FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Robots, high-voltage displays and more await technology enthusiasts at the Grand Opening of the QC Co-Lab. The QC Co-Lab will open its doors Friday, September 17 through Sunday, September 19 at its permanent location at 1033 East 53rd Street, Davenport, IA near the Hamilton Technical College.

"What we're about is taking things apart, learning how they work, and doing something neat with that knowledge," said Steve Hamer, QC Co-Lab President. "We're excited to open the doors and provide space for people to learn and collaborate."

Events are planned throughout the weekend and include technology talks, a swap meet and vendor area, scavenger hunt, and giveaways. All activities are free and open to the public. To register for the event and find more information, visit www.qccolab.com/grandopening.

The QC Co-lab is the first and only independent "makerspace" (sometimes referred to as a hackerspace or projectspace) in the Quad Cities area. Formed by local technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, the space and its membership look to extend the Quad Cities art and technology community.

The 4000 square-foot space space tentatively includes a classroom, recording studio, library, conference room, kitchen, and workshop space, and is accessible 24-hours a day for dues-paying members.

The QC Co-Lab will also host public events, which groups can reserve all or part of the space. For more information about the QC Co-lab including membership opportunities and upcoming events, visit www.qccolab.com, or contact QC Co-Lab Vice President Jeremy Borchert at 563.340.9969.

SAVE ON THE TOP TEN FALL FASHION TRENDS AT YOUNKERS AND DONATE TO GOODWILL

MILWAUKEE, WI - As top designers head to New York Fashion Week, look no further than Younkers stores to get the latest trends for fall.  With the semi-annual Goodwill Sale taking place from September 15-29 at Younkers stores, now is the best time to update your wardrobe for the new season.  Customers who make Goodwill donations of clean, gently-used clothing and home textiles at Younkers stores will receive discount coupons toward the purchase of new merchandise.

Donations will be sold in Goodwill stores, where the revenues fund job training programs, career and other community-based services for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience and others facing challenges to finding employment.  Donating the things you no longer need to Goodwill is a simple way to give back to your community and make room for these top ten fall fashion trends to update your wardrobe.

Top Ten Fall Fashion Essentials

1. Embellished tops with jewelry, sequins and zipper trims

2. Military inspired utility jackets with hardware detail

3. Fur details?on vests, jackets, collars and bags

4. Over the knee boots

5. Accessories with attitude--bold statement necklaces, flirty handbags with feminine detail

6. Chunky Infinity scarves

7. Ruffles & ruffle detail on cardigans, tops and vests

8. Long over lean Tunic tops with skinny pants or jeggings

9. Color trends include Neutrals, like camel, grey and olive green, with punches of red, deep purples and rusty oranges

10. Rich luxe fabrics, from lace to velvet to brocade and lots of sequin detai

One coupon is given per item donated. The coupon can be used at Younkers locations for 20-percent off regular or sale price apparel, fine jewelry, shoes and accessories, and 15-percent off cosmetics, fragrances and home store merchandise. Certain items, including furniture, electronics and toys, qualify for a 10-percent discount.

"When you donate to Goodwill, you are helping people in your community find jobs and care for their families," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  "The Goodwill Sale with Younkers helps communities grow stronger by providing a boost in donations that allows Goodwill to continue providing the employment services people need to be independent."

"The Goodwill Sale allows our customers to get new fall fashion merchandise at outstanding values and at the same time support a great cause," said Bud Bergren, president and chief executive officer of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.  "The Goodwill Sale exemplifies our commitment to the communities in which we operate."

Customers who register their donations on http://millionactsofgoodwill.com will receive a 25 percent off coupon to use during the Goodwill Sale.  You can also play the site's "Spin to Win Instant Win Game" daily for a chance to win a $100 gift card, and be automatically entered in the sweepstakes for a chance to win a shopping spree worth $1000.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,400 retail stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2009, nearly 2 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl. Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

ABOUT THE BON-TON STORES

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 278 department stores, which includes 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates and, in the Detroit, Michigan area, under the Parisian nameplate. The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc is an active and positive participant in the communities that it serves. The Goodwill Sale event is long standing charitable partnership the Company developed to support its Hometown commitment and build strong communities.  For further information, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.bonton.com.

WASHINGTON - September 7, 2010 - Chuck Grassley today requested further information about the process used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture when employees at monitored farms come forward to USDA officials with food safety concerns.

"Americans have enjoyed one of the safest and most abundant food supplies in the world.  Confidence in our food supply is very important.  First and foremost is the safety of the consumer.  But, also, if the consumer doesn't have confidence in our food supply, it impacts the farmer," Grassley said.  "To maintain that confidence, it's important we evaluate and ask questions about where things might have fallen through the cracks so it doesn't happen again."

Grassley's letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack follows press reports about complaints raised by individuals at the facilities involved in the egg recall.

The letter asks if the Department received complaints and what was done to investigate the concerns.  Grassley also asks about the Food Safety Inspection Service's responsibilities at the two farms.

In addition, Grassley asked about the procedures in place when concerns are raised in areas of joint jurisdiction, such as the USDA and the FDA in this particular instance.

Here's a copy of the text of Grassley's letter.

September 7, 2010

Secretary Tom Vilsack

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Ave SW

Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

The recent egg recalls due to a Salmonella outbreak at Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms in Iowa have troubled consumers and weakened confidence in our nation's food supply. When Americans visit their local grocery stores, they should be able to trust that the food they are purchasing to feed their family is safe to consume.

Recent media reports indicate that former company employees reported food safety problems they had observed while working at Wright County Egg. While I understand that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authority over shell eggs, has issued the egg recall and is involved in the investigation of the Salmonella outbreak, USDA does have primary jurisdiction over egg product safety and has non-food safety employees located at farms including Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) graders.

In light of the complaints raised by these individuals, please answer following the questions:

1) Did USDA receive complaints from company employees and if so, what was done to investigate these concerns?

2) What were the Food Safety Inspection Service's (FSIS) responsibilities in relation to these two farms?  When was the last FSIS inspection conducted?

3) Is there an established process so that USDA employees (such as AMS graders) or company employees and other individuals can report possible food safety violations to FSIS?

4) Is there an established process for USDA employees to report food safety concerns to the FDA when they fall outside of USDA's jurisdiction?

5) What is USDA doing to counter deficiencies in food safety communication within the USDA and between the two agencies?  How are USDA and FDA coordinating to best address food safety concerns and ensure that food safety problems do not fall through the cracks?

Thank you for your prompt response to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

United States Senator

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/07/2010)(readMedia)-- Illinois National Guard leaders have identified open discussions and stronger relationships between Soldiers and Airmen among the keys to suicide prevention programs administered by the Illinois National Guard.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, three Illinois National Guard Soldiers have committed suicide and the Department of Defense (DoD) has experienced record numbers of suicides across all services since 2002. As a result, DoD programs to identify causes for suicide and implement preventative strategies have received attention and funding.

One challenge has been getting Soldiers and Airmen to understand that seeking help when dealing with difficult emotional situations will not negatively affect their careers.

Chief Warrant Officer (2) Mariah Peterson, Illinois National Guard Suicide Prevention Program Manager, said she has seen a decrease in the negative stigma surrounding mental health issues.

"Soldiers are learning more and more that the repercussions from seeking help are no longer going to affect their military career," said Peterson. "In order to be an effective Soldier, one has to be both physically and mentally strong."

The Army's Ask Care Escort (ACE) program and the supplemental Shoulder-to-Shoulder training are the only Army-approved suicide prevention training programs, which focuses on building and maintaining positive relationships.

"It is taught by first-line leaders and gives Soldiers the opportunity to open up and discuss the training in an informal setting. Soldiers tend to open up more when they are surrounded by their peers," said Peterson.

During an address to the 132nd General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States Aug. 21 in Austin, Texas, Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard, emphasized more vigilant leadership and better post deployment follow up as among the solutions for stemming suicides.

"The issue of Soldier suicides isn't a deployment problem, it has to do with significant emotional events in their lives, but beyond that, it has to do with their ability to cope," he said.

The lesson is that leaders must be more assertive and involved to help troubled Soldiers before issues mushroom, said Carpenter.

Getting the families of Illinois National Guard members involved, helping them understand help is available and how to get that help are all points of emphasis in Illinois. This part of the mission is spearheaded by the Family Readiness Groups and the Chaplain Corps.

"We spend very little time in our offices," said Col. Daniel Krumrei, Joint Forces Headquarters chaplain, and the command staff chaplain. "We're always out and around counseling Soldiers, assisting commanders and developing relationships. As much as humanly possible our chaplains are available. We're at Soldiers' homes, at hospitals, funeral homes and even jails; wherever we are needed to help the Soldiers manage emotionally stressful events in their lives."

The Strong Bonds Retreats are weekend get-aways for Illinois servicemembers and their spouses designed to help Soldiers reconnect with their families and enhance their marriages, said Chaplain (1st Lt.) Vincent Lambert administers the Army's Strong Bonds program.

"Reconnecting with family after a deployment can be an extremely stressful situation for a Soldier and a chaplain has a special vantage point because we are specifically trained in counseling and many couples want to follow up with us," said Lambert. "The confidentiality a chaplain guarantees is key."

The Air National Guard's suicide prevention program, called the Wingman Project, consists of an interactive Web site available to anyone with Internet access and says that for every one Airman killed in combat, seven Airmen take their own lives. Wingmanproject.org was developed to empower Air Guard members, their families and friends to prevent suicides and train them to recognize the signs of suicide. The site includes training on how to ask the right questions, links and contact information for additional help like the suicide hotline.

The fact that wingmanproject.org is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is especially important for traditional National Guard members.

"The National Guard is, at times, at a disadvantage compared to the Army and Air Force," said Peterson. "We see our Soldiers and Airmen two days out of the month. That is why it is imperative to know your Soldiers and your Airmen. Suicide prevention should not be something that is on the front page one day and forgotten the next; it is knowing your buddy, knowing what resources are available for help, paying attention to what is going on in your Soldiers' or Airmen's lives and not being afraid to talk about it."

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 5-11.

For more information please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs office at 217-761-3569.

1st Lt. Dutch Grove.