22 Sep 2011

Illini Receives National Recognition From The Joint Commission

By Craig Cooper

SILVIS, Ill. -- Sept. 21, 2011 -- Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus has been named one of the nation's top-performing hospitals in key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditation agency of health care organizations in the United States.

This is the first time The Joint Commission has listed hospitals that are top performers in its annual report on quality and safety. The 405 organizations in 45 states that were identified as top performers represent approximately 14 percent of Joint Commission-accredited hospitals.

Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus was recognized for achieving excellence in performance in heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care in 2010.

Illini was the only hospital in the Quad Cities to receive recognition from The Joint Commission.

"Excellent care is something all patients expect and deserve. Recognition from The Joint Commission sends a strong message to our patients that Genesis Medical Center, Illini is performing at the top of the nation with outstanding patient outcomes," said Flo Spyrow, President, Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus. "We have made a commitment to quality patient care, patient safety and excellence in patient service and are pleased to be named to the list of top performers by The Joint Commission."A core team of providers at Illini, led by Spyrow, have met weekly over the past year to review patient outcomes, analyze process, collaborate with physicians, and GMC Illini Receives National Recognition For Patient Care ultimately, to continually improve the care delivered to Illini patients.

"The Joint Commission is an independent, highly objective agency of quality for health care organizations. Their recognition is significant to our organization and to our patients,'' Spyrow said. "This is a tribute to Illini staff and the hard work they do each and every day."
The top performers list is based on performance related to 22 accountability measures for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and children's asthma care. The recognition program is based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to be the best treatments.

"Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care, and The Joint Commission is shining a light on the top-performing hospitals that have achieved excellence on a number of vital measures of quality of care,'' said Mark Chassin, M.D., President of The Joint Commission. "Hospitals that commit themselves to accreditation-related quality improvement efforts create better outcomes for patients and, ultimately, a healthier nation."

For information about quality of care and patient safety at Genesis Health System, go to www.genesishealth.com/quality.

About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,300 hospitals and home care organizations and more than 6,500 other health care organizations that provide long-term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care centers. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

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22 Sep 2011

Governor Quinn Announces Centers Opening to Sell More Illinois Products in China

By Nafia Khan
American Goods Centers to Open This Fall in Beijing, Shanghai

 

SHANGHAI - September 21, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn continued his trade mission in China by visiting Shanghai where he announced Illinois exports will soon be more readily available to Chinese consumers. The Governor attended a reception hosted by the American Goods Center to announce plans to open centers in both Shanghai and Beijing this fall.

"Continued trade and cooperation with China will help Illinois remain at the cutting edge of the global marketplace," Governor Quinn said. "We are committed to working alongside the people of China on issues such as education, tourism and trade in order to help grow our economy for years to come."

The American Goods Distribution Center in Shanghai will open in October. Work on the American Goods Center in Beijing is almost complete, and it is expected to open this fall. Later this year, the American Goods Centers will open a purchasing office in Chicago and send its first purchasing delegation from China to Illinois to buy Illinois products.

In January, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Chicago where the Beijing International Brand Management Center (BIBMC), along with the Chaoyang District of Beijing and Changning District of Shanghai and the state of Illinois, signed a memorandum of understanding to establish American Goods Centers in Beijing and Shanghai to increase the export of Illinois goods and services to China and to foster more Chinese investment in Illinois.

Under the agreement, the state will recommend Illinois products to the BIBMC - particularly in the agricultural, auto parts and construction machinery sectors - and assist with establishing the purchase center in Chicago. Through the distribution centers, BIBMC will provide intellectual property rights protection, Chinese distribution development, channel construction, marketing and other comprehensive services to Illinois companies in China.

China is Illinois' third largest export destination, and Illinois is among the top five states in agricultural exports to China. Illinois agriculture exports to China have increased each year since 2007, from $149 million to $552 million in 2009. Illinois' overall exports to China in 2009 reached $2.47 billion. In 2010, Illinois' exports to China reached $3.18 billion, representing a 29 percent increase over 2009. Nearly 30 Chinese companies have invested in Illinois, employing thousands of Illinois residents.

Governor Quinn and the Illinois delegation also visited Shanghai's Jewish Quarter, once known as the Restricted Sector for Stateless Refugees. During the 1930s, 20,000 Jews fled to Shanghai, which offered visa-free sanctuary to Jews fleeing Nazism. In accordance with a Japanese-issued proclamation, those refugees were relocated to a one-square mile area in the Hongkou District. The Quarter now includes a museum and offers educational tours of the neighborhood.

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22 Sep 2011

Figge introduces new art and w(h)ine program to Thursday nights

By Susan Horan

Davenport, Iowa - September 2011 - Coming to the Figge this fall is "W(h)ine & Art." Held on the first Thursday of the month, this two hour studio activity will provide a relaxed, creative outlet without the pressure of a committed class schedule. Each month will feature a different artistic project taught by local Quad Cities artists.  Participants can learn painting, sculpture, printmaking and more while enjoying a glass of wine and light hors d'oeuvres. The first "W(h)ine & Art" program is Thursday, October 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the project will be printmaking. Come be a part of the casual conversation and creative atmosphere. Each program is $15 per person. The price includes wine, hors d'oeuvres and art materials.

To preregister or for additional information about this program, please contact Heather at haaronson@figgeartmuseum.org or 563-326-7804 ext. 2045.

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, Sundays noon to 5 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  To contact the museum, please call 563-326-7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-end-
22 Sep 2011

Central College Representatives at area high schools

By readMedia

PELLA, IA (09/21/2011)(readMedia)-- A Central College admissions representative will soon be visiting area high schools. All students are invited to visit the representative in the schools' counseling centers to learn more about Central.

Admissions counselor Jessica Steward will visit Davenport West High School at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27.

Admissions counselor Jessica Steward will visit Davenport Central High School at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27.

Admissions counselor Jessica Steward will visit Davenport North High School at noon on Tuesday, September 27.

Admissions counselor Jessica Steward will visit Bettendorf High School at 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 29.

Admissions counselor Jessica Steward will visit Pleasant Valley High School at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 29.

Admissions counselor Jessica Steward will visit Davenport Assumption High School at 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, September 29.

Admissions counselor Austen Scheuler will visit North Scott High School at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 26.

Central College is a private, four-year, residential, liberal arts college in Pella, Iowa. Central's academic program offers 39 majors leading to a bachelor's degree along with pre-professional programs and advising. Central was recognized in the 2010 U.S.News & World Report's annual rankings of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation. Central's study abroad program was included in the programs to look for section.

More information about Central College is available at www.central.edu or by calling 877-462-3687.

22 Sep 2011

Help Determine the Design Aesthetic of College Hill District

By Jill Doak

Thursday, September 29, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

South Park Presbyterian Church, 1501 30th Street, Rock Island

 

Business and property owners, residents, community leaders, and college and high school students are invited to participate in a Visual Preference Survey Workshop designed to gather instantaneous electronic opinions from participants that will eventually be incorporated into conceptual streetscape designs for the College Hill District.

The City of Rock Island has been engaged in a planning process with College Hill business stakeholders to create a future vision for this eclectic neighborhood business district centered around two nodes along 14th Avenue at 30th and 38th Streets. The City has commissioned The Lakota Group, a Chicago-based planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm, to help craft a Visual Preference Survey and facilitate a community Open House.

The purpose of the Visual Preference Survey is to introduce community character concepts that can influence streetscape and building facades and gauge stakeholder opinions regarding aesthetics of various elements and ideas. The survey will take the form of a PowerPoint presentation, using electronic key pad polling to create an interactive process with instantaneous results.

The survey will focus on the following design categories and/or elements:

  • Overall District Character
  • Streetscape/Landscape Design
  • Building/Façade Improvements
  • Building Height, Bulk and Setbacks
  • Traffic Calming/Pedestrian Realm
  • Public Spaces
  • Branding/Signage and Identity

Following the survey, the consulting team will facilitate small group discussions concerning the character of the College Hill District and the preferences of the participants.

In addition to the conceptual streetscape designs, The Lakota Group will prepare a summary report of the findings that will help guide decisions about future College Hill District improvements. These elements will be incorporated into the College Hill District Revitalization Plan that is expected to be completed in late fall or early winter.

Support your neighborhood businesses, bring your ideas, and help mold the future of the College Hill District.


22 Sep 2011

Addition to our Advisory Board: Attorney Douglas Cannon

By Narveen Aryaputri
We are proud to announce the addition to The Institutes's Advisory Board of Douglas Cannon:
Attorney Douglas Cannon specializes in the area of  Entertainment law, and will be able to advise our Independent Scholars and Artists about the nuances of  publishing, the publicity of  originals works of Art, Intellectual Property Rights and any allied questions in the area of  Independent and original work. A member of  the prestigious Chicago Literary Club, Douglas has an extensive practice in law and is a writer himself, presenting his work frequently at the Chicago Literary Club.
Additionally, as we are growing, we have added a new email account which is linked to a Facebook and Twitter dedicated to The Institute. Scott Klarkowski, our Social Media and Public Relations Executive, whose addition to The Institute you are familiar with, is actively working on the Internet and social networking and of The Institute.
The added email is institutecht@gmail.com
We will be sending emails for our weekly and other announcements from this new email.  The email narveen@qcinstitute.org is still active, and will continue to be used by me.
Its exciting to see the unfolding of  The Institute occurring with all our joint support, good wishes and endorsements.
22 Sep 2011

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS ARTIST CREATES DYNAMIC SCULPTURE FROM DEBRIS

By Susan Horan

Installation of Plastic Debris Sculptures Opens Saturday

Davenport, Iowa - September 2011 - Environmental recovery is an issue that begins with pollution and affects each person. For some, it is a subject for inspiration. Brooklyn-based artist, Aurora Robson, uses pollution as a vehicle to communicate her nightmares, while converting the negative into something positive. She creates large scale sculptures from plastic bags, bottle caps and similarly discarded materials and shapes them into masses, composed of unique forms. Each sculpture in Everything, All at Once, Forever is unique, and when placed together, acts as visual commentary on the movement of artists against pollutants. The relayed messages of good growing from bad, light sprouting from darkness and new ideas stemming from old challenges are strong, yet poetic. In her own words, "in nature, everything occurs at once, always" and change is constant: what is negative and dark has the potential to become positive and light.

Robson's work shines a light on a growing theme in contemporary art circles. Environmental awareness and problem-solving has impacted the art community just as it has the science community. It's a topic that students are learning more about in schools, which gives this installation another facet of purpose at the Figge. The exhibition is an educational example of the power of art, as well as a thought-provoking ensemble reflecting passionate creativity.

The exhibition Everything, All at Once, Forever opens on September 24 and will be on view until January 14, 2012. The installation pieces will supplement Up Drop, a piece that the Figge has on loan from Gallery 212 in Denver. The exhibition will be located in the Orientation Gallery on the first floor.

Everything, All at Once, Forever is sponsored by Iowa American Water.

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, Sundays noon to 5 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-end-
22 Sep 2011

Mississippi River Distilling Company Launches New River Pilot Vodka

By Ryan Burchett

New Iowa Made "River Pilot" Vodka Debuts September 23

Le Claire, Iowa, September 20, 2011 - Mississippi River Distilling Company is excited to announce the release of their latest product River Pilot Vodka on Friday, September 23.  Building on the local distillery's line of award winning white spirits, River Pilot is a crystal clean smooth vodka.

River Pilot Vodka is the fourth product released under the Mississippi River Distilling Company (MRDC) label.   The new vodka is made from 100% corn and is distilled to be a traditional smooth vodka with little to no flavor or aroma.  River Pilot is the second vodka made by Mississippi River Distilling Company.  The first, River Baron Vodka, has a unique sweet flavor that highlights the locally grown corn and wheat used to make it.

"We have a beautifully unique product in our River Baron Vodka." said distiller Garrett Burchett.  "We know there are a lot of vodkas out there.  But to drink something that is handmade, high quality and completely local is something totally different.  We already knew that we could make a spirit as smooth as anything on the market.  So it wasn't a big jump to polish the flavor out and create a second vodka. "

River Pilot Vodka uses a blend of local ingredients.  First, vodka is distilled using corn harvested just outside LeClaire.  That vodka is blended with a neutral corn spirit distilled at a local corn processing plant.  The two spirits are combined and then run through a carbon polishing filter.  Finally, the blended spirit is redistilled for the ultimate in smoothness.

Distiller Ryan Burchett says the blend is meant to showcase a booming, but little known Iowa industry. "Iowa is the number one beverage alcohol producing state in the country.  Literally hundreds of brands of vodka worldwide are made with spirits distilled at Iowa corn processing plants.  Because it isn't bottled in Iowa, people don't know about the industry.  We sell our alcohol byproducts to a local processor who redistills them into alcohol fuels.  When we found out they also made spirits, we thought it might be interesting to blend their spirits with ours to make another great local product."

The name of the spirit is meant to highlight the local history of LeClaire, Iowa, the home of Mississippi River Distilling Company.  The image on the bottle is a likeness of Philip Suiter, LeClaire's first licensed River Pilot. These famous river pilots were instrumental in opening the upper Mississippi River to trade.

To be one of the first to taste River Pilot Vodka, join distillers Ryan and Garrett Burchett at "It's On The River" in Port Byron, IL on Friday, September 23.  Stern Beverage, MRDC's distributor in the Illinois Quad Cities, is hosting a River Pilot Preview Party from 5:30-7:30 PM.  The evening will feature samples of River Pilot Vodka and drink specials.  Full bottles will also be available for purchase.

Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 PM Sundays.  Free public tours are offered daily on the hour from 12 to 4 PM or by appointment.  The tour takes isitors through the entire distilling process and ends in the Grand Tasting Room with free samples for patrons over 21 years old.

22 Sep 2011

Excelsior College Announces Recent Graduates

By readMedia Newswire

ALBANY, NY (09/20/2011)(readMedia)-- The following Quad Cities area students have graduated from Excelsior College:

Ramon I. De La Fuente, a resident of Bettendorf, IA, has earned a Bachelor of Science.

Amanda Maria Sansone, a resident of Davenport, IA, has earned a Bachelor of Science.

Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.

22 Sep 2011

Eagles to Present Third $5 Million Check for Diabetes Research Sept. 24

By Nancy Schlagheck

Donation is part of five-year, $25 million Eagles donation to University of Iowa

September 20, 2011

Iowa City, Iowa - The peel of an apple has long been inconsequential. A tasteless buffer between the hungry human and the deliciously healthy interior, few ever gave the waxy exterior a second thought. Thanks to The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, things are about to change.

A recent study done by researchers at the University of Iowa with funding from the Diabetes Research Center has found that ursolic acid, a substance found in apple peel, reduced fat, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and triglycerides in mice and may be useful in treating diabetes.

The research was made possible by a five-year, $25 million commitment made by The Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.). A $5 million check presentation will be made Saturday, Sept. 24, at Kinnick Stadium as part of the football game between the University of Iowa and Louisiana-Monroe (Noon EST, 11 a.m. CST). This will bring the F.O.E. donation total to $15 million.

Though the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, future home of the Diabetes Research Center, is currently little more than dirt and steel, the center is already making significant medical breakthroughs.

Endocrinologist Christopher Adams, M.D., Ph. D., led the study which found that ursolic acid helped insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and insulin, hormones that help to build muscle and prevent muscle atrophy. Unexpectedly, the study also found that the substance reduced body fat in mice and lowered blood sugar levels and cholesterol - a key to preventing type-II diabetes.

Following his work, Adams was named the Diabetes Research Center's first Faculty Scholar, an honor which will award him $250,000 over the next five years to help further his research.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles is also funding the future of diabetes research as four promising young doctors have received $50,000 research grants to develop studies related to diabetes. Recipients include Anne Kwitek, PhD; Andrew Norris, MD, PhD; Kamai Rahmouni, PhD; and Leonid Zingman, MD. Leading doctors and researchers in the field will join the staff of the Diabetes Research Center in the coming months as the Eagles and the University of Iowa begin to fill a roster with medical talent equipped to make even more significant strides.

These steps are further pieces in the puzzle that has been coming together since members of The Fraternal Order of Eagles voted to make the five-year, $25 million commitment in August of 2008 at the organization's International Convention in Louisville, Ky. In the years since, the nearly 850,000 Eagles across the United States and Canada have worked tirelessly to meet each year's goal and make their dream a reality.

Eagle dignitaries scheduled to attend the presentation include Grand Aerie Chairman of the Board Mike Lagervall, Sr., Past Grand Madam President and DRC co-director Jean Kerr, DRC co-director Tom McGrath and Grand Trustee Chuck Lang. University of Iowa President Sally Mason will also be on hand for the event.

To learn more about The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, visit http://www.foe.com/charities/diabetes.aspx.

About the Fraternal Order of Eagles
The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international non-profit organization, unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope. Founded in 1898, the Eagles fund research in areas such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and cancer, and raise money for neglected and abused children and the aged, as well as work for social and civic change.

About the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center will be housed at the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building on the campus of The University of Iowa in Iowa City. The state-of-the-art center will host leaders in the field of diabetes research in an effort to find a cure for the disease. The F.O.E. has pledged to donate $25 million over a five-year period to help with research efforts.

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