04 Dec 2012

JORDAN ENGINEERING PROGRAM EVENTS

By Janine Parr
Jordan is the first school in the area to establish a K-8 STEM program. The following ground-breaking events are planned:

"STEM-stirs" Show and Share Night
Jordan Catholic School, Wednesday, December 5th from 4:00pm to 5:30pm Jordan Catholic School is the first school in the Quad Cities to sponsor 11 junior FLL teams (K through 4th grade Junior First Lego League) and is having a Show and Share Night to show
our community the students' projects and their journey to learn more about "Super Seniors" and how the senior citizen's lives have changed since they were kids. Please join us and view the first ever Jr. FLL projects to be displayed in the Quad Cities area. The event will take place in the lower level of the school. Please enter via the South doors and turn left down the stairs.

JET to host 2012 First Lego League Regional Competition - Senior Solutions
Jordan Catholic School, Saturday, December 15th from 8:00am to 4:00pm
Jordan Catholic School, in support of First Lego League, offers an Engineering and Technology program. JET (5-8th grade) has participated in FLL successfully for four years and is taking the next step- hosting the first ever Illinois FLL Regional Qualifier in the Quad Cities. Fifteen teams from around the area will compete in the 2012 FLL Senior Solutions Challenge for four coveted spots to advance to the state competition in Arlington Heights on January 19, 2013. The event will take place in Farrell Hall. Please enter via the Farrell Hall doors around the back of the school.


04 Dec 2012

Wreaths Across America Honors Local Veterans During the Holidays

By Jessica McDunn

Local Veterans Remembered During the Holidays

Wreaths Across America™ Day to honor veterans at Ames Municipal Cemetery and over 750 participating locations nationwide

 

AMES, Iowa (Dec. 4, 2012) - On Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, members of the Ames community will gather together to honor veterans during the holiday season as part of the Wreaths Across America™ (WAA) Day.

Stevens Memorial Chapel, the local Dignity Memorial® provider in Ames, has volunteered to conduct the WAA ceremony this year at the Ames Municipal Cemetery, 310 East Ninth Street, on Saturday, December 15 starting at 11 a.m. Eight ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who served, honor their sacrifices and teach younger generations about the high cost of our freedoms.

Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, POW/MIA and Revolutionary War veterans will be placed on memorials during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at more than 750 participating locations all across the country. Locally, this project has been spearheaded by Stevens Memorial Chapel Funeral Director Paul Smith, the son of a Korean War veteran and descendant of multiple Revolutionary War veterans.

In 2012, it is projected that more than 400,000 wreaths will be placed nationwide by over 150,000 volunteers as part of the WAA mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

The Wreaths Across America story began more than 20 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine, initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families is especially poignant during the traditional holiday season.

Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project, donating over 30,000 wreaths in 2011. More than 400,000 will be sponsored by individuals, businesses and community groups nationwide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a national non-profit organization that has grown quickly to encompass over 750 participating locations and more than 150,000 volunteers around the country. The WAA's mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach. Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve including families who sacrifice and Teach our children the cost of the freedoms we enjoy each day. It is our shared belief that...

"The nation which forgets its defenders will soon be forgotten." Calvin Coolidge

WAA pursues its mission with nationwide wreath-laying events amid the holiday season and year-round educational outreach inviting all Americans to appreciate our freedoms and the cost at which they are delivered.

About Stevens Memorial Chapel and the Dignity Memorial network

Stevens Memorial Chapel is a proud Dignity Memorial provider in Ames. The Dignity Memorial network of more than 1,800 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers is North America's most trusted resource for funeral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity, respect and service excellence. For more information, visit www.StevensMemorialChapel.com.

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04 Dec 2012

USA Network and Mediacom Award Quad Cities Principal

By Khalan Boyer

USA NETWORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEDIACOM HONOR QUAD CITIES TEACHER WITH A CHARACTERS UNITE AWARD FOR HIS EFFORTS TO COMBAT PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION

 

Phillip Ambrose, Principal of Thurgood Marshall Learning Center in Rock Island, to Be Recognized at an Awards Ceremony on December 7; Also Featured on USA Network On-Air and Online as Part of Characters Unite Campaign

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Continuing its highly successful multiplatform public service campaign to address social injustices and bridge cultural divides, USA Network, along with its distribution partners, have selected ten winners for the 2012 Characters Unite Awards. The winners were selected from hundreds of nominees for their extraordinary efforts in combating prejudice and discrimination while increasing tolerance and acceptance in their communities. 

Each honoree will be acknowledged during a hometown award ceremony and will receive a $5,000 grant from USA Network and participating local distribution partners to support his/her project or related nonprofit organization. Additionally, honorees will be featured on-air in a PSA and online at charactersunite.com.

Local Davenport resident Phillip Ambrose is among the ten winners selected and will be recognized at an award ceremony in Rock Island, IL. Phillip Ambrose is a Principal at the Thurgood Marshall Learning Center, an alternative school serving the Rock Island/Milan School District in Illinois.  Under the leadership of Principal Ambrose, the school pursues and engages in compelling projects to increase awareness of diversity, tolerance and respect through innovative cross-curricular activities.  Most recently, with the school's Tuskegee Airmen Project, students studied how the Tuskegee Airmen, America's first squadron of African-American pilots, overcame prejudice to achieve their goal of fighting for their country. The next project the school plans to undertake is entitled Beyond the Dream; 50 years (1963-2013), which studies tolerance in America and the impact of significant events and people over the course of the last 50 years, from Dr. King's famous "I have a dream" speech to Barack Obama's presidency.

Mediacom Communications is the local distribution partner for USA Network, and will be co-hosting the awards program and lunch at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center.
04 Dec 2012

Give one last gift this holiday season, give blood

By Ben Corey

PEORIA, Ill. (Dec. 4, 2012) ? The holiday season is here, and with it comes the exchange of gifts amongst family and friends. But many hospital patients have a gift on their wish list this year that only generous hearts can give: a blood donation.

Once the hustle and bustle of the holidays subsides, the American Red Cross reminds people to give one last gift ? give blood. A blood donation can be the most meaningful gift of the season.

As many as 44,000 blood donations are needed every day across the country to meet the needs of patients. Make an appointment to donate by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Carroll County
Dec. 29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Third St. in Savanna, Ill.

Clinton County
Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lyondell Chemical Co., 3400 Anamosa Road in Clinton, Iowa

Henry County
Dec. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Kewanee Hospital, 1051 W. South St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Dec. 26 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Mercer County
Dec. 18 from 12-6 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

Scott County
Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mel Foster Co., 3211 E. 35th St. Court in Davenport, Iowa

Whiteside County
Dec. 18 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Dec. 19 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Dec. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Dec. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Dec. 27 from 3-7 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.®

Shop the Holiday Giving Catalog:  The 2012 Holiday Giving Catalog at redcross.org/holiday has even more charitable gift ideas. Shoppers can buy food and shelter for disaster victims, phone cards for members of the U.S. armed forces or vaccinations for an entire village, among many other gifts. Catalog purchases come with greeting cards for loved ones, letting them know a donation was made in their name.

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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04 Dec 2012

2013 UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION ANNOUNCES JUDGES AND MENTORS

By Ms Shane Thompson
Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Neon Trees, Iggy Pop, Ryan Bingham, Eve, Carly Simon, Hunter Hayes, and Many More Round Out Judging Panel

November 29, 2012 - Unsigned Only Music Competition today announced its judging panel for the 2013 competition, which is now accepting entries. The panel of judges consists of the top echelon of recording artists and music journalists, representing the ten categories of popular music covered by the competition.

Founders/Directors Candace Avery and Jim Morgan noted, "We are gearing up for another great year of Unsigned Only with even more judges, bigger cash prizes, and another great opportunity to bridge the gap between unsigned artists and the music industry executives who could potentially influence and elevate their careers."

Designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company, Unsigned Only's goal is to find an outstanding, talented performing artist: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the "gem" that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package. The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $10,000 in cash (plus additional prizes) and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. First Place and Second Place winners will also be selected in each category. Entries are being accepted now until March 14, 2013. Categories include : AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian Music, Country, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop/Top 40, Teen, and Vocal Performance.

Launched in 2011 by the founders of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), Unsigned Only is a fresh and novel approach to other music competitions. Not only does it offer great prizes, recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals, but it also takes it a step further and offers the Grand Prize winner the unprecedented opportunity to be mentored by a group of record company presidents, A&R reps, and more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for an artist to directly network with the highest level of record company professionals and get guidance, advice, feedback, and networking opportunities.

2012 Grand Prize winner Lara Johnston states, "being the Grand Prize winner of Unsigned Only has been a definite high point of my career thus far. The mentoring opportunities provided by Unsigned Only are nothing short of incredible: I've had in-depth conversations and meetings with the uppermost gatekeepers and leaders of the music industry. Since winning Unsigned Only, I've garnered invaluable advice from a rich variety of perspectives, and I've had the chance to start relationships with people who can truly help me in my career. I'm excited to see where this all takes me and I would urge any aspiring artist to enter this year's competition - you never know, you might be the next Grand Prize winner!"

The judging panel is comprised of an impressive group of recording artists and top-level music journalists. They include : Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders); Cyndi Lauper; Iggy Pop; Carly Simon; John Oates (Hall & Oates); Eve; 3 Doors Down; Neon Trees; Brandi Carlile; Hunter Hayes; Manchester Orchestra; Black Francis (The Pixies); Ryan Bingham; Faith Evans; David Crowder; Craig Morgan; Robert Smith (The Cure); Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Of Monsters and Men; Wynonna; Aaron Shust; Kirko Bangz; G. Love; Jason Gray; Dustin Lynch; The Mountain Goats; Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Vanessa Satten (Editor-In-Chief, XXL Magazine); Christopher Weingarten (Senior Editor, Spin); and Chris Richards (Pop Music Critic, The Washington Post).

The panel of mentors who have signed on to participate is equally impressive. Included are: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic Records); Pete Ganbarg (Executive VP/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); Shawn Holiday (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records and Sony/ATV Music Publishing); Josh Bailey (Sr. VP of A&R, Word Label Group); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Allison B. Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Lisa Ramsey-Perkins (Senior Director of A&R, Sony Music Nashville); and more to be announced.

All entries must be original music except for the Vocal Performance and Teen categories, which allow original or cover songs.

SPONSORS
D'Addario, The Music Business Registry and Mrs. Fields Cookies

For more information, please contact Candace Avery at 615.251.4441 or cavery@unsignedonly.com. For entry and general information, please go to http://www.unsignedonly.com

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04 Dec 2012

Warm Hands from Kind Hearts

By Linda Martin
Moline, IL - Members of the Moline Rotary Club donated 370 mittens, scarves and hats to help keep children in the Moline School District warm during the coming winter months. These items will be donated to ten Moline Elementary Schools for use by students who do not have warm weather attire or forget theirs at home.

"Moline Rotarians continue to give back to the community through programs such as Warm Hands from Kind Hearts," stated Randy Sovey, President of Moline Rotary. "I appreciate the generosity of Moline Rotarians to help make sure each Moline School District student can stay warm this winter".

2012 marks the 3rd Annual Warm Hands from Kind Hearts initiative within Moline Rotary. The Moline Rotary Community Needs Committee continuously identifies additional opportunities to impact the citizens within the city of Moline and the Rock Island County area. "Moline Rotary and its 130 members will mark its 100th anniversary of service to the community in 2014," said Sovey. The club supports numerous service projects in the Quad Cities and through Rotary International."

Moline Rotarians will deliver the collected items to the Moline Schools the week of December 3. The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

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03 Dec 2012

BODIES REVEALED TO OPEN SATURDAY, MARCH 9 AT THE PUTNAM MUSEUM IN DAVENPORT

By Jenna Smith

DAVENPORT – Premier Exhibitions, Inc. and the Putnam Museum announced today that Bodies Revealed will open Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA.  Bodies Revealed will provide the public with an opportunity to see inside carefully preserved real anatomical specimens and learn the detailed structure and function of the human body.

"The Bodies Revealed exhibit is a unique opportunity to SEE the impact of our lifestyle choices - what and how much we eat, whether we smoke, how often we exercise. We are surrounded by messages about the importance of healthy living - for many of us though, seeing is believing that ""an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."" At a time when health policy is on our collective minds, we are excited for the Quad Cities area to take advantage of this exhibit's unique look at the wonders of the human body." - Kim Findlay, CEO/President of the Putnam Museum.

"Trinity is happy to help the Putnam bring this fascinating educational opportunity to the Quad-Cities," said Rick Seidler, President and CEO of Trinity Regional Health System, a sponsor of the Bodies Revealed exhibit. "The body is such a complex system; it will be a real eye-opener for people to see exactly how ongoing exposure to unhealthy habits can impact it."

Trinity and the Putnam Museum are collaborating to coordinate a variety of activities in conjunction with the exhibit, including educational seminars, physician presentations, and prevention and awareness events. Trinity healthcare providers also will help serve as guides during the run of the exhibition.

The Exhibition takes visitors through galleries providing an up-close look inside the skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and other systems of the human body. Many of the whole body specimens are dissected in vivid athletic poses, allowing the visitor to relate to everyday activities. In addition, authentic human specimens illustrate the damage caused to organs by over-eating and lack of exercise. A healthy lung is featured next to a black lung ravaged by smoking in a vivid comparison more powerful than any textbook image.

The human body specimens in the exhibition are preserved through a revolutionary technique called polymer preservation. In this process, human tissue is permanently preserved using liquid silicone rubber that is treated and hardened. The end result is a rubberized specimen, preserved to the cellular level, showcasing the complexity of the body's many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and organs. The full-body specimens can take more than a year to prepare.

 

The Exhibition is currently receiving worldwide acclaim attracting nearly 15 million visitors from cities around the world.

Premier Exhibitions, Inc. is a major provider of Museum quality touring exhibitions throughout the world.

WHAT: Bodies Revealed

WHEN: Saturday, March 9 - July 14

WHERE: Putnam Museum, 1717 W. 12th Street, Davenport, IA 52804

TICKETS: Mark your calendars, tickets will go on sale February 2013. Because of its popularity and attendance, the Putnam urges guests to purchase advance tickets to ensure admittance to the opening of the Exhibition. Tickets to the Exhibition will be available for purchase in February, at www.putnam.org or by calling 563-324-1933.

Discounted prices are available to groups. Exhibition hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 Noon to 4 p.m.

Bodies Revealed will be brought to the Putnam Museum through generous support from Trinity Regional Health System; Deere & Co.; and the Quad-City Times.
03 Dec 2012

United Way and Russell Construction Partner with Jordan Catholic School to Build Rain Garden

By Janine Parr
Russell Construction will be at Jordan on Tuesday December 4th beginning at 1pm to help the school build a rain garden. The school is participating in the City of Rock Island's rain garden program and made the connection with Russell Construction volunteers through The United Way of the Quad Cities.
03 Dec 2012

Ford Supports Education Through the 2012 Heart Behind the Oval Community Challenge

By Hillary Mulka
  • Heart Behind the Oval Community Challenge is open to all U.S. high school seniors and college students with a demonstrated commitment to their communities
  • Public voting determines three winners who each receive a $2,500 college scholarship and a $2,500 grant to complete a future service project
  • Students may enter this year's contest on the Ford Blue Oval Scholars Facebook page until Dec. 14 with a video or photo essay showcasing their current community work and outlining a future project they could complete with more funding

DETROIT, Dec. 3, 2012 - The 2012 Heart Behind the Oval Community Challenge is underway, with the general public registering support for their favorite contest entries through daily online voting.  For this year's contest, Ford Motor Company Fund invited high school seniors and college students to showcase their commitment to their communities in a brief video or photo essay.  Students can submit their entries until Dec. 14.

The three entries with the most online votes will receive a $2,500 college scholarship and a $2,500 grant to a partnering nonprofit to complete a future service project.  Wild Card prizes, including a $1,000 college scholarship and a $1,000 project grant, will be awarded to two entries chosen by a Ford Motor Company judging panel.

For more information or to enter and vote for the 2012 Heart Behind the Oval Community Challenge, please visit http://apps.facebook.com/fordblueovalscholars/

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 172,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

03 Dec 2012

Mary Andringa next co-chair of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council starting July 1, 2013

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that Mary Vermeer Andringa, president and CEO of Vermeer Corporation in Pella, will serve as co-chair of the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council when University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen steps down from that role on June 30, 2013. Andringa will assume the role of co-chair next July 1.

The 40-member STEM Advisory Council has been co-chaired by Reynolds and Allen since Branstad established it by Executive Order 74 in 2011. Reynolds will continue serving as co-chair. The new council is working to bolster STEM education, STEM innovation and to better position Iowa's young people and economy for the future.

"It is with great pleasure that Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I announce that Mary Andringa will become the next co-chair of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council," said Branstad. "Mary's outstanding leadership and background in both business and education uniquely position her to continue to build Iowa's commitment to STEM. We are determined to boost student interest and achievement in STEM and promote STEM economic development."

Andringa began a two-year term as chair of the National Association of Manufacturers, the nation's largest manufacturing association, in January 2011. As the association's first woman chair, she leads its efforts to promote a robust manufacturing sector.  She is also one of 18 private sector members of President Obama's Export Council, where she represents manufacturing on key trade matters. Andringa began her career as a K-6 music teacher in Iowa City, Iowa. She began working in market research at Vermeer in 1982.

"I am thrilled that Mary has agreed to serve as co-chair of the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Advisory Council," said Reynolds.  "It has been a great honor to serve with President Allen, whose vision and insight have helped move the STEM Council and its 40 hard-working members forward.  I look forward to working with Mary and value the many perspectives that she brings to this initiative."

In May, the council created a network of six regional STEM hubs to meet local STEM needs across the state. In October, the council announced that more than 800 schools and community organizations will participate in scale-up programs in 2012-13 provided through the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. A generous $4.7 million appropriation from the 2012 Legislature is making the council's work possible.

The Governor's STEM Advisory Council's priorities moving forward include establishing STEM-focused schools to offer students more STEM education opportunities, building an online portal to house a best practices clearinghouse, and increasing retention of top math and science teachers.

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