Davenport Event is Part of Nationwide Week of Action to Call for Fair, Ambitious and Binding International Deal

Davenport, IA - Local activists representing 1Sky Iowa today gathered outside the office of Senator Grassley to urge him to support clean energy legislation and to ask President Obama to fight for a fair, ambitious, and binding international treaty on climate change when he attends the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark on Dec. 9.

"President Obama can use his international prestige to be the driving force behind true progress on climate change," said Matt Denner, of 1Sky Iowa. "The rest of the world will follow if America leads and President Obama campaigned - and won - on a platform of domestic and international leadership to fight climate change. It is vital that Senator Grassley join him in these efforts."

The rally, which included the delivery of postcards to Senator Grassley from around the state, was one of over 30 1Sky events nationwide and one of four taking place across the state this week.  Many of the events highlighted art work made by activists in the 1Sky network who participated in over 200 "art gatherings" during November where participants created murals and other works of art that expressed the urgency of the climate crisis. The artwork was designed to push the Obama administration to take a strong stance in Copenhagen, where representatives of most world nations will gather starting on Dec. 7 to discuss an international treaty to stop the greenhouse gas pollution that causes global warming. A culminating event is scheduled to take place in front of the White House in Washington D.C. on Dec. 4 that will incorporate works of art from all over the country.

The Copenhagen conference is expected to run from December 7 to December 19. 1Sky and other groups dedicated to fighting climate change are calling for a fair, ambitious and binding treaty and warning that failure to generate an effective, working agreement soon could have disastrous consequences for the planet, which is already suffering from the effects of climate change.

Specifically 1Sky is calling on the Obama administration to:

- Push for stronger action on short term targets for greenhouse gas emission cuts than the 17 percent currently offered by the United States since 17 percent is simply not enough to stave off the worst effects of global warming

- Acknowledge a degree of U.S. responsibility for climate change by making financial investments in the transition

- Use the Copenhagen trip to pressure the U.S. Senate to build the political will to pass a strong bill in the Senate this spring.

"Unfortunately the planet cannot wait," said 1Sky Campaign Director Gillian Caldwell. "We need to see serious progress in Copenhagen and from the United States Senate over the next few months. The economic benefits to acting are very clear and the result of no action is also, unfortunately, very clear."

List of planned events in the Midwest:

Des Moines, Iowa; 12/1/2009 - Climate artwork will be on display at a climate rally in front of the Neal Smith Federal Building.

Ames, Iowa; 12/3/2009 - Climate artwork will be on display at a climate rally on the Iowa State University campus.

Indianapolis, Indiana; 12/2/2009 - Climate artwork will be on display at a climate rally stressing the importance of a strong international climate agreement.

Lansing, Michigan; 12/3/2009 - The event will draw upon Michigan State University students to pin messages to a climate banner being taken to Copenhagen the next day.

Minneapolis, Minnesota; 12/1/2009 - 1Sky and Sierra Club co-host a rally where passersby and attendees can sign a banner reading 'All Hands on Deck for Climate Action', which will be delivered to Senator Klobuchar before he goes to Copenhagen.

Kansas City, Missouri; 12/2/2009 - 1Sky and Green Drinks KC will co-host a climate rally and press conference including speakers from Eco-Talk Radio and the Kansas City Star.

St. Louis, Missouri; 12/4/2009 and 12/5/2009 - 1Sky and allies will host two climate art parties at local coffeehouses including action stations with phone calls and LTE-writing, speakers, and live music.

Fargo, North Dakota; 12/1/2009 - This event features an e-conference hosted by NDSU Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering calling on the world's farmers to convert their agricultural residues to biochar.

Omaha, Nebraska; 12/2/2009 - 1Sky will host a press conference outside of Dale Clark Library to discuss the implications on a global climate treaty on Nebraska.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 12/2/2009 - Attendees will gather at a press conference featuring local leaders talking about the importance of a strong climate agreement in Copenhagen.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 12/2/2009, 12/6/2009, 12/12/2009 - 1Sky will host events including a pancake breakfast to talk about Copenhagen, a 'Bon Voyage' press conference, and a climate crisis rally.

1Sky is a collaborative national campaign for strong federal action to tackle global climate change and invest in building the clean energy economy of the future. As one of the largest national campaigns in the country, 1Sky combines the force of 500 allied organizations, 178,000 committed climate advocates, 2,700 volunteer Climate Precinct Captains covering more than 390 congressional districts in 50 states, and a team of 52 including 41 organizers in 30 states working to mobilize constituent support.

For more information on 1Sky contact Alex Posorske at (301) 270-4550 x 230 or Alex@1sky.org

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse will host a culinary class on December 9^th at  6:30pm. Participants will learn expert tips from top notch chefs and will be given an opportunity eat what they make.  The chef will teach the class to make Johnny's Signature Betta Bruschetta; it is a quick dish to prepare for your holiday guests!  In addition, a door prize, such as meal certificates, will be drawn at the conclusion of the class.  The cooking class is $10 to the public and includes light appetizers and a glass of wine or beverage.

For more information or to sign up, please call Johnny's Italian Steakhouse at 309.736.0100.

MONTICELLO, IA (November 27, 2009) ? Once again this year, Iowans can ring in the Christmas season with "Iowa's Own Pianist" Jim McDonough and his orchestra and singers. Tickets for his annual "Holiday Grande" concert tour for Camp Courageous of Iowa are on sale now.

The spectacular holiday stage production -- all-new for 2009 -- includes McDonough at the concert grand piano, his 15-piece orchestra, a cast of singers and dancers, elaborate sets and costumes and the true spirit of the season.

The tour will deliver the message of Christmas in a sincere, rich and meaningful production perfect for the entire family. "We've put together the grandest 'Holiday Grande' yet," McDonough says. "It's elegant, it's exciting, it's touching, and it benefits a wonderful organization."

For the fifth consecutive year, the tour will benefit Camp Courageous in Iowa, a year-round respite care and recreational facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities. The camp is run on donations, without formal sponsorships, without government assistance, and without any paid fund-raisers.  Tour stops include :

Des Moines - Saturday, December 5, at 2:30 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Place. Tickets: $28 - $33. Charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Hoyt Sherman Place Box Office.

Marion - Sunday, December 6, at 2:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. at Linn-Mar High School Auditorium. Tickets: $28 - $33. Charge by phone at (800) 375-7095, or email tickets@pianofavorites.com.

Dubuque - Saturday, December 12, at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. at the Five Flags Theater. Tickets: $28 - $33. Charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Five Flags Box Office.

Cedar Falls - Sunday, December 13, at 2:30 p.m. at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Tickets: $28 - $33. Charge by phone at (800) 549-SHOW (7469), visit www.unitix.uni.edu, or in person at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Box Office.

Jim McDonough's 11 CDs - including his brand new album Rat Pack Remembered - are available at gift shops across the country and via his Web site, www.pianofavorites.com.

ABOUT JIM McDONOUGH
After stints as a high school band director, cruise ship entertainer and air-traffic controller, Jim McDonough began selling his distinctive brand of soothing piano music in gift shops in eastern Iowa. Today, his CDs are available in nearly 1,000 stores across the country and via his Web site, www.pianofavorites.com. Jim's independent record label, Jim McDonough Productions, Inc., has already sold more than 125,000 of his CDs.

The road to success, though, has been paved with detours. In eighth grade, an accident nearly ended his musical career. A falling piano crushed three fingers on his right hand - and nearly crushed his dreams in the process. Jim emerged from two hours of surgery with pins in his fingers and tiny fractures across his hand. But throughout more than a year of physical therapy, Jim kept playing - with a cast on his right hand - and concentrated on improving his performance with his left hand. "Playing the piano defined me," McDonough says. "It was my life, and I was determined to play again." He devoted nearly every spare moment to working to get back the dexterity in his right hand, and the rigorous rehearsing paid off. In ninth grade, instead of a car, Jim bought a Steinway grand piano to celebrate how far he'd come.

His debut CD Requests, released in 2002, features timeless solo piano music, including favorites such as My Heart Will Go On (from Titanic), Time to Say Goodbye, and All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera). Jim's original holiday CD, Home for Christmas, is filled with classic Christmas favorites including O Holy Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Christmas Time is Here (from A Charlie Brown Christmas) and The Prayer. His collection of movie themes, Projections: Songs from the Silver Screen, features familiar music from films, including Theme from On Golden Pond, Brian's Song and Through The Eyes Of Love (from Ice Castles). An Ivory Christmas is a taste of Jim's live holiday show, and features a combination of solo piano pieces and holiday tunes with vocals and full orchestrations, including We Need a Little Christmas, My Favorite Things and Ave Maria. Music of the Night is a collection of sophisticated, relaxing and romantic evening-inspired melodies including Some Enchanted Evening, Moon River and Somewhere Out There. Simple Gifts features 14 songs of faith and inspiration, including On Eagle's Wings, You Raise Me Up and How Great Thou Art. With Love is filled with timeless, most-often-requested love songs, including Unchained Melody, Unforgettable, and Somewhere My Love. Homeward Bound features melodies designed to accompany us on the many stages of our journeys through life, including You'll Never Walk Alone, Climb Ev'ry Mountain and Danny Boy. New in 2008, Country Dreaming, features 16 classic country melodies, including Crazy, Always on My Mind and Tennessee Waltz. A follow-up to his original holiday release, A Christmas to Remember, is filled with seasonal favorites, including Mary Did You Know?, Silver Bells and Joy to the World. And his most recent release, Rat Pack Remembered, is filled with Jim's distinctive arrangements of the most beloved hits from the trio of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.

For more information, visit Jim McDonough's web site at www.pianofavorites.com or call (800) 375-7095. For additional information about Camp Courageous go to www.campcourageous.org or call (319) 465-5916.

Fashion Retailer is Drop-Off Site for Holiday Toy Collection

Clinton, IA - Children are busy making their holiday wish lists with the hope that they'll find "that special toy" under the tree. But with countless families experiencing tough financial times, many children won't find any toys waiting for them this holiday season.

maurices is pledging to do its part. The fashion retailer for young women has become a new national partner with Toys for Tots and will collect toys for disadvantaged children at its Clinton Square location.

All new, unwrapped toys collected from Thursday November 19 to Thursday December 10 at maurices, 2712 s 25th St. Clinton Square STE E and F Clinton Square IA 52732, will be distributed to local families by Maurices. As a special thank you, maurices will give those who make a donation a coupon for 20 percent off a regular-priced item.

"Many families are facing difficult times," said maurices Store Manager Maren Esnard, "but we want children to still experience the joys of the holiday season. Our hope is that this toy drive brings lots of happiness and unending smiles to the young people in our community."

Gifts are needed for children of all ages. "It's so much fun to buy little dolls and toy trucks," said Esnard, "but we're also encouraging customers to think about buying presents for tweens and teens who are sometimes forgotten. Things like board games, books, fragrances, jewelry and accessories make great gifts for older children."

The goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver a message of hope, through a new toy during the holidays, to less fortunate youngsters. The organization estimates that there will be 1 million more children in need this holiday season.

"We're so grateful to maurices for becoming one of our newest national partners," said Bill Grein, Toys for Tots vice president of marketing and development. "Many of their 730 stores are located in smaller markets where there may not be a lot of programs for disadvantaged children. Their partnership will help us bring more smiles to more children this year, which is terrific."

About maurices

maurices inspires young women to find their style, with adorable, affordable fashions in sizes 1-24. Whether it's jeans or jewelry, maurices offers everything a girl needs to fill her closet with the latest trends. From loungewear to office wear, evenings in or out on the town, maurices fits the way women live and work. The community-based fashion retailer has grown to more than 740 locations nationwide since its first store opened in 1931. maurices is wholly owned by dressbarn Inc. (NASDAQ: DBRN).

For fashion inspiration, store locations and career information, visit maurices.com.