15 Nov 2010

Danika Holmes' Return to the Redstone Room

By Rachel Lawrence

DAVENPORT, IA, November 15, 2010

The River Music Experience (RME) is proud to present nationally known folksinger, Danika Holmes, in concert on November 20, 2010 at 8:30 PM. The concert will be held at The Redstone Room located at 129 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa. Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at http://rivermusicexperience.eventquick.com/emmpublic/ or at the door.

Singer, songwriter and musician, Danika Holmes, is a specialty in the folk music world. Music critics agree that Danika is charming and energetic with a welcoming tone in her voice, which is as gentle as a breeze.

Currently, Danika's music is being broadcast on independent radio stations, blogs, and podcasts around the world. She performs regularly with her band, has opened for The Nadas, and her show was aired on Iowa Public Television and Radio. "Second Chances," Danika's debut album, was released in March of 2010. Shortly thereafter, a fan favorite, "Lock Me In Tonight," was made into Danika's first music video and was released in June 2010.

"Danika Holmes is a rising star in the heartland!" says Bill Sullivan of The Rock and Roll Report.

"She's a true American talent... I couldn't stop listening!" - Mike Wolfe of The History Channel's "American Pickers."

This will be Danika's second show at the Redstone Room, and is sure to be a sold out crowd.  Danika's passion for music, the influence of her parents, and life experiences have shaped her into the writer and artist she has become.

Danika Holmes is available for a phone or in-person interview.  Please contact Danika directly via her email @ danikaholmes@yahoo.com

For more information, please visit Danika's website at http://www.danikaholmes.com, or for MP3's, contact information, bio, etc., visit Danika's online press kit at http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=260156.

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15 Nov 2010

Russell Construction Honored at Association of Fundraising Professionals Luncheon

By Erin McConaughey
Local Construction Firm Receives Outstanding Philanthropy Award

Davenport, IA - On November 10, 2010, Russell Construction was honored as the 2010 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) - Quad Cities Chapter, Outstanding Philanthropic Award Winner at the I-Wireless Center in Moline, IL.

As a company dedicated to giving back to the local community, Russell Construction was honored to be the latest recipient of this prestigious award, which is based on merit and was last awarded in 2006 to KWQC-TV6. Since its inception in 1983, Russell Construction's commitment to philanthropy in the Quad Cities community has been vast in scope and size. "Lasting Community Impact" is among the company's core values and is shown through the company's employees and leadership.
 
Over the last 15 years, Russell Construction had donated more than $832,000 to local non-profit and community service agencies across the Quad Cities. This coupled with over $197,000 donated to local charities, through a corporate annual charity golf outing, brings Russell's total financial contributions to more than $1 million over a 15 year period.

A monetary donation to local charity organizations is one way Russell gives back to the Quad Cities community. The entire company actively volunteers and fundraisers for area organizations such as the United Way of the Quad Cities, Junior Achievement, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. In 2009, employees donated approximately 4008.5 of personal and 1311.5 of work hours to local non-profit agencies.

"I originally founded this company with the inspiration of building a value-driven company dedicated to the customers and communities it served. We have retained this commitment for the last 27 years and we will remain committed to it for the next 27," stated Jim Russell President and CEO of Russell Construction.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals represents 26,000 members in 172 chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. For more information on the Quad Cities Chapter of AFP, please
visit their website at www.afpquadcities.com.

Established in 1983, Russell Construction is a regional provider of Construction Management, Design Build and General Contracting services. For more information on Russell Construction, please visit their corporate website at www.russellco.com.

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15 Nov 2010

QCPC Seminar Announcement

By Paul Riewerts

Quad Cities Photography Club PROUDLY PRESENTS

2 Seminars Featuring

Mark Rasmussen's "Capturing the Magic Light"
Saturday, January 15, 2011
&
Stan Bousson's "Eagle Photography with Live Photo Shoot"
Sunday, January 16, 2011

SteepleGate Inn
Davenport, Iowa

For more details and reservations, www.QCPhotoclub.com

 

?Seating is limited to the first 100 participants so sign up early!?
11 Nov 2010

Grassley, Kohl Seek More HHS Leadership in Physician Payment Sunshine Implementation

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Herb Kohl are asking the federal government to move forward in implementing new physician payment sunshine provisions.  The senators said some drug and medical device makers are preparing to meet the new requirements but in the absence of clear guidance from the federal government, are preparing payment data in non-uniform ways, causing the material to be difficult for the public to use.

Kohl is chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and Grassley is ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance.  They sponsored the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, which became law as part of the health care overhaul enacted this year.  The new provisions require drug and medical device manufacturers to disclose to the Department of Health and Human Services anything of value given to physicians, such as payments, gifts, honoraria or travel above certain minimum thresholds.  The goal is to inform consumers in case they want to consider the role such payments or gifts play in the provision of medical care.  The senators said the information will be collected in 2012 but some companies are preparing now, and greater guidance from the agency would help the utility of the information for the public.

The text of the senators' letter is available here.

11 Nov 2010

LOCAL AUTHOR TO HOST BOOK SIGNING AT BELOVED FORMER SCHOOL

By Nicholas Depew

Mythical travelers using portals to move through centuries of time.  Political scandal and cold-blooded murder, written about from the confines of an insane asylum.  Anthologies of horror, dark fantasy, and supernatural fiction.  If you haven't read any works by Paul Thomas-Ferguson, you should!  Rivermont Collegiate is excited to present Dr. Ferguson, a local author from Rock Island, for an Open House and Book Signing to be held Thursday, November 18th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the Rivermont campus in Bettendorf.

Dr. Ferguson holds a Ph.D. in U.S., Urban, and Middle Eastern History and an M.A. in Medieval History.  He is a full-time government archivist and part-time history professor at St. Ambrose University.  Dr. Ferguson's works include A Life in Chiaroscuro (2008), The Ports and Portals of the Zelaznids (2009), and Dark Highlands Anthology: Volume I (2010), all available on Amazon.com.  He is Submissions Editor for Dark Highlands, a creative arts company that showcases regional writers, artists, and performers.

Dr. Ferguson attended Rivermont Collegiate (formerly St. Katharine's-St. Mark's) in 1984-85 for his freshman year of high school and cites this year as the most significant of his education.  Rivermont is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian preschool through twelfth grade college preparatory school, with a 126 year tradition of excellence!  We invite you to join us for an open house in conjunction with Dr. Ferguson's book signing and explore our campus and philosophy.  Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, will be on hand to answer questions and provide tours.  At Rivermont, you'll find a family-like learning environment that nurtures intellect, stimulates personal growth and character, and encourages critical thinking and creativity.  Come explore what we're all about!

Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.  This event is free and open to the community.

For more information about Dr. Ferguson and his work, visit www.darkhighlands.com.

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Thursday's Open House and Book Signing, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

-END-

11 Nov 2010

Harkin Leads Bipartisan Group of Senators Calling on Leader Reid to Include Biofuels Language in Energy Bill, Extend Ethanol Tax Credit

By Sen. Tom Harkin
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) led a bipartisan group of Senators in calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to include provisions aimed at expanding biofuels markets in energy legislation pending in the Senate.  Additionally, the Senators asked that Leader Reid consider legislation to extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEECT) beyond its current expiration date of December 31, 2010.  In the letter, the Senators point out that these steps are crucial to reducing the nation's dependence of foreign petroleum, creating jobs in the United States and addressing the issue of climate change.  It is estimated that the enactment of these policies will enable as much as a 5-fold increase in biofuels' displacement of oil-based fuel use in transportation within the next two decades.  Joining Harkin in signing the letter were Senators Christopher Bond (R-MO), Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).  A copy of the letter can be found here.

"One of our most pressing energy issues is our continued dependence on imported petroleum for fueling our transportation systems.  On this issue, we are encouraged by the progress that is being made by vehicle efficiency gains and by the increasing contributions from domestic biofuels.  However, we are also deeply concerned that continued expansion of biofuels is being constrained by marketplace limitations," wrote the Senators.  "We therefore urge you to include biofuels market expansion provisions addressing these barriers in energy legislation considered by the Senate."

As the former Chairman and now senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Harkin has been a long-time leader in promoting the production and use of biofuels as an important part of the nation's energy strategy.  Recent Harkin initiatives and actions aimed at promoting biofuels include : 
  • On August 4, Harkin led a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing an amendment to the pending energy bill to expand the U.S. biofuels market by increasing the percentage of vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. that are flex-fuel capable; increasing the number of blender pumps at refueling stations so more consumers can buy fuels with higher percentages of ethanol; and authorizing loan guarantees for renewable fuel pipelines.  More information can be found here.
  • On August 2, Harkin convened a meeting between a bipartisan group of senators and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman to urge prompt approval of E15 ethanol blend for use in all gasoline-fueled vehicles.  At the meeting, Harkin urged for the approval of E-15, as well as E-20, which EPA is also reviewing.  More information can be found here.
  • On June 28, Harkin and six other senators wrote to President Obama urging his Administration to move rapidly to integrate biofuels into the nation's transportation fuel supply.  In the letter, the senators expressed concern that the Department of Energy (DOE) had not yet completed testing of higher blends of ethanol in gasoline, which would allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the use of gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol.  More information can be found here.
  • On June 23, Harkin spoke on the Senate floor expressing his disappointment in EPA and DOE's delay in making a decision on E-15 and calling for an end to the delay.  Audio of that can be found here.
11 Nov 2010

Governor Quinn Highlights Veterans Programs

By Kara Beach

Encourages Support for Programs that Help Illinois Veterans, Servicemembers and Their Families

CHICAGO - November 10, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today highlighted programs that benefit Veterans, servicemembers and their families throughout Illinois. At an event in Chicago, Governor Quinn was joined by representatives from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois National Guard and the USO of Illinois.

"We must do everything we can to support our Veterans and servicemembers," said Governor Quinn. "It is our duty to honor the men and women in uniform who have selflessly served our state and country."

At today's event, Governor Quinn highlighted a number of programs that he has established or supported during his time in public service.

Helmets to Hardhats is a national initiative modeled on Illinois' program which connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military servicemembers to high-quality construction industry training and employment opportunities. The program seeks to ease the challenging transition to civilian life for servicemembers and their families. For more information please visit www.helmetstohardhats.org.

The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund allows residents to donate to Illinois military families in need of financial assistance while loved ones are deployed overseas. Since its launch in 2003, the program has distributed nearly $12 million dollars to families across the state. Donations may be sent to Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, 1301 North MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, IL 62702.

Operation Support Our Troops is devoted to sending care packages with items that are not readily available to servicemembers overseas. Beginning on Veterans Day 2010, OSOTIL will be accepting donated items at MB Financial locations across the Chicagoland area. For a list of needed items and drop-off locations, visit www.osotil.org.

Operation Hero Miles makes airline tickets available to military families for travel related to a servicemember's medical condition. Servicemembers being treated as a result of an injury can also request a ticket to travel home while on medical leave. To donate airline miles for families to visit wounded military personnel at medical centers, please visit www.fisherhouse.org.

For more information about programs for our Veterans, visit www.operationhomefront.org or call the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs at 217-782-6641 or 312-814-2460.

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11 Nov 2010

Undead Dance At the Figge

By Stephen Mohr

In conjunction with its exhibition, Dancing Towards Death, the Figge Art Museum will be hosting Ballet Quad Cities for a special encore performance of I, Vampire at 6:30 PM Thursday, November 18. Join us for a special night of art, dance and other activities as two great Quad Cities cultural institutions collaborate to entertain and educate on the dead and undead!  Ballet Quad Cities will give a reprise presentation of I, Vampire in the third floor gallery space at the museum. Inspired by local author Michael Romkey's1990 novel about the transformation of Chicago lawyer David Parker into one of the undead, this modern-day ballet explores the sinister yet sensual relationship between vampires and their victims.

At 7:00 PM. St Ambrose University professor of Art & Art History, Terri Switzer, will talk in the John Deere Auditorium. The lecture, "The Queen of Sins and 'la mort qui danse': Late 19th Century Femme Fatale Imagery", will explore imagery of the popular European theme of the diabolic seductress  through the deadly embrace and bewitching beauty of vampiric man-eating females, syphilis-ridden prostitutes, and the many Salomes and Judiths carrying severed male heads.

Admission to the museum and all activities is FREE after 5 PM. The Figge will be providing a free art lesson in the studios from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. Guided gallery tours start at 6 PM. The bar and café open at 5 PM. The museum is open until 9 PM.

-end-

11 Nov 2010

Winter Bird Feeding Program Slated

By Lisa Gerwulf

On Saturday, November 20th at 10:00 A.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will host a program on winter bird feeding. Come learn how you can attract and feed our common feathered friends on any budget.  Simple supplies can get you started right in your own backyard.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

 

11 Nov 2010

"Mi-Do-Ri" Composition Contest

By Jared Johnson
To celebrate the visit of world-renowned violinist Midori, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the St. Ambrose University Music Department announces the "Mi-Do-Ri" Young Composer Competition. Young composers are invited to compose and submit a piece for solo violin or violin and piano using a central 3 note musical theme based on the name Midori. All composers currently in local elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges or universities in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas are eligible. Only one submission per composer is allowed and all music must be unpublished. For complete application, rules and guidelines go to www.qcsymphony.com/midori. The winning composers will receive special recognition, a performance of their score during the 2011 residency of Midori, and a CD recording of the performance.

William Campbell, PhD., Assoc. Professor of Music Theory and Composition at St Ambrose, will offer three separate workshops for composers to guide them through the composition process. Each workshop will include opportunities to teach participants about the genre, musical form, and composition techniques. Workshops will be held at St. Ambrose on three separate Saturdays: December 11, January 22 and February 19, 9 AM-noon. These workshops are optional and open to all interested.

Applications must be submitted via mail to arrive no later than Friday, March 4, 2011. The winning compositions will be announced on the QCSO website by March 25, 2011. Email questions and names of student participants by Friday, Nov. 12 to midori@qcsymphony.com.

Send entries or written inquiries to:
Young Composer Competition
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
327 Brady Street
Davenport, IA 52801

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