Lynchburg, VA - Attendees of The Awakening 2011 participated in a straw poll of possible Republican primary candidates for President in 2012. Rep. Michele Bachmann won the straw poll with 23%, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee came in just behind her at 22% and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich received 21% of the votes.

 

The complete results were: Bachmann, 23.30%; Huckabee, 22.82%; Gingrich, 21.36%; Ron Paul, 11.65%, "Other," 8.26%; Sarah Palin, 5.34%; Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum tied at 2.91%, Mitt Romney at 0.97% and finally Haley Barbour at 0.49%. The poll was conducted by ccAdvertising using a telephone call-in option that allows the user of the phone number to make one selection for a range of potential candidates. The poll was not intended to be an endorsement of candidates.

 

The Awakening 2011 is sponsored by the Freedom Federation, which is a federation of multiracial, multiethnic, and multigenerational faith-based and policy leaders and organizations representing over 40 million people who are united by one or more core values expressed in the Declaration of American Values.

###

Students from 28 Schools Present Final Projects to Peers, Industry

CHICAGO - April 11, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today recognized students from 28 Illinois high schools for their participation in the Illinois Innovation Talent Program. Through the program, students team up with private sector companies or public agencies to compete and collaborate on real world, problem-based learning challenges. The program is designed to improve student achievement and increase college and career readiness.

"Innovation is key to ensuring our state's long-term economic growth. This program is challenging Illinois businesses to be more innovative, while getting our future workforce ready for college and careers," said Governor Quinn. "Through the Innovation Talent Program, we're helping to enhance the learning environment in Illinois and preparing Illinois students to compete in today's global economy."

The state developed the Illinois Innovation Talent Program to help students be able to compete in the global marketplace. The initiative promotes innovation-centered education and increased student achievement in math, science and engineering. Under this unique program, Illinois high schools are paired with industry, government and community organizations to critically examine and solve complex problems. Students participate as members of diverse, interdisciplinary teams utilizing cutting-edge information technology tools.

Students compete and collaborate in a diverse set of fields, including: agriculture, healthcare, energy efficiency, renewable energy, finance and transportation. Illinois Innovation Talent also demonstrates one of the critical work-based learning functions of the proposed Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Learning Exchanges described in the State of Illinois' Race to the Top proposal.

Students from the 28 schools worked on 10 challenges through the duration of the program. Participating schools received $5,000 stipends to cover project related costs. Students met at the District 214 Forest View Education Center in Arlington Heights today to present their final projects in front of their peers and challenge sponsors. A list of participating schools is attached.

The Innovation Talent Program is administered jointly by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), with support from the state Department of Transportation and the Illinois Math and Science Academy. DCEO and ISBE contributed a combined $165,000 in federal Workforce Investment Act funds in support of the program.

Governor Quinn remains committed to fostering an environment of innovation in the state. As part of his fiscal year 2012 budget, Governor Quinn called for creation of the Illinois Innovation Council. The Council will help ensure Illinois remains on the cutting-edge in the global economy and is creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Illinois that promotes innovation and intelligent risk-taking.  The state is also helping promising entrepreneurs turn their innovative concepts and ideas into market successes while creating jobs through a wide range of programs and services supported by the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network.

 

###
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, IL? April 12, 2011? Rock Island County is known for its quality of life and thriving economic climate to many who call it home or do business here, but now a series of online videos is letting the rest of the world in on the secret via a Video TourBook on the county's official website: (http://www.rockislandcounty.org/)

Featured are 10 one minute professionally produced videos covering a range of topics, including Arts and Entertainment, Business and Industry, and Tourism and Things to Do, as well as a welcome with an on camera introduction by County Board Chairman James E. Bohnsack.

The videos were produced in partnership with CGI Communications, an internet marketing company headquartered in Rochester, NY that produces nearly 10,000 videos and other products a year for municipalities, chambers of commerce, professional trade associations and private sector businesses throughout North America.

The Rock Island Video TourBook, which was produced free of charge, features the logos and videos of the local businesses that are sponsoring the project. As the county's web site holds the #1 position in Google during a search for "Rock Island County", each business is receiving potential exposure from prospective residents, visitors and businesses from around the world.

"The County is hoping to use the videos as a marketing tool to entice businesses and residents to make their home in a Rock Island community, "says County Board Chairman Bohnsack.

The Rock Island County Video TourBook is also accessible via CGI's Facebook page

(http://www.facebook.com/cgicommunications), which gives the County additional exposure.


"Whenever someone "likes" the Rock Island County's videos, everyone in that person's network will be able to see them and share them with the people in their network, "says Robin Taney, CGI's Manager of Special Projects/PR.

In 2010, CGI's community videos collectively received 28 million unique views and were shared more than a thousand times a week.

For business sponsorship opportunities, call CGI Account Executive Nicole Hunt at 1-800-398-3029 ext. 239.

-30-

Short films celebrate the small business entrepreneurs behind the chain's hotels

PHOENIX (April 11, 2011)  Best Western International, the World's Biggest Hotel FamilySM,unveiled this week the brand's first series of Independent Films three-minute documentaries that tell the inspiring stories of five Best Western hotel owners. These films exemplify the independent spirit and commitment to hands-on management of the brand's more than 2,200 individually owned and operated hotels across North America.

The first five films are being released in celebration of Best Western's 65th birthday this year and can be viewed on Best Western's Facebook and YouTube pages as well as at www.bestwestern.com/indiefilms. An additional series of Best Western Indie Films is currently in production.

These unique films are also being entered within a number of regional and national film festivals in 2011, including the LA Shorts Fest, NXT Stage and Atlantic Film Festival, to further share the personal stories of Best Western's hotel owners, the backbone of the iconic hotel chain.

"Thanks to the dedication of our independent owner-operators and their ability to connect with guests, which is the essence of the hospitality industry, Best Western has become one of the most trusted and respected hotel brands in the world," said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western's senior vice president of marketing and sales. "Our owners have long been featured in Best Western advertising, and are truly the heroes of our brand. We want guests to peek behind the curtain to see the generations of hard work and commitment that have made our owners important contributors to their local communities."

The Best Western Independent Films feature the following hoteliers:
Alnoor Tejpar, British Columbia
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Country Meadows
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Langley Inn
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Suites Downtown
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Regency Inn & Conference Center
Bart Baker, Davenport, Iowa
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Steeplegate Inn
Bill O'Connell, Anaheim, Calif.
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Pavilions
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Stovall's Inn
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Anaheim Inn
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Park Place Inn & Mini-Suites
Dale Gerstner, Jefferson City, Mo.
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Capital Inn
Jim Cosgrove, Paradise, Paradise, Penn.
o BEST WESTERN PLUS Revere Inn & Suites

These films were created by Best Western and its partner advertising agency, New York-based Gotham, Inc.

A space where theater practitioners can come to organize, workshop, showcase and interact.

When:  Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28, 7pm until 9pm

Where:  421 Brady Street, 3rd Floor, Davenport

What:  Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, tours of the space, revolving presentations of the original performance art: "A Scenic Place," on-site art creation, displays of artwork by local artists for sale, opportunities to meet and speak with the artists involved.

Ticket price:  $5 per person.

Join the Internet Players as we unveil our new space on April 29th and 30th from 7:00 - 9:00pm!  A performance has been developed by QC native Tom Awad especially for this event, entitled "A Scenic Place" which combines live action, music and installation art.  It will be performed multiple times with the characters aging throughout the evening.  The show willmake audiences reflective of their own lives and allow them to make personal connections to the performance.

Local artists such as Tony Carter and Liz Davenport will have their artwork on display and for sale throughout multiple rooms.  Also, guided tours of the space with details on the future functions of The Internet Players' Studio will be available, as wel as information on upcoming productions, workshops and events put on by the organization.  Please stop by throughout the evening for though provoking performances, intriguing artwork and good company.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/11/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois National Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS) is changing the way it recruits, mentors and trains future leaders by making officer recruiting and training a state-wide priority and not just an OCS priority.

Most Soldiers are familiar with the term Gold Rush, a program where all Soldiers who have at least 60 hours of college are required to attend a two-day program for officer recruiting. These weekends were often far from home and Soldiers were required to attend even if they had no desire to become an officer.

The OCS program has grown through recent change; involving more unit level communication and raising the number candidates in training with Soldiers interested in a career as an officer.

"We are on pace to have 178% increase in the number of officers we commission this year over last year," said Maj. Benjamin Shakman of Springfield, the 129th Regimental Training Institute's (RTI) training officer. "Our 56-11 class is track to be one of the biggest in recent memory."

Seventy-four candidates are in the phase 0 program with the possibly of six more Soldiers coming into the program.

The new program allows commanders to identify Soldiers in their units they feel will make a good officer. This lets units take ownership in the people they send off to the program.

"When units know they will see these Soldiers again, and they are able to maintain visibility of the Soldier throughout the length of program it motivates them to really take the time to find qualified candidates to send through the process" said

Under the old system once a Solider enrolled in OCS they often did not know what their unit of assignment or basic branch would be till they were close to graduating from the program.

"(Now) when a Soldier leaves for OCS, the company, battalion, brigade and state are all tracking the same thing. They will know when the Soldier will complete the program, where he is going and when he will be at drill. This is a great help to commanders in the field, so they know and will not have to hope or guess when their needs will be met for leadership within their unit."

This transparency is not only limited to tracking of Soldiers going through the program, and what their

basic branch and assignments will be, but it also includes regular updates after drills on what the candidates are doing in training.

"The main reason I am interested in the program now is, I am able to pick the branch I want, and I will know where and what I will be doing before I commit a year to the program, and that is very important to me," said Sgt. Catherine Sanagursky of Springfield, a prospective officer candidate.

Shakman said the driving force behind the changes was due to the decline of Soldiers in OCS.

"Maj. Seth Hible, the OCS commander and I, who are both OCS graduates, tried to look at the program and figure out where we needed to improve and what will work best to train Soldiers and successfully get them through the program."

One of the problems they found was making Soldiers wait till March to start the program. By making people wait to start the program it often create conflicts with starting the program.

Soldiers can now sign up for OCS at any time and start preparing for the program as soon as they make the commitment. There is now a three-section program for Soldiers to prepare them for the stress of phase 1 of training.

"We have found that land navigation and (physical training) to be the biggest stumbling blocks for potential candidates," said Shakman.

The time Soldiers spend in the program is now put to good use. Soldiers spend time focusing on land navigation, physical training and leadership training. The sections are not dependent on each other and a Soldier can come in any time to start training for the future.

"This gives us time evaluate Soldiers strengths and their challenges, and it will give the Soldiers time to brush up on any weaknesses they have before leaving for phase 1."

The RTI and OCS program have been encouraging commanders to participate in drill weekends with the officer candidates.

"We had a brigade commander come to our last drill to do PT with our candidates," said Shakman. "In the past, this level of unit involvement rarely happened."

When candidates see colonels and generals getting involved in making them leaders, that sense of importance to the Illinois National Guard only drives them to succeed and complete the program because they know many people are depending on them to graduate, said Shakman.

Brigade and battalion commanders will show up to drill and talk to their future soldiers. This makes Soldiers feel needed and they will find the drive to stay and complete the program.

Memorial Recognizes Illinois National Guard Soldier Killed in Afghanistan; Story by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

AVISTON, IL (04/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Amidst the Midwest's many country roads and corn fields, there is a very unique place that sits just outside of the southern Illinois town of Aviston. There, tucked away seemingly in the middle of nowhere, is the aptly named Hidden Lake Winery.

The winery, which opened in 2005, has played host to many ceremonies that exploit the establishments natural beauty, its elegance and charm. Recently this business sent a message to local military and civilians that they are all about red, white and blue.

April 8 and running three days through April 10, winery owner Dale Holbrook and general manager Missy Shirley decided to host a Military Appreciation Weekend and a dedication service to pay homage to Illinois' fallen warriors.

The event centered around Saturday's ceremony when a memorial to honor those veterans who have given their lives was unveiled. A tribute wall adorned with plaques, engraved with the various names and ranks of the fallen.

In the corner of the wall lies the memorials' main attraction, a life-size statue sculpted by Holbrook in the image of Clinton County's own Staff Sgt. Joshua Melton of Carlyle.

"I want this to honor Josh as both a dedicated Soldier and a man who loved his life, his family and his friends," said Holbrook.

Many people in Clinton County remember the tragic death of Melton, an Illinois Army National Guard Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion. Melton died after an improvised explosive device detonated in Kandahar, Afghanistan in June 2009.

"Everyone around here knew him. He would've helped anybody and he didn't have one enemy," said Richie G. Holtgrave, Melton's cousin.

Speakers at the event on April 9 included Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart of Belleville, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, State Senator Kyle McCarter, Holbrook and many family and friends of Illinois servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Josh Melton was a true representative of Clinton County, and of the people of Clinton County. He was a patriot, he was a volunteer," said Enyart.

Similar stories abounded throughout the day from those closest to the veterans.

One in every 25 men in the United States lost their life 150 years ago in the Civil War. Contrast that to today when only one in 1,000 men bear the brunt of the ongoing wars, said Enyart.

This is not only telling as to how brave these men and women of the armed forces are, but how much they deserve not to be forgotten.

This ceremony was about remembering those that have died serving their country. Grief and emotion were apparent as a friend or family member spoke about their Soldier who perished. However, when the speaker finished memorializing, many times they smiled and seemed much happier just to have been able to share with others a little about their hero.

There were more than 650 guests who attended April 9 and April 10 to honor the men and women in uniform.

Other guests in attendance included the Illinois Patriot Guard who brought with them their Fallen Heroes Traveling Memorial Wall, Miss Illinois Teen USA Paige Higgerson, the St. Louis Rams cheerleaders, Poison cover band Posin, representatives from both the American Legion and the VFW, and musical performers Kerry Steinmann and Stephen Koritta.

Koritta wrote and performed a song during Saturday's ceremony to mark the occasion entitled "Central Standard Time."

Although Melton's life was taken, his memory will now stand in stone for countless years, and his deeds will surely serve to inspire those who hear his story.

For video: http://www.dvidshub.net/video/112503/illinois-soldiers-statue

On April 17th, 2011, Connection goes green. In honor of Earth Day and in effort to promote the city of Davenport's "Cleanup and Greenup" event, Connection's Sunday Service will feature some exciting opportunities to participate in environmental stewardship.

Davenport City Arborist Chris Johnson will be speaking during the service, talking about the city's "5 Hours, 1 Community, 501 Trees" campaign. On April 30 th, volunteers from all over the Quad Cities will gather with the goal of planting 501 trees in Davenport and cleaning up litter around the city. The event is called Cleanup and Greenup.

Building upon the momentum of Cleanup and Greenup, Connection will be introducing a new small group called Cultivation in early May. St. Ambrose student Liz Eckman will be leading the group and will be speaking during the service. Cultivation will meet bi-monthly, raising environmental awareness through watching documentaries and discussing articles; the group will also do "green" service projects around the Quad Cities.

Matt Temple, pastor of Connection, believes celebrating creation is a way to worship the Creator. "God loves what he has created, plain and simple," says Matt. "We just want to do whatever we can to make the world a better place. Raising awareness of environmental issues and taking action in our community seems like a great place to start."

One way Connection will help its congregation take action at the April 17th Sunday Service will be through reusable grocery bags. During the service, bags will be handed out to those in attendance.

Connection goes green on April 17th at 10:10am. It'll take place in downtown Davenport at the River Music Experience, on the corner of Main St. and 2nd St. Please call 563.355.0919 or email jason@connectionqc.org.

Piano Celebration gearing up for another successful event in 2011

Piano Celebration, hosted by Piano for a Richer Life, will take place this year at North Park Mall on April 16th and 17th Last year over 400 talented local celebrities, student pianists and piano enthusiasts of all ages performed at Northpark Mall in Davenport with a dual purpose: to raise funds to support Ronald McDonald House and get the message out that piano study equals brain development!

Iowa City Ronald McDonald House serves the families of thousands of children suffering from critical conditions. The House receives no state or federal tax dollars, relying 100% on private gifts.

Numerous University studies prove that piano study leads to increased brain development, academic achievement and builds confidence while keeping you happy and healthy.  "Piano Celebration helps to get the important message of piano study & brain development out - while raising substantial dollars for Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City," quotes Jim Foster, the spokesman for Piano for a Richer Life.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 16th from 10am-5pm and Sunday, April 17th, from noon-5pm at Northpark Mall in Davenport, Iowa. Three conservatory grand pianos will be placed outside of Dillard's, Younkers and JC Penny's stores.

Donations can also be made during the performances at any of the three concert locations.

Over the past six years Piano Celebration has raised over $210,000 for Iowa City's Ronald McDonald House, and this year the goal is $35,000.  Admission is free and the public is welcome!


DECORAH, Iowa -- April 8m 2011 - Luther College has received communication that King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway plan to visit Luther on Oct. 13, 2011.

Luther officials have not received a final itinerary or schedule for the visit by the king and queen.

The Oct. 13 visit will be the eighth time that members of the Norwegian royal family have visited Luther College and Decorah. Previous visits were:

Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha:  May 6-7, 1939

Crown Prince Harald:  Oct. 6, 1965

King Olav V:  May 4, 1968

King Olav V:  Oct. 14, 1975

King Olav V:  Nov. 28, 1987

King Harald and Queen Sonja:  Oct. 19, 1995

Crown Prince Haakon:  June 10, 1999

As plans for the royal family's visit go forward, Luther College will release additional information.

­-30-



Pages