(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.

# # #

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 33^rd 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.

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.

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.