Conference Keynote: The Psychology of the Social Media User

This fall, Wappow! is hosting the annual Search and Social Woot! conference from September 27th-30th.  For three days on the island of Kauai, an all-star round table of speakers will discuss basic tactics and strategies to advanced techniques all intended to be used on search engines and social networking websites.  This opportunity is available to anyone who is looking to gain an edge in their social media marketing as well as promoting their businesses.   Included in our fine panel of speakers is David Evans, Lecturer, MCDM at University of Washingtonand the founder and CEO of Psychster.  As Sr. Business Analyst for Classmates.com, David performed usability testing and analyzed the psychology of the user experience to inform strategic decisions for the company. He is able to bring his unique perspective to the understanding of the audience that social media marketers are focusing on. David has used his Ph.D. in social psychology to provide market and user research with the addition of psychographic segmentation, targeting algorithms, and remote usability testing. Thus providing Search and Social Woot! attendees a unique opportunity to learn from a rising star in the search marketing and social media marketing community. Wappow! conferences offer visionary keynotes such as David's "The Psychology of the Social Media User - Digging into understanding what social media users (from Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc) react to positively and negatively", as well as roundtable-like panel discussions designed to engage the audience and encouraging them to push themselves in marketing and PR strategies in a relaxed and intimate setting. At these conferences, attendees enjoy the opportunity to connect with industry experts face-to-face while examining and discussing the tools available in today's fast-moving interactive world. The event delivers a program rich with case studies, up-and-coming product demonstrations, interactive learning sessions, and networking activities with leading experts in the field. For more information about Wappow! and the Search and Social Woot! conference in September 2010 visit www.wappow.com/searchandsocial The conference takes place at the Kauai Marriott Resort, Hawaii, September 27 - 30, 2010, with a companion conference the following week on Emerging Media. We hope you can join us. For a complete speaker lineup visit: wappow.com/searchandsocial/speakers.html And for a complete agenda visit: wappow.com/searchandsocial/agenda.html For more information about our organization, please visit www.wappow.com If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Zoe Harris - Public Relations at zoe.harris@wappow.com Jenn Mathews President Wappow!, Inc P: (877) 592-7769

Durant FFA Student Exhibits Supreme Champion Female in Breeding Beef Show

DES MOINES, IA (08/16/2010)(readMedia)-- Kale Spengler of Durant exhibited the Supreme Champion Female in the FFA Breeding Beef Show Thursday, at the 2010 Iowa State Fair.

Spengler's prize winner topped its breed division to earn the Champion Commercial Heifer title prior to being named the Supreme Female in the day's competition.

Bettendorf Woman Takes Blue Ribbon in South of the Border Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/16/2010)(readMedia)-- Norita Solt of Bettendorf was awarded first place in the Carlos O'Kelly's Best Mexican Dish contest judged Thursday at the 2010 Iowa State Fair.

Diane Rauh and Sheri Gustafson, both of Des Moines, were awarded second and third place, respectively.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. Food Department judging is held in the recently-renovated Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny.

"Non Stop Fun" at the Iowa State Fair runs through August 22. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

2010 Citizen of the Year - Category Winners

Every year, people in the Rock Island community are nominated by their peers for what they do for the community. The City of Rock Island is pleased to announce the 2010 Citizens of the Year in eight categories. During the August 23, 2010 City Council meeting, the overall "Citizen of the Year," who will serve as Grand Marshal of the Labor Day Parade, will be announced.

Business Category - Chris Elsberg Insurance Agency, Inc.
Chris Elsberg Insurance Agency, Inc. at 3700 11th Street has been a part of Rock Island since Feb. 1988. Chris and her business are both active in many community endeavors. She has been a member of Zonta and the office is a drop off site for First Day Fund donations. She has been an active member of several PTA's and her office helps out with Christmas baskets and gifts during the holidays for those in need. Chris and her girls regularly volunteer to serve meals to the homeless at St. Joseph's. Chris wants people to have a good impression of Rock Island. She wants the young people to want to stay here because it is a good place to be. Teaching people to RESPECT Rock Island is important to her.

Professional Category - Berlinda Tyler-Jamison
Berlinda Tyler-Jamison serves as the president of Trinity Health Foundation. She is engaged in community health initiatives that focus on access to health care and the preservation of this access. She is a natural consensus builder who understands and respects the process involved with any organization. Ms. Tyler-Jamison is active and involved with many community organizations and causes. She is committed to helping Rock Island move forward and is a strong role model for all, young and old.

Education Category - Grace Diaz Shirk
Grace Diaz Shirk teaches Spanish at Rock Island High School. She teaches more than just the language. Her students grow to understand the cultures of those who speak the language, both close to home and around the globe. Her Spanish Club is among the most active at Rocky. When those who were interested in preserving Rocky's annual Student Talent Show were looking for someone who would be able to work to pull things together, they looked to  race. Grace's contributions to the community go well beyond the school and classroom walls. Grace has served on the Rock Island City Council and is currently a Trustee for South Rock Island Township. And...Grace has been a long-time member of the Labor Day Parade committee.

Organization Category - Augustana College
Augustana College has called Rock Island home for 135 years of its 150 year history. At the time of the dedication of the first building on the Rock Island campus, then president, T.L. Hasselquist, said, "The constant and friendly interactions between college and community accrue to the distinct advantages of both." That was true then and remains true today. With a $75 million dollar impact on the community and a faculty and staff numbering 750, the economic benefit is easy to see. The benefits go a long way beyond the economics. There are the museums, the public radio station, the lectures and concerts open to all, the role of Augie volunteers in the community and some outstanding athletic teams. The Education Department is now partnering with Longfellow Elementary School.

Individual Category - Mark W. Schwiebert
No one individual has had his name more closely associated with Rock Island over the past three decades than Mark Schwiebert. His accomplishments as alderman and mayor are well documented. Mark became more than just the face of Rock Island, in many ways he became the face of the Quad Cities. His strong belief that fostering cooperation between communities would be for the benefit of all led to many of the organizations and initiatives that are in place today. Mark Schwiebert remained a strong voice for the Rock Island Arsenal when its future was in jeopardy. The Mark Schwiebert that many might not know is a runner and cross-country skier, an artist and poet, a traveler and noted historian.

City Employee Category - Patrick Doherty
Patrick Doherty serves Rock Island as Risk Manager in the Administrative Services Department. While not necessarily visible to many who live in Rock Island, he is highly visible to those who work for the city. Perhaps as the job title implies, if something goes wrong, it is up to Patrick Doherty to fix things up. His job, however, also means looking forward trying to identify programs and ventures that benefit both the city and its employees. It is through his initiative and leadership that the position of on-site nurse was created. The impact has been tremendous. Not only do employees gain prompt access to medical needs, the city's health care plan has realized savings due to fewer calls for additional medical care. Patrick's team put together a very successful Health and Wellness fair for employees this year.

Youth Category - Chasson Randle
Chasson Randle has brought honor and distinction to himself, Rock Island, and the entire Quad Cities through his representation of the U.S.A. in international basketball competition each of the past two summers. He has received All-State recognition and established the career scoring record at Rock Island High School as a junior. Chasson knows that team success is the ultimate goal and is dedicated to making everyone around him a better player and person. On top of all of the basketball accomplishments, Chasson Randle ranks at the top of his class academically.

Youth Category - Ciara Turner
The young students and student/athletes at Rock Island High School have benefited from the high standards that Ciara Turner has left for them to achieve. If they aspire to reach levels of personal success and compassion for the community as Ciara, then our community will benefit in the greatest way. Ciara was an honors student, officer of the Lettermen's Club, member of the Environmental Action Club, a stellar athlete with 10 state medals to include a state championship, and participated in many, many other extra - curricular activities. Through her club work, she participated in many fundraising activities to benefit the less fortunate; she worked on many community cleanup efforts; and she served as a peer mentor through the Natural Helper program. Her involvement and achievements are varied and inspirational.

Honorary Category (does not live in Rock Island) - Chad Pregracke
Chad Pregracke was born and raised in East Moline. He was raised on the river. Anyone surprised? In 1998, he founded Living Lands and Waters. This non-profit environmental organization is committed to more than just cleaning up waterways. They are equally committed to education. Through Chad's efforts, thousands of volunteers have been mobilized and millions and millions of pounds of garbage and waste have been collected. Fortunately, 80% of what is collected is then recycled. X-Stream Cleanup has worked to clean Rock Island riverfronts and ravines. We hope to see more of this wonderful organization on the Discovery Channel in upcoming months.

Des Moines, Iowa- Soldiers of the 649th Regional Support Group (RSG), which consists of approximately 50 Army Reserve soldiers, are returning from their deployment on Wednesday, August 4th.

The mission of the 649th RSG, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was to provide management and support operations for forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

An informal ceremony will be held August 5th beginning at 1300 at Xavier High School on 6300 42D Street NE in Cedar Rapids to publicly acknowledge our Army Reserve Soldiers for their selfless-service and sacrifice in support of overseas contingency operations.