Hundreds More Jobs to Result from Administration's Announcement of $38 Million in Capital Funding for Phase II of Moline Campus Expansion

MOLINE - January 17, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined local officials at Western Illinois University (WIU) to open the $18.4 million "Building One" at the school's Riverfront Campus in Moline, a facility that will house the university's undergraduate programs in the Quad Cities. In his third visit to the campus since the project was announced, Governor Quinn also announced the release of an additional $38 million in state capital funds for the next phase of the Moline campus expansion that will create hundreds of jobs and triple university enrollment when complete. The Governor stood alongside WIU President Jack Thomas to open the new building and announce additional funding.

"Investing in higher education is one of the best investments a state can make because jobs follow brainpower," Governor Quinn said. "The Riverfront Campus will help create jobs now and help students and communities by creating economic and job opportunities for generations to come."

The $18.4 million "Building One" project transformed the former John Deere Technical Center, donated to WIU by the John Deere Corporation, into the new Riverfront Campus. The two-story, 60,300-square-foot energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building will be submitted for a LEED Silver designation and includes new classrooms, instructional and computer laboratories, offices, faculty and student lounges, and a reception and work area. The project was supported by a $12.5 million investment from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and created approximately 125 construction jobs. It was administered by the Capital Development Board, which oversees state-funded, non-road construction projects.

Governor Quinn's announcement today of $38 million in new construction funding will support Phase II of the Riverfront Campus project, which includes a new classroom and administrative building. This expansion is expected to create more than 260 construction jobs. Bidding is scheduled for June 2012 with completion by mid-2014.

Despite having a regional population of more than 350,000 people, WIU-Quad Cities is the only public university in northwestern Illinois. The expansion is expected to generate a construction impact in excess of $125 million and support more than 100 permanent new jobs at WIU-Quad Cities.

"We are the only public university in the Quad Cities, and today's announcement for Phase II of the Riverfront Campus means expanded public higher education opportunities for the residents of the region," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "We remain committed to providing outstanding educational experience to the Quad Cities and we are excited about the prospect of moving forward with Phase 2 of the Riverfront Campus."

According to the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, the annual economic impact of WIU-Quad Cities with a current enrollment of 1,360 students and 100 faculty and staff is over $10 million annually. A new 3,000-student, three-building campus will raise that value to more than $50 million annually and will double the number of college graduates to 500 annually.

Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program includes $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. The overall $30 billion program is expected to create 439,000 construction jobs.

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DES MOINES, IA (01/17/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald reminds Iowa students that the application for the 2012 Robert D. Blue Scholarship is available online at www.rdblue.org. All Iowa residents who plan to attend college in Iowa for the 2012-2013 school year are eligible to apply.

"Over the years we've helped hundreds of Iowa students meet their college costs with this scholarship," Fitzgerald stated. "Awards are based on financial need, academic achievements, written recommendations and an original essay. Last year, seven outstanding students representing seven counties were chosen to receive awards. Each of the recipients went on to attend a different Iowa college or university."

The Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation awards the Robert D. Blue Scholarship to Iowa students attending college in Iowa. Governor Blue created the Foundation in 1949 to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of Iowa's acceptance into the union. At that time, a scholarship fund was established to encourage the youth of the state to attend Iowa's fine colleges and universities. In 1990, the Foundation officially named the scholarship to honor the late Governor Blue.

Robert D. Blue Scholarship applications are only accepted online through May 10 at www.rdblue.org. The winners will be announced during the summer. Those who would like more information on the Robert D. Blue Scholarship should visit the website, or call the treasurer's office at (515) 242-5270.

# # #

Checkoff farmer-leaders select nine Clean Cities coalitions to help promote biodiesel, Bioheat ST. LOUIS (January 17, 2012) - Americans from the mid-Atlantic to the Northwest will soon be hearing a lot more about why they should use soy biodiesel?if they aren't already.

The United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff have announced the participants in the 2012 biodiesel and Bioheat® communications program, which helps cities across the United States spread the word about the only commercially available advanced biofuel.

The soybean checkoff will partner with nine U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-affiliated "Clean Cities" coalitions to increase the availability and use of soy biodiesel and heating-oil-alternative Bioheat through promotion and education. The Clean Cities program serves as a government-industry partnership sponsored by DOE and has more than 90 local chapters across the United States. These chapters work in their local areas to reduce petroleum consumption.

"Clean Cities coalitions are really great organizations," says Mike Beard, USB director and soybean farmer from Frankfort, Ind. "This program helps them, and it helps us to get the word out about clean, efficient soy biodiesel."

This year, checkoff farmer-leaders committed nearly $200,000 to assist these chapters with various biodiesel and Bioheat projects. USB funding will assist Clean Cities across the United States in communicating the benefits of soy biodiesel and Bioheat through radio public service announcements, outdoor advertising, informational workshops for energy users and distributors, promotional events, and many other activities.  

Clean Cities Coalitions participating in the 2012 reimbursement program include :
·    Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (partnering with Alabama Soybean Producers)
·    Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with Maryland Soybean Board)
·    Iowa Clean Cities (partnering with Iowa Soybean Association)
·    Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with Kansas Soybean Commission)
·    North Dakota Clean Cities (partnering with North Dakota Soybean Council)
·    Triangle Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with North Carolina Soybean Producers Association)
·    Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition (partnering with Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council)
·    Virginia Clean Cities (partnering with Maryland Soybean Board and Virginia Soybean Board)
·    Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition



USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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Rock Island, IL --- "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Getz. Tom was a role model to many, a philanthropist, and a tireless supporter of the QC area. Tom was a driving force behind my own candidacy and youth in local politics. But his impact is much larger than a mere political campaign.

 

"We will have to work hard to fill the void he leaves in our community. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends in this difficult time." - Jonathan Wallace, candidate for State Representative, 72nd District.

Duluth, Minn. - Today maurices launched its second annual Main Street Model Search. The young women's retailer is looking for 12 real girls in all sizes to model maurices clothing in upcoming fall, holiday and spring campaigns. Models will be selected through maurices Main Street Model Search.

"Through last year's Main Street Model Search, we were able to express maurices' passion for embracing real girls from hometowns across America," says Brad Hartmann, maurices vice president of marketing. "We're excited to give another group of women the opportunity to live their dream of modeling while demonstrating what the maurices brand is all about: fashion, fun and giving back."

Women ages 18 and older can enter maurices Main Street Model Search online. They'll need to upload photos of themselves, write a short essay and provide other key details. Full model contest rules should be reviewed before entering.

Stylist and fashion designer Christopher Straub from Lifetime's "Project Runway" will once again be part of the judging panel. Straub launched Christopher Straub for maurices?a line of clothing, accessories and a fragrance?in November 2011. His second line for maurices will be unveiled this spring.

Straub was thrilled when maurices invited him to be part of its second model search. "It was incredibly rewarding to be part of last year's contest. I met so many wonderful people who were beautiful on the inside and out. I can't wait to be part of selecting the next maurices Main Street Models."

Judges will select models based on appearance and how well they represent the maurices image. The top 12 models will each receive a photo shoot in one of three iconic destinations in the U.S. and national exposure at maurices locations, www.maurices.com, mailers and social media; a $1,500 maurices gift card; and $7,500 for a charitable makeover to be awarded directly to a community or charitable organization in her hometown.

Women can enter online now through February 13. Online voting is open from February 27 through March 19, with people receiving a surprise coupon offer from maurices every time they vote, plus a chance to win as much as $1,000 in gift cards. Online voting will narrow the field of contestants to 100 who will be required to create a video as part of their submission. maurices will select 20 models for a final casting call in Minneapolis, Minn., the week of April 16. The top 12 models will be announced April 23.

For more information, visit maurices.com , facebook.com/maurices or mauricesmainstreetmodel.com.

maurices Main Street Model Search 2012 Timeline

Model submissions: January 16 - February 13
Women from across America enter online for the chance to model for maurices and win fabulous prizes, including a fashion shoot in an iconic destination in the U.S.

Online voting: February 27 - March 19
Voters help narrow the search to 100 contestants with each of their votes earning a surprise coupon offer from maurices, plus a chance to win as much as $1,000 in gift cards.

Meet the top 100 contestants: March 20
maurices
reveals the voters' top 100 choices online.

Video submission: March 20 - 27
The top 100 contestants create and submit a video that tells why they should be a maurices Main Street Model.

Introducing the top 20: April 2
Judging panel reveals the top 20 contestants.

Casting call: Week of April 16
Top 20 finalists are brought to Minneapolis, Minn., for a casting call with a panel of judges that includes Christopher Straub from Season Six of Lifetime's "Project Runway."

And the winners are: April 23
maurices
will introduce the 12 winners of maurices Main Street Model Search 2012.

 

About maurices

maurices, a division of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ - ASNA), is the leading hometown specialty store and authority for the savvy, fashion-conscious girl with a twenty-something attitude. Today, maurices operates 800 stores in 44 states. maurices stands for fashion, quality, value and customer service. Offering sizes 1-26 in select stores and online, our styles are inspired by the girl in everyone, in every size. For store information and to shop online, visit maurices.com.

 

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IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Premier Bath & Kitchen Resurfacing specializes in updating home décor using a convenient, cost-effective technology. Based in Eldridge, Iowa, Premier can resurface any type of tub, shower, ceramic tile, or countertop to save the mess and expense of tear-out and replacement. According to owners Mike and Gayle Staples, Premier now offers a new green product that greatly reduces the toxins involved in the resurfacing process.

Premier Bath & Kitchen Resurfacing will feature the new product, EcoGlaze™ Waterborne from NAPCO, Ltd., at the 2012 Home Show Expo, Feb. 10 - 12, at the Quad City Conservation Alliance (QCCA) Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave., Rock Island, Illinois.
"EcoGlaze is so home- and environment-friendly, most people will find no trace of chemical odors after the work is done," said Mike. "This is excellent for senior homes, health-care facilities, hospitality venues, and occupied homes. This product is especially useful for living spaces and workplaces used by individuals who are sensitive to toxins."
Gayle noted that Premier is on the cutting edge with this product, since NAPCO released it in late fall of 2011. "We're proud to be able to offer this product to the community," she said.
A Green Innovation
The new green product was created by NAPCO, the North American Polymer Company of Skokie, Illinois. According to Dani Nichols, Vice President at NAPCO, the product is a waterborne polyurethane, similar to other polymers, but with 90 percent less petroleum-based solvents.

"Conventional tub and tile coatings were developed in the '50s - the same time as television," Dani said. "Our new EcoGlaze coating is a water-based coating that is safer for the environment, homes and businesses. And, it's made in the USA. Most solvents in old-fashioned coatings use foreign oil as a raw material. EcoGlaze uses only US-made raw materials."
Dani noted that the EcoGlaze coating is low in VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. "VOCs deplete the ozone layer and are responsible for ground-level smog and air pollution," she said. "With almost no solvents, VOCs are dramatically reduced. The less VOCs you use, the healthier you make your home and environment."
NAPCO has been developing the product for five years, Dani added. "The product was field-tested on hundreds of tubs before it was released," she said. "The first tub was resurfaced one and a half years ago, and it's holding up great."
Good for Your Health and Budget
With this product, Gayle stated, you are using a healthier product and keeping home materials out of landfills. "Resurfacing is a healthier redecorating choice than tub-liners," she said. "If the caulk seals on liners break, they can harbor moisture, bacteria and mold."

According to Mike, a resurfacing project can be done in less than a day. "With resurfacing, you don't need multiple contractors," he said. "If you want to make your tub look like new, you won't need to hire a plumber, a tile setter, or a general contractor. In this economy, it is an excellent option for improving the value of a home."
For more information on Premier Bath & Kitchen Resurfacing, call 563-386-3366 or visit Premier-Resurfacing.com.
-- End --
Dear Independent Scholar, Co-leaners and Supporters,

We are repeating the documentary for those who missed it due to our first snow last week.

THRIVE.
On
Thursday
Jan 19th  2012
At
7.00 pm

THRIVE is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what's REALLY going on in our world by following the money upstream -- uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives. Weaving together breakthroughs in science, consciousness and activism, THRIVE offers real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and our future. After the presentation there will be critical analysis of the movie within the group, facilitated by Independent Scholar Michael Grady.

Please attend.  Please feel free to forward this email to your network.
These Inidependent Scholars' Evenings we sponsored by The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd. a 501(c) 3 at State and Federal levels since 1996.

Please visit our website www.qcinstitute.org

Looking forward to meeting you at the ISE

TOBYMAC UNPLUGGED - A Night of Stories and Songs, featuring special guest Jamie Grace, is coming this Fall to select cities. It will be a totally different TobyMac show, a time where it's not about the lights, smoke, big stage, numerous musicians... instead it will be more intimate and personal, a "storyteller's night" where TobyMac will share where the songs came from. The song arrangements will be different... not completely acoustic, but basically acoustic–thus the name UNPLUGGED.

The ascension of TobyMac's solo career has been nothing short of spectacular.  In an era of declining music sales he has consistently defied the odds and has seen his sales increase with each new album release. Having climbed the mountain once with the group dcTalk, TobyMac knows how difficult the journey can be and how much work the process actually takes.  Upon embarking on his solo career, Toby sought to surround himself with a talented and diverse cast of characters, aptly named the Diverse City Band. The result has been a musical fusion that radiates with an unquenchable energy and a penetrating message.

Tickets available here:
* Adler Theatre Box Office
* Online at Ticketmaster.com
* Charge by phone at 800-745-3000
* and at all Ticketmaster outlets
* Special Ticket Offers available!

 

Adler Theatre Box Office:
136 East Third Street
Davenport, Iowa 52801
Phone 563-326-8555

 

Internet Purchasing: online at Ticketmaster.com

Charge By Phone: call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000

 

Ticketmaster Outlets:
· Bettendorf, IA: HY-Vee, 2900 Devils Glenn Rd.
· Davenport, IA: HY-Vee, 2200 West Kimberly Rd.
· Davenport, IA: Younkers, Northpark Mall, 320 West Kimberly Rd.
· Moline, IL: Mailboxes & Parcel Depot #2, 5202 38th Ave.
· Moline, IL: Younkers, Southpark Mall, 4200 - 16th St.
·Silvis,IL: HY-Vee,2001 5th St.

What could be better on a cold mid-winter night than a heart-warming evening of music and art at the Figge? The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is proud to present the Lyrebird Ensemble in conjunction with the "Fins and Feathers" exhibit at the Figge Art Museum. The Lyrebird Ensemble is a collaboration between QCSO Flute Ellen Huntington and QCSO Principal Harp Lillian Lau. Come to hear the gorgeous combination of sounds in a program of rarely-performed works ranging from charming to virtuosic. This second concert of the Signature Series is in the Figge Art Museum at 8 PM on Saturday, January 21, at 8 PM.

The Lyrebird Ensemble, based in Chicago, was formed in 2006 when flutist Ellen Huntington and harpist Lillian Lau began collaborating as members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. They are dedicated to performing lesser known repertoire written specifically for flute and harp from the late eighteenth century to the present day. Their debut recording, "Taking Flight," introduces a unique program of virtuosic compositions from the modern era.

The Lyrebird Ensemble will be performing for the opening of the "Fins and Feathers: Children's Book Illustrations from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art," a temporary exhibit at the Figge Art Museum that showcases original children's book illustrations from the late 1960s through today. Included are works by Leo Lionni (Fish is Fish), Petra Mathers (Lottie's New Beach Towel), and Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar). The performance will be in the midst of the exhibit and attendees are invited to browse the art before the show and during intermission. "Fins and Feathers" runs through April 22, 2012.

Tickets for this concert can be purchased at www.QCSymphony.com, 800.745.3000, and all Ticketmaster outlets. Dinner reservations should be made directly through the Outing Club at 563.324.5284.

Mike Smiddy (38), candidate for State Representative in Illinois' 71st District received an enormous boost in his bid to become the democratic nominee when on Thursday he received the endorsements of the Northwest Illinois Building Trades and the Illinois AFL-CIO.  The Northwest Illinois Building Trades represents unions in Whiteside County the northern part of the 71st District while the Illinois AFL-CIO represents 1,500 local unions and nearly one million union members throughout the State of Illinois.

"Growing up in a middle class family and being the son of a UAW retiree I am extremely proud to have received these organizations support.  It is the hard work of organized labor that created the middle class in America and I plan to be a voice in the Illinois Legislature for those values and Ideals."

Smiddy, a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #46 at the East Moline Correctional Center believes that each generation is suppose to do better than the previous one.  If Illinois continues down its current path, our children and grandchildren may not be able to reach their potential because of our failures.

"We must demand more from our elected officials.  Being able to believe in the American Dream that we can achieve our goals by hard work and dedication is what our communities were built on. Illinoisans need to be able to trust those that they elect and send to Springfield.  Citizens need to have the confidence that the decisions that are being made by our leaders are done for the right reasons."

Since announcing his candidacy back in September, Smiddy has also received endorsements from the following organizations:

 

Laborers Local #309 (Rock Island)

The Quad City Federation of Labor

The Tri-City Building Trades

The Great Plains Laborer's District Council (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana)

Rock Island Firefighters Association Local #26

Illinois AFL-CIO

Northwest Illinois Building Trades

Quad City - Illinois UAW CAP Council Endorsement Recommendation

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