Soldiers will repair damaged trucks from winter storm

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/08/2014)(readMedia)-- More than 30 Illinois Army National Guard mechanics were activated to support the winter storm efforts Jan. 8. Soldiers from across Illinois responded to Gov. Pat Quinn's request to supplement the supporting efforts of Illinois Central Management Services to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with truck repair and maintenance of winter storm equipment degraded by the events over the last week.

"The best of our best mechanics in the Illinois National Guard are ready to assist and share their expertise during this unique mission," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Whether turning wrenches or recovering vehicles on the snow-packed roads across Illinois, our men and women in the Illinois National Guard are proud to support the citizens of Illinois."

Soldiers from Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in Champaign; Company D, 634th BSB in Galva; Company E, 634th BSB in Joliet; Company G, 634th in Crestwood; 3625th Maintenance Company in North Riverside and 3637th Maintenance Company in Springfield all deployed to various IDOT locations and will assist until Friday.

"We are very appreciative of the assistance and dedicated service from the Illinois National Guard," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. "The extreme temperatures coupled with the weight and volume of snow have been really hard on our equipment and has caused breakdowns in some areas. The help from the Illinois National Guard will get those trucks back on the road more quickly and efficiently, to continue the work necessary to ensure the continuing safety of the motoring public."

Earlier this week on Jan. 6, Quinn activated two Soldiers to assist IDOT and Illinois State Police to pull three civilian vehicles and five semi tractor-trailers out of the snow and line of traffic. Another 13 Soldiers were on stand-by to assist before all 15 Soldiers were relieved of duty Jan. 6.

Oskaloosa, Iowa - William Penn University is pleased to announce that Carmen Christina Wetzel of Bettendorf,  Louise D. Hill and Nannette L. Sims of Davenport, and Nathan Alexander Gray of Rock Island have been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester. To be included on the Dean's List, a student must complete at least 12 hours of credit with a grade point average of 3.5-3.89 on a 4.0 scale.

William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa offers both post-secondary and adult education programs. Founded by Quakers in 1873, we strive to provide a vibrant learning community where all students grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually through academic, creative and athletic pursuits. For more information, visit the university's website at www.wmpenn.edu or call 1-800-779-7366.

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Be A Tourist in your own backyard weekend, January 17th through 20th.

Discover the Marvels of the Mississippi!  Make a weekend of it!

Coupons for over 50 local attractions and hotels and businesses.

Visit us online at www.visitquadcities.com for details.

New Study Finds We're Suffering a National Friendship Crisis

 

Most Americans (75 percent!) are not satisfied with their friendships; 63 percent lack confidence in even their closest friends; and almost half of us would choose to have deeper friendships rather than more friends.

Those are the findings of a new study, The State of Friendship in America 2013, by Lifeboat Friends at Their Best and Sea Change Strategies and Edge Research.

"Strong, trusting friendships are crucial to our sense of peace, happiness and well-being," says Dawna Hetzler, a speaker, women's mentor (and mentoree), and author of the new book, "Walls of a Warrior: Conquering the Fears of Our Hearts" (www.DawnaHetzler.com).

"But many of us, women in particular, build so many walls around our hearts to protect ourselves, we can never open ourselves to all the possible relationships we could have. Or, we do allow some people in, but we keep them at arm's length."

Strong friendships do make us happier, according to the new study. Forty-nine percent of people with seven or more close friends strongly agreed that they feel happy most of the time, while only 24 percent of people with just one good friend, and 19 percent with no friends, could say the same.

"You have to know and trust a person before you allow them into your heart, because when you open yourself up, you become vulnerable," says Hetzler. "We all build walls to protect ourselves from hurt, fear, rejection, disapproval and other painful emotions, and that's natural. Some walls are healthy. But the invisible walls we're often not even aware of prevent us from experiencing the honest, real relationships that can benefit us in so many ways."

Hetzler shares some of what she learned working with Jericho Girls, the women's group she founded that focuses on dismantling unhealthy walls:

  • First, identify the walls you have. We build walls in response to many things - real and perceived threats, fears, conditioning, rejection, Hetzler says. Many of us put up walls to hide our weaknesses; if you have trouble asking for help, this may be you! Jericho Girls members learned that acknowledging and being honest about their weaknesses allowed them to grow stronger. And that asking for help from friends offers those friends the gratification of giving. Making a list of your walls and understanding why they're there is a good place to start the process.
  • If the wall is unhealthy, identify the steps necessary to dismantle it. Sometimes we erect walls to protect ourselves from ourselves, Hetzler notes. "One of my walls revolved around being needed too much," she says. "I tend to take on a lot, then exhaust myself getting it all done." She realized she built a wall to prevent people from seeing that she really cannot do it all, and she pushed away those she feared might demand too much of her time and energy. She dealt with that wall by setting limits with herself and others. "I say no when I need to, which allows me to build friendships instead of pushing people away."
  • Arm yourself with words of inspiration. Powerful words help when we need positive reinforcement or reassurance when the way ahead looks scary. Hetzler has found that calling upon a quotation that she believes in provides both. "Write down the quotes, Bible verses or other inspiration that have great meaning for you," she says. Each day, read one, reflect upon the meaning, pray or meditate, and contemplate the message it holds for you. "These words will stick with you, and you'll have them to call upon when you need them," she says.

Creating deeper, honest friendships begins with opening our hearts to others, Hetzler says.

"When you begin taking down the walls, you'll find you're more at peace with yourself," she says. "And that allows you to develop the wonderful relationships that come from trust and sharing."

About Dawna Hetzler: Dawna Hetzler owns a real estate firm and is an author and speaker focusing on women's connection groups and retreats. She's also a Bible study teacher and speaker for Stonecroft Ministries. She wrote "Walls of Warriors" based on her experiences with Jericho Girls - a group of women who meets to discuss the walls they build around their hearts that inhibit relationships with others.

On January 18, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Scott County will officially get underway as event volunteers and participants gather at 3 locations in the community, (Bettendorf Family YMCA, Hy-Vee, and the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop) to launch their awareness and fundraising efforts for the year. The Community Kick-off will feature all the information you will need to get involved and register for this year's Relay For Life of Scott County event on Saturday, April 26th, at Bettendorf High School. Please plan to join us for the Community Kick-Off Celebration on Saturday, January 18th at one of the following locations:

  • American Cancer Society Discovery Shop - 2397 Cumberland Square, Bettendorf, 10AM-12PM

  • Bettendorf Family YMCA, 3800 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, 8-11 AM

  • Hy-Vee - 53rd and Utica Ridge, Davenport , 10AM- 2PM

 

The world's largest grassroots fundraising movement, Relay For Life mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and provide participants with an opportunity to fight back against the disease. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life - all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society's vision of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Relay For Life began in 1985 with one man who walked and ran around a track for 24 hours and raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year, Relay For Life will take place in nearly 5,100 communities in the United States and 20 other countries and will raise funds to support the Society's mission of saving lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back.

To take part in this year's American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Scott County, call (563) 583-8249, (888) 381-6839, or visit www.relayforlife.org/scottcountyia

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced he is donating 100 pounds of Iowa ham to the Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines, Iowa, and 100 pounds of Iowa ham to Grace Place Ministries soup kitchen in Monroe, Louisiana.

The donation comes after a friendly wager with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on the 2014 Outback Bowl, which featured the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers. If the LSU Tigers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, Gov. Branstad was to donate 100 pounds of Iowa pork to a Louisiana food bank and another 100 pounds of Iowa pork to an Iowa food bank.  LSU beat Iowa 21-14 on January 1, 2014.

"I'm proud of the season the Iowa Hawkeyes had and for their tremendous effort in the Outback Bowl against Louisiana State University," said Branstad. "I'm pleased today to donate Iowa pork to two fine organizations that help feed the hungry in local communities. I would also like to thank The Deb & Jeff Hansen Iowa Select Farms Foundation for their generosity in donating the pork for this friendly wager."

The Iowa ham will be delivered to the organizations by Iowa Select Farms.

"A core mission of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is hunger relief which is why we were glad to support Governor Branstad with his friendly wager," said Jeff Hansen, President and CEO of Iowa Select Farms and co-founder of the Foundation. "We're happy to be able to donate hams to both organizations in an effort to help both Iowa and Louisiana families in need."

Iowa taxpayer dollars were not used for the friendly wager between Gov. Branstad and Gov. Jindal.

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Iowa Select Farms, based in Iowa Falls, is Iowa's largest pork producer with nearly 1,000 employees and 300 producers in Iowa. The owners of Iowa Select established the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation in 2006. Providing hunger relief for Iowans is one of the core missions of the Foundation, which to date has donated more than 1.5 million servings of pork to food banks, pantries and shelves across Iowa.

Wessels Sherman announces a seminar entitled "2014 Labor & Employment Law Power Seminar: Don't Gamble When it Comes to Workplace Law - Stack the Odds in Your Favor!"  The seminar wil be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, Illinois.

Joseph H. Laverty, Managing Shareholder of the Davenport office, stated, "This fantastic seminar has been designed to include topics to assist employers, supervisors, and business advisors with the most challenging workplace issues."

The key seminar topics include hiring; firing; independent contractor status; ObamaCare; overtime; reasonable accommodation under the ADA; union issues; leave under the FMLA and ADA; release agreements; work comp; marijuana and conceal and carry gun laws; workplace violence; background checks; and I-9 audits.

Registration/continental breakfast is from 7:30 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. and the program will be from 8:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  The cost is $175 for the first person, $125 for each additional person from the same company. Valuable handouts are provided for each attendee. This program has been approved for 6.75 (General) HR Certification Institute credits. Up to 8.0 CPE credits will be available for this event.  This program has also been approved for CLE hours: Federal (5.50); Iowa (5.5 - includes ethics) and Minnesota (5.50).  CLE credits will be applied for in the following states: Illinois and Wisconsin.

Please call or e-mail Legal Assistant Jennifer Lage to reserve a space at (563) 333-9102 or jelage@wesselssherman.com. Easy registration is also available at www.wesselssherman.com.

Wessels Sherman is a management-side labor and employment law firm with a nationwide client base. The firm has five offices throughout the Midwest: St. Charles, IL; Chicago, IL; Davenport, IA; Minnetonka, MN; and Oconomowoc, WI.

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MOLINE, Ill. - No matter where you're from or where you've been, everyone is special - so join in! Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover's friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the universal fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies! The all-new Sesame Street Live "Make a New Friend" visits iWireless Center on Thursday, March 13. Tickets for the performance are on sale now!

Chamki is from far away and she's visiting Sesame Street for just one day! Grover has a long to-do list for his friend, from kayaking to hot yoga, but Chamki is busy enjoying cookies with Cookie Monster, singing with Abby Cadabby, and doing 'The Elmo Slide.' Will an appearance from Super Grover get Chamki's attention? Join the fun and make a memory with your friends and family!

Sesame Street Live "Make a New Friend" offers a fun-filled, interactive learning experience, including up-close and furry interactions on the audience floor! Like television's Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless tunes and lessons for all ages. The universal appeal of each Broadway-quality musical production continues long after preschool. Adults will appreciate the high-tech stagecraft, cleverly written script, and music they'll recognize and enjoy sharing with children, such as "Count Me In," and fun new parodies of "Hot and Cold," and "Moves Like Jagger."

What:      Sesame Street Live "Make a New Friend"

 

When: Thursday           March 13              6:30 p.m.

 

Where: iWireless Center

1201 River Drive

Moline, IL 61265

 

Tickets: $14 and $20. A limited number of $30 Gold Circle seats and $48 Sunny Seats** are also available. A facility fee of $2.50 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and special offers may apply.

 

*The Sunny Seats package features premium show seating, pre-show photo opportunities, music, play, and a pre-show Meet & Greet photo opportunity with two Sesame Street Live friends, including Elmo!

 

For more information, call iWireless Center Box Office at 309-764-2000. To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information online, please visit www.sesamestreetlive.com. Become a fan of Sesame Street Live on Facebook.


Le Claire, Iowa, January 8, 2014 - While he distills whiskey for a living, Mississippi River Distilling Company's distiller Scot Schaar is big into fermenting brew at home as well.  Schaar was recently honored as the 2013 Iowa Homebrewer of the Year.

 

 

To be eligible for this distinction, a homebrewer must enter and place in three of four competitions throughout the year in the state.  The competitions are held all over Iowa with 26 different categories and sub categories.  Each entry in the various categories earns points.  Schaar entered multiple brews in each competition.

 

Schaar was also honored as the runner up in the 2013 Midwest Homebrewer of the Year (MWHBOY) competition.  This competition encompasses 13 Midwest states and 15 competitions throughout the year.  Points are accumulated by winning first, second or third place in any of the homebrew competitions in the MWHBOY Circuit.  A brewer's accumulated points are multiplied by his winning percentage (his ratio of medals to entries) to calculate his net score, upon which the competition's rankings are based.  In 2013, Schaar medaled with 26 of his entries.

 

"I've been entering competitions for 10 years, a little more serious in the last three to four years and then sending samples out to farther competitions," Schaar says.  "The competitions really help with brewing by reading the judges' feedback as well as talking to other homebrewers and hearing other techniques.  Craft beer has gotten huge in the past five to ten years.  My equipment and craft has also grown over that time starting with just a pot on the kitchen stove to now having a fairly extensive system in my garage."

 

In addition to entering homebrew competitions, Schaar also judges similar homebrew competitions.  He says judging is another good way to expand your palate and learn things to incorporate into his own beers.

 

Schaar has one more prestigious competition to go.  He has two beers qualified for the Master's Championship of Amateur Brewing competition (MCAB).  This is an annual national championship competition for homebrewers.  Brewers qualify for this event by competing in various qualifying events.  Placing first in any MCAB recognized category qualifies the entrant for admission into the MCAB championship competition, known as a "champions' championship" in the homebrew circuit.

 

Schaar started at Mississippi River Distilling Company in October 2012.  He had watched the business from the ground up and often helped during bottling nights and other events.  His knowledge of brewing naturally translated into distilling.  "His brewing background has been a huge asset to Scot and to our company."  said owner Ryan Burchett.  "Until it goes into the still, making whiskey is a brewing process.  So we've definitely learned from him. He has a real passion that shows in his beers and in the spirits he makes here.  We're really excited that he is getting some formal recognition for it."

Second Mallard This Week to Sign P.T.O. with Iowa Wild

MOLINE, Ill. (January 8, 2014) - Quad City Mallards forward Jim McKenzie has joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on a professional tryout agreement, the Mallards announced today.

McKenzie, 29, is tied for the Mallard team lead in goals (11) and points (24) and leads the club in power play goals (4) and penalty minutes (67).  The St. Paul, Minnesota, native serves as an alternate captain and has registered a plus/minus rating of +3 while playing in each of the Mallards' first 28 games.  McKenzie was in the midst of a five-game point-scoring streak (2-4-6) at the time of his call-up.

McKenzie joins defenseman Nicholas Rioux as the second Mallard in three days to sign a P.T.O. with Iowa.  He is the fourth Mallard to be called up this season.  Goaltenders Thomas Heemskerk (Iowa) and Ty Rimmer (Oklahoma City) have also both spent time in the AHL.

McKenzie, who was originally selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft with the one hundred forty-first overall choice, is no stranger to the AHL.  He spent part of each of his first four professional seasons in the league, skating in a total of 67 AHL games and registering four goals and five assists for the Binghampton Senators, Lake Erie Monsters, Worcester Sharks and Peoria Rivermen.  McKenzie last saw AHL action in 2010-11 with Worcester and Peoria.  He spent the 2008-09 season with Binghampton, collecting five points in 44 games.

The 6' 2", 200-pound McKenzie joined the Mallards after helping the Allen Americans to the CHL President's Cup title last spring.  McKenzie arrived in Allen for the stretch run of the regular season after beginning the campaign with the ECHL's Evansville IceMen.  He notched two goals and two assists in 15 regular season games with the Americans before breaking loose for six goals and 13 points in 15 playoff games.  He recorded a goal and five assists in 12 games with the IceMen before heading to the Lone Star State.  Last year's stint was McKenzie's second with Allen.  In 2011-12, he scored twenty goals and totaled 44 points while piling up 168 penalty minutes in 54 games as an American.  The IceMen were McKenzie's fourth ECHL club.  He previously played for the Elmira Jackals, Johnstown Chiefs and Stockton Thunder.

McKenzie turned pro after three seasons at Michigan State, where he scored 34 goals and recorded 76 points in 112 games.  In 2006-07, McKenzie capped off his college career by scoring a dozen goals and producing 30 points in 35 games while helping propel the Spartans to the NCAA title.  McKenzie spent three seasons in the junior ranks with the Green Bay Gamblers and Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League before arriving in East Lansing.

The Mallards return to action on home ice tonight at 7:05 p.m. against the Brampton Beast.  That game is the Mallards' first Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's.  If the Mallards win a Wednesday night home game all in attendance win free tickets for the next Wednesday game.  In addition, $2 beer and hot dogs will be available during Wednesday night tilts.  After each Wednesday night game, fans can join the Mallards for a postgame party at T.G.I. Friday's next to the iWireless Center.

Tickets for tonight's game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

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