Numerous Benefits of New Communications Technology Driving Demand

DAVENPORT, IA - April 18, 2012 - Midland Communications, an industry leader in business communications, announced today that the company is seeing a rapid increase in the popularity for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Trunking among the region's small to mid-sized businesses.  Numerous benefits of this relatively new communications technology such as cost, flexibility, and advanced business applications are driving the demand for SIP technology.
SIP Trunking typically allows businesses that have Internet Protocol-Private Branch Exchanges (IP-PBXs) to combine their voice and data services onto a SIP-based Trunk rather than use primary rate interface (PRI), T-1 or other types of Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) links. Some service providers are offering IP Trunking to connect TDM-based PBXs or key systems to a SIP backbone, using an on-premises device to convert TDM voice to IP.  In more simple terms, SIP supports any form of real-time communication regardless of whether the content is voice, video, instant messaging, or a collaboration application.  Additionally, SIP enables users to inform others of their status, their availability, and how they can be contacted before a communication is even initiated.
Many SMBs have made the transition to VoIP; however, most are only using it for communication on the LAN.  In this scenario VoIP is only being used as a one-to-one replacement for traditional telephony.  These businesses realize a sound return on investment by lowering administrative costs as well as costs associated with calls made within the company.  SIP Trunking, on the other hand, provides a greater return because it takes VoIP a step further.  For instance, full potential for IP communications can be realized only when communication is taken outside of an organization's LAN.  SIP trunks thus eliminate the need for local PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) gateways, costly BRIs (Basic Rate Interfaces) or PRIs (Primary Rate Interfaces).  Furthermore, it directly operates with existing IP-PBXs so there is no need for additional hardware.
"The SMB marketplace has started to really embrace SIP Trunking because it will dramatically increase their profitability and give them a competitive advantage," said Jason Smith, Vice President of Midland Communications.  "Until now most companies would have purchased a PRI or multiple access lines and a data connection.  SIP lets them converge their traffic onto a single line.  Outdated technology, inefficient networks, and a down economy are driving SMBs in this direction - customers have excess bandwidth on their data networks and they want to see how they can best utilize or reduce it."
"SIP's flexibility supports our position as our customers trusted communications advisor.  After we understand their strategic business objectives we can use the breadth and depth of SIP technology to support all of their needs," added Mr. Smith.  "Soon SIP will become a more popular and meaningful acronym than VoIP."

ABOUT MIDLAND COMMUNICATIONS

Midland Communications began more than 60 years ago in 1946 as the Worldwide Marketing Arm of Victor-Animagraph Projectors. In 1977 a communications division was formed due to a partnership with NEC America. Today, As a distributor of NEC America, for 33 years, Midland Communications has a customer base of more than 3,000 satisfied customers that include general businesses, government agencies, Universities, colleges, hospitals, and hotels.
Midland provides a wide range of communication services including VOIP, PBX and key systems, Wide Area and Local Area networking, computers, Computer integration, voice mail, CCIS, and video conferencing and paging systems. Our philosophy is simple, provide quality products at a fair price, backed by an average emergency response time of twenty minutes, and the best service in the industry. For more information on Midland Communications, call (563) 326-1237 or visit www.midlandcom.com.



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The deadline for students in grades 6-12 to enter the Teen Poetry Contest at the Moline Public Library is Saturday, April 21. Students can enter one (1) original poem of up to 25 lines for a chance to win a gift certificate of up to $25. Entry forms are available at the library or online at http://molinelibraryteens.. Poems may also be emailed to jlaroche@molinelibrary.org and should include the poet's name, phone number, grade, school, and the title of the poem. Anyone who submits a poem for the contest can read at the Poetry Café at the Library on Saturday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m. Prizes will also be handed out at that time. For more information call 309-524-2440 or visit us at 3210 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Augustana College's student-run newspaper, the Augustana Observer, won 14 awards at the annual Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference held recently in Chicago. The publication received third place in general excellence and set an Augustana record by receiving six first-place journalism awards.

James Stratton, a sophomore from Sherrard, Ill., majoring in multimedia journalism and mass communication was among the students honored.

"The student newspaper is an ideal place for journalism and graphic arts students to hone their skills," said Jim Dyer, visiting associate professor of communication studies and advisor to the Augustana Observer.

Kelvin Mason, associate professor of art and graphic design, added, "I think it's a really great collaborative opportunity between different people who have different things in mind about what they want to happen in a publication."

The Observer competed in two divisions: the Open Division, which includes all colleges and universities in the state, and the Non-Dailies Division for colleges with a student population less than 4,000.

The ICPA awards and other Augustana College journalism awards will be handed out at the annual Fourth Estate Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 6, at 12:30 p.m., in the Loft of the College Center (3750 7th Ave., Rock Island, Ill.). At this event, administrators, faculty, staff, students and their parents will celebrate the journalism successes of all students during the last year. The keynote speaker will be Mark Konkol, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at the Chicago Sun Times.

Janet (Bargmann) Thompsen, who grew up in Davenport and worked in the Davenport Children's Library, has co-authored a children's book. It tells the true story of a beloved cat named Linc, that served as the mascot of Lincoln Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa for seven years. Thompsen and Lori Gross-Maynard wrote the story about the orphaned kitten who was adopted by Lincoln's staff and impacted the lives of hundreds of students from 1994 to 2001. Doris Webber, a retired para-educator from the school, illustrated the book bringing Linc's story to life. This tribute to the school's feline friend will delight children and adults, and keep fond memories alive for cat lovers everywhere.

A book signing will be held May 5 from 12:00-3:00 at the Moline Book Rack 3937 41st Ave. Dr., Moline. Copies of the book are also available at the Bettendorf Book Rack Store.

St. Louis, Missouri Hosts Several Acres of Guns, Gear & Outfitters

 

Fairfax, Va. - The National Rifle Association (NRA) is pleased to announce this year's Annual Meetings and Exhibits to be held at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri from April 12-15, 2012.

and on Twitter @NRA.

Members of the news media who wish to cover this year's event will need press credentials. For press credentials, please call NRA Public Affairs at (703) 267-3820. Credentials will be available for pick-up in the press office starting at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 12. Television crews and still photographers should bring necessary equipment and lenses (sports lenses) to cover events from platforms at distances from 150-200 feet from the stage. (Please note: Due to limited resources, requests from U.S. media outlets will be given priority over foreign media requests. All foreign media requests will be handled as time and resources allow.)

The NRA's Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum will take place on Friday, April 13, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. All press will be admitted through Entrance B only.  Per instructions from the United States Secret Service, media pre-set will be at 10:00 a.m. The throw distance is approximately 150 feet. Satellite trucks can be parked on North Broadway near Convention Plaza. Confirmed speakers include the Honorable Ken Blackwell, Senator Roy Blunt, Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senator Chuck Grassley, Congressman Darrell Issa, Governor Bobby Jindal, Lt. Col. Oliver North, Governor Rick Perry, Governor Mitt Romney, Senator Rick Santorum, and Governor Scott Walker.

NRA's 4th Annual Celebration of American Values Freedom Event will take place Saturday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. Glenn Beck, political commentator and host of the Glenn Beck Program, will be the featured speaker for the evening. Guests will also be treated to a rousing performance by award-winning comedian and member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Larry the Cable Guy. The throw distance is approximately 150 feet.

More than 65,000 attendees are expected at this year's Annual Meetings and Exhibits, making this one of the largest in NRA's 141-year history. Leading firearm manufacturers will display the firearm industry's latest and greatest products. Guides and outfitters, various hunting and shooting accessories, and an extensive private collection displayed by NRA-affiliated gun collector clubs will fill acres of convention space.

For more information, including event tickets, please visit www.nraam.org.

-NRA-
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.

Grant Communications, owners of KGCW-TV/The Quad Cities' CW and KLJB-TV/Fox 18, are proud to announce a brand new TV station - Me-TV (Memorable Entertainment Television) Quad Cities! This new digital classic television network is available over-the-air on channel 26.3 and channel 18-3!

Me-TV Quad Cities features a wide range of classic television programming. Me-TV's library includes almost 100 series from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, CBS Television Distribution, NBCUniversal Television as well as independent series owners and producers. Me-TV's line-up include some of the most beloved television programs ever produced, including:  M*A*S*H, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Bob Newhart Show, the original Star Trek and Hawaii Five-O series.

John Bain, Director of Programming for Grant Communications, said, "Me-TV stands for Memorable Television.  This network truly is memorable and that made it an easy choice for us.  Me-TV's library of classics allows us to provide our viewers with some of the most popular and enjoyed shows ever on television.  These are favorites of many and will be new favorites to many more."

For schedule highlights, check your local listings or visit www.metvnetwork.com.

About Grant Communications

Grant Communications owns and operates KLJB-TV/Fox 18 (channel 18.1), KGCW-TV/The Quad Cities' CW (channels 26.1 & 18.2), Me-TV Quad Cities (channels 26.3 & 18.3) and This-TV Quad Cities (channel 26.2).

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NCM Fathom Events, Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions,
Miguel Cotto Promotions and O'Reilly Auto Parts Bring Two Electrifying Bouts from Las Vegas to Movie Theaters Nationwide in High-Definition on May 5
Centennial, Colo. - April 10, 2012 - This Cinco de Mayo, boxing superstar and seven-time World Champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather will take on current WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Miguel Cotto in the big screen event, Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto Fight Live on Saturday, May 5 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  Broadcast in high definition to nearly 440 movie theaters nationwide from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the highly anticipated match-up will give fans a ringside seat as Mayweather steps up in weight to challenge Cotto for the super welterweight championship.  Also featured on this blockbuster card, will be young superstar Canelo Alvarez facing six-time World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley.
Tickets for Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto Fight Live are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.  For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Presented by NCM Fathom Events, Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and O'Reilly Auto Parts, Rings Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto Fight Live is the latest boxing event to be broadcast live in select movie theaters across the country through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.  Fathom Events, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions first teamed up in September of 2009 to bring the highly successful presentation of Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez fight to theaters.  Fathom Events, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy also presented live boxing on the big screen in 2010 and 2011 including Star Power: Mayweather vs. Ortiz last Mexican Independence Day weekend.
"I love the fact that people can see my fights in movie theaters across the country," said Mayweather.  "Everyone knows when I fight it is nothing but lights, camera, action.  Seeing it on the big screen is going to give fans a great experience.  I say buy some popcorn, candy and a soda and enjoy the show because they are definitely going to get their money's worth."
Mayweather (42-0, 26 KO's) is recognized worldwide as one of the best fighters of this generation and is always a major attraction when he steps in to the ring.  In his last ring appearance, Mayweather took on the younger Victor Ortiz and showcased his boxing skills, taking Ortiz to school in the first three rounds before knocking him out in the fourth.  Throughout his extraordinary career, Mayweather has faced boxing's best including Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Sugar Shane Mosley, yet remains an undefeated, seven-time world champion in five weight classes.
"This is the first time one of my fights will be shown in movie theaters in the United States.  We have done it in Puerto Rico in the past, with great success," said Cotto.  "This gives my fans across the country a new way to watch me in the ring.  It is exciting.  Now there is no way to miss this great fight."
Cotto (37-2, 30 KO's) is Puerto Rico's most exciting fighter, one of its greatest of all time and defined by his warrior spirit.  He has held a world title every year since 2004 and has won 16 of the 18 world championships bouts in which he has fought.  Capturing the WBA Super Welterweight title in June of 2010, Cotto took on then undefeated defending champion Yuri Foreman at Yankee Stadium, handing him his first defeat.  He is coming off of the second defense of his title, which he defended with a spectacular tenth-round knockout of Antonio Margarito.  With this knockout, he also avenged his July 2008 loss to Margarito.
"This fight card is going to be so electrifying with the action from both Mayweather vs. Cotto and Alvarez vs. Mosley that anyone watching it on the big screen in movie theaters across the country will have a fantastic experience on Cinco de Mayo weekend," said Richard Schaefer, CEO Golden Boy Promotions.  "We are pleased to have NCM Fathom as partners in this event and thank them for bringing championship boxing to the big screen for an unparalleled level of entertainment."
With his ferocious and fan-friendly style in the ring, at just 21 years of age Alvarez (39-0-1, 29 KO's) is Mexico's latest boxing superhero.  After turning pro at just 15 years old, Alvarez tore through the local competition in Mexico and to date has only one blemish on his record - a four round draw with Jorge Juarez (which took place in 2006).  Since then no one has come close to beating him.  Alvarez took home his first world championship in 2011 and defended it with knockouts of Ryan Rhodes, Alfonzo Gomez and Kermit Cintron respectively later in the year.  On May 5, he faces his most significant opponent to date in Sugar Shane Mosley.
Having defined the word "fighter" for nearly two decades, Mosley is one of the most revered boxers of this era.  A stellar amateur that just missed out on the 1992 Olympics, Mosley has gone on to strike gold as a professional.  With his stunning defeat of Oscar de la Hoya in 2000, Mosley jumped to the top of the list of the best pound for pound fighters in the world.  He held that position until losing his belt to Vernon Forrest in 2002 but has since climbed back to the top by being a regular in boxing's biggest super fights from 2005-2011.  With this fight against Alvarez, Mosley looks to win his seventh world title at 40 years old.
"Over the past few years, boxing fans have filled movie theaters across the country to see Mayweather take on the best fighters in the world," said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events.  "This bout promises to be as exciting as the first time Mayweather appeared on the big screen in 2009 as he now moves up in weight to challenge Cotto for the super welterweight championship."
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Scott County, Iowa latest to launch local version of successful national campaign

DAVENPORT, IA–Litterers beware! iLivehere Quad Cities is launching a new litter prevention education campaign that calls attention to the inappropriate act of littering, and the thoughtlessness of offenders. The campaign, "Littering is Wrong Too," allows everyone to get involved in a unique way. It links littering with other wrongdoings like "networking at a funeral" or "sending Mother's Day Flowers C.O.D," while also defining the act of littering as socially unacceptable.

Geared at young adults, ages 18 to 34, which includes those found to be most likely to litter, the campaign entertains in order to get people talking. It kicked off in April, and residents can expect to see and hear a lot about the problem of litter in the coming months. The ultimate goal is to shine a spotlight on the thoughtlessness of the litterer, to induce a change in behavior and eventually lead to a cleaner, more beautiful community.

"Sadly, many still don't view litter as a real problem," said Matthew McKenna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB). "They don't understand that litter has a real and serious economic impact on a community, in addition to the environmental fallout. For example, a recent KAB study found that litter in a community can decrease property values by 7 percent. We're hoping to engage people through this campaign and, in that process, get them to recognize that littering is a real problem, but a preventable one."

KAB developed the Littering is Wrong Too campaign for affiliates across the country after a successful test pilot of the campaign in Cincinnati. Each affiliate will utilize elements of the campaign that are suitable and relevant for their local communities. iLivehere Quad Cities is the latest affiliate to launch a local campaign.

The campaign began with the launch of several billboards throughout Davenport, followed by print, TV and radio advertising. A "Write your Wrong" Facebook contest began April 4. To participate, Quad Citians should visit www.ilivehereqc.org to be directed to the organization's Facebook page to "Write their Wrong." Submissions for the contest will be taken through midnight on Earth Day, April 22. iLivehere Quad Cities officials will then narrow the entries to the top 10 and post those for voting on the Facebook page. The person who submits the"Wrong" with the most votes receives their "Wrong" on digital billboards in Davenport, along with their name and city. In addition, the winner will receive recognition in print, news releases, on the website and Facebook and a $100 Visa gift card. The second place winner will receive a $50 Visa gift card and third place will receive a $25 Visa gift card.

 

"By portraying the act of littering as just plain wrong, but in a creative and unexpected manner, we hope to get people to think twice about littering and hopefully help prevent more litter from accumulating here in the Quad Cities," said Erin Vorac, communication coordinator for iLivehere Quad Cities.

iLivehere Quad Cities is also encouraging residents to share their wrongs, photos and videos with friends and family through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, helping generate more buzz for the problem of litter while engaging residents in a humorous way.

iLivehere Quad Cities will be promoting the Littering is Wrong Too campaign through several upcoming events:

* April 10: Litter cleanup at West High School in Davenport.

* April 18: Davenport High School Challenge, a storm drain marking and cleanup event to prevent litter from entering and contaminating our waterways. This event is taking place around North, Central and West High Schools in Davenport.

* April 20 & 21: Quad Cities Earth Week Fair at the QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island.

* April 27: Downtown Davenport and Bettendorf cleanups.

ABOUT KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. With a network of over 1,200 affiliates and participating organizations, Keep America Beautiful forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community's environment. To learn more, visit www.kab.org. Littering is Wrong, Too is a national campaign developed by Keep America Beautiful. To learn more and see "Wrongs" from across the United States, visit www.LitteringisWrongToo.org.

 

ABOUT ILIVEHERE QUAD CITIES

or on Twitter @ilivehereqc.

 

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MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT will be airing a variety of local programs to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Month beginning with a very special "The Cities with Jim Mertens" on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 pm with an encore presentation on Sunday, April 8 at 5:30 pm.  His guests include Eva Schloss, whose mother married Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank. Ms. Schloss, a Holocaust survivor, is in town as a part of the Putnam Museums new exhibit "Anne Frank: A History for Today" which will run through May 28, 2012.

 

WQPT will also be airing a re-edited version of "3 Esthers," a documentary the station produced in 1983. The original documentary was researched and narrated by Dr. Art Pitz. Dr. Pitz returns to do a new opening and to bring the viewer up-to-date on the three women. "We're also adding some biographical photos from the three ladies and adding more photos to document the Holocaust through their stories" said Lora Adams, WQPT Director of Marketing and Local Content.

 

The re-edited documentary will be shown at a community screening on Thursday, April 26 at 6 pm at the Western Illinois University Quad Cities (Riverfront) campus in room 111. Dr. Alvin Goldfarb, the past President of Western Illinois University will be the guest speaker, discussing his growing up with parents who survived the Holocaust.

 

On April 27th at 7 pm on a special edition of "Artists in Profile," Ballet Quad Cities' production of "From the Pages of a Young Girls Life" will be presented.  The ballet was originally produced in 2005 with choreography by former Ballet Quad Cities Artistic Director, Johanne Jakhelln and tells the story of Anne Frank. WQPT taped the Ballet Quad Cities March 2nd performance.

 

Other programs include "Gefilte-Fish Chronicles" on Tuesday, April 3 at 8 pm and Jewish Soldiers in Blue & Grey on Tuesday, April 10 at 8 pm.

 

Sponsors for Holocaust Remembrance Month programs and educational outreach include : Premier Sponsor - The Singh Group, Merrill Lynch Quad Cities, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Western Illinois University Student Government Association, The Rauch II Foundation, The Martin D. & Barbara H. Rich Family Foundation, Daniel Portes and Judy Shawver, and Western Illinois University Quad Cities.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Illinois

Author Theo Tate delivers a gratifying, touching story about girls youth basketball

O'FALLON, Ill. - In the spirit of such heartwarming and inspiring sports films as The Bad News Bears, A League of Their Own, The Blind Side, Hoosiers and Rudy comes Theo Tate's new book, Ladies' Night (published by AuthorHouse).

 

Ladies' Night follows former NBA player Scottie Rogers on his journey to lead and inspire a group of girls. After his playing career, Scottie sets his sights on a new goal. He gathers his resources - including a large inheritance from his mother - and starts a 16-city basketball league for 12-year-old girls. He calls this new league the American Little Ladies Basketball League (ALLBL).

 

The girls in the league don't play for huge salaries. The league offers more than that. It gives them a chance to travel the country, meet new people and play the sport they love. It also gives them hope by offering the champion of the league a chance to meet the University of Tennessee women's basketball coach, Pat Summitt.

 

"It's about all dreams," says Tate, about his book. "(Ladies' Night will) teach people that they can do whatever they want to do and not let anyone stop them."

 

Tate believes the book offers readers respite from the pressures of their everyday lives. "With the problems going on in this country, like the bad economy and rising unemployment, people want to read something that's entertaining and unique," he says. "I hope this book will help people continue to dream big and never let go of their dreams."

 

About the Author

Theo Tate is a longtime sports journalist who became an avid women's basketball fan in 1993 when he was co-manager of the Belleville East High School (Ill.) girls basketball team. In addition, he covered - and attended - numerous NCAA women's basketball games and is currently a blogger covering on women's college basketball. He lives in O'Fallon, Illinois.

 

. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.

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