NEW LONDON, CONN. (01/13/2014)(readMedia)-- Meghan Olt, a member of the class of 2016 at Connecticut College and a resident of Bettendorf, has been named to the Dean's Honors list for the 2013 fall semester.

At Connecticut College, Dean's Honors is a recognition for students who have earned a grade point average of at least 3.65, and Dean's High Honors is a recognition for students who have earned a grade point average of at least 3.77.

About Connecticut College

Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. On the college's 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound, students and faculty create a vibrant social, cultural and intellectual community enriched by diverse perspectives. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu.

In a recent CNN poll, 75 percent of respondents said U.S. House Republicans don't deserve re-election. That could bode poorly for either party next year, when all 435 House seats are up for grabs.

That's because it's likely only a small group of Americans will decide our country's future, says historian and researcher Merrilyn Richardson. Traditionally, only 40 percent of eligible voters turn out for mid-term elections on average, compared with 60 percent for presidential elections.

In the Senate, 33 seats could change, which could tip the balance of power for the subsequent six years.

"Voting is just one of the many privileges too many citizens of the United States take for granted,'' says Richardson, a former editor of Air Force Bases newspapers and author of "You ARE God: The Challenge to Achieve Christ Consciousness in the Modern Era," (www.merrilynrichardson.com). "Many do not believe the rights they have enjoyed their entire lives can be taken away from them, but they are wrong."

It takes actively involved citizens to protect our fragile democracy, Richardson says. The American origin story and its legacy are not only unique to our globe, they're nothing short of miracles and we need to advocate for what we enjoy.

She reviews three inspiring founding U.S. principles.

• The American Revolution has outlasted competing ideologies. Since 1776, many other revolutions have come and gone. That includes the Russian Revolution, which has all but disappeared and left a country with an identity crisis. The Chinese Revolution, which has morphed into something unrecognizable from its original ideology, and the Cuban Revolution, which has proven to be an unsustainable economic burden for its people. Rather than attempt to force an entire country to conform to an unrealistic ideology, the U.S. founding fathers proposed a Bill of Rights that continues to shape the history of the world.

• Individuality, free speech, the right to bear arms and religion are all protected. Enlightened, Western nations have to pay taxes to support religious institutions of which many citizens are not participants; in England it's the Church of England, in Germany it's the Catholic Church. The United States does not make anyone support any church - we can worship and financially support what we choose. This emphasis on individual rights often provides more momentum to our social movements, such as the Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street, because people can choose what they support.

• As our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms protect us, it's our duty as stewards of the Constitution to protect freedom. When people say nasty things, it's tempting for some groups to call for the censorship of one's speech. When someone does something barbaric with a gun, even more people call for severe limitations on one's right to bear arms. If living in a free society were easy, more countries would be doing it. There are many countries throughout the world that are experimenting with a free society, including some in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt, for example, is finding out just how difficult freedom is to maintain. While terrorist groups may seek to fell the system of governing we were fortunate enough to inherit, we also need to make sure domestic efforts to chip away our liberties are not successful.

About Merrilyn Richardson

Merrilyn Richardson received a degree in journalism from Texas Tech University and was editor of Air Force Bases newspapers. At 89, she has spent decades searching for truth and found that studying spiritual subjects provides a basis for understanding our human condition. Her latest book, "You ARE God: The Challenge to Achieve Christ Consciousness in the Modern Era," is a concise glimpse of American history and other events that have affected individuals worldwide. She is a founding member of the Center for Spiritual Living in Midland, Texas. Her two previous books were "Initiation of the Master" and "The Master's Quest, an End to Terrorism."

Enter Great Clips Sweepstakes to Win the Greatest Weekend Ever

(January 2014)  - Ladies and gentlemen, start your entries to win a brand new Chevy truck and the weekend of a lifetime with NASCAR legends, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne. Great Clips, the world's largest salon brand, will award the winner of The Greatest Weekend Ever Sweepstakes a 2014 Chevy Silverado worth nearly fifty thousand dollars.  The winner and three friends will also enjoy a two-night stay at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s lake house near Charlotte N.C., a barbecue party with Junior and Kasey Kahne, and VIP passes and tickets to two NASCAR races at the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.

"We're thrilled to offer this sweepstakes as a thank you to our customers who have helped Great Clips become a champion brand," says Rhoda Olsen, Great Clips CEO.  "The contest is an opportunity of a lifetime for the winner to enjoy a gorgeous new truck and to experience The Greatest Weekend Ever with two superstars of one of America's most popular sports.  We're honored to have Dale Jr. and Kasey Kahne on the Great Clips racing team. They're elite competitors who make our race team world-class."

Steering to Fame

Earnhardt Jr. is a third generation driver in a family bonded forever to the sport of stock car racing. "Junior," as he's fondly called by fans, is famous for his street smart charm that rocketed him to fame as one of sports' most popular icons. Race car fans have selected him 11 consecutive times as the winner of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver award.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Great Clips to provide a great, memorable weekend," said Dale Earnhardt Jr.  "We've had a lot of fun with this program, and I appreciate Great Clips pulling it all together. I'm sure I speak for Kasey and the Great Clips race team in saying we look forward to meeting the winner and guests."

The winner will ride in style in a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The winner and  guests will enjoy a two-night stay at Dale Jr.'s lake house, which sits on the shore of Lake Norman in Mooresville, N.C.  The four lucky people can relax poolside or enjoy water sports before a barbecue party with Dale Jr., Kasey Kahne and members of the Great Clips race team. Winners will enjoy great conversation, photographs and autographs that will surely create lifelong memories.

Stay Ahead of the Pack to Win!

The sweepstakes runs from Dec. 17, 2013, through Jan. 31, 2014. People don't have to steer through difficult maneuvers to win. To enter, simply visit www.greatclips.com or text BBQ to 47328. You can also check out a Behind-The-Scenes Video of The Greatest Weekend Ever TV spot featuring Dale Jr. and Kasey Kahne on the Great Clips YouTube Channel or at #GreatestWeekendEver on Twitter.

For other promotions, giveaways and specials from Great Clips, sign up for the Great Stuff program to connect with Great Clips for stuff you will love.

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About Great Clips, Inc.
Great Clips, Inc. was established in 1982 in Minneapolis. Today, Great Clips has more than 3,500 salons throughout the United States and Canada, making it the world's largest salon brand. Great Clips salons employ nearly 35,000 stylists who receive ongoing training to learn the Great Clips customer service system and advanced technical skills. Make Great Clips your choice for value-priced, high-quality haircare for men, women and children. No appointments are needed, and salons are open nights and weekends. And it's more convenient than ever with Great Clips' Online Check-In and Clip Notes®. To check in online, visit www.greatclips.com or download the app for Android and iPhone. For more information about Great Clips, Inc. or to find a location near you, visit www.greatclips.com.

The special edition affiliate jerseys worn by the Mallards- who are in their first season as an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild- in their 1-0 loss to the Sundogs tonight went up for bid in a live auction immediately following the contest, which was watched by a season high crowd of 5,834.  The jersey of defenseman Mike Monfredo drew a high bid of $1,600.

Over the last 19 years, Mallards jersey auctions have raised well over $700,000 to benefit Genesis Health System charities.  Tonight's auction is the first of two the Mallards will hold this season to benefit the Genesis Health System charities.  Another set of one-of-a-kind game worn jerseys will go up for bid on Saturday night, March 8 after another match-up between the Mallards and Sundogs.

The Mallards return to action next Friday against the Thunder in Wichita.  The Mallards next play at home on Friday, January 31 at 7:05 p.m. against the Tulsa Oilers.  January 31 is another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X.  $1 hot dogs and beers will be available at iWireless Center concession stands during each of the Mallards' 11 Friday night home games this season.

Tickets for the January 31 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.

About Genesis Health System

Genesis Health System, its affiliates and partners offer a full continuum of health care services.  Genesis Health System's affiliates include : acute and tertiary hospital care at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and DeWitt, Iowa and Genesis Medical Center, Silvis and Aledo in Illinois; home health and hospice services through Genesis VNA and Hospice; Genesis Workplace Services, including occupational health, employee assistance and wellness services for employers and their employees; the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House; senior living facilities offering rehabilitation and long-term care; Genesis Health Group, with more than 170 primary care physicians and specialists; a Family Practice Residency program; Genesis Psychology Associates; three Convenient Care clinics; and Genesis Home Medical Equipment.  Partners include the Genesis Medical Park, Crow Valley, Genesis Imaging Centers and Spring Street Surgical Center, Davenport. Genesis Health System serves a 10-county area of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.  Genesis also manages Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. For more information, visit www.genesishealth.com.