Innovative technology helps boost sales as 10 millionth customer checks in online!

(June 24, 2013) - Great Clips Inc., the world's largest hair salon brand with salons in our area, celebrates its Online Check-in ? the interactive shortcut for haircuts ? as the 10 millionth customer checked in online at a Great Clips salon this month. Great Clips, the first in the haircare industry to introduce online check-in, reports the technology's huge success has contributed to the company's 34 consecutive months of sales growth and 29 consecutive months of increased customer counts.

"We are thrilled to report that our Online Check-in has been a huge success as we continue to explore new technology to improve the customer experience," says Rhoda Olsen, CEO of Great Clips. "We have remained the industry leader because we seek out technology innovation - not because it's a shiny new toy - but because it helps our customers and keeps them coming back for more. We have always known people want a great haircut at a great price, but we also know that customers crave the convenience and short wait times that online check-in offers."  

High-Tech Haircut
The Digital "Do"

Online Check-in was introduced in 2011 and is available at 3,300 Great Clips salons across the U.S and Canada. It allows customers to remotely log in from a computer or smart phone and view estimated wait times at surrounding salons. Customers click the "check-in" icon to add their name to the list at the Great Clips salon of their choice, and by the time they arrive, they are likely next or almost next in line ? saving precious time they might spend waiting in the lobby for their haircut.

App-lause! Digital Success Story:

· Recently, the 10 millionth customer checked in online to a Great Clips salon.   More than 800,000 customers a month use Great Clips Online Check-in. With the rate of growth, the company expects to hit an average of 1 million customers a month using online check-in by the end of summer.

· Great Clips recognizes customers want convenience right at their fingertips, so the company made huge advancements in mobile marketing by creating an Online Check-in App. 70 percent of Great Clips customers who used Online Check-in downloaded the Online Check-in app for Android and  iPhone.

· Customers have downloaded the Great Clips' Online Check-in app more than 1.5 million times. By the end of this year, the company expects to hit 2 million app downloads.

· Due to the success of Online Check-in, many Great Clips salons nationwide have installed in-salon monitors to display waiting lists to customers, with more adding them every day. The monitors show customers where they are on the list, how many customers checked in online and how many have yet to arrive.

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About Great Clips' Online Check-In

Great Clips' Online Check-In feature is powered by ICS Net Check In®, a patent-pending, internet-based technology platform developed by Innovative Computer Software. Online Check-in allows customers to remotely log in from a computer or smart phone and view the estimated wait time at surrounding salons. Consumers can click the "check-in" icon to add their name to the list at the Great Clips salon of their choice, and by the time they arrive, they are likely next or almost next in line - saving precious time they might have spent waiting in the lobby for their haircut.

About Great Clips, Inc.
Great Clips, Inc. was established in 1982 in Minneapolis. Today, Great Clips has more than 3,300 salons throughout the United States and Canada, making it the world's largest salon brand. Great Clips salons employ nearly 30,000 stylists who receive ongoing training to learn the Great Clips customer service system and advanced technical skills. Make Great Clips your choice for value-priced, high-quality haircare for men, women and children. No appointments are needed, and salons are open nights and weekends. And it's more convenient than ever with Great Clips' Online Check-In and Clip Notes. To check in online, visit www.greatclips.com or download the app for Android and iPhone. For more information about Great Clips, Inc. or to find a location near you, visit www.greatclips.com.

Mount Carroll, IL-- Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) will host its annual week-long theatre immersion workshops for teens July 15-19 in Mount Carroll. A one-day workshop for children ages 8-12 will be offered on Saturday July 13. Each year, 20 teens experience intensives in acting, dance, creative writing, theatrical design and improvisation. The program is taught by TLP company members who are also dance and theatre teachers. The week culminates with an original performance incorporating all of the elements covered in the workshops.

This year's teachers include Cameron Turner, an award winning dance teacher in the Chicagoland area,  and Joseph Capstick, who teachers both acting and dance. Executive director, James Beaudry, who has taught in both New York and Chicago, oversees the program.

Classes are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The all-inclusive price is only $125 for the week. This includes a prepared lunch every day. Teens are given the chance to work with the resident company and experience "behind the scenes" of a working professional theatre. Additional classes are held across the street at Timber Lake Resort. Each student will receive a complimentary ticket Monty Python's Spamalot, which runs from August 1-11.

The one-day workshop for kids is only $25. That program runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a ticket to TLP's 2 p.m. production of Seussical, a musical based on the books of Dr. Seuss.

To sign up for the either the week-long (July 15-19) or one-day (July 13) workshop, call 815-244-2035 or email boxoffice@timberlakeplayhouse.org. Space is limited. TLP is located at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in rural Mount Carroll, IL. Additional tickets to Seussical may be purchased at $6. Additional tickets for Monty Python's Spamalot are $15-$23. For more information, visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org

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Pilot Program will Drive Innovation and Growth by Connecting Four Leading Illinois Corporations with Emerging Illinois Start-Ups

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today launched the Illinois Corporate/Start-Up Challenge, a program designed to connect the state's emerging, innovative start-up businesses and major corporations, strengthening the connections between these critical components of the business community. The initiative is part of the governor's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Illinois is experiencing an entrepreneurial renaissance with tremendous growth in the start-up community," Governor Quinn said. "We have one of the largest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies in the nation, and better connecting our corporate leaders to our cutting-edge entrepreneurs will foster even more innovation and drive economic growth."

Four major corporations have agreed to participate in the pilot program: Allstate, Molex, Motorola Mobility and Walgreens. Each company is designating a point of contact to serve as a liaison to the Illinois start-up and technology community, functioning as a "Chief Start-up Officer" for the purposes of this program. The pilot, to be run by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) with support from Governor Quinn's Illinois Innovation Council, will assist these corporations by matching them with some of Illinois' most innovative start-ups and emerging companies.

"Illinois corporations are now relying more than ever on technology and innovation to stay globally competitive and, as a result, are looking outside their walls for new ideas and disruptive solutions," Brad Keywell, Illinois Innovation Council chairman said. "This program will better link corporate leaders with entrepreneurs and helps pave a path for these emerging companies to gain feedback and expand their businesses."

As part of the program, the corporations will work with a select group of Illinois-based start-up companies over the course of four to six months, providing them with mentoring, partnership and business opportunities. Each corporation will have a customized plan based on their needs and innovation priorities, and will report back on the outcomes of their engagement. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage all Illinois companies to support the growth of emerging Illinois businesses.

"We are thrilled to be working with this group of corporate leaders to help them more systemically engage with local entrepreneurs and emerging enterprises," ISTC President and CEO Mark Harris said. "Illinois is rich with innovation talent, and this program will better link our entrepreneurial and corporate communities for mutual benefit."

About the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition

The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) is a member-driven, nonprofit organization that works to cultivate and attract research and technology-based investment, talent and job growth in the state. Through strategic public-private partnerships, advocacy efforts and project management, ISTC connects government, academia and industry to leverage the state's world-class resources to enhance Illinois' position as a global hub for research, innovation and entrepreneurship. For more information, visit www.istcoalition.org

About the Illinois Innovation Council

The Illinois Innovation Council (IIC) is a diverse group of leaders convened by Governor Pat Quinn to promote engagement, innovation and economic development. Its mission is to identify and advance strategies that foster and accelerate the innovation and economic growth that will create the jobs of today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.istcoalition.org/innovation 

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Quad Cities extends winning streak to four games, wins 10th of 12 meetings with Kane County

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 22, 2013) - Jesse Wierzbicki waited until his sixth and final at-bat in the 11th inning Friday night to extend several personal and team streaks, but he delivered a walk-off RBI single for the Quad Cities River Bandits, who completed a rally from a 5-0, seventh-inning deficit for a 6-5 win over the Kane County Cougars in front of 4,077 at Modern Woodmen Park.

The River Bandits (3-0 second half, 41-31 overall) won their fourth straight game and defeated Kane County (0-3, 30-39) for the fifth time in as many games at Modern Woodmen Park. For a second consecutive game, Quad Cities had 15 hits, with shortstop Carlos Correa and left fielder Ruben Sosa each collecting four hits to lead all players. Correa laced a one-out triple inside the first-base line with one out in the 11th inning before Wierzbicki extended a seven-game hitting streak and 21 game on-base streak with a single to right-center field against Stephen Perakslis (1-3), who has suffered each of his losses this season against Quad Cities.

Quad Cities held Kane County to just four hits, and left-hander Colton Cain no-hit the visitors while walking one batter in the first four innings. In the fifth inning, however, he walked Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario, and first baseman Rock Shoulders doubled to left field for his team's first hit. With the infield in and one out, right fielder Reggie Golden hit a ball off the glove of shortstop Carlos Correa that went into shallow center field and brought in two runs for a 2-0 lead. Cain allowed two hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out four in five innings. Kane County extended the lead with home runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Center fielder Albert Almora drove a Jamaine Cotton pitch out to left field for a two-run shot in the sixth, and Shoulders led off the seventh with his league-high 14th homer and a 5-0 lead. The Cougars did not record a hit the rest of the game.

After failing to score in the first six innings against left-hander Michael Heesch, the River Bandits found their offense in the seventh against right-hander Armando Rivero, making his Minor League Baseball debut. Designated Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk, and second baseman Austin Elkins homered for the second straight game to make it 5-2. Sosa, center fielder Brett Phillips and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez each singled to close within 5-3, and catcher Roberto Pena's two-out infield single trimmed the gap to 5-4.

In the ninth inning, Phillips drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a sacrifice and scored the tying run when Golden bobbled Correa's one-out single to right-center field. Right-hander Juri Perez (2 2/3 innings), and right-hander Gera Sanchez (1 1/3 innings) combined to no-hit the Cougars for the final four innings, though Quad Cities pitchers matched a season high with six walks.

Saturday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, June 23. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Sunday, June 23.

The River Bandits and Cougars will play the series finale at 5 p.m. Sunday, when Quad Cities looks for its third sweep of Kane County this season. River Bandits All-Star right-hander Lance McCullers (3-4) will start against Cougars right-hander Felix Pena (2-1).

UP NEXT: To celebrate "Half-way to Christmas", the River Bandits will give away three free 32" flat-screen TVs on Flat Screen Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100. The first 1,000 fans will receive free sunglasses from Mediacom for the home stand finale. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

New Law Requires Unpaid Furlough Days, Prohibits Cost of Living Adjustments

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that limits compensation for many of Illinois' elected officials. This action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to rein in the cost of government in Illinois, ensure accountability and return Illinois to sound financial footing.

"I will continue to take every step necessary to restore fiscal stability to our state," Governor Quinn said. "The civic duty of an elected official requires a commitment to the greater good of the people of Illinois. I commend the legislators who voted for this bill and I encourage them to work just as hard to get the job done on public pension reform, the most important fiscal challenge of our time."

House Bill 1441, sponsored by State Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) and Senate President John J. Cullerton (D-Chicago), requires every member of the Illinois General Assembly to take one unpaid furlough day per month during Fiscal Year 2014, which starts July 1. It also prohibits any cost of living increases in FY 2014 for General Assembly members, state constitutional officers, state's attorneys, and certain appointed state offices and board and commission members. In addition, the legislation sets lodging, meal and mileage reimbursement rates for all General Assembly session days at the same rate that has been in effect for the last three years.

The new law takes effect July 1.

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Get tickets for the 2013 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in advance and save some money!  Tickets for the three-day event, July 4-6 at Davenport's LeClaire Park, are $20 per day at the gate.  But through June 30, you can get advance tickets for $15.50 per day at Hy-Vee stores in the Quad Cities, Clinton, and Muscatine.  And, for the first time ever, advance tickets will be available online ($15 plus a service fee), through PayPal at the MVBS website:  www.mvbs.org.  Just go to the Festival tab.

Advance $15 tickets are also available at The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf, Rascals in Moline, Martini's on the Rock in Rock Island, and at the Blues Society office in Davenport (call first: 563-32-BLUES).

Active military personnel and veterans can get Fest tickets for only $10 (gate admission is $20) by showing official military ID at the R.I.A. Federal Credit Union locations listed below through June 30.  Tickets are limited to two per military ID.

·         Arsenal Island, Building #61?Rock Island IL

·         1522 46th Ave.?Moline IL

·         In the Hy-Vee at 750 42nd Ave. Drive?Moline IL

·         110 E. 10th Ave.?Milan IL

·         In the Hy-Vee at 2001 5th St.?Silvis IL

·         4217 Utica Ridge Rd.?Bettendorf IA

·         3509 Harrison St.?Davenport IA

This year's Blues Festival artists include Mighty Sam McClain, Walter Trout, Southern Hospitality, John Primer (who will receive the RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award), C. J. Chenier, W. C. Clark, The 44s, Anthony Gomes, Samantha Fish, and Davina & the Vagabonds?among a total of 27 acts on two stages. The gate opens at 2:00 p.m. each day and the music begins at 3:00 p.m. each day, July 4-6.  Free workshops by festival artists are scheduled for all three days, and BlueSKool for the kids runs Friday and Saturday.

Also this year the festival will see the first-ever Mississippi Valley Blues Challenge.  Three bands from within a 175-mile radius of the Quad-Cities will compete in the final round on July 5, with the winner playing a full set on July 6 at the festival and representing the Mississippi Valley Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2014.

The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band will close out the 29th Mississippi Valley Blues Festival on Saturday July 6 on the Bandshell in Davenport's LeClaire Park.  Sponsored in part by Wieblers Harley-Davidson of Davenport, Shepherd's set will show why Guitar World named him the world's #3 blues guitarist?right after B. B. King and Eric Clapton.

by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

 

The IRS is in hot water again.

I learned recently that the IRS has failed to take steps to stop bonuses to union members in spite of a clear directive from the White House Office of Management and Budget.  The directive instructs the IRS to stop all discretionary bonuses during the ongoing federal budget sequestration.

In fact, the IRS routinely claims to be short on resources.  Even so - and now with sequestration, as well - the IRS appears to have $70 million to spend on bonus payments to IRS employee union members.

The agency even seems to be making an extra effort to give the bonuses, despite opportunities to renegotiate with the union and an instruction to cease discretionary bonuses during sequestration.

There's no question that the IRS needs to answer to the taxpayers.  I sent a letter on Tuesday asking the Acting IRS Commissioner to explain why the agency seems to be on track to award some $70 million in discretionary bonuses to union members.

We've learned about the IRS arguably spitting on the rights of law-abiding citizens by targeting certain groups seeking tax-exempt status solely for their perceived political affiliation.  Now, the IRS may be thumbing its nose at taxpayers by giving tens of millions of dollars in bonuses when every part of the federal government needs to be tightening its belt.

This adds insult to injury in light of the revelation several weeks ago that the IRS has paid out more than $92 million in bonuses during the Obama administration.  Lois Lerner is the director of the IRS division that targeted political groups for scrutiny.  She pled the Fifth to avoid answering questions from Congress and is currently on paid administrative leave.  But, since 2009, she received more than $42,000 in bonuses.  Joseph Grant, the former head of the agency's tax exemption division, received $84,000.  Former Acting Commissioner Steven Miller received approximately $100,000 in bonuses since 2009.

Again, the public deserves a full explanation, and I'm working to get it from the IRS.

WINSTON SALEM, NC (06/21/2013)(readMedia)-- The following students were named to the Spring 2013 Dean's List at Wake Forest University.

Emily Guinn from Bettendorf, IA

Michael Herman from Davenport, IA

Students who achieve a 3.4 and no grade below a C were named to the list.

CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit two different projects on Chicago's south side on Saturday that are promoting sustainable practices and healthy lifestyles. Simon will visit the 61st Street Farmers Market and Blackstone Bicycle Works program at the Experimental Station and participate in Come Unity Day at the Bronzeville Community Garden by painting her handprint on the garden's wall. Simon chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council which has been working to expand access to fresh, locally-grown food to all Illinoisans.

 

Saturday, June 22

 

EVENT: Blackstone Bicycle Works and 61st Street Farmers Market visit

TIME: 11 a.m.

LOCATION: Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone, Chicago

 

EVENT: Bronzeville Community Garden visit

TIME: 11:45 a.m.

LOCATION: Urban Juncture, 51st St. and Calumet Ave., Chicago

 

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BOURBONNAIS, IL (06/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Olivet Nazarene University congratulates those students named to the dean's list during the recently completed spring 2013 semester. To qualify for inclusion on the dean's list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.

Local residents named to the list are:

Ryan Archer of Moline

Emily Arnold of Prophetstown

Lydia Bilyeu of Fulton

Derek Delgado of Sterling

Liza Dollenbacher of Bettendorf

Jordan Hirl of Clinton

Kaitlin Loos of Sterling

Jacob Mellinger of Moline

Hannah Milby of Sterling

Nicholas Mizeur of Moline

Ainsley Ports of Sterling

Hannah Rowen of East Moline

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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