ROCK ISLAND, Ill.  - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day-use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at the more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, November 11.

The Rock Island District of the Army Corps of Engineers manages dozens of recreation areas throughout its area of responsibility which spans across most of Iowa and Illinois, as well as parts of Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. At this time of year, most District recreation sites are closed for the season but many of the District's boat ramps on the Mississippi River will participate in the Veterans Day offer and waive day use fees. Boat ramps at the following locations will participate: Grant River, Blanding Landing, Pleasant Creek, Big Slough, Thomson Causeway, Cattail Slough, Clarks Ferry, Lock and Dam 13 and Shady Creek.

"This Veterans Day we will honor our veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families with an invitation to visit one of the thousands of Corps recreation sites nationwide, free of charge. As an active participant of the administration's America's Great Outdoors initiative, we hope that you will join us," said Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. This waiver covers boat launch ramp and swim beach fees. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in the areas that they manage.

"We began this initiative in 2006 to support and honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces, and to encourage them and their families to visit and enjoy one of our many recreation sites," said Mike Ensch, Chief of Operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

With more than 370 million visits annually to 422 lake and river projects, the Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation. The more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide provide a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages, and the Corps estimates that 90 percent of its recreation projects are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas. To discover the Corps recreation site nearest you, please visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm

(Kansas City, Kan., Nov. 1, 2011) - Anyone along the Mississippi River will see the steady-moving push boats moving along America's inland waterways, carrying commodities from as far north as St. Paul, Minn. to ports as far south as New Orleans, La.  Push boats run 24 hours a day, seven days a week moving goods to markets at inland ports along the river.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $494,978 grant to Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission (SEMO RPC) to replace engines on a push boat operated by SCF Marine.  The boat's old engines are from 1953 and 1960, decades before emission standards went into effect.  The new engines will meet EPA Tier II standards, resulting in reduced health impacts for port workers and communities along the Mississippi River.  The EPA grant is part of a $1 million project.

The Tier 2 vehicle and gasoline sulfur program is part of a series of major initiatives that reduce emissions from passenger vehicles, highway trucks and buses, and nonroad diesel equipment. The result will be reduced emissions, cleaner air, and improved human health.

SEMO RPC is also working with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to reduce emissions on trash haulers and switch locomotives in southeast Missouri.

EPA has awarded $50 million for clean diesel projects as part of its ongoing campaign to reduce harmful emissions in the air and better protect people's health. These efforts will replace, retrofit or repower more than 8,000 older school buses, trucks, locomotives, vessels, and other diesel powered machines. Reducing emissions from existing diesels provides cost-effective public health and environmental benefits while supporting green jobs at manufacturers, dealerships and businesses across the country.

Diesel engines emit 7.3 million tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 333,000 tons of soot annually. Diesel pollution is linked to thousands of premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and millions of lost work days. While EPA's standards significantly reduce emissions from newly manufactured engines, clean diesel projects funded through these grants will work to address the more than 11 million older diesel engines that continue to emit higher levels of harmful pollution.

 

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The annual Mayors' Hunger Luncheon will be held at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Golden Leaf Banquet and Convention Center in Davenport.   The mayors of the Quad Cities will serve a simple lunch of bread and hearty soup. The message of the event is "We eat simply so that others may simply eat.''

Since 1992, In From the Cold, with the assistance of the United Way of the Quad Cities Area, has distributed more than $300,000 to fund agencies which assist the hungry and homeless.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the luncheon and contribute. Tickets are $20 per person; tables for 10 cost $175.  For more information, go to www.infromthecoldqc.org or call (563) 421-4343.

In From the Cold recently announced the 2011 grant awards. In From the Cold distributed $2,500 to Community Health Care, Inc.; $2,000 to Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc.; $1,600 to Project NOW,  Inc.;  $1,500 to Winnie's Place shelter for women and children; $800 to Vera French Community Mental Health Center; and $600 to the Hunger Ministry of Churches United of the QCA.

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LAS VEGAS– Forbes magazine named Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) one of "America's Best Small Companies" for the third consecutive year.  This year, the low-fare travel company ranked ninth.  The list recognizes businesses with remarkable sales and earnings growth.

"We are proud to be in the top ten of Forbes' list of best small companies," said Maurice J. Gallagher Jr., Allegiant chairman and CEO.  "It is a distinction and honor to be included for the third year in a row.  Allegiant's team members have provided safe, reliable, low-cost air service for more than a decade.  This recognition is a great complement to their hard work and dedication."

"We are honored to be recognized as a profitable, growing company," Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant president, said.  At Allegiant, we strive each and every day to provide value for our customers by offering great fares and vacation options to the world-class leisure destinations we serve."

According to Forbes, "Our list of 100 Best Small Companies in America features outfits with remarkable sales and earnings growth. Candidates must have been publicly traded for at least a year, generate annual revenue between $5 million and $1 billion and boast a stock price no lower than $5 a share. (For apples-to-apples comparisons we excluded financial institutions, REITs, utilities and limited partnerships.) The rankings are based on earnings growth, sales growth and return on equity in the past 12 months and over 5 years; we dropped thinly traded names and those with fuzzy accounting or major legal troubles. We also factored in stock performance versus each ­company's peer group. Shares of last year's members outpaced the Russell 2000 small-company index by an average of 10 percentage points."

The full list and related stories are available at http://www.forbes.com/best-small-companies/.

The company ranked second in Forbes' Best Small Companies in 2009 and 33rd in 2010.  Allegiant was also recently named one of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Fastest-Growing Companies" for the second consecutive year.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.

Ice skating returns to the Holiday Pops as Olympic ice skater Todd Eldredge, couples skating team Andy and Lindsey Seitz, and the Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities join the Quad City Symphony Orchestra for this year's Holiday Pops! Guest conductor Michael Butterman, a favorite with the Holiday Pops audience, also returns to lead this star-studded spectacular. Holiday Pops is on November 19 at 7:30 PM and kicks off Quad City Arts' Festival of Trees, along with the Festival of Trees Parade and the Lighting of the Commons. This concert is sponsored by John Deere.

Conductor Michael Butterman and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra will also be joined on stage by actor John Getz, known for his roles in such films as the Social Network and Zodiac, and jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. Both John Getz and Jon Faddis are brought to the Quad Cities by Quad City Arts. And of course the Holiday Pops concert would not be complete without the hundreds of voices from the Sanctuary Choir of First Presbyterian Church, Davenport, and the Holiday Pops Children's Chorus.

Tickets are on sale now at the i wireless Center box office, at 800.745.3000, or online at www.qcsymphony.com. Tables along the ice are $45 per seat, with tiered pricing in the arena ranging from $15 to $35. Seniors and children can save $2 per ticket and groups of 15 or more can save even more by calling the i wireless Center group sales department at 309.277.1356.

In honor of our 97th season, the QCSO is selling 1000 $97 raffle tickets which could win you $50,000!

In addition to that exciting Grand Prize, over $3500 in preliminary cash prizes will be awarded at Quad City Symphony Orchestra events this season, including a $2500 "early bird" prize on December 4. Winners of the preliminary prizes will remain eligible for the Grand Prize, so the earlier you buy your ticket, the better your chance to win! The $50,000 Grand Prize will be drawn on February 11 at our Valentine's Day concert with guest conductor Alondra de la Para.

Drawing schedule:

  • Masterworks II, November 4, at the Adler Theatre: $250
  • Masterworks II, November 5, in Centennial Hall: $250
  • Holiday Pops, November 19, at the i wireless Center: $250
  • Masterworks III, December 3, at the Adler Theatre: $250
  • Masterworks III, December 4, in Centennial Hall: $2500
  • Lyrebird Ensemble, January 21, at the Figge Art Museum: $250
  • Masterworks IV, February 11, at the Adler Theatre: $50,000

Buy your tickets today at the QCSO Box Office or by mailing a check for $97 to 327 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa, 52801. Your tickets will be mailed to you upon the receipt of your check.

BOSTON–The problem of hoarding used to be largely out of sight. Compulsive hoarders typically avoid visitors and rarely seek help. But television shows such as Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive have increased public awareness by presenting vivid pictures of hoarding to millions of viewers. Mental health professionals are also taking a fresh look at the problem, reports the November 2011 issue of Harvard Women's Health Watch.

Compulsive hoarders acquire and accumulate objects in such large and disorderly quantities that their living space becomes dangerous or impossible to use for normal activities. Stockpiling paper is especially common. Vast stacks of old newspapers, magazines, books, mail, and lists pile up, leaving no space to sleep or eat. Worse, the piles may catch fire or topple over, causing injury or death.

Hoarding was once considered a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but mental health professionals now believe it's its own disorder and have come up with new criteria for diagnosing it.

Most hoarders need professional treatment, says Harvard Women's Health Watch, but there are several things concerned relatives and friends can do to help, including the following:

Listen. Let the hoarder tell her story. Respect her perspective and her attachment to her possessions. Don't tease or criticize.

Go slow. There's no need to rush changes unless the hoarder's living situation is unsafe or she needs to move to smaller quarters or a nursing facility.

Engage. Involve the hoarder in decisions about where to put things and what to throw out.

Provide structure and support. During the decluttering process, keep her company and help her stay focused on one area at a time.

Lift and tote. An elderly hoarder may need family, friends, or professional cleaners or movers to help with handling the clutter.

Work with others. Many communities have hoarding task forces that address psychiatric, legal, geriatric, and housing concerns. Check with your local Council on Aging.

Read the full-length article here: "When keeping stuff gets out of hand"

Also in this issue:

  • What screening tests do you need after age 75?
  • Even a little exercise helps a woman's heart
  • Sleep apnea and dementia in older women
  • Cholesterol-lowering foods versus low-saturated-fat diet
  • Reclast and Prolia for osteoporosis

Harvard Women's Health Watch is available from Harvard Health Publications (www.health.harvard.edu), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, for $28 per year. Subscribe at www.health.harvard.edu/womens or by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free).

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Each of us strives to live a saintly life by doing ordinary things in and extraordinarily way. 

The children of Jordan Catholic School today show how little things can make a difference to those who have little or nothing. 

When the gifts are brought forwad; four baskets will be presented to Father, filled with candy that our students have brought in from Halloween.  This will be sent to the food pantry to share with those who are in need.

Pavilion to be closed during construction Dec. 12 through mid Feb.

(Moline, Illinois) - The John Deere Pavilion has been a top attraction in the Quad Cities and the state of Illinois since it opened in 1997, drawing millions of guests from around the globe to visit one of the most comprehensive agricultural exhibits in the world. To ensure it continues to be a cutting-edge facility and top attraction in the area, the Pavilion will soon undergo a major redesign of the guest experience.

The transformation will be significant and result in a completely new look and feel to the facility's interior. It will also make more effective use of the outdoor hardscape. The physical building will remain the same, as all enhancements will focus on new exhibits and presentation methods that provide a broader representation of the global operations of the company.

"As the cornerstone of the John Deere Commons, the John Deere Pavilion is a strong foundation to a thriving downtown in Moline," said Brian Holst, marketing manager for the John Deere Pavilion.  "We are proud of the facility's success, yet we are always looking for ways to improve. Next year will be the Pavilion's 15th anniversary making this an ideal time to offer our guests and fans something completely new. This redesign is the result of several years of planning and we look forward to unveiling it to the public in mid-February."

The new guest experience will showcase the global reach of the company today and into the future as well as chronicle the company's rich history and heritage.  Exhibits will feature all aspects of the company including its many businesses and global markets, broad range of innovative products, concept vehicles, and corporate citizenship.

Guests also will experience how the company's high-tech products and services are helping provide food, shelter and infrastructure for a growing global population aswell as enhance the lives and livelihoods of John Deere customers around the world who are linked to the land. An expanded children's area will offer a variety of hands-on learning activities, keeping the John Deere Pavilion anexceptional destination for the whole family.

The renovation requires the John Deere Pavilion to be closed for approximately eight weeks starting December 12, 2011. The Pavilion will reopen to the public inmid-February of 2012 and, as always, will continue to be a free attraction. The John Deere Store, located adjacent to the Pavilion, will remain open while the Pavilion is closed for the redesign.

To follow our progress during the renovation visit www.JohnDeereAttractions.com or visit us on Facebook.

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Franchise Owner Recognized as Happy Joe's Franchisee of the Year

The East Moline Happy Joe's has joined the craze and launched Joegurt, a self-serve yogurt offering eight flavors and four twist options.  Flavors include Orange Sorbet, Red Velvet Cake, Peanut Butter Cup, Snickerdoodle, Triple Chocolate, Pumpkin and more.  Guests fill their own cup with their favorite Joegurt flavor(s) and then head to the toppings bar to finish their creation with an assortment of 21 topping options, including fruit, candies, cookies, sprinkles, and three flavors of Ghiradelli syrups. Joegurt is priced by the ounce. 

"Since launching at three previous locations, Joegurt has received rave reviews from the guests," says Mick Mapes, Happy Joe's franchisee.  "We are looking forward to offering our guests a high quality self-serve yogurt which gives them the opportunity to choose from a menu of 12 yogurt flavors and 21 toppings.  It's a great addition to the East Moline store."

Lower in calories and cholesterol, Happy Joe's Joegurt helps maintain your general digestive health. The new Joegurt is a low or non-fat, guiltless, frozen dairy treat made with probiotics (friendly bacteria that's good for you). It's like eating ice cream that's really healthy! Guests are also able to opt into a text marketing program to receive a free Joegurt just for joining.

The East Moline Happy Joe's is also celebrating its recent awards at the annual franchise meeting including Happy Joe's Franchisee of the Year awarded to Mick Mapes.  Mr. Mapes is the proud owner of stores in East Moline, Rock Island and Colona, IL.  Mapes honors included a 35-Year Award for his East Moline store, 30-Year Award for his Rock Island store, an achievement award for surpassing $1 million in sales, and three prestigious Founder's Awards for his Colona, East Moline and Rock Island stores respectively.  He was also the first inductee into the Happy Joe's Hall of Fame.

"Mick is a role model, teacher and a leader.  He is a committed partner that has proven over the years his passion and love for the business," said Kristel Whitty-Ersan Happy Joe's Director of Marketing.  "Over our long history with this loyal, committed franchisee, we have grown to respect him deeply and to appreciate all of his contributions to the Happy Joe's company."

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