21 Sep 2012

Schilling: "There is much more work to do"

By Rick Martin
Washington, DC - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) today released the following statement regarding legislative priorities still needing to be addressed by Congress:

"There's still time to work together and find solutions to the big problems facing our country.  The House has passed a plan to avoid sequestration, a plan to keep taxes low for all Americans, more than 30 jobs bills, the defense authorization bill for next year, and two budget proposals to help change the conversation in Washington from 'how much can we spend?' to 'how much can we save?'  The Senate has failed to act on these priorities, and is scheduled to leave town soon.  The Senate should not leave town until it has taken up all of these important issues.

"It was this Congress that passed a multi-year transportation bill that prioritizes our roads and bridges, three Free Trade Agreements, the Jumpstart our Business Start-ups jobs bill, repealed the health care reform law's onerous 1099 tax reporting requirement and the 3 percent withholding tax on small businesses, passed the VOW to Hire Heroes veterans' jobs bill, the STOCK Act, a four-year FAA reauthorization, and a defense bill that will promote workload and jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal, all on a bipartisan basis.

"In addition, I've been working hard over the last several months to advance the bipartisan Farm Bill that passed the House Agriculture Committee.  Legislation I introduced, H. Con. Res. 82, would prevent Congress from leaving town before passing a budget and getting its work done.  I stand ready to return to Washington with willing partners in the Senate and the Administration so we can work together.  There is much more work to do."

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21 Sep 2012

USDA Grants Awarded to Promote New Economic Opportunity for Farmers and Ranchers through Local and Regional Projects

By USDA Office of Communications
Over 130 Projects Connecting Farmers with New Markets

CLEVELAND, Sept. 21, 2012 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced over $9 million in grants to organizations across 39 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to initiatives that bolster the connection between agricultural producers and their consumers while improving access to healthy food and strengthening local economies. Merrigan made the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) awards announcement while speaking at the Project for Public Spaces Annual Public Market Conference.

"This year's Farmers Market Promotion Program awards are diverse and illustrate the many different ways farmers are directly connecting to communities and consumers," said Merrigan. "From starting up mobile markets to helping new farmers and ranchers, these grants will create new economic opportunities and encourage consumers to eat healthier."

Merrigan made the announcement in Ohio, which has a long tradition of local farmers pursuing direct-marketing opportunities in their operations. More than 6,800 Ohio farms sell directly to consumers. These investments represent USDA's efforts to strengthen local and regional food systems through projects that recruit and train farmers, expand economic opportunities, increase access to healthy foods and use social media to link markets and vendors. This year, almost five percent of total funding will be awarded to six projects in the state.

This year's funding includes:

  • More than 40 projects that connect farmers and ranchers to new customers by establishing new markets and other retail outlets, community supported agriculture programs or extend the market season;
  • Seventeen projects that will support the use of new delivery approaches such as online and mobile markets, broadening the customer base for several businesses;
  • Thirteen projects that reinforce USDA's commitment to new and beginning farmers and ranchers, increasing opportunities, training and support for those just getting started;
  • Twelve projects that focus on initiatives that support American Indian and Alaskan Native communities, and new opportunities for Latino, refugee and immigrant farmers;
  • Ten projects that will help hospitals and health care organizations improve eating habits in their communities through education and the direct marketing of fresh local produce; and
  • Nine projects that support agritourism, bringing visitors and consumers to farms and ranches.

Since 2006, FMPP has awarded over $32 million. FMPP's mission, which was broadened by the 2008 Farm Bill, is to establish, expand, and promote farmers markets and direct producer-to-consumer marketing. FMPP is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The full list of awards granted for fiscal year 2012 is available at www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/FMPP.

In 2009, USDA launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative to strengthen the critical connection between farmers and consumers and supports local and regional food systems. Through this initiative, USDA integrates programs and policies that stimulate food- and agriculturally-based community economic development; foster new opportunities for farmers and ranchers; promote locally and regionally produced and processed foods; cultivate healthy eating habits and educated, empowered consumers; expand access to affordable fresh and local food; and demonstrate the connection between food, agriculture, community and the environment. Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food also leads a national conversation about food and agriculture to strengthen the connection between consumers and farmers.

An interactive view of USDA programs that support local and regional foods, including FMPP, is available at the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. The KYF Compass is a digital guide to USDA resources related to local and regional food systems. The Compass consists of an interactive U.S. map USDA-supported local and regional food projects and an accompanying narrative documenting the results of this work through case studies, photos and video content.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

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21 Sep 2012

Scott Co Board of Supervisors Tentative Agenda Sept 24-28, 2012

By Chris Berge
21 Sep 2012

Davenport Parks and Recreation Events next week

By Kenneth Asta
Customer Input Invite
20 Sep 2012

How to Get Started Marketing a Book

By Ginny Grimsley
By: Marsha Friedman

It's understandable, really. People who have the passion necessary to write a book usually have just one thing on their minds: writing a book. Not marketing a book. Some may think ahead to getting it published, but, tragically, that's where the planning often ends.

I'm not exaggerating when I say "tragically"! I talk to many people who've poured years of effort, money and sacrifice into their books, which wind up sitting in boxes in their garage. They never thought about how they might market their books themselves or budgeted for book promotion services.

When's the best time to start thinking about marketing a book? Ideally, before you even sit down to begin writing. Because ? and I speak from experience here ? the first step will help in your writing.

Step 1: Ask yourself, "Who is my audience?"

The answer is the first piece of any marketing plan and it can also help you define what you'll write. When I decided to write a book about public relations, I had planned to write it for businesses in general. Then I thought, "That's too broad. Who will my audience really be?"

I decided to write for individual professionals such as doctors, lawyers and financial planners. Not only would that put a face to the people I was writing for, it would also give me the first piece of my marketing plan.

If you want to write a book and you're a financial planner working for baby boomers chugging toward 65, you might write about planning for retirement after age 50. Another audience might be the boomers' kids - adults who may be helping their parents. Depending on the expertise you put in the book, you might find other audiences you can target as well.

Here are the next steps to consider in planning your promotional campaign:

· What's the best way to reach that audience? Where will you find the people you expect will be interested in your book? Will you buy advertising, look for speaking engagements, try to whip up interest from the media? You might hire a publicist or contract with your publisher to handle PR, or put together a promotional tour. You'll definitely need a website. Will you build one yourself or hire a pro? Research the options that appeal to you and find out how effective they are in terms of meeting your goals. If you're considering contracting with professionals to help you, get references from people who've had successful marketing experiences.

· How much will it cost? Some options are less expensive, others more. Look into the ones that interest you and get an idea of their price. Decide how much you can afford to spend and budget for it. Is there an organization or business that would benefit from sponsoring you? A landscape designer, for instance, might get financial help from a plant nursery or a tools manufacturer in exchange for standing behind a business or product. A chef might find an ally in a food manufacturer.

· Develop a following online. Do you have a database of people already interested in what you have to say? If not, turn to social media and start building it now. The more of a following you have, the more potential audience you've created for your marketing message. Big numbers will also turn heads when you try to get speaking engagements or guest spots on radio and TV talk shows. Having a following is everything. The organizations and media that book you for an interview are also hoping all those followers will either buy tickets or stop by their website.

Marketing is too important to be an afterthought, so think about it long before it's time to get started. Yes, I understand the effort that goes into writing a book. I know it's hard to think about anything else! But if you have invested your dreams in that baby, you probably want to share it with the world. And that takes planning.

About Marsha Friedman

Marsha Friedman is a 22-year veteran of the public relations industry. She is the CEO of EMSI Public Relations (www.emsincorporated.com), a national firm that provides PR strategy and publicity services to corporations, entertainers, authors and professional firms. Marsha is the author of Celebritize Yourself: The 3-Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business and she can also be heard weekly on her Blog Talk Radio Show, EMSI's PR Insider every Thursday at 3:00 PM EST.

20 Sep 2012

WQPT TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR TELEVISED "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A RADIO PLAY"

By Rick Martin

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT and WVIK are teaming up to produce "It's a Wonderful Life: a Radio Play" set in 1946. The radio play tells the classic story of George Bailey and his friend, Clarence who helps him through his darkest hour.

Auditions for the production will take place at the District Theatre in downtown Rock Island on September 22 and 23 from 3 pm to 5 pm. People auditioning will be asked to read from the script and 16 bars of music of their choice.  "This piece has a 1940's sensibility so I am looking for actors who can create that kind of feeling" said director and WQPT Marketing Director, Lora Adams.

The production will rehearse November 12, 13, 14 with a dress on the 15th and a 7:30 pm performance on November 16th and two performances (2:00 and 7:30 pm) on Saturday the 17th.  Performances will take place in Potter Hall on the campus of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. The performances will be taped and air on WQPT and WVIK during the month of December as a holiday special.

"The author Joe Landry and Kevin Connors, who created the music, granted us the rights to air it on television and radio once during the holiday season," said Adams.  The production is done as a radio play so the actors will need to be familiar with the script but are not required to memorize it.

Proceeds from the production will be used to support local programming for both WQPT and WVIK who are producing the show along with Augustana College.

Please bring a photo and resume to the audition. Please direct questions to Lora Adams at lj-adams@wiu.edu or call 309-764-2400.

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

18 Sep 2012

Les Misérables to anchor TCR 80th Season

By Theatre Cedar Rapids

Surprise Announcements and Special Guests Headline TCR Event

September 14, 2012 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The biggest surprise of the night at The Curtain Raiser-Destination TCR held Thursday, September 13 was the announcement that Theatre Cedar Rapids was one of only a select few of community theatres in the country invited to produce the award-winning musical Les Misérables. The show will be on the TCR stage in July of 2014.

 

"Theatre Cedar Rapids is honored by the invitation to produce Les Misérables. To be one of the first in the country, and by special invitation no less, is as much a stamp of approval for the quality theatre we produce as any other gesture in recent memory," said TCR Executive Director Casey Prince. "A show of this magnitude will have ripple effects through our entire organization, patron base and, in particular, our volunteers. The opportunities to participate in every facet of this monumental undertaking will be many."

 

A second surprise announcement made at the event was done by Tim Hankewich, Music Director at Orchestra Iowa. Hankewich revealed that Orchestra Iowa, in partnership with TCR, will co-produce a concert version of The Music Man at the Paramount Theatre next July.

 

A third announcement at the event was made by Executive Director of the NewBo City Market, Ann Poe. She announced that NewBo and TCR are co-presenting a 5K Fun Run/Walk called The Costume Run as part of NewBo's Grand Opening on Saturday, October 27.

 

 

These announcements were made during a preview of the current season's shows at the annual TCR Fall Kickoff Fundraising event in front of a crowd of 250. The preview took the audience on a tour through the season using one-night-only performances by a number of special guests including:

 

· Catherine Blades, Cedar Rapids native and now NYC-based actress who missed much of her senior year at C.R. Washington H.S. when cast in the Broadway production of "Bye Bye Birdie."

 

· Peter Evans, Cedar Rapids native and now Chicago-based actor most recently cast in "The Book of Mormon."

 

· Janelle Lauer, Cedar Rapids-based musician, performer, director and vocal coach who is music directing four shows on TCR's season.

 

All of these special guest performers grew up in the spotlight at TCR and are veterans of numerous TCR shows. Other special appearances were made by TCR veterans Gene Whiteman, Doug Jackson, & Pat Deignan. Local celebrities involved in the program were KCRG's Nicole Agee, Scott Schulte and Rick Swann from Z102.9, a Flash Mob performance by returning cast members from Disney's Camp Rock produced by TCR in August and songs performed by the cast members of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson which opens September 28 and runs through October 20.

 

The Curtain Raiser was sponsored by Bankers Trust with proceeds used to support the operations and programming at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

 

 

For more information, contact:Theatre Cedar Rapids
Julie Coppock
18 Sep 2012

NOTHING OVER $0.25 AT THE FRIENDS OF DPL BOOK SALE!

By Steve Hart

The FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library's annual fall book sale will be Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, at the Main Street Library (321 Main Street) between the hours of 10 AM - 3 PM.  Thousands of great deals are waiting for your arrival!

The FRIENDS also have great deals on books, magazines, puzzles, games, and more at the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library bookstores at the Fairmount Branch Library (3000 N. Fairmount Street) and the Eastern Avenue Branch Library (6000 Eastern Avenue), Monday - Saturday every week!  The Fairmount Bookstore is open M, W, F, Sa from 10 AM - 2 PM, and the Eastern Avenue Bookstore is open the same hours as the Eastern Avenue Branch Library.

For more information, visit www.davenportlibrary.com or call 563-326-7832.
14 Sep 2012

LOCAL ATHLETE MEDALS IN THE 2012 SUMMER IOWA GAMES

By TheLink

The Iowa Games, Iowa's largest amateur sports festival, provides more than 20,000 athletes with a variety of Olympic-style sports during the Summer and Winter Games. The Games are part of the National Congress of State Games and are open to Iowa residents of all ages and abilities. The Iowa Games is hosted by the Iowa Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization which has a participation base of over 240,000 Iowans. For a complete listing of all the Iowa Games events and results please visit www.iowagames.org.

Local winners include :

Bettendorf
Mary Doerder, Gold, Womens Masters (50 & Over) -- 1 Meter, Diving;
Mary Doerder, Gold, Womens Masters (50 & Over)  --  3 Meter, Diving;
Andrew Hartman, Gold, Doubles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Andrew Hartman, Silver, Singles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Elijah Hurt, Gold, K-2 Bracket 5, Wrestling;
Paige Kelly, Silver, Girls 14-15  --  1 Meter, Diving;
Paige Kelly, Silver, Womens Synchronized  --  1 Meter, Diving;
Allison Kling, Bronze, Sparring -- Green-Heavy Weight -- Female 9-11, Taekwondo;
Allison Kling, Gold, Forms -- Green -- Female 9-11, Taekwondo;
Josh Paul, Bronze, Mens A Singles, Racquetball;
Josh Paul, Silver, Men's A Doubles, Racquetball;
Andrew  Rauwolf, Silver, Doubles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Holly Schroeder, Silver, Womens Synchronized  --  1 Meter, Diving;
Benjamin Van Raalte, Bronze, Men 55-59 50 Meter Breaststroke, Swimming - Masters;
Benjamin Van Raalte, Gold, Men 55-59 200 Meter Breaststroke, Swimming - Masters;
Benjamin Van Raalte, Gold, Men 55-59 200 Meter Freestyle, Swimming - Masters;


Davenport
Sona  Bedeyan, Bronze, Girls 9U  --  1 Meter Novice, Diving;
Grace Estes, Bronze, Girls 11-12 100M Hurdles Finals, Track & Field Youth;
Isaiah Gibbs, Gold, Boys 13-14 Long Jump, Track & Field Youth;
Alyssa Goldermann, Gold, Female 16-19, Triathlon;
Frank Horvath, Silver, Intermediate Grandmaster Male, Disc Golf;
Ryan Ruwe, Gold, DeWitt  --  16 Yard  --  9-12 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Ryan Ruwe, Gold, DeWitt  --  Team  --  9-12 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Ryan Ruwe, Silver, DeWitt  --  Handicap  --  9-12 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Landon Van Fossen, Bronze, Harlan  --  Handicap  --  6-8 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Landon Van Fossen, Gold, DeWitt  --  16 Yard  --  Men 50-57, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Landon Van Fossen, Gold, DeWitt  --  Handicap  --  Men 50-57, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Joe Veith, Gold, Freestyle -- Young Adult 15-17 -- Male, Archery;
Molly Veith, Silver, Freestyle -- Adult 18-54 -- Female, Archery;


Panorama Park
Nick Cervantes, Gold, Doubles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Nick Cervantes, Gold, Singles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;

13 Sep 2012

How to Take Your Talent from the Playroom to the Stage

By Ginny Grimsley
Young Phenom Offers Tips for Tweens and Teens
with Big Dreams

If you have a vision and a talent, don't ignore it. At least that's what Sydney Rose, 20, has learned.

The singer/songwriter whose debut pop single, "Breaking Rules," hit No. 23 on the national radio Top 40 chart in Sep, says she tried to put her dream on hold - and couldn't.

"I've been in love with music all my life," says Rose (www.sydneyrosemusic.com). "I've learned it's an important part of who I am and you can't ignore that, no matter what your age."

Rose grew up honing her singing skills, then learning guitar ("My first chord was D") and dancing. She overcame any lingering shyness about performing before audiences by joining two other girls in a pop/dance group called Rosemadayne.

But when it came time to attend college, she decided it was best to put her dream on a back burner.

"I was afraid," she says. "I wanted to experience college without the pressure of a music career, but I actually felt more pressure without my dream and I knew I had to nurture that passion that is so a part of me."

That's when she wrote her newest album, "Rise," an up-tempo celebration of life. It's getting airplay on radio stations across the country, a development that never ceases to amaze and delight the rising star.

"Listening to myself on the planet 96.7 right at this moment!!!" she posted recently on Twitter (@itssydneyrose). "This is surreal!!!! #bestdayeverever."

Rose offers tips for other young people who are determined to follow their dreams:

• Get your support team together: Whether it's parents, other family members, friends or teachers, you'll need people who encourage and help guide you. Coaches, mentors or instructors can help you improve - because no matter what your talent and how much of it you've got, you can always expand your abilities with help. Depending on your age, that may require financial and transportation support. "I started voice lessons when I was a tween, and to this day I get intensive voice training," Rose says. "But the more skills you have, the better, so I also started working on dance when I was 13 years old. No matter what type of creative talent you have - singing, acting, writing or painting - if you want to become a professional, you need training." Anyone who is supportive in your life, including friends, other family members and teachers, are reminders of why dreams matter to you.

• Set realistic goals: You may dream of being in the movies or on TV, but don't expect to start there! "I happily performed at bar and bat mitzvahs (bonus! - I met my manager through those), book stores, Best Buy stores, and at my vocal school," Sydney says. "These were great opportunities to get used to being in front of live audiences and learning how to interact with the audience." The smaller goals are there for you to reach the bigger ones - Rome was not built overnight, she says. Those who are supportive will remind you of the big picture.

• Remember, it's OK to be scared: Doing something for the first time can be really scary, and it's perfectly normal to be nervous. But don't let that stop you from getting out there and trying! "From experience, I know that almost anything that seems scary the first time gets much easier, and less scary, every time you do it," Sydney says. "Don't let fear keep you from ever taking the next step."

• Have fun! "With 'Rise,' I wrote songs that are fun and upbeat. I thought, 'If I'm going to do this for the rest of my life, I have to have an amazing time. Right?' she says. Part of what has helped the album's success is that she was genuinely happy and having a good time when she recorded it. No matter what you're doing, your true emotions tend to color your work - they're hard to hide, so work with them.

About Sydney Rose

Sydney Rose is a 20-year-old recording artist who has worked toward her success the old-fashioned way - through training, practice and dedication. She credits great coaches for helping her develop her talent for singing, dancing and songwriting, and she has become a rising star on the pop music circuit. Her new album, "Rise," is now available on iTunes.

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