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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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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LAS CRUCES, N.M. - America's sweetheart, Julia Roberts, once said about love, "I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn't matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together." Love is a powerful emotion. True love even more so. Set in New Mexico - the romantic Land of Enchantment - Amber's Ambitions (published by AuthorHouse) is a new esoteric love story by author Janice I. Meissner.

In Amber's Ambitions, Amber meets a kind gentleman named Armand from Albuquerque - the two instantly become enamored with one another and their love for one another quickly blossoms.

An excerpt from Amber's Ambitions:

"My dearest love, there are no words in any language which could express my love for you because of all the work you do in the business and in our home. Your energy gives me help when I need it. I appreciate your unconditional love. It goes without saying how much my male character is admired when we find our bliss. My love, your touch is so special for me. It could only be found with you, Amber. I love you as completely as I know how. I admire you, I adore you, and realize you were meant for me to love, which I certainly do."

"Many men look at women only as sex objects," says Meissner. "Women are not held in high esteem, whereas Armand loves, adores and totally respects Amber. He reflects the love she has for him."

About the Author
Janice I. Meissner is a native Iowan who spent 35 years in Minnesota. After retiring she and her husband moved to New Mexico, where she works as a floral designer and instructor.  Meissner is also author of Oh! Rachel.

WHEN: 3-31-12

TIME: 1 - 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 320 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, Iowa 52806

WHAT: Dorris, a resident of Davenport, IA, will be available to sign copies of his book, Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It.

Fear not, for in Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It, author David Dorris shows you how to approach life's problems and that making the right choices is easier than you think. Life is like a baseball game where the pitcher is constantly throwing you curveballs. As this is the case, do you want to simply be a spectator, or do you want to get in the game and face life head-on? Although it may sound simple sometimes, life is not an easy game to play. There are many challenges to overcome and many choices you have to make. None of you have a choice as to how you come into the world; however, you do have a choice as to the kind of life you live. Follow David in Life Is Too Short: Life Is What We Make It, and find out for yourself how you too can knock life's curveballs out of the park.

For more information, contact Jim Miller at 888-361-9473 or jim@tatepublishing.com

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