Davenport, IOWA (November 2012) - Downtown Davenport will be bustling this weekend with the Festival of Trees kick off parade. Spectators will have the opportunity to warm-up at the Figge Art Museum where FREE ADMISSION, sponsored by Butler Insurance, is being offered on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the parade festivities.

Visitors can check out the newly opened exhibitions including Quilts: Masterworks from the American Folk Museum featuring 27 priceless quilts from the beginning of the 19th century to the end of the 20th century. and Portrait of Maquoketa: The Dimensional View showcasing 180 oil painting portraits that Rose Frantzen created from July 2005 to July 2006 in Maquoketa, Iowa.

The Museum Store will be offering The Holiday Experience Package which includes a $10 Museum Store coupon, a $10 Thursdays at the Figge Café coupon, a $5 class coupon, a free private tour for up to 10 people and 2 guest admission passes. Normally valued at more than $115, members can purchase it for just $25 and non-members for $40.

The end of year gift membership sale also starts Saturday and includes deep discounts on yearly memberships to the Figge. This unique holiday gift can also be purchased online at www.figgeartmuseum.org.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m.  Thursdays the museum is open until 9pm. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit our website, www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-end-

GABRIEL IGLESIAS - MARCH 7

Gabriel Iglesias will bring his Stand-Up Revolution Tour to the Adler Theatre on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 8PM.  You are invited to purchase your tickets before the general public beginning on Thursday, November 15 at 10AM until 10PM.  Click on "Find Tickets" below and enter in the venue special offer code: LAUGH

Gabriel's high-octane show is a sure-fire hit: a mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that have made him popular among fans of all ages.
BILL COSBY - APRIL 27
Bill Cosby will return to the Adler Theatre on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 7:30PM.  Get your tickets in advance before the public beginning on Wednesday, November 14 at 10AM through Thursday, November 15 at 10PM.  Click "Find Tickets" below and enter in the venue special offer code: COSBY

Bill Cosby's comedy transcends age, gender and cultural barriers.  He has captivated generations of fans with his comedy routines, iconic albums and best-selling books.
Rock Island, IL - The Moline Foundation has awarded a $3,000 grant to Christian Care's 24-hour crisis hotline. "Christian Care is especially grateful to the Moline Foundation for continuing to support our crisis line," said Dr. Elaine Winter, the organization's Executive Director. "We receive hundreds of calls a year from people who desperately need shelter, food, information and referrals. This 24-hour service we provide every hour of every day is critical to our ability to be there for people when they reach out for help, and we're thankful that the Moline Foundation understands this need."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for 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.

For all those who need a meal, Christian Care's community meal site is located at its rescue mission, 2209 3rd Avenue, Rock Island. It 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.

Locally-owned garden center's annual event coincides with "Small Business Saturday"

Coal Valley, IL - Corn Crib Nursery, celebrating its 40th anniversary as a locally-owned, third generation family-owned garden center, welcomes area families to its annual holiday open house on Saturday, November 24th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 6924 Route 150, Coal Valley, IL, just two miles from Quad City International Airport.

The event coincides with the national movement "Small Business Saturday." The full service garden center will have numerous opportunities for families to make new holiday memories while also thinking local.

For 30 years, a highlight of products available from the Corn Crib is its selection of in-house handmade wreaths. This year, the open house event will feature a children's wreath-making area for families to add an original touch to their holiday décor. Santa will be there too!

Add to that a selection of Fraser Fir trees as well as a wide selection of fresh greens and plants with expert staff available for personal service. It's all there at Corn Crib to make the holidays easy.

The Corn Crib Nursery began in 1972 as a seasonal, open-air market and sod farm. In 1980, the business constructed its first permanent buildings and became a year-round, full service garden center including design services.

Locally owned during its 40-year history, it now welcomes a third generation from the White family to the staff. The nursery is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. For more information, visit www.corncribnursery.com or "like" us on Facebook - Search: Corn Crib Nursery.

-30-

Illinois Jobs Now! Project Supported 200 Jobs; Will Strengthen Healthcare for Vulnerable, Low-Income and Medicaid Patients at Mount Sinai

CHICAGO - November 13, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined with community and healthcare leaders to announce the newly renovated Mount Sinai Hospital Health Clinic. This $7 million Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction project created or supported almost 200 jobs and will allow Mount Sinai Hospital to relocate its specialty clinics into one space.

"As a result of this project, more people will get the medical care they need and we will strengthen the local community," Governor Quinn said. "Building this new clinic at Mount Sinai creates jobs, paves the way for more economic growth and improves healthcare services that will help tens of thousands of people every year."

The $7 million Illinois Jobs Now! project was used to move all of Mount Sinai Hospital's specialty clinics out of a 60-year facility that was once used as a dormitory and into a newly-renovated space. These clinics include cardiology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, nephrology, general surgery, vascular surgery and several pediatric subspecialties. Construction on the first phase of this project will be completed in the next four to six months.

These clinics served more than 65,000 patient visits last year. The new space was designed to accommodate more patients that will be covered by the Medicaid expansion as part of the federal Affordable Care Act. Medicaid covers 60% of Sinai Health System's patients and 15% are uninsured. The efficiencies created by bringing these clinics under one roof will mean increased care for vulnerable populations that have limited options in receiving specialty medical treatment.

The new clinics will be located on the third floor of the Sinai Community Institute Building, which serves as a central location where those in need can go for help. The first floor of the building houses many of the programs of Sinai Community Institute which offers a wide range of programs to serve the community. Programs include one of the largest Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programs in Illinois, parenting education, elder abuse services, workforce development, case management, youth programming, case management for the Juvenile Intervention Support Center, after school education programs and a community computer lab.

Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program is the largest in Illinois history, supporting an estimated 439,000 construction jobs over six years. The program, which aims to modernize Illinois' infrastructure, began in 2009.

###

News from Illinois National Guard

For more information contact: National Guard PAO Illinois , (217) 761-3569, ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

National Native American Heritage Month 2012

SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/13/2012)(readMedia)-- --

WHO:

• Illinois National Guard Equal Opportunity Office

• Dr. Joyce Surbeck-Harris

WHAT:

• Dr. Joyce Surbeck-Harris is half Eastern Cherokee & Northern Shoshone Indian. Over the past 30 years, she has studied with several traditional holy men and healers. Dr Joyce Surbeck-Harris has joined with two of her colleagues to develop a program for veterans with PTSD.

WHEN:

• Nov. 14, 10 a.m.

WHERE:

• IMA Auditorium, Camp Lincoln

1301 N MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, IL 62702-2399

If you're agonizing over what Obama's reelection will mean for your economic future, Greg Downing says you're focused on the wrong issue. Who lives in the White House is almost irrelevant. What does matter is whether you continue to cling to the obsolete college-job-401(k) paradigm...or shift to a whole new way of thinking about work and wealth.

Lecanto, FL (November 2012)?November 6 has come and gone, and there's a lot of anxiety around what happens next. This is true of any election. Many people are wondering, What will Obama's reelection mean for job creation, Social Security, healthcare, college tuition, and other hot-button issues? Given the shaky state of the economy, some angst is unavoidable. But Greg Downing says it's absurd to think that whoever occupies the White House for the next four years will seal your fate and make or break your future. "They" can't save you. Only you can save you.

"Never has the phrase 'If it's to be, it's up to me' been more appropriate," asserts Downing, author of Entrepreneur Unleashed: Wealth to Stand the Test of Time (Legacy Unleashed Press, 2012, ISBN: 978-1-938047-06-0, $29.95, www.GregoryDowning.com) as well as an upcoming book on providing a financial legacy for kids. "The blunt truth is that no American can afford to wait on salvation from any politician?or, for that matter, any employer or any teacher in any traditional school.

"The old formula that allowed people to build a comfy middle-class life is gone," he adds. "Instead of obsessing over what you can't control?like who's in the Oval Office, for instance?it's time to focus on what you can control. It's time to make an about-face and learn how to think about work and wealth in a whole new way."

Downing is referring to entrepreneurship. He knows firsthand how dramatically it can transform your life. Once a car dealership manager working grueling 80-hour weeks, he is now a millionaire many times over who takes four months of vacation a year. He made his wealth as a real estate investment business owner and motivational speaker, and he says regardless of the field you choose, entrepreneurship is the only logical path to financial freedom in a global economy where half of all college grads are moving back home jobless and saddled with debt.

First, let's be clear: The entrepreneurship he espouses is NOT the "open your own restaurant and bust your butt working there seven days a week" variety. Rather, it centers on generating multiple streams of income (earned, passive, and portfolio) so that the money you make is not directly connected to the time you spend. ("Time is more valuable than money" is one of Downing's favorite mantras.)

"A single paycheck, even two paychecks added together, is no longer enough to allow a family to live comfortably and provide for the future," he states. "If you're lucky enough to get a good job?and that's a big if?you might be able to scrape by, but you'll work yourself into an early grave. And, of course, if the job goes away, the money stops. It's no way to live?and it's no way to teach your children to live."

Anyone can make the leap to entrepreneurship, and, subsequently, financial freedom, insists Downing. Sure, you may have to learn new practical skills?but mostly it's a matter of changing your mindset. Once you break free of what he calls "middle-class programming," half the battle is won. Here are some of his insights on how to do it:

Commit to changing your life?and don't break that commitment. Most of us do keep our word to others, or at least try to. And of course being trustworthy is critical to your success. (How else will we find investors and get return customers and referrals?) But what about the promises and pacts you make with yourself? Downing says most people are far more likely to break agreements with themselves than they are with others. Yet since becoming an entrepreneur requires a dramatic change in both mindset and habits, you won't get far if you keep letting yourself off the hook.

"It's easy to justify breaking an agreement with yourself because no one will ever know," he points out. "Sometimes we even do it unconsciously. But make no mistake: Your private decision has consequences for both your future and your family's future.

"Breaking any kind of commitment?even those that may seem insignificant?hurts us because our subconscious gets accustomed to our 'crying wolf,'" he adds. "Then, when we want to make a big change in our lives, our subconscious simply doesn't believe us. It will actually work against our success. So when you don't do what you say you are going to do, you are actually giving yourself permission to falter, to quit, and to fail."

Take action now. Don't wait. I'd like to build my wealth. I want to start my own business. It would be great to be in firm control of my financial future. These are nice, positive thoughts, but when they're not paired with action, they are nothing but daydreams. Only action?not plans, not goals, and not ambition?gets results. Every day that you don't take a concrete step forward is another day of the status quo, another day of accepting a mediocre, hum-drum life.

Downing teaches his students to take action toward their dreams each and every day. Even if it's an imperfect action?even if it's later revealed to be an out-and-out mistake?it's still better than letting fear keep you stuck in an unsatisfying life.

"Life rewards action," he asserts. "And yet, most people just keep going through their daily motions, procrastinating, thinking their ideas to death, and never moving forward on them. Every morning, ask yourself, What action can I take today to move toward my dream of financial independence and self-reliance? Then do it, for your own sake and for the sake of your family. Otherwise, one day you'll look back at your life and realize that while you had good intentions, you did not create results."

Remove all unconscious, negative, and scarcity-based programming. Downing says the middle class has been "programmed" with belief systems that weren't designed to help us attain wealth and that, indeed, barely work at all anymore. But because everyone around us is buying into the formula, we assume it's the "right" way. We all have an inner "sheep" that is afraid to go against the herd, that fears it will be punished if it goes against cultural norms. And that's a shame, because while we're staring at the hindquarters of the sheep in front of us, we're ignoring a huge world filled with riches for the taking.

"Today and every day, consciously evaluate and reconsider what works for you as you strive toward a life of wealth and abundance," instructs Downing. "First, think critically about risk and reward, and determine how to effectively balance the two. This involves looking closely at your emotions, your willingness to take action, and your desire to move forward when an opportunity to build wealth arises.

"Often, you'll find that fear, not a rational reason, is holding you back," he adds. "Through this process of evaluation, you'll gradually reprogram your beliefs about the fear of investing, the availability of money, and the lack-mentality that is so common in our society. And as you begin to experience greater rewards, you'll confirm the beliefs and actions that create wealth."

Assume 100 percent responsibility for the results in your life. It's easy to blame disappointments and failures on everything other than ourselves. For instance: "I could be a lot wealthier if the economy hadn't tanked." Or, "How was I supposed to know that there would be a storm and I'd have to clean out my savings to replace my roof?" While it's true that you can't always foresee or control what happens in your life, you can choose how you respond to those circumstances.

"I get it?life has a way of kicking in the door and derailing your plans," admits Downing. "There are bills to pay, problems to solve, and circumstances that need attention. You need to deal with these issues, but you cannot allow them to stop you. Every day, you must make time to move toward the life of your dreams, no matter how small that step is. If you aren't taking steps to change your reality, you forfeit the right to complain about it."

Invest in a financial education program. For decades, American schools have taught (and are still teaching) students that they'll need to give the best years of their lives to employers so that they can retire on 40 percent of their working salary. (That's assuming they can get a good job at all in today's economy, of course.) It stands to reason that if you want more out of life, you'll need to seek some non-traditional education that will help you cultivate the skills that will enable you to generate multiple streams of income.

What those skills are specifically, of course, depends on the field you want to play on. Most likely they'll have to do with acquiring credit, using debt wisely, seeking (and persuading) investors, and marketing your products or services to buyers. Downing's main point is that you shouldn't be afraid to pay for the expertise you need.

"Building wealth takes work, dedication, commitment, and an increased level of knowledge," confirms Downing. "Unless you win the lottery, there is no such thing as getting rich quickly, without any effort, and without spending any money. This doesn't mean getting your MBA. It does mean investing in a real-world education from others who have succeeded in doing what you want to do."

Remain coachable. The annals of history are filled with the tragic downfalls of leaders who got "too big for their britches," refused to consider the advice and expertise of others, and ran their organizations and empires into the ground. Entrepreneurs, by nature, are go-against-the-grain types. It's easy for them to assume they know best and disregard good advice from those who've been there. Don't fall into this trap. Not only should you carefully consider advice, you should actively seek it out.

"The greatest athletes in the world have coaches, and the president of the United States has advisors," points out Downing. "Why would you or I be any different? Other people have done what you want to do and know things you probably haven't even considered. If you seek those individuals out and actively learn from them, you'll minimize mistakes while growing your business as effectively as possible.

"Keep in mind, though, that a true mentor won't just tell you what you want to hear?he or she will tell you what you need to hear," he adds. "Sometimes it'll be uncomfortable, and you'll be tempted to disregard the advice. Don't. Leave your pride at the door and always remain open to learning new ways to approach business problems."

Stop doing minimum wage activities. Our culture puts hard work on a pedestal. From sayings like "If you want the job done right, do it yourself" to the belief that the longer you stay at the office, the better employee you are, it's clear that Americans think that spilling one's blood, sweat, and tears is a noble calling. Not so, counters Downing. If you don't separate yourself from the mundane and the nitty-gritty, you might just micromanage your business away from success.

"You must stop telling yourself to work harder, and learn to work smarter," he says. "It's crucial to understand that the work of an entrepreneur is the work of the mind: thinking, planning, creating, leading, and providing oversight. If you want to reach the highest level possible, you have to leave tasks that can be accomplished by others to those with the knowledge and skills to do them."

Remember that time is more valuable than money. Chances are, you grew up being taught that the way to support yourself and to get ahead in life was to trade your time for money. In other words, if you spend 40 or more hours a week doing what your employer wants, you'll be paid for 40 or more hours. But once those 40 hours are gone, they're gone forever. You'll never get back the time you could have spent playing with your kids or hiking in the woods or volunteering for your favorite charity.

Linking time and earning potential is middle-class thinking, asserts Downing. Of course, you probably can't quit your job tomorrow. You will have to put in some long hours up-front. But eventually you'll have systems set up that allow you to profit from time put in by others and to reinvest your earnings so that you can generate even more income.

"A true entrepreneur understands time is a precious commodity and must be used wisely and efficiently," he explains. "You can and must devote your time to creating wealth, planning and building business systems, and leading your team. Once you have this foundation firmly in place, you'll find you're free of the obligation to work nine to five."

Maintain a credit score of 760 or higher. Your credit score is the gate standing between you and the success you dream of. That's because lenders use credit score ratings to control the amount of money in the marketplace. If they want to increase the flow, they lower qualifying scores. And if they want to decrease the flow, they raise those scores. As an entrepreneur, it's crucial for you to be able to borrow money whenever you need it?regardless of what the market is doing.

"In 2011, the scoring for 'A' credit was raised to 730," shares Downing. "Therefore, you should choose to have A+ credit with a score of 760 or higher. Not only will this score allow you to borrow money any time, it also means that you'll qualify for lower interest rates. Overall, make it a priority to become a master at understanding, evaluating, and controlling your credit score and credit availability so that you'll never find the gate to the resources you need closed and locked."

Stop viewing debt as negative. We've all heard the horror stories: families so sunk in consumer debt they were forced to declare bankruptcy and individuals whose educational debt haunted them for the rest of their lives. In part because of these cautionary tales, we've been programmed to believe the only route to financial freedom is becoming debt-free. Downing says it's time to reprogram that belief.

"It's not that debt itself is bad?it's that the way the average American uses it is destructive," he clarifies. "From this day forward, commit to using debt to invest and build your wealth. Yes, debt can be financial quicksand. But used wisely, it can also give you leverage and make you rich."

Seek to fulfill the unmet needs of others. You may love French pastries and open up a bakery, but if no one in your area craves croissants, your shop will flop. Yes, it's a simplistic example, but the principle behind it holds true: If your business doesn't address and fulfill an unmet need, it's not going to be successful. Period. And in today's highly competitive world with a business on every corner, it's critical to identify what others aren't doing (or aren't willing to do!) so that you can compete and win customers.

"Unmet needs aren't always readily apparent or visible," points out Downing. "To identify them, you need to ask yourself questions like, What problems are keeping my potential customers awake at night? What do they want that they aren't getting? What would make their lives easier? When you have some answers, work on creating a unique approach to delivering that product or service."

Become a master at creating systems and processes. This is all about building a business that runs?and can continue to run?effectively and efficiently. Why? Because you don't want to have to spend your oh-so-valuable time reinventing the wheel and micromanaging others.

"Becoming a master at creating duplicable systems and processes means that you'll need to understand the steps that lead to success, clearly define them, write them down, and explain them to your team," says Downing. "But once you've done all this work up-front, you'll no longer have to run your day-to-day operations. You'll be free!"

Build the right relationships with the right power team members. If you're truly working toward creating wealth, you're not going to be building one small business that you personally operate and run. Instead, you'll be creating multiple, duplicable small businesses that are constantly creating new streams of income for you. You'll need to be able to hand off tasks and duties to others. And that means you'll need a strong team of the right people doing the hard work for you.

"Your power team is the power behind your skill as an entrepreneur," explains Downing. "That's why it's critical to evaluate these people personally and make sure they're right for the job.

"This is also why it's so important to be respectful and helpful to everyone you meet," he adds. "You never know when you'll be making a connection that can benefit you next week, or next month, or next year. They may become power team members and they may also refer customers your way."

Make it a family affair. As you're transforming yourself into an entrepreneur, be sure to instill the same mindset and skills in your kids. This is actually not as hard as you might think. Not only can you narrate what it means to own a business?talking through issues like finding opportunity, understanding revenue and profits, differentiating yourself from competitors, and so forth?your kids can also learn from the best teacher: experience.

"I always advise parents to help their children take typical 'kid jobs' to the next level," explains Downing. "Instead of just being a babysitter or a tutor, for example, kids might start a franchise where they hire out jobs to a database of subcontractors. Or they might invest in some gumball machines. The idea is to let them cut their teeth on critical business principles and see firsthand how they can make money that isn't directly connected to their time.

"Teaching your kids to think about wealth-building in this way is the greatest gift you can give them," he notes. "I believe entrepreneurship is the best way to live. But even if your kids grow up to work for someone else or enter a profession, employers will expect them to work and think like entrepreneurs. It's just the way the world is headed."

Downing acknowledges that some of these tips may seem deceptively simple. But it's their very simplicity that gives them their power.

"Life is really just a series of choices," he says. "We decide whether to watch TV after work or spend an hour on our action plan, whether to take the class or not take the class, whether to hold the cards or place the bet. Most people take the path of least resistance and go with the herd. Those who don't are the ones who will create rich, full lives that are truly worth living."

# # #

About the Author:
Gregory S. Downing has dedicated his life to teaching his students that every family can truly control its financial future and create a generational legacy with profound, yet straightforward advice and guidance. As a nationally and highly respected author, speaker, family expert, and organizational consultant, his advice has been sought and put into practice by thousands of people from all walks of life. With over 20 years of experience in management, leadership, training, and business ownership, he has proven that his principles of legacy parenting, business promotion, entrepreneurship, and real estate investing both work and create bonds of relationship that go beyond the ordinary.

Prior to his writing and public speaking career, he served for 12 years as the general manager of four Chevrolet and Dodge Chrysler dealerships, managing over 130 employees and increasing production and sales without sacrificing quality and customer service while there. It was during his tenure in this position that he became increasingly aware that his gifts and talents were in motivating and leading others to achieve their goals and dreams. He made the transition to motivational and investment training so he could touch more lives and influence others to build wealth and prosperity for themselves and for their families.

To learn more, please visit www.GregoryDowning.com.

(DES MOINES) - 23 videos were submitted ahead of the Governor's Anti-Bullying Summit, and votes are now being taken from Iowans to determine their favorite.

The videos are found on the EduVision Bully Prevention Entries Channel found here: https://educateiowa.eduvision.tv/Default.aspx.

The winner will be determined based on the number of video views. All 23 videos approved to be in the contest went live on Monday, November 12th and will be taken down on Wednesday, November 21st.

While the deadline for submitting videos has passed, room is still available to attend the summit, which will be held on Nov. 27, at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. Registration can be found on the summit's web site at https://preventbullying.iowa.gov/.

The governor's office encourages all Iowans to spread the word regarding the summit and video voting to their fellow students, teachers, family and friends. The winner and finalists for the video contest will be notified on Nov. 26.

The winner of the video will be announced at the summit on Nov. 27.

# #
Jordan Catholic School 4th grade teacher Karen Lavell reached out to Trinity to participate in their "Smoke Free That's Me" program. Mrs. Lavell explained that this is a perfect time to teach students about the dangers of smoking as the Great American Smoke-out is this Thursday November 15th. Trinity will work with Mrs. Lavell's 4th grade class from 1-2pm today.

Trinity Cancer Center reaches out to area elementary students to educate them in visual and interactive ways about the long-term dangers of smoking.  Smoke Free That's Me is a program presented to 2nd and 4th graders by oncology-certified nurses.  Each presentation lasts about 50 minutes and includes an age-appropriate video, handout, and numerous interactive activities.  Educators are encouraged to call the Cancer Canter at (309) 779-5090 ext. 1 (nursing) or ext. 3 (Carolene) to schedule a visit.


The Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, John Deere Commons, Moline is having a traditional Thanksgiving Brunch/Buffet, Thursday, November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day from 11am-3pm.

Chef Steve Hall is preparing all of your Thanksgiving favorites with all the trimmings.

Adults $20, Children $10, High chair age are free.

Make your reservations today by calling 309-736-0100.

###########

Pages