21 Nov 2013

Christian Care to Serve Thanksgiving Meal

By Ann Ring

Rock Island, IL - Christian Care will offer a special Thanksgiving meal from noon to 2:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at the rescue mission at 2209 - 3rd Avenue in Rock Island. Mission chefs will offer a full menu of turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing, vegetables, salads and desserts.

"On Thanksgiving, like every day of the year, our doors are open to anyone who is hungry or alone," said Dr. Elaine M. Winter, Christian Care's chief executive officer. "This can be a difficult time of year for people, and we welcome anyone who comes through our doors. We are also thankful for all the volunteers and community groups who donate their time and resources to help us serve those in need?not only during the holidays, but all year long."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. It serves homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illnesses.

Christian Care's community meal site is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays Monday through Friday, and for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you know of someone in need, call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at christiancareqc.org.

21 Nov 2013

Campaign Announces 'Women for Olson Steering Committee'

By Rick Martin
New Report Card Shows Terry Branstad is Failing Iowa Women

CEDAR RAPIDS - Today, the Tyler Olson for Governor Campaign announced the creation of a Women for Olson steering committee comprised of fifty-five business leaders, community activists, and elected officials across Iowa. The campaign also announced Branstad's Failed Scorecard for Women that shows why Terry Branstad's policies get a failing grade from Iowa women.

"Women across Iowa have had enough of Terry Branstad holding our state back," said Connie Gronstal. "Tyler Olson will be a Governor who advocates for the issues affecting women, and we share his vision for building a better future for our daughters and granddaughters."

Released in conjunction with the steering committee, Branstad's Failed Scorecard for Woman shows that Terry Branstad has failed on the issues that matter to Iowa women. A non-profit report from the Center for American Progress, gave Iowa a D+ in terms of women's economic security. And Branstad's policies on reproductive health and early childhood education earned him failing grades.

"Terry Branstad's policies on the economy, education, and health are failing Iowa women," said State Senator Janet Petersen. "His plans to cut education aren't right for our families, and his positions on women's health are just too extreme for Iowans."

The Women for Olson steering committee is made up of just some of the many women around the state who are supporting his campaign. See the full list of steering committee members below.

"I am proud to have the support of so many impressive leaders from across Iowa," said Rep. Olson. "As Governor I'll fight for pay equity, an economy that works for Iowa women and to ensure that women can make their own choices about their health."

The Women for Olson steering committee is the latest piece of a broad coalition coming together support the Olson campaign for Governor. Olson also has the support of 7 State Senators, 25 State Representatives, AFSCME, RWDSU and the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Building Trades, the Iowa State, UNI and Loras College Democrats along with student leaders at the University of Iowa, Grinnell, Drake and Simpson.

Women for Olson Statewide Steering Committee: http://bit.ly/18qPqHL
Branstad's Failed Scorecard for Women: http://tylerolson.org/scorecard-women/
###
21 Nov 2013

QCR Holdings, Inc. Announces Conversion of Series E Preferred Stock

By QCR Holdings
MOLINE, Ill., Nov. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QCR Holdings, Inc.
(Nasdaq:QCRH) (the "Company") today announced that its Board of
Directors has approved the conversion of all 25,000 outstanding shares
of the Company's Series E Non-Cumulative Convertible Perpetual
Preferred Stock ("Series E Preferred Stock") into shares of the
Company's common stock. Following this action by the Board of
Directors, the Company's transfer agent, on behalf of the Company,
mailed notices of the conversion to holders of the Series E Preferred
Stock by first class mail. The stock conversion will become effective
on December 23, 2013 (the "Conversion Date").

Each share of the Series E Preferred Stock will be converted into the
number of shares of common stock that results from dividing $1,000 (the
issuance price per share of the Series E Preferred Stock) by $12.15
(the conversion price per share). No fractional shares will be issued
as a result of the conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock. Instead,
holders will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to any
fractional shares they are entitled to multiplied by the closing price
of the Company's common stock on December 20, 2013, the trading day
immediately preceding the Conversion Date. As a result, approximately
two million shares of common stock will be issued.

"The conversion of our Series E Preferred Stock is another significant
accomplishment in our previously stated long-term capital plan for the
Company," stated Todd A. Gipple, Executive Vice President, Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. He continued by adding
that "this transaction will increase our tangible common equity by
approximately 100 basis points and will eliminate $1.75 million in
preferred stock dividends, annually. We also continue to be committed
to fully redeeming the remaining $30 million of our Small Business
Lending Fund ("SBLF") preferred stock, and with our recent acquisition
now fully integrated, we are turning our attention toward further
redemptions of the SBLF capital. Executing our capital plan and
avoiding an excessively dilutive common equity raise contributed to the
significant growth in shareholder value that we have experienced in
2012 and 2013."

The conversion is being conducted in reliance upon an exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation
of an offer to purchase any securities of the Company.
21 Nov 2013

St. Ambrose Occupational Therapy students providing a Traditional Thanksgiving meal to area refugees

By Mary McNeil
(Rock Island, IL) Approximately 50 refugee families from eight countries speaking eleven different dialects will gather for a traditional Thanksgiving meal and family reading night thanks to the effort of some local college students.  The Church of Peace Family Reading Night will take place on Thursday, November 21 from 6:00-7:30 pm.

The special night will consist of eating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and then reading to refugee families.  St. Ambrose University graduate students from Dr. Christine Urish and Dr. Terry Schlabach's Occupational Therapy classes have been collecting books to read and give to the refugee children.
The graduate students began collecting books when their classes began in August and have at least one book to give every child on Family Reading Night.  Several of the OT students will be reading to the entire group, playing guitars and singing songs.  In addition to supplying the refugees and all of their families with a full dinner, they will receive a sack filled with full size self-care supplies (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant).

The immigrants are attending "English as a Second Language"classes funded by the "Lights ON for Learning" program at the Church of Peace.  The Rock Island County Regional Office of Education oversees the 21st Century grant that is a cooperative effort among Black Hawk College, the Regional Office of Education and the Church of Peace.  The students are from many countries with the majority being from Myanmar (used to be called Burma), Iraq, and Africa (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania).

Lisa Viaene, the Site Coordinator of the Family Literacy Program, says the partnership with St. Ambrose has been wonderful for the students and the refugees.  "The professors and students have been an integral part of our English as a second language program at the Church of Peace.  They have volunteered numerous hours already this semester and prepared projects to help our students with functional life skills.  On Family Reading Night the refugees will be introduced to new foods, learn new songs and get to hear some children's stories before leaving with a book and a bag
of personal hygiene products."

Tammy Muerhoff, the Superintendent of the RIROE, says the program has helped so many families adjust to their new life here in the Quad Cities. "The funds provided through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants and our partnership with Black Hawk College have offered refugee families an opportunity to become familiar with English as a second language, a new community, and customs.  Having local students take an interest in their well-being is heartwarming and vital for their education."
21 Nov 2013

Scott County Community College instructor honored for outstanding work in the classroom and beyond

By Jean Hessburg

DES MOINES, IA (11/21/2013)(readMedia)-- John Baker, a community college instructor at Scott Community College in Bettendorf, is a 2013 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). Baker was chosen among a top field of over 60 educators-all nominated by colleagues, students, parents, and community members-because of the difference they make every day in the lives of Iowa's students.

"This award is truly about recognizing the educators who work hard on a daily basis and rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve," said Tammy Wawro, president of the ISEA. The nominations we receive are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and the communities in which they live. Clearly, our educators go above and beyond to help shape the lives of the students they teach."

Baker's dedication and devotion to his profession is evident in his ability to engage his students and be a mentor to colleagues. John pioneered the Great Teachers Workshop which gives educators the ability to share their expertise and experiences, and learn from each other-an idea established long before current legislation focusing on the same concept which seeks to enhance the profession. The Workshop has grown exponentially and John has presented in Iowa, Thailand, Africa, and most recently in the Kingdom of Jordan.

"It's clear that John's creativity, passion, and work all combine to make a tremendous impact in his classroom and beyond and we applaud his achievement," said Wawro. The Excellence in Education Award celebrates educators like John who are invested in the lives of their students and go beyond what is expected to make an exceptional experience for them.

Now in its 14th year, the Excellence in Education Award honors educators around the state who make a difference in the classroom. Nominations are solicited beginning in September through October.

Baker received a $100 gift from the ISEA during an awards ceremony and banquet on Monday, November 18, at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the Iowa State Education Association.

The winner of the 2013 Excellence in Education Award is Heather Anderson, an elementary teacher at Cowles Montessori School in Des Moines. Anderson received $1,000 courtesy of the Iowa State Education Association. Other runners-up also honored and include Beth Fettweis, an English teacher at City High School in Iowa City; Melinda Orris, a social studies teacher at Maquoketa High School; and Sarah Wessels, a middle school special education teacher in the Coulter - Alexander - Latimer School District; All runners-up received $100 courtesy of the ISEA.

--30--

21 Nov 2013

Luther College students Cydney Roelandt and Michael Ehrecke to perform in 'Cabaret'

By Julie Shockey

DECORAH, IA (11/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Cydney Roelandt of Davenport, Iowa and Michael Ehrecke, also of Davenport, Iowa, will perform in the Luther College Department for Visual and Performing Arts production of "Cabaret," an award winning 1966 musical based on the play "I Am a Camera."

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22; and 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23.

Roelandt, the daughter of Bradley and Kelly Roelandt of Long Grove, Iowa, is majoring in theatre/dance at Luther. She is a 2010 graduate of Davenport West High School.

Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under; available at the Luther Ticket Office, telephone (563) 387-1357 or boxoffice@luther.edu, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Luther performance of "Cabaret" will be directed by Jane Hawley, professor of dance, and Bobby Vrtis, assistant professor of theatre.

Upon its premiere, "Cabaret" was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning seven of them, including "Best Musical," "Best Original Score" and "Best Choreography."

"Cabaret" takes place in the 1930's in Berlin as the Nazi party is growing stronger. The plot follows the arrival of a young, American writer named Cliff Bradshaw, who has come to Germany to work on his novel. When visiting the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy cabaret, he meets an English performer, Sally Bowles and the two soon find themselves living together.

Through misadventures in love, work and rapidly changing political landscape of Germany, Cliff and Sally find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy in their hands and watching the struggles of their German landlady and her Jewish suitor at the beginning of the Nazi era.

The story is narrated in part by the omniscient Emcee of the Kit Kat Klub, whose flamboyant and increasingly dark musical numbers serve as a metaphor for the madness and disarray descending upon the world around them.

-30-

21 Nov 2013

Muriel DeBuque announces release of 'The Impossible Texan'

By Rick Martin

New book takes readers through one lady's fight to find her family

SAINT REGIS FALLS, N.Y. - In "The Impossible Texan" (published by AuthorHouse), author Muriel DeBuque's new novel, readers follow Sarah Rogers as she navigates the many pitfalls of life.

Sarah Rogers moves to Austin, Texas with her husband, Steven, to begin their life together. Back home in Gooseneck, there is a journal and a treasure that a ghost showed her. Soon she is pregnant and alone. As she struggles to raise quadruplets, she finds that they are slowly turning against her.  With her world falling apart around her, Sarah must figure out where her family is running off to and why she is so alone in the world.


An excerpt from "The Impossible Texan":

"'Wait a minute,' she said and went into her bedroom. When she came back, she was carrying a small blue box. 'Before I open this, I'll tell you a story. When I first found it, it was red like a ruby; in fact, that's what I thought it was, but it is as big as a golf ball. But when you hold it in your hand, it becomes warm. The meaning of this is in this paper, which is old and yellow and needs to be handled with care. I can read some of it, and the date has the number 1589. I take it; it was the year that someone won it. There is a journal in my parents' estate that tells all about the first Samuel Sommers and what he has done. Someday I'm going to find it. I just have to get back home to do it.'"

"The Impossible Texan"

By Muriel DeBuque

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 320 pages | ISBN 9781481760225

E-Book | 320 pages | ISBN 9781481760218

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

 

About the Author

Muriel DeBuque lives in northern New York with her husband, Loren, and their rat terrier, Killer. They have eight grandchildren, one step grandson and three great-grandchildren.

21 Nov 2013

Governor Quinn Adds Fayette and Vermilion Counties to State Disaster Declaration

By Grant Klinzman

Warns Tornado Survivors of Dangers of Sleeping in Vehicles

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today declared Fayette and Vermilion counties state disaster areas, bringing to 15 the number of Illinois counties to receive the designation after several tornadoes ravaged the state on Sunday. Other counties declared state disaster areas by Governor Quinn include Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Jasper, LaSalle, Massac, Pope, Tazewell, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, Will and Woodford counties.

"The initial damage reports continue to pour into the State Emergency Operations Center, illustrating just how far-reaching these deadly storms were," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois will recover and we will rebuild our communities, but we expect the total number of homes damaged and destroyed will exceed 1,500. That's why it is so important for those who have been impacted in our hardest-hit areas to document damages and save their receipts in order to qualify for future assistance."

The state disaster declaration makes available a wide variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from the storms. The state of Illinois has personnel and assets that can be mobilized to help local government officials with disaster recovery, including such things as trucks, heavy equipment to remove debris, communications equipment and assistance with security and other public safety issues.

On Monday, Governor Quinn personally inspected the damage in some of Illinois' hardest hit communities: Washington, Diamond, Gifford, Brookport and New Minden.

Governor Quinn also urged people whose homes were heavily damaged or destroyed to stay with friends, family, at a local shelter or in a hotel, and not in their vehicles. State officials have heard reports of people sleeping in their vehicles, which can result in serious health effects or death if carbon monoxide builds up in a running vehicle.

"You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. "We want to help people stay safe and healthy as we pick up and rebuild in communities around the state. Do not stay or sleep in your car if your home has been damaged. Instead, take advantage of the shelters and other resources available."

Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned.  People who have lost power and are heating their homes using an appliance that burns fuel should make sure the appliances are working properly and are being used correctly.  Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances.

Symptoms of mild to moderate carbon monoxide poisoning may resemble winter flu and can include headaches, dizziness, nausea and lethargy. Higher levels of exposure can cause fainting, confusion and collapse. If exposure to carbon monoxide continues, death can result.

For more information about disaster recovery resources, visit Ready.Illinois.gov.

###

21 Nov 2013

What's Happening At The Putnam

By Putnam Museum
NOW ON EXHIBIT
See it before it closes January 5, 2014!
COMING SOON

Help us make the
STEM Learning Center a REALITY!

 

 

Open to the public!

Museum Store Open House

Thursday, November 21

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Receive 25% OFF regularly-priced merchandise!

Refreshments will be served.

Click here for more information



Girl Scout Event:
Energetic Engineers
November 22, 2013
6:00pm - 9:00pm

Click here for more information


Holiday Film Series

Elf, A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life, and more movies to be shown on Putnam GIANT screen throughout the Holiday season!
Click here for movies, days and showtimes




Putnam Museum
1717 W 12th St
Davenport, Iowa 52804
563-324-1933
21 Nov 2013

Governor Pat Quinn Signs Marriage Equality Into Law

By Brooke Anderson

New Law Makes Illinois the 16th State in Nation to Embrace Equal Rights for All Couples

CHICAGO - In front of a crowd of thousands at the University of Illinois at Chicago's UIC Forum, Governor Pat Quinn today signed historic legislation making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality. The legislation permits all couples in the Land of Lincoln to receive the rights and protections of marriage.

As part of his agenda to ensure Illinois embraces all people, Governor Quinn made marriage equality a top legislative priority this year, featuring it in his 2013 State of the State address.

"This new law is an epic victory for equal rights in America," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois is moving forward. We are a model for our country. If the Land of Lincoln can achieve marriage equality, so can every other state in the nation."

Governor Quinn pushed for marriage equality throughout the 2013 legislative session. In 2011, the Governor signed into law historic civil union legislation. Since then, more than 6,000 couples from across Illinois have joined in a civil union.

Senate Bill 10, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago), requires that all Illinois laws pertaining to civil marriage must apply equally to all couples. The law will guarantee equal access to status, benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities for all couples entering into marriage and their families. The law also allows the voluntary conversion of a civil union to a marriage and protects the religious freedom of churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other religious organizations.

"I couldn't be prouder of Illinois today as we become the 16th state to write equality into our marriage laws," Senator Steans said. "This is a day to celebrate the hard work of so many Illinois families whose commitment to human rights and basic fairness made this moment possible."

"This is a very proud day for the state of Illinois and a happy day for thousands of Illinois families who will now be treated equally in the eyes of the law," Representative Harris said. "I want to thank Governor Quinn, Speaker Madigan and my colleagues for making this day possible."

The law takes effect June 1, 2014.

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