woolison to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment, register as a sex offender, and pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.  Woolison admitted to receiving child pornography from November 2008 to April 2011.

This case was investigated by the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Dewitt, Iowa, Police Department and the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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Software Developer & Volunteer Firefighter Cites Local
Governments that are Developing Creative Solutions for
Budget Cuts

Since the economic collapse in 2008, American households haven't been alone in feeling the pain of budget cuts. Cities and counties have been working with shrinking budgets, often leading to layoffs and reductions in services.

But since many services communities provide are vital - from education to paramedics and firefighters to law enforcement - community leaders across the country are getting creative and innovative.

"Throughout the United States, slimmer budgets are resulting in two outcomes: 1) killing jobs and services, and 2) coming up with ways to sustain programs and even improve them with brilliant ideas," says Dion Nugent, a volunteer firefighter and CEO for a software development company that works closely with paramedics, emergency medical technicians and fire fighters throughout the country.

"I prefer the latter. One blessing of troubled times is that they inspire inventive responses, which can revolutionize an industry. We're seeing that every day at the local government level."

Nugent cites several examples leadership devising ways to do more with less:

• Consolidation and multi-purposing in Texas' Grapevine-Colleyville school district. The district's superintendent never thought he'd have to focus on creative financing, but that has been necessary to keep his schools running. Parking lots formerly used only during Friday night football games are now rented out on weekdays to a company in need of overflow parking. The district's printing press is being put to extra use churning out city documents -- for which the schools are paid, and school buses are selling ad space on their sides. All these efforts are chipping away at a $5 million budget deficit.

• Using technology to streamline first-response data on Captiva Island, Fla. Captiva Fire Department first-responders used to spend hours on paper work and sometimes risked misspelling critical information such as patient medication. The department has bought time, and greater efficiency, with new software from Forté Holdings, Inc. Called iPCR, (www.ipcrems.com), it takes electronic patient-care reporting to new levels of portability and affordability. The software utilizes iPads, which are much lighter and significantly less expensive than the Toughbooks laptops many stations now use. The innovation has allowed the department to not only maximize its first-responders' time, it has improved response times.

• The Civic Protection Institute - a nationwide effort. Several studies find that what reduces crime most effectively is to have law enforcement visible in the public. However, there are a number of functions police officers have served that do not directly affect crime. The Civic Protection Institute (www.civicprotectioninstitute.org) is a private, not-for-profit organization that enlists capable citizens to shoulder many of these extracurricular services, including "a pool of competent private sector agencies, vetted and certified to high quality standards, for public sector services," according to the website.

About Dion Nugent

Dion Nugent is a volunteer firefighter and CEO of Forté Holdings, a leading provider of health-care software solutions in the United States. For 30 years, the company has combined technological expertise with input from medical workers to develop software that supports and improves patient care and administrative processes within the health-care industry. The company's flagship products - iPCR (patient-care reporting) and the Forte8000 line of billing and EHR - address the needs of specific medical workers, from first responders to private practitioners. iPCR is designed for the iPad and is Gold-certified by the National Emergency Medical Services Information System.

Writer-Adventurer Offers Tips for Expanding Your Horizons

No matter your politics, religion or lifestyle, the maxim "all of life is a wager" is a reliable one, says Marshall Chamberlain, a self-described recluse and, by many standards, modern-day Renaissance man.

"It seems to me that most people live in a state of inertia and pursue only the most prescribed avenues. To me, the world is much too rich not to sample what life's buffet has to offer," says Chamberlain, who has experienced life as a businessman, an officer in the U.S. Marines, husband (and divorcee), father, world traveler, boat dweller, writer and all-around adventurer. He's also the author of "The Mountain Place of Knowledge," the first book in the Ancestor Series of adventure-thrillers (www.marshallchamberlain.com).

"Spend your days putting off your dreams, and the time to realize those dreams can easily slip away. Considering time and the unknowable nature of one's expiration date, all of life is a wager. I say the time for taking action on those ideas - usually relegated to daydreams - is now."

If the weekly working grind has got you feeling like a drone, Chamberlain offers the following tips on the way to becoming a true adventurer:

· Parlay your strengths into new adventures. With a period of his life invested in the USMC, Chamberlain became accustomed to a largely physical, Spartan-like existence. After his divorce, he decided to simplify the needs of his everyday life, so he became self-sufficient, living aboard a 30-foot sailboat for the better part of 10 years. He also traveled the world, participated in activities communing with nature, and pursued his passion to become an author of adventure-thrillers.

· Make a list of what's really important to you; trim the fat soon after. To put it simply, most of us will not know in advance of our death. We know one thing: we will one day die. With a finite amount of time to wager, we simply don't have the time to watch the same bad movie every Friday night. Go big! Lose 20 pounds of fat and gain 20 pounds of muscle; or take a chance with that crush you've been nursing for six months; or buy a guitar and learn how to play it! You don't have time for a banal life.

· Become fluent in a second language (literally and figuratively): Indeed, become familiar with Spanish, French, Italian or some other language. More importantly, become fluent in a new language to approaching life. Start saying yes to ideas that you've harbored for a long time. One thing leads to another; perhaps in learning Italian you'll develop a passion for the language's rich culture. This could lead you on a trip to Italy. Who knows? The important takeaway is: Don't fear a new kind of fluency.

· Confront your fears. Are you sick and tired of the sheer predictability of your 9-to-5 existence? Nothing shrugs off the dreary residue of the daily commute than jumping out of a plane to put things in perspective. If you have a fear of heights and skydiving is too overwhelming, consider going to the top of the tallest building near you. Confronting fear not only fills you with adrenaline ... you will also likely walk away filled with confidence. But don't let the adventure stop there! Let this be a lesson in affirming life's exciting potential; keep the adventure going by testing your limits.

About Marshall Chamberlain

Marshall Chamberlain is a man focused on his passions, with no time for extraneous niceties like pets, lawns, mortgages or plants. He has a Master's Degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University and a graduate degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School, just outside of Phoenix, Ariz. He was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent many years in investment banking, venture capital, and even as a professional waiter. He is obsessed with preparedness, survival and independence. This combination of traits leads him to all manner of adventure, including serious Stone Age survival classes. Chamberlain's primary worldview is simple but profound?"I'm in awe of the magnificence of this world," he says.

WHO: Corn Crib Nursery

WHAT: 2013 Fall Festival

WHEN: Saturday, September 21st - 9 AM to 5 PM

WHERE: 6924 U.S. Highway 150 - Coal Valley, IL (Just South of QC International Airport)

WHY: This local and family owned full service garden center in its 41st year of operation has fun for everyone at the annual fall festival. Call (309) 799-3745 to register for the free "Broken Pot Planter" seminars - learn about the latest trend in home and garden décor. Plus, enjoy family activities, food, door prizes, an antique tractor show and more.

Saturday September 21, 9am- Walk for Life   

2 locations: Ben Butterworth Parkway, Moline and Veterans Memorial Park, Bettendorf

Over 150 walkers at each location last year raised over $60,000 with sponsors to support this local non-profit ministry.  PRIZES for top winners!

Pregnancy Resources has offered FREE services in the QC since 1990 to women & men in crisis with an
unplanned pregnancy.  Our 2 locations annually serve over 1,200 people & we are locally funded by individuals, churches, businesses & local foundations receiving NO government funds.

FREE & CONFIDENTIAL HELP:

• Pregnancy tests

• Early medical ultrasound

• Adoption education & referrals

• Parenting & other classes

• Material assistance including diapers, new cribs & car seats

• No Regrets speakers to local middle & high schools

• Post abortion grief recovery

WALK EVENT SPONSOR- Whitey's Ice Cream

For more info- Sara Calcote (309) 797-3636

www.qcpregnancypartners.org/events

(TOKYO) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad, on a media conference call during an international trade mission in Tokyo, today issued the following statement regarding the International Olympic Committee's decision to keep wrestling as an Olympic sport:

"Also, another great news (announcement) that came out of the International Olympic Committee was the decision to keep wresting. As you know, we've been working on this - LetsKeepWrestling.com - we launched that last winter. We've gotten a tremendous response: over 25,000 people joined in our efforts. I recruited other governors to join. We had 30-some other governors that wrote to the International Olympic Committee in support of wrestling. And so, these two decisions made in Buenos Aires, are great for Tokyo and certainly great for the state of Iowa and the future of the Olympics, so we are very excited about that."

The governor also commented on Tokyo being chosen as host for the 2020 Olympic Games:

"The big news that happened while we've been here is the decision by the International Olympic Committee to have the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. This is huge news all over the world, but obviously here in Tokyo, it's tremendous.

"They're very excited. This is great news for Japan. We're proud to be here with them for this big announcement. It was tremendously well-received by everybody."

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds made the following statement in Des Moines:

"Iowans have a special bond with wrestling. High school gyms across the state fill up every Saturday in the winter, with fans cheering passionately and loudly as athletes compete on the mat. The governor and I took very seriously our role in promoting wrestling to the International Olympic Committee, and knew it would take a significant effort in what was perceived as an uphill battle. Undaunted, Iowans joined with us and thankfully, we prevailed in keeping wrestling as an Olympic sport. We want to thank the International Olympic Committee for this decision, and we thank the tens of thousands of Iowans who participated in this important effort."

 

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