Visits Volunteers Working to Help Residents of the Philippines As They Recover from One of the Largest Storms in Recorded History

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today encouraged everyone in Illinois to support the relief efforts that are helping millions of people in the Philippines who are recovering from Super Typhoon Haiyan. The Governor visited volunteers at the Jose P. Rizal Heritage Center in Chicago who are working tirelessly to support the besieged nation's recovery.

"I encourage everyone in Illinois to do what they can to contribute to these critical relief efforts," Governor Quinn said. "As the Philippines recovers from this unprecedented catastrophe, we want them to know they are in the hearts and prayers of the people of Illinois and help is on the way."

The Rizal Center (1332 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago) has seen enormous generosity as donations have filled the entire building, and overflowed onto the street. The Governor has ordered Illinois Department of Transportation trucks to stand ready to assist in the transportation of donated food and clothing to O'Hare for flights to Manila.

Governor Quinn also thanked the many organizations across Illinois that are working to support relief efforts, including the Filipino American Network (FAN) of Chicago, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago, Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago and National Filipino American Lawyers Association. Across Illinois, there are more than 135,000 people of Filipino heritage.

To contribute to the Red Cross online, visit www.redcross.org/donate.

DAVENPORT, IA–Celebrate America Recycles Day with us! There are two ways to join the fun.

On Friday, Nov. 15, Waste Commission of Scott County and iLivehere (a Keep America Beautiful affiliate) will host a free tour of the Scott Area Recycling Center at 1 p.m. The one-hour tour is open to everyone, but space is limited. Sign up online at www.wastecom.com.

Can't make the tour? Stop by one of the Commission's recycling drop-off locations and enjoy a free treat! From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15, you can get all your recycling questions answered and warm up with a complimentary cup of hot chocolate at 5640 Carey Ave. or 202 S. Marquette St., Davenport.

On America Recycles Day, Keep America Beautiful affiliates across the U.S. host activities to educate people about recycling. Details are online at www.americarecyclesday.org. For more information about iLivehere, visit www.ilivehereqc.org.

Waste Commission of Scott County is an inter-governmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management for Scott County. For more information about the Commission, please call (563) 381-1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.

DAVENPORT?Residents and businesses downtown soon will have a new, convenient place to drop off items for recycling.

Centennial Park Drop-Off Recycling Center at 202 S. Marquette St.?located just west of Centennial Park and adjacent to the Dog Off Leash Area?will open at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, with an official Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony. The media is invited to attend.

"Centennial Park Drop-Off Recycling Center will serve a need in the downtown community for convenient recycling. When recycling is made easier, we know that people recycle more. Of course we always want to see more recycling in our community?not only because it's the right thing to do, but because it extends the life of the landfill," said Kathy Morris, director of Waste Commission of Scott County (Commission).

The new drop-off center?the result of collaborative efforts between the Commission and City of Davenport?will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Acceptable materials for recycling will include corrugated cardboard, mixed paper (including chipboard, such as cereal boxes), and containers (#1 and #2 plastics, metal cans, and glass food containers). Detailed recycling information may be found on the Commission's Website, www.wastecom.com.

Waste Commission of Scott County is an intergovernmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management for Scott County. For more information about the Commission, call (563) 381-1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.

 # # #

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds joined Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp today for the launch of www.CleanWaterIowa.org, a new website that will serve as a resource to help Iowans protect and improve water quality.

"Iowans can take steps to help improve Iowa's water quality and this site serves as a one-stop-shop for conservation practices we can all use, whether it is on the farm, at a business or by a homeowner," said Branstad.

The site has "Farm," "Residential & Urban," and "City & Industry" sections that provide information about science-based practices that can be implemented to improve water quality. The site includes descriptions of water quality practices that can be utilized, benefits of the practices, and links to additional information.

"This site is one of the resources available to help Iowans achieve the goals outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy," said Reynolds. "Working together and everyone doing their part will help us continue to make significant water quality improvements."

Success stories, information on upcoming events and education materials will also be available on the site. Iowans are also invited to share their water quality success stories as well.

"It is an exciting time and we are seeing a tremendous amount of interest in water quality practices from Iowans across the state," said Northey. "Farmers are engaged and we are in a scaling up phase as we get these science-based practices on more and more acres."

In addition to the website, Iowans can follow @CleanWaterIowa on Twitter or "like" the page on Facebook to receive updates and other information about the ongoing Iowa water quality initiative.