MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT is pleased to announce that Donna Allman has been named the 2010 WQPT Volunteer of the Year. The award ceremony was held at Ryan's Family Steak House on August 24, 2010 during a special luncheon held for WQPT volunteers. 

Donna, who greets everyone with a hearty "Glad to have you," has been a loyal volunteer at WQPT for the last 16 years. She has helped with monthly mailings, pledge drives and special events. "We are very fortunate to have someone like Donna volunteer for the station and it was a special pleasure to honor her in this way," said Special Projects Coordinator, Bea Brasel.

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DES MOINES, IA (09/22/2010)(readMedia)-- Calls to the Iowa Domestic Violence Hotline, operated by Children & Families of Iowa, are up 31 percent from last year at this same time, the 122-year old nonprofit organization reports. These statistics are based on the number of hotline calls received from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010 compared to the same time period the previous year.

"This is a significant increase," says Children & Families of Iowa's hotline coordinator Diana Smith, "but not a surprise." The economy and unemployment can add pressure to a bad situation, making it worse and leading to increased violence, according to Smith.

"Domestic Violence is a big problem," she explains. "Statistics show that one in three women will be affected by DV in her lifetime. That's inconceivable to most people."

The statewide, toll-free number, 1.800.942.0333, is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides free, confidential referral and counseling. The hotline is funded primarily by the Iowa Department of Justice Crime Victim Assistance Division (CVAD) and in part by United Way of Central Iowa.

The number of individuals served by Children & Families of Iowa's Domestic Violence shelter is also on the rise. According to Marlene Wozniczka, shelter supervisor, last year the organization served 1,281 at their shelter located in Polk County. This year that total increased to 1,419. "We've been running at capacity (62 beds) and beyond, nightly, with just a few exceptions," she says.

This stands to reason since the hotline is often the first step to reaching safety. When hotline calls increase, shelter occupancy soon follows, according to Wozniczka.

Materials that promote the hotline are available by calling Diana Smith, 515.471.8699, ext. 118 or by sending an email to dianas@cfiowa.org. These materials include hotline mirror clings, safety cards and physician pocket cards.

For more information about Children & Families of Iowa's Domestic Violence Services, visit their website: www.cfiowa.org.

Children & Families of Iowa is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring hope, building futures and changing lives. Offices in Ankeny, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Osceola and Ottumwa allow the organization to restore hope for victims of domestic violence, create safe homes for children and help people reshape their lives statewide.

DES MOINES, IA (09/22/2010)(readMedia)-- With students returning to school and the farmers tending to the fields, fall is a very busy time in Iowa. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald is also working to prepare the fall publication of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.

"I encourage everyone to search for their name in the paper," said Fitzgerald. "This publication includes new properties in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt since the last publication. You may also search for your name by visiting www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com. Checking the paper or visiting us online is well worth the short time it takes."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $122 million in unclaimed property to more than 310,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

"My job is to return unclaimed property to the rightful owners," Fitzgerald said. "It is very rewarding to be able to reunite people with their lost money."

For more information about the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com. Interested individuals can also correspond by email at foundit@iowa.gov or by contacting the treasurer's office at the following address: Michael Fitzgerald, State Treasurer, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Please include the name(s), maiden name(s), current and previous address(es) of those people you would like searched.

Independent Candidate for Governor Makes Appearance at Wise Guys Pizza, Davenport, Monday Evening at 6 p.m.

SEPT 27, 2010 - DAVENPORT, IA - Jonathan Narcisse, the independent Iowa Party candidate for Governor, will address the monthly Tea Party meetup this evening, and take questions from those in attendance. The public is invited to attend and participate.

The mission of the Tea Party of the Quad Cities is:  "To provide the most effective forum for constitutional awareness and citizen vigilance for its members and their families, friends and neighbors."

The Tea Party oft he Quad Cities meets the last Monday of each month, in Iowa, at the Wise Guys Pizza located at 2408 E 53rd Street, Davenport, IA 52807.

Narcisse will expound on his published ideas and strategies for overhauling Iowa government via tax reform, education reform and establishing efficient, transparent and accountable state departments.

Narcisse will be available for interviews before and after the Tea Party of the Quad Cities meeting.  Contact 515-770-1218 to confirm availability.

Cyndi Diercks, organizer for the Tea Party of the Quad Cities stated in an email announcement invitation to tonight's meeting that, "As you well know the choices we have been given for Governor of the State of Iowa are Chet Culer and Terry Branstad. I know I am not happy with either choice, and I do know that many of my friends aren't either. The good news is we do have another choice, his name is Jonathan Narcisse."

The River Cities' Reader recently reported that Narcisse's "bold plan has the potential to connect with voters who are dissatisfied with government and politicians.  

But whether you agree with Narcisse's assessments or his ideas is beside the point. In a gubernatorial campaign featuring two people who've already held the office, Narcisse is an essential voice because he refuses to nibble around the edges or accept the way things have traditionally been done. He gives voters the opportunity to consider core questions of governance and talk about fundamentals.

Narcisse's primary value in this campaign is demonstrating that starting with common sense exposes the problems of beginning with the status quo."

Narcisse continues his "None of the Above" campaign stating that,  "Iowans are not enthusiatic about a sixth Branstad/Culver administration. Despite the two waging the most negative campaign in Iowa's history an honest examination of their records, practices, policies and especially their contributors, confirms the differences between these two men are primarily stylistic not substantive. Neither has offered a concrete plan to address the critical challenges facing our state. If they have I'd love to read it," stated Narcisse.

"As a member of the Des Moines School Board I fought for our children, parents, teachers and taxpayers and spoke truth to power without compromise. Iowans are hungry for that type of open, honest and accessible leadership that will place their needs and the needs of their children and this state above partisan and special interest politics. I bring that to the table," stated Narcisse.

"Our campaign also brings to the table real solutions. As I travel around the state, whether I meet with citizens, civic and political leaders or media I white board solutions. I show how we address the challenges of this state and how to pay for those solutions. In these times Iowans want to hear pragmatic ideas and common sense solutions."

The four pillars of the Narcisse for Iowa governance agenda are consistent with the values and priorities of Iowans:

* Creating accountable, efficient, and transparent government;
* Restoring a "World Class Plus" educational system;
* Rebuilding a low tax, free-market, prosperous state economy;
* Create a healthy Iowa by leading by example to fight lifestyle and obesity induced disease

Jonathan Narcisse is a former Des Moines School Board member, publisher and editor of multiple publications, radio show host and community advocate. During the early part of the decade he authored a 3,500 page report analyzing the condition of African-Americans in Iowa's 99 counties, and headed statewide health and education initiatives.

In 2009 Narcisse published "An Iowa Worth Fighting For: A Ten Step Vision Plan for 21st Century Governance." Narcisse evaluates the history of state expenditures versus population, reducing state government, corruption and accountability, tax reform, education reform through parental control and academic entrepreneurship, local control and property rights, public safety and drug interdiction and immigration reform.  The full text of this can be found at www.AnIowaWorthFightingFor.com

He has received more than 400 national, state and local honors and awards including recognition from the Bush (Sr.), Clinton and Bush administrations and the Branstad, Vilsack and Culver administrations. He has finished second twice in national chess competitions and is a multiple state champion. He also had a 17-0 record as a semi-pro boxer while living in the Washington, D.C. area.

He has a son, Johnce, and two daughters, 14 year old daughter, Integrity, an 11 year old daughter, Perseverance and three grandchildren.

Narcisse, who lives in Des Moines, will is touring the state for the second time in two years, visiting with grass roots organizations, churches and the media.  Narcisse is circulating petitions to be included in the next two gubernatorial debates.  More info on that effort is available at www.DeabateIowa.com. Details on Jonathan's grassroots campaign can be found at www.NarcisseForIowa.com.  Media can contact Jonathan directly at 515-770-1218, or at info@narcisseforiowa.com.

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