WEST DES MOINES - January 14, 2013 -Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) received several awards at the 94^th annual national convention being held in Nashville, Tennessee, for outstanding state Farm Bureau activities.

IFBF was honored with five awards of excellence in all program areas including education and outreach, leadership development, member services, policy development and implementation, and public relations and communications.  IFBF earned a President's Award for outstanding grassroots programs and policy development.

IFBF also received special recognition this year:  the national New Horizon Award for innovation.  The AFBF New Horizon Award recognizes a new program that brings exceptional value to members through many efforts.  IFBF's New Horizon Award was granted for exceptional creation of a new membership outreach and information-gathering data tool, which helps the grassroots organization engage its increasingly diverse membership.

"We are proud to receive all of these awards because our organization works hard to show the public the value of farming today.  Farming in Iowa is diverse and in order to remain a vital part of our state's economy, we must embrace innovation.  Our organization strives to always bring these new tools of information to benefit all our members," said IFBF President Craig Hill.   "We are pleased to receive these awards because they celebrate the many ways we work to better consumer communication and policy outreach.  It's about increasing the value of Farm Bureau membership for all Iowans, while ensuring the sustainability of farming and that means every day we put our motto, 'People, Progress and Pride,' to work for Iowa."

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the Newsroom page on the IFBF website at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

Davenport, IA-Iowa Bath Solutions, LLC dba Bath Fitter, www.bathfitter.com, announces expansion of
it's Des Moines location into eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Due to increased demand, Bath Fitter
will offer its services in the following counties in Iowa: Clayton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware,
Dubuque, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Clinton, Cedar, Scott, Muscatine, Louisa, Henry, Des Moines and Lee.
In Illinois, Bath Fitter will service the following counties: Whiteside, Rock Island, Henry and Mercer.

Bath Fitter® is North America's premier acrylic bath, shower and wall-system company.

• Fast, Clean and Affordable
• Less hassle and mess than conventional bathroom remodeling
• Exclusive one-piece seamless walls, custom made for each individual installation
• Custom acrylic tub and shower liners installed right over your existing unit...in just one day
• Fiberglass replacements also available, installed in two days
• FREE in-home estimate with absolutely no obligation
• Financing is available

For over twenty nine years, Bath Fitter® has been working to meet the custom needs of homeowners, as
well as, commercial businesses and residencies. Bath Fitter® provides specialized bathtub and shower
solutions with unique products, allowing for a precise, completely individual look that is custom made
to fit the business or home's exact specifications. Numerous accessories available such as shower seats,
storage options, and a variety of modern acrylic finishes. When safety or ease of access is a concern,
Bath Fitter® can even convert an existing tub into an easy access shower.

Customers can call to schedule a free, in-home estimate. At the in-home estimate, a Bath Fitter®
representative will review the current situation and answer any questions. The company offers an
Exclusive Limited Lifetime Warranty on all of its work. Bath Fitter® manufactures its own products
and provides their own Certified Technicians, so they can stand behind every single job. No part of the
process is subcontracted.

Customer service is one of Bath Fitter®'s top priorities. At the eat job completion, the customer receives
a customer satisfaction survey, allowing customers to express their satisfaction or offer any suggestions.

Bath Fitter® has received the award for Top Performer in bathroom remodeling from Qualified
Remodeler for 11 years in a row.

For a FREE in-home estimate, please call 1-800-594-8776. For employment opportunities visit
www.bathsavercareers.com.

Fast, Clean and Affordable
Less hassle and mess than conventional bathroom remodeling
Exclusive one-piece seamless walls, custom made for each individual installation
Custom acrylic tub and shower liners installed right over your existing unit...in just

Fiberglass replacements also available, installed in two days
FREE in-home estimate with absolutely no obligation
Financing is available

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Happy New Year!

QCI Trivia Night

Quad Cities Interfaith Trivia Night on March  2nd, 2013 at Knights of Columbus (Downstairs) Doors open at 6:30 pm, Game starts at 7 pm. Bring your own food. ALL beverages to be purchased there. $10 per person. Reserve your table now. Call Beth at 563-322-4910.

Fire of Faith 

In October of 2012, QCI kicked off the Fire of Faith Campaign - Rekindling Congregations, Democracy, and the Economy campaign. Fire of Faith is a three-year campaign that will strengthen member congregations and institutions, increase participation in democracy, and move one million people into jobs and increase economic dignity. Our faith traditions teach us that loving our neighbor cannot be just a sentiment- we must help to shape a world we can be proud to leave to our grandchildren.  "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24)

What's New at QCI

Fire of Faith - A movement to Rekindle Our Congregations!

Quad Cities Interfaith is leading a Fire of Faith campaign for 2013, developing a local Fire of Faith Cohort  of 6-7 congregations that walk together on a year long journey of congregational development and strengthening . Through this Cohort QCI will help lay leaders and clergy assess and identify the needs of a congregation and work to develop leaders for the congregation's ministries. The FOF Cohort will meet and receive training, intensive technical assistance and mentoring . This cohort of congregations will journey together, but each member congregation in the cohort will develop and work on their individual plans.

The purpose of QCI and Congregational Based Organizing, is to identify and develop lay leadership in a cohesive and active congregation so they can fully proclaim their faith in the public sphere, increase membership and engagement and create long term sustainability. Using the arts, attitudes and disciplines of the faith based community organizing, Fire of Faith will strengthen a congregation in ways that are measurable to that congregation. While often it is community issue work that draws and keeps a congregation engaged in QCI, this Fire of Faith process focuses in on what a congregation can do using our tools to build their congregation and make sure they are growing and building community. When congregations are strong , QCI is strong. Curious? Interested in learning more about this process? Call Leslie Kilgannon at 563.322.4910.


Photos from Gamaliel's Fire of Faith Retreat in January in Mundelein, Illinois. 68 leaders came together from Iowa, Indiana and Illinois to chart our course for 2013, Fire Of Faith is a year long journey of strengthening congregations. Clockwise from top. Quad City lay leaders and clergy joined QCI Director Leslie Kilgannon for the two day spiritual retreat and planning session. QCI Director and a leader from Gamaliel of Chicago.Gamaliel of Illinois Director Juan Soto explaining the Fire of Faith Campaign for 2013. 

Please Consider Becoming a Sustaining Donor!

We are trying to diversify our funding. To do this, the breakfast kicked off the individual sustaining donor campaign. The goal is to get 200 individuals donating at least $20 a month.  Any contributions to Quad Cities Interfaith are an investment in the work for justice in our community. Your tax-deductible donation is essential to our future and the work for justice. Making a monthly (or an annual) sustaining donation is easy and convenient through VANCO services on our website. You are able to make a secure payment using your credit or debit card. Sustaining donors make an on-going contribution. Each month or year you will be charged the same amount. You can also decide to stop or change your contribution at any time.

Ready to Become a Sustaining Donor?

It's Simple with these Step by Step Instructions
1.) Visit our website at www.qcinterfaith.org
2.) On the top right hand side of the site, click on donate now
3.) You will be taken to a secured website provided by VANCO Services to the Online Donation Page which has our logo
4.) Go to Donations
Enter the dollar amount you wish to contribute.
Donation Frequency: Identify how often you will be giving i.e weekly, monthly, one time gift
Donation Start Date: Identify the date you want a withdrawal to begin or to be made
5.) Click on Continue
Fill out donation information including how you would like to pay, your name and address, etc.
Review the information carefully
Make sure you click on process
6.) Confirmation. A confirmation page comes up with a thank you, confirming the donation and a confirmation number.
You can print off a receipt of your donation for your records.
It is recommended that you create a profile so that the system remembers you and you can log in and make changes, etc. 

QCI Issue Updates

Transportation and Jobs Equity

As part of  Gamaliel of Illinois, the task force is working to secure a State wide Project Labor Agreement (PLA) from the contractors,unions and Illinois Department of Transportation that will include requirements for diversity in the work force on all transportation projects in Illinois. The Task Force is also looking to build a local monitoring committee in early 2013, that will hold accountable IL DOT on the Community Benefits Agreement principles it agreed to for the passenger rail project coming to the Quad Cities. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 10 am at Church of Peace- 12th and 12th in Rock Island.  Join us! For information, please contact QCI.

Health Equity

Imagine this situation:  Your six-year-old child has a fever and a sore throat.  You're worried, so you take him to the doctor. You say, "I notice he talks little.  Little by little and he has difficulty eating and swallowing."  The doctor asks you, "Does he have a sore throat?" Pretty straightforward, right?

But now imagine the same situation when your first language isn't English, and you have to bring someone, in this case a family friend, to interpret for you, and this is how the friend translates what you told the doctor:  "She says he is talking like, like lazy, whatever he says all the time, and plus he is not eating at all."  Then, when the doctor asks about the sore throat, your no doubt well-meaning friend keeps interrupting and doesn't let you answer the question.
Research is starting to show that medical communication problems caused by language barriers are not only distressing, they are also potentially dangerous.
Medical interpretation and translation are key health care services in reducing health disparities.  There are many other issues of disparity, of course: geography, ethnicity, physical and mental limitations, but the disparities caused by language services in our communities are the current focus of the QCI Health Equity Task Force.

Our next meeting is in Tuesday, February 19th at 4:30pm at the QCI office -111 E. 3rd Street Davenport Suite 423.  We will be refining our plans for 2013.  Please join us.  We hope to have at least one representative from every congregational member of QCI as we address the challenges of improving health equity in the Quad Cities! If your congregation would like more information, please contact QCI at 563.322.4910.

QCI is in the process of developing a round table on education and is looking for clergy and community leaders to join together to establish round table that will identify and advance local issues and connect to regional and national education  issues. If  you are interested please email us at qcinterfaith@gmail.com. QCI staff is looking to connect with the Gamaliel Education Equity Task Force and will schedule a first meeting in February - watch this space.

Community Events

Continuing Series -Race Matters at St. Ambrose University
The Hyphen Matters: Race and Asian-Americans
Thursday, Feb. 7th, 7 pm

Placing Blame: European Racism in an Era of Crisis
Thursday, Feb. 28th , 7 pm

For more info and Race Matters updates visit: www.sau.edu

"Celebration of Life, Honoring Reverend Ron Quay"

On Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation for a 2 pm community celebration of  Ron Quay, who passed away in December. Rev. Quay was dedicated to social justice and the area is a more just community because of his work. 

Upcoming Dates

Calling all leaders!!!!!! Quad Cities Interfaith Strategic Planning Session for 2013-2014 is Saturday, February 9th, 2013, 8 am to 2 pm at Church of Peace, 1114 12th Street, Rock Island
Calling Clergy and lay leaders from our member congregations to help chart a course for the next year for QCI. Well feed you, but we need you to RSVP to QCI by February 7th. More details to come.

Quad Cities Interfaith Trivia Night on March  2nd, 2013 at Knights of Columbus (Downstairs) Doors open at 6:30 pm, Game starts at 7 pm. Bring your own food. ALL beverages to be purchased there. $10 per person. Reserve your table now. Call Beth at 563-322-4910.

2013 Gamaliel National Training.........
Teaching ordinary citizens to unleash the power within themselves

February 24-March 2 (7-day): Villa Maria, PA
July 14-20 (7-Day): Mundelein, IL
November 11-17 (7-Day): Western Region
Civil Rights of Immigrants Retreat March, 2013
National Clergy/Team Training April 24-26: St. Mary's, Mundelein, IL
Strategic Campaign Training June 10-14: Gallaudet University, Washington DC
Gamaliel Leadership Retreat June 2013


Tuesday, February 12th - 6:30 pm 

QCI Leadership Assembly 

St Mary's Church , 516 Fillmore, Davenport

West Music and D'Addario Strings to Host Food Drive and Guitar Restring Event to benefit the River Bend Food Bank

Moline, IL - January 30, 2013 - West Music Quad Cities in partnership with D'Addario Strings and the River Bend Food Bank will be offering a one day food drive and free restring event for acoustic and electric guitars at its Moline location on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. D'Addario will be providing strings at no charge to participants. Participants only need to bring in four canned goods or non-perishable food items, or a $5 donation. Contributions will be donated to the River Bend Food Bank in Moline.

The event will take place during store hours 10am - 8pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at West Music Quad Cities in Moline, IL, 4305 44th Avenue. This offer is limited to one 6-string acoustic steel-string guitar or one 6-string electric guitar per customer, while supplies last. No locking tremolo systems please. Guitars will be restrung with appropriate gauge D'Addario guitar strings; special gauges will not be available. Customers are limited to a free restring of one of these instruments. During the event, West Music will also offer a 10% discount on all in-stock Planet Waves products, made and distributed by D'Addario. Participants will also be able to register to win a free guitar set-up from West Music's extraordinary repair staff. For more information on this event, please contact Kyle Ware, West Music Combo Merchandise Manager at 319-351-2000 or at kware@westmusic.com.

About the River Bend Food Bank

The River Bend Food Bank, located at 309 12th Street in Moline was established in 1982. It is non-profit organization that collects, stores, and redistributes surplus food to other charities that have feeding programs. Last year the food bank distributed over 7 million pounds of surplus food to 300 charitable feeding programs throughout Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. For more information on the River Bend Food Bank, please visit www.riverbendfoodbank.org.

About D'Addario & Company

D'Addario & Company, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets complete lines of strings for fretted and bowed musical  instruments, drumheads, drumsticks, drum practice pads, and guitar and woodwind accessories under the proprietary brand names D'Addario, Planet Waves, Rico, Evans Drumheads, Pro-Mark Drumsticks, and PureSound Percussion. The company also runs theLessonroom.com and Guitar.com. D'Addario products are marketed in approximately 120 countries.

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music's mission to "Enrich peoples' lives through participation in music" is at the root of its success and continued growth. West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has six retail locations in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. For more information, visit West Music's comprehensive online website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

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