MOLINE, IL?A social worker, a retired police officer, a PhD, a Plumber, a US Army Reserve Sergeant, and the QC's own celebrated black belt and world record holder, invite you to join them for Morrow's Hour of Power?a lunch hour of push-ups to kick-start your weekend with a rush of adrenaline and sense of wellbeing.

The Hour of Power is a chance for the not-faint-of-heart to find their power by doing push-ups. John Morrow hosts the event every Friday at noon. "Each person finds his or her own number," says Morrow. "It's about how many push-ups you can do per minute for an hour." Morrow's number is 41. (Others in the group range from 4 to 18 push-ups per minute.)

Morrow is out to set a world record for the most push-ups by a group of people in one place in one hour?an event scheduled for May 1st at St. Ambrose University called Push-Ups for Peace. The event will benefit Kids Against Hunger and Quad City Children's Therapy.

"The Hour of Power" began as our way to prepare for May 1st," explained Morrow. "But we are having so much fun as a group, we decided to do it every Friday at lunchtime just for fun. We play classic rock from the Doors to the Beatles and have a great time. We're inviting people to join us and find their own personal power number."

Known very locally as "the village people", Morrow's group of five includes Jeanette Gibson, a social worker; Ian Fink, retired Bettendorf police officer, Dr. Dustin Derby from the Palmer College research department, John Olvera, a plumber and Sgt. Terry Timmons, US Army Reserve. They are led by John Morrow of push-up and martial arts fame.

"All you have to do is show up," says Morrow. The Hour of Power takes place at Morrow's Academy, every Friday from noon to 1pm. It's located at 1321 Fifth Ave. in downtown Moline. For information about Push-Ups for Peace, the Hour of Power, or Morrow's Academy, call John Morrow at 309-764-1929 or visit www.morrowsacademy.com.       

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Every two years, the Community Marketing program of Renaissance Rock Island conducts a telephone survey to determine statistically valid perceptions about Rock Island. Personal Marketing Research, Inc. (PMR) was contracted to administer the survey in the fourth quarter of 2009. The sample for the study was comprised of 800 respondents, allowing for an overall margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points at 95% level of confidence. 400 Rock Island residents and 400 non-residents were questioned.

The 34-page executive summary can be downloaded at this link  http://www.liveri.com/index.php/business/community-profile/community-survey

Overwhelmingly, Rock Island residents believe that Rock Island is a good place to live (91%). The majority of residents have a positive view of Rock Island (65%) and non-residents have a neutral perception (56%).

When rating City services and the School District, residents gave more positive answers than in 2007. Residents feel that the amount of property taxes paid for City services (46%) and School District services (48%) is appropriate. All City services were rated above average by residents. Residents think the schools are better or much better than five years ago (36%).

Respondents state that Rock Island has the best downtown (39%). This has changed dramatically since 1990 when respondents thought Rock Island had the worst downtown. People go downtown for entertainment, dining, and bars and this has remained consistent since 1990.

Residents and non-residents agree with the Rock Solid, Rock Island brand statements - now five years old: Rock Island is a welcoming environment, a place that supports entrepreneurial spirit, and a place that celebrates a diverse environment. Rock Island offers a wide variety of residential housing options, has innovative public and private schools, offers a complete set of recreational and leisure activities, provides outstanding city and governmental services and is a regional leader in downtown development.

Respondents feel that Rock Island is safe (76% stated very safe or safe), and more residents stated so (87% stated very safe or safe). Residents feel safe in their neighborhoods (84% stated very safe or safe). Respondents feel that Rock Island properties are well kept (63%), with residents feeling more so (71%). Respondents feel downtown Rock Island is safe (49% stated very safe or safe), while more residents felt safe (54% stated very safe or safe).

Perceptions of Rock Island have improved since 1990, due to continual improvements in the city. However, just as stated in the conclusions of the 1990 market research, work will need to continue.

Wilson says he is very excited to have been selected as the winner for Scott County. "There have been budget cuts, so the school might not have the funds available like they've had in the past to support groups like the FFA chapter," explains Wilson. "Not many kids are involved in agriculture anymore. One way to keep them involved is through programs like FFA. Monsanto's grant program is great. It will help give recognition to what farmers do."

Jamie Gray, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, says the $2,500 will be used to help the students develop leadership skills by attending career development events, state leadership conferences and the National FFA Convention.

"American farmers are the backbone of this country, and without them we wouldn't have anything," says Gray. "The communities that make up the North Scott School District are very lucky to be surrounded by the farming industry. It felt good to know that Ron felt the North Scott FFA Chapter could benefit from this program. Monsanto has always been giving back to the communities and supporting organizations like the FFA. They know the importance of FFA and agriculture in the classroom and all it has to offer students and the community."

Brandon Messer, North Scott FFA member adds: "I would like to thank Ron Wilson for nominating us for this award. I feel our farming community is very supportive of our FFA chapter and would like to thank them for all their support."

The Economic Development Administration serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States through the promotion of innovation and competitiveness and preparing regions for growth and success in the global economy.

According to the Economic Development Administration, the disaster recovery projects work to minimize economic dislocations resulting from natural and other disasters, improving responsiveness and effectiveness in the recovery process.

The Economic Development Administration has awarded funds as described below.

· Columbus Junction will receive $2,902,500 to help construct a new water treatment facility outside the floodplain.

· Dubuque will receive $1.5 million to help construct a multi-level parking facility.

· Iowa City will receive $22 million to help relocate the north wastewater treatment facility out of the Iowa River floodplain and $3 million to help design and perform engineering work to reconstruct and elevate Dubuque Street and the Park Road Bridge.

· Shenandoah will receive $232,500 to reconstruct storm sewer infrastructure in downtown Shenandoah.

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