09 Apr 2009

Moline Public Library wins 2009 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant

By Megan McFarlane

Public awareness campaign showcases "Worlds connect @ your library®" theme

CHICAGO - The Moline (Ill.) Public Library is the winner of the 2009 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant.

The $3,000 grant, sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing and administered by the American Library Association's (ALA) Public Awareness Committee, is awarded annually for the best public awareness campaign in support of National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009).   This year, libraries were asked to develop a proposal using the 2009 National Library Week theme, "Worlds connect @ your library."

The Moline Public Library's campaign will be a community "kaleidoscope" of library programs to promote National Library Week, as well as the library's entire year of programming and promotions in 2009. Librarians Lisa Powell Williams and Christina Conklin said the library is like a kaleidoscope, having many different shapes, colors and ideas that connect the community.

Each day will focus on a different "kaleidoscope" themed program such as a visit from Skylab, a traveling planetarium provided by the Rock Island County Regional Office of Education for children and families, author appearances by Chris Crutcher and James Loewen organized through the Quad City Arts' Super Author program for teens and educators, and a jazz appreciation program for adults.

Throughout the spring, the library will advertise on some of the city's Metrolink buses. The library will also create a commercial that will be aired on Moline's local ABC-TV affiliate, WQAD, during the program, "Good Morning, Quad Cities" throughout National Library Week. Outreach to area press is also planned for the weeks leading up to National Library Week.

"Moline Public Library has created a unique program built around the energy of National Library Week but that incorporates a sustainable momentum designed to carry the library into the future," said Lisa R. Rice, chair of the National Library Week Subcommittee.

Members of the 2009 National Library Week Subcommittee are: Lisa R. Rice (chair), Bowling Green (Ky.) Public Library; Elliot L. Appelbaum, Lexington (Ky.) Public Library; Gordon Baker, Clayton State University, Morrow, Ga.; Darlene Basone, school library consultant, Maineville, Ohio, Renee DiPilato, Alexandria (Va.) Public Library - Duncan Library; Susan Kowalski, Pine Grove Junior High School, East Syracuse, N.Y.; Amanda Murphy, Warren-Trumbull County (Ohio) Public Library - Liberty Branch; and Tony Tallent, Boulder (Colo.) Public Library.

The Campaign for America's Libraries (www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is ALA's public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians.  Thousands of libraries of all types - across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign's @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA's Library Champions (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/contactus/librarychampions/index.cfm), corporations and foundations who advocate the importance of the library in American society

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic, creates a multitude of products, both in print and online, for the school and public library market under the imprints of Grolier®, Children's Press®, Franklin Watts®, and Grolier OnlineTM.

07 Apr 2009

Modern Woodmen of America challenges Americans to add purpose to family fun

By Kim Woodward

(Rock Island, Ill.) - Planning a family gathering can be stressful and time consuming. Adding extra meaning to your event may seem downright impossible - until now. Rock Island's Modern Woodmen of America has created Gatherings.info's Gatherings with Purpose tool. With a little forethought, any get-together can touch lives beyond the guest list.

"Helping people achieve quality family life and give back to their community is at the core of everything Modern Woodmen does," said Jill Lain Weaver, manager of corporate communications at Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization. "Our members gather with purpose through local camp (chapter) and youth service club activities across the U.S. Gatherings with Purpose is designed to help people add a touch of goodwill to their own get-togethers."


The trend toward volunteering in the United States has taken off, and more people are taking time out to help. In 2008, approximately 61.8 million Americans (26.4 percent) volunteered through or for an organization, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Gatherings.info now offers Gatherings with Purpose as a resource to help families add a touch of charity to their festivities.


  Site visitors can also ease the stress of planning a gathering by navigating through tips, ideas and checklists. The site provides recipes, themes, and location and travel advice, as well as family reunion planning steps. With only a few clicks, the site's Quick Planner will compile a complete shopping list of the supplies needed for party recipes and more.


  To further enhance family gatherings, Modern Woodmen invites Gatherings.info visitors to register for its monthly Gatherings Giveaway. Register to win one of these great family prizes worth $350: a Sony camcorder, an Apple iPod Classic with docking station, or an outdoor, family prize pack from Coleman® and Omaha Steaks®. Registrants will also receive a monthly electronic newsletter, full of ideas for great gatherings. To be eligible for the Gatherings Giveaway, entrants must be legal residents of the United States and be 18 years or older.


  Gatherings.info is developed and sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America. Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

07 Apr 2009

GradCenter announces expanded GradCenter Night for working adults

By Cindy Crosby

Annual event adds undergraduate opportunities

Rock Island, IL - The Quad Cities Graduate Study Center (GradCenter) is pleased to announce the 2009 GradCenter Night, to be held on Tuesday, April 14 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the i wireless Center. The i wireless Center is located at 1201 River Drive in Moline.

GradCenter Night is an annual event that allows adults with varied work backgrounds to meet with representatives from member institutions to explore ways to acquire new skills, build on existing skills and learn about ways to make a career change. The event is geared toward working adults who are interested in learning about courses, certificates and programs that can build on their existing education and job experience to create new opportunities for career advancement.

"Having a number of institutions in one place makes it possible for Quad Cities residents to jumpstart the development process," notes Marti Clyde, GradCenter Director. "Our students typically have very full lives, and streamlining discovery can help them chart a clear path very quickly."

According to Clyde, this year's event features a first. "We're very pleased to announce that two additional colleges will be represented for the first time," she says. "Black Hawk College and Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences have agreed to participate. This allows us to present information for an expanded selection of undergraduate opportunities at a time when we see additional need."

The complete list of participating institutions includes: Drake University, Northern Illinois University, Saint Xavier University, St. Ambrose University, the University of Illinois, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, Western Illinois University, Black Hawk College and Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

GradCenter Night is open to all adults on a walk-in basis. Questions should be directed to GradCenter Director Marti Clyde at (309) 794-7376 or by email at MC@gradcenter.org.

The Quad-Cities Graduate Study Center (GradCenter) is a publicly-funded academic consortium of 10 universities incorporated in 1969. The GradCenter supports its members in offering graduate degree programs, graduate non-degree courses, and continuing professional education in the Quad Cities.  Courses are offered at the GradCenter located on the Augustana College campus in Rock Island, Illinois as well as Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, St. Ambrose University, the Kahl Educational Center, the Figge Art Museum, the New Ventures Center, and numerous other convenient locations. Programs include an array of 80+ graduate degree programs, certificate programs, and professional update courses designed for students whose work and family responsibilities make full-time study difficult.

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06 Apr 2009

Braley Announces Funding Requests for Job-Creating Projects in Iowa

By Rick Martin

FY 2010 Appropriations requests listed on Braley's website

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) today announced funding requests for job-creating projects in Iowa as part of the FY 2010 Appropriations process. All Braley's funding requests are now posted on his website, increasing the transparency of the appropriations process. The requests will be considered by the Appropriations Committee and the House for inclusion in FY 2010 appropriations bills.

"Each one of these projects will help save or create jobs in Iowa and will directly benefit the people I represent," Braley said. "These programs will help build new roads, redevelop blighted areas, educate workers for new jobs, make healthcare more affordable, and boost renewable energy. At this time of economic crisis, these programs will help spur economic development and grow our local economies. That's why I'm fighting to get these projects funding.

"Transparency and accountability are important to the appropriations process. I've supported the most extensive reforms to this process in history since I was elected to Congress, and that's why I'm posting all my funding requests online for Iowans to review."

Braley used two key criteria to determine his requests:

  • Saving or Creating Jobs: Projects will save or create jobs in Iowa, helping to boost the economy and put Iowans back to work.

  • Meeting Critical Needs: Projects are common-sense programs that help a significant number of Iowans meet a critical need.

A list of Braley's earmark requests can be viewed at http://www.braley.house.gov/fy10projects or by clicking on "FY10 Appropriations Requests" under the "Issues" menu of Braley's website.

06 Apr 2009

"WATER the Great Mystery"

By Narveen Virdi

A dvd video presentation from the makers of "What the Bleep do We Know?" will reveal water as you've never seen it.  Afterward, presenter Michael Grady, owner of Atlantispa, will demonstrate how to artificially make healthy spring quality water that you can make at home."

7.00 pm on Thursday April 9th. 2009 @ the Independent Scholars' Evenings, 513 16th St, Moline (2nd. Floor). Doors open at 6.30 pm.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments are served.

Please look into our website: www.qcinstitute.org

Independent Scholars' Evenings are sponsored by The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd a 501(c) 3. The Institute began in 1996.

06 Apr 2009

Iowa Public Radio presents "An Evening in Celebration of Wine & Tulips"

By Rick Martin
(Cedar Falls) - Savor the flavor of wines from around the world as Iowa Public Radio presents the 24th annual "An Evening in Celebration of Wine & Tulips" in partnership with the Friends of KUNI/KHKE. This year's celebration will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls.

Wine enthusiasts and discriminating palates alike - from all over Iowa and beyond - have enjoyed this premier wine event. Good wine, good food and good friends, as well as the ambience of classical and jazz music, make this a very popular and enjoyable experience.

More than two hundred domestic and imported wines are expected to be available for sampling during our celebration, including some unique and lesser known wines from our very own vineyards in Iowa. Reds, whites, blushes, dessert and sparkling wines will be well-represented. Wines from the vineyards of California, Washington, Italy, France, Australia, and Spain are also among those expected to be poured. Also available for sampling is a variety of Midwestern cheeses, plus breads and fruits to cleanse the palate.

Limited edition collectible "Wine & Tulips" posters signed by internationally acclaimed Cedar Falls artist Gary Kelley will be on sale at the event. One lucky individual will also walk away with Kelley's original artwork for this year's poster in our "Wine & Tulips" auction. The silent auction is held in conjunction with the event and will offer a wide variety of gift and art items including special wines, wine accessories, and a whole lot more.

Attendance at the event is limited to 800 guests and tickets are available in advance for $35 per person. Tickets are available for purchase by phone at 800-772-2440, ext. 0 and online at www.iowapublicradio.org. Tickets purchased at the event are $45 per person. The ticket price includes an etched souvenir wine glass and a detailed wine guide. Advance tickets are also available at Indulgence (305 Main St.) and Roots Market (2021 Main St.) in Cedar Falls.

Patron support levels for "An Evening in Celebration of Wine & Tulips" are also available for $150 per couple ($75 for single) and include early admission to the event for a "meet the distributors" pre-party, plus special patron door prizes. Call 800-772-2440, ext. 0 to purchase tickets at a patron level.

Financial support is provided by First National Bank (Cedar Falls); EyeCare Associates (Cedar Falls, Waterloo); UBS Financial Services (Waterloo); Flowerama (Cedar Falls, Waterloo); Sandy Benak, State Farm Insurance (Cedar Falls); Wingate Inn (Cedar Falls) and the Friends of KUNI/KHKE.
  • Iowa Public Radio informs, enriches and engages Iowans through radio programming and other media. Iowa Public Radio includes the WOI Radio Group (Iowa State University, Ames), KUNI-KHKE (University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls), and KSUI-WSUI (University of Iowa, Iowa City).
06 Apr 2009

Chamber Music Quad Cities Spring Concert

By Robert Bowlin

Chamber Music Quad Cities presents a Spring Concert on Saturday, April 18th at 7:30 PM at the Unitarian Church, 3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport.

Works by Beethoven, Schumann and Mendelssohn will be performed.

The artistic director of Chamber Music Quad Cities is Moline Native David Bowlin, assistant professor of violin at the Oberlin College Conservatory. He will be joined by former Chamber Music Quad Cities co-artistic director Thomas Sauer, pianist, and cellist Colin Carr. Sauer is profesor of music at the Mannes College of Music of New York City. Carr has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras including those of Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

The Spring Concert is dedicated in memory of Chamber Music Quad Cities board of directors member John Kiley, in appreciation of his service to Chamber Music Quad Cities and the community.

Additional parking is available, courtesy of Valley Bank, in the bank parking lot just east of the Unitarian Church. The bank is located near the intersection of Kimberly Road and Spring Street in Davenport.

Tickets can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults and $5 for students. For further information please call 309-797-0516, or visit the website at
www.chambermusicqc.com

03 Apr 2009

Braley to Take "Wind Energy Jobs Tour" Across Iowa

By Rick Martin

Congressman Braley will visit locations where wind energy is creating or could create jobs.

Washington, DC - Next week, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) will take a "Wind Energy Jobs Tour" across Iowa, visiting various locations where wind energy is creating or could create jobs.

Braley is a member of the House Energy and Commerce committee, which has jurisdiction over US energy policy. Braley has been an outspoken supporter of creating jobs through investments in renewable energy. In January, Braley introduced the Clean Energy Investment Act of 2009, which would boost wind energy investment and job creation by extending the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit for seven years.

Iowa is one of the nation's top producers of wind energy, and studies show Iowa ranks in the top ten nationally for wind energy production potential, with enough wind resources to power up to 15.5 million homes.

Monday, April 6, 2009 @ 10:30am: Tour of Story County Wind, LLC/NextEra Energy Wind Farm, followed by media availability. Tour will be at the Operations Center, 18327 - 720th St.in Colo, IA.

Monday, April 6, 2009 @ 1:30pm: Roundtable Meeting on Wind Energy at the Iowa Energy Center, 2521 University Blvd, Suite 124 in Ames, IA.

Tuesday April 7, 2009 @ 11:00am: Tour of NextEra Energy Wind Farm in Hancock County, followed by media availability. Tour will be at the NextEra Operations and Maintenance Building, 1824 - 200th St. in Garner, IA.

Tuesday April 7, 2009 @ 2:00pm: Tour of Waverly Light and Power Wind Turbine, followed by media availability. Tour will be on site at 1968 Garden Ave., Waverly, IA.

Wednesday April 8, 2009 @ 11:00am: Tour of Alter Barge's Terminal and River Barge. The tour of the terminal and barge will be followed by media availability and roundtable discussion on the impact of wind energy on other segments of Iowa's economy. Alter Barge, headquartered in the Quad Cities, is working to tap into the wind blade transportation market. Tour will be at the Blackhawk Fleet Barge Terminal, 1661 Front St., Buffalo, IA.

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02 Apr 2009

3rd Annual Trivia Night at the QCSC

By Jared Johnson
The Quad City Sports Center is excited to be hosting its 3rd Annual Trivia Night. The event will take place on Saturday, April 18th at 6pm. You can register now by calling the Quad City Sports Center or stopping by to pick up a registration form. Day of registration will start at 5pm on April 18th. Cost is $10 per person or $100 for a table of 10. Mr. Trivia will be here and it's sure to be lots of fun! There will be prizes for the winning team, raffles and much more!! Drink will be available for purchase, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks or grab something from our concession stand. All proceeds from this event go to assist with the further development of our One Goal and Learn to Skate programs. For more information or to register call 563-322-5220.

A full schedule of events can be found online at www.qcscskate.com or by calling 563-322-5220.

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31 Mar 2009

6,000 students take field trip to Adler Theatre

By Jared Johnson
Davenport, IA - In an era when field trips are becoming increasingly rare, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's Symphony Day can still pull a crowd. On April 1, the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra will entertain and educate 6,000 area fourth and fifth grade students with its 26th annual Symphony Day. These narrated concerts at the Adler Theatre highlight the orchestra through short and varied works, while showing the students the inner workings of the orchestra on a giant overhead video projection. This year's program, "Music is a Magic Carpet Ride!" will include music from Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, Borodin's In the Steppes of Central Asia, Gliere's The Red Poppy and music from Disney's animated feature Alladin. For many youths, this is the first time they have had the opportunity to attend a live symphony concert in a concert hall.

Press is welcome to attend any of the three scheduled performances: 9:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. Buses begin arriving a half-hour before each performance, with children streaming through the lobby until the time of the performance. Symphony Day draws from 32 different school districts, 195 public, private and home-study classrooms, all coming from within a 45-mile radius of the Quad Cities.

Symphony Day is sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, the Junior Board of Rock Island, the Rauch Foundation, Aquent Software Development Center, and Volunteers for Symphony.
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