The Scott County Health Department would like to kick off Public Health Month with the recognition of National Public Health Week, April 1 through April 7. Taking its cue from the American Public Health Association's theme of "Public Health is ROI: Save Lives, Save Money", the Scott County Health Department is extending its campaign throughout the month of April.

This year's theme of "Public Health is ROI: Save Lives, Save Money", combines two common threads, public health and prevention. Much like the business world, "ROI" indicates the "return on investments". Did you know that investing $10 per person each year in community-based public health activities could save more than $16 billion within five years? Supporting evidence-based public health programs will result in healthier communities and reduced cost in treating diseases.

The Scott County Health Department is celebrating by promoting health and safety at home, in schools, at work, and on-the-go. Throughout the month and beyond the Scott County Health Department will offer helpful statistics, health and safety tips, school vaccination clinics, information on our website, in city buses, and weekly Facebook suggestions, to create a healthier community.

To learn more about public health in Scott County visit the Scott County Health Department website at www.scottcountyiowa.com/health or like Scott County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/scottcountyiowa.

Davenport, Iowa (April 2, 2013) - Kick Thursday night off right on Thursday, April 4 FREE admission after 5 p.m. Guests can order their favorite beverage from the bar as they are enthralled by a live performance in the Figge lobby from Dancers in Company: The University of Iowa's Repertoire Dance Ensemble at 6 p.m.

Dancers In Company's 12 undergraduate and graduate student dancers perform live concerts and lecture demonstrations for audiences of all ages throughout the Midwest under the direction of Charlotte Adam. This season's diverse program is choreographed by New York City-based guest choreographer Nicolas Leichter, faculty choreographers Alan Sener, Charlotte Adams, Jennifer Kayle, Armando Duarte and Deanna Carter, and graduate student choreographer Zoe Bennett.

Visitors can also enjoy a 6 p.m. tour of the exhibition University of Iowa Art Faculty Biennial and full access to the museum's exhibition galleries.

Artist Steve McGuire, professor of 3D design and metal arts at the University of Iowa, will present a lecture, "Single Speed Geograhy on the Continental Divide?Designing, Building, Riding" on his current work at 7 p.m. McGuire's work centers on titanium hand-built bicycles and the stories of time-trialing them, self-supported, in unforgiving locations such as the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The challenge behind this task is simple: Design a mountain bike to travel self-supported; build it yourself; and then exist well outside one's comfort zone in tackling a time-trial odyssey.

Each Thursday, the Figge offers a different experience to the public, such as a lecture, class, performance or other special activity. Most Thursdays begin at 5 p.m. with a cash bar and light snacks. Museum admission is free on Thursdays after 5 p.m.

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Trip to Focus on Job Creation and Economic Growth Through Agriculture, Water Tech, Manufacturing and Tourism

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn will lead a trade mission to Mexico April 3 - 6 to spur economic opportunities and tourism between Illinois and Mexico. With Illinois already leading the Midwest in exports, the mission will build on the success of Governor Quinn's agenda to aggressively pursue international trade and create jobs in Illinois. He will be Illinois' first governor to visit Mexico in 13 years and only the fourth U.S. governor to visit Mexico since 2005.

"This mission will strengthen the long-standing bridges between Illinois and Mexico - especially in agriculture, water technology, manufacturing and tourism - to help fuel our state's economic growth," Governor Quinn said. "Mexico's unique and storied culture has had a major impact on our state. Illinois is home to many small businesses of Mexican heritage and many employers that will benefit from increased trade with Mexico. This trade mission will help us capitalize on available economic opportunities that will drive our economy forward."

The three-day mission will include meetings with potential trade partners and Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture, an Illinois Tourism event and the signing of a Sister Lakes pact. Governor Quinn will meet with two state governors, and the mayors of Mexico City and Patzcuáro. The trip will be launched with a briefing by U.S. Ambassador Earl "Tony" Wayne, who was named by President Obama in 2011 after serving in Argentina and Afghanistan.

One of the main objectives of the trade mission is to open the burgeoning Mexican water technology market to Illinois companies engaged in wastewater treatment and pumping technologies. Governor Quinn and the delegation will meet officials from Mexico's National Water Commission (CONAGUA) to discuss the success of the Illinois Clean Water Initiative. Spearheaded by the governor, the initiative is a $1 billion project modernizing the state's drinking water and waste treatment facilities while creating thousands of local jobs. Mexico City faces water infrastructure challenges similar to many Illinois cities, including aging pipelines, overuse, contaminants and sinkholes.

 

The trade mission also aims to increase Illinois' exports to Mexico. Exports are a significant portion of Illinois' economy and Mexico is Illinois' second-largest trade partner, as state exports to the country reached $6.4 billion in 2012. From 2009 through 2012, Illinois exports overall increased by $26.4 billion, or 63 percent - well above the national average of 47 percent.  Illinois exports that have experienced significant growth during 2012 include machinery, up 12.7 percent; plastics and rubber products, an increase of 12.2 percent; transportation equipment, a 10.3 percent increase; and electrical equipment, appliances and components, up 5.6 percent. Illinois is the fifth largest exporting state in the nation.

Mexico is among the world's leaders in corn, meat and poultry production, leading to high demand for the kinds of farm machinery made in Illinois. Agriculture and food production will be the focus of meetings with Mexico's agriculture secretary and undersecretary of foreign trade. The governor will also meet executives of Bimbo Bakeries, which owns Illinois' beloved Entenmann's Bakery. Culinary tastes in Mexico and the United States are increasingly similar, so the mission will allow Illinois food brands to promote their products in the Mexican market.

The state of Illinois maintains an office in Mexico City shared by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Agriculture. These state agencies promote Illinois business and agricultural products and services to Mexico, which is Illinois' second largest export market. Illinois exports to Mexico in 2012 totaled $6.37 billion, and grew 34.1 percent in 2011 and 11.3 percent in 2012. Mexico is Illinois' third largest international market for inbound travel, contributing $103 million annually to the state's economy.

The governor will also pursue opportunities to expand Mexican tourism in Illinois. Mexico is Illinois' third-largest international market for in-bound travel with 100,000 visitors from Mexico arriving by plane alone each year, a number projected to grow 17 percent in the next four years. However, many Mexicans travel to Illinois to visit family and often do not take advantage of Illinois' diverse activities. The trade mission aims to increase Illinois' share of Mexican tourists visiting the United States and boost the length of their stay in Illinois.

Governor Quinn - who recently proclaimed "Benito Juárez Day" in Illinois to celebrate Juárez's birthday and ties to Abraham Lincoln - will participate in a solemn "Honor de Guardia" ceremony at Mexico City's Juárez Monument, and will lay wreaths at statues honoring Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He will also promote the migratory Monarch butterflies, who symbolize the long-standing relationship between Michoacán and Illinois and are the official insect of the state of Illinois.

Illinois and Mexico also have deep social ties. There are now 1.6 million persons in Illinois of Mexican origin, about one in eight Illinoisans. Mexico and Illinois have had a Sister-State relationship since 1990. Illinois and Mexico Sister-Cities include Chicago and Mexico City since 1997; Springfield and San Pedro since 1996; Highland Park and Puerto Vallarta since 2002; and Naperville and Patzcuáro since 2010.

The Mexico trade mission is the latest by Governor Quinn as he seeks to promote Illinois to a global audience. Past missions include China and Japan in 2011, and Canada and Brazil in 2012. The governor will head a delegation comprised of Illinois business leaders from such world-renowned Illinois firms as Motorola Solutions, Grundfos, Navistar and Gino's East. It also includes representatives of the Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Manufacturers' Association, two cabinet members and Illinois Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero).

Members of the trip's delegation include representatives from:

• ·               University of Illinois at Chicago
• ·               Nalco - An Ecolab
• ·               U.S. - Mexico Chamber of Commerce Mid-America Chapter
• ·               Ingredion Incorporated
• ·               Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC.
• ·               Castro Synergies
• ·               Ervin Equipment
• ·               Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• ·               Illinois Department of Agriculture
• ·               Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
• ·               GSG Consultants
• ·               PolyBrite International, Inc.
• ·               Illinois Manufacturer's Association
• ·               Elan Technologies
• ·               Motorola Solutions
• ·               Tate and Lyle
• ·               Navistar
• ·               Gino's East
• ·               Galaxy Environmental, Inc.
• ·               Evans Food Group
• ·               Fricold Heating and Cooling
• ·               Grundfos North America, Water Utility
• ·               Choose Chicago
• ·               In-Pipe Technology Company, Inc.
• ·               Illinois Soybean Association
• ·               Frantz Manufacturing Company
• ·               ADM (in-country participant)
• ·               Caterpillar (in-country participant)
• ·               United Airlines (in-country participant)

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