Maquoketa, Iowa, Dec. 17, 2009: Maquoketa Art Experience presents a holiday performance by Maquoketa native, Chris Davis. Chris will play classical and holiday music on acoustic guitar. Free coffee will be served by Maquoketa native, Tony Schmidt. Christmas carols, sung by a group of Maquoketa Alum, will follow Chris' performance.

Date: Saturday, December 26, 2009

Location: Maquoketa Art Experience @ 124 S. Main Street, Maquoketa, IA 52060

Time: 4:00 pm

Cost: Free

For more information: Call 563-652-9925.

Information about Chris Davis:

A native of Maquoketa, Iowa, Christopher began his musical career with the Clarinet. At 14 years old, inspired by Black Sabbath and Metallica, Chris took up the guitar. He began his guitar education with Scott Dalziel, and his interests soon expanded to include jazz and improvisation. As his interest in music grew, Chris became interested in classical guitar. His studies took him to Drake University. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Drake and is currently pursuing a Masters degree studying with Stanley Yates at Austin Peay State University. He has performed in masterclasses for world renowned artists such as Odair Assad and Christopher Parkening. Chris' performance experiences include solo classical guitar performances and work with rock, jazz, and Christian groups.

Information about Maquoketa Art Experience:

Maquoketa Art Experience is dedicated to bringing accomplished artists to Maquoketa, Iowa for short- and long-term residencies, workshops, and exhibitions. Springing up in one of the Grant Wood Scenic Byway communities, Maquoketa Art Experience exists to nurture artists and provide opportunities for developing art-related businesses in the area. Recognizing what Grant Wood saw in Iowa, Iowans and the surrounding landscapes, the artists and board of Maquoketa Art Experience are dedicated to creating easily accessible resources for Midwest artists. Similar to the Stone City Art Colony of the last century, Maquoketa Art Experience is committed to supporting arts and artists by creating local opportunities for artists to nurture and expand their talents and skills within the inspiring landscapes of Eastern Iowa.

For more information: www.maquoketa-art.org

Phone: 563-652-9925

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The Sparkles cheer team, a partnership between Pleasant Valley High School cheerleaders and Davenport's Hand-in-Hand, are being recognized for gathering to give back.

In November, a story submission from Sarah Herr of Bettendorf was named one of five national finalists in Modern Woodmen of America s Gatherings with Purpose giveaway.

The story received the most votes in the online contest, earning more than 4,600 votes over the two-week voting period.

Hand-in-Hand and the Sparkles will each receive $2,500 as contest winners. The presentation will take place during the Sparkles cheer practice. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

When: Monday, Dec. 21, 5:45 p.m.

Where: Pleasant Valley High School cafeteria

Herr shared the story of a wonderful, and perhaps unlikely, partnership between a high school cheerleading squad and Hand-in-Hand, a non-profit organization providing critical services for families with special needs. The Pleasant Valley High School cheerleaders decided to create a high school-based cheerleading squad specifically designed to include students with special needs. To find potential participants, the squad volunteered to gather and cheer at Hand-in-Hand's annual Family Fun Walk fundraiser. The group dressed in uniform and spent the morning managing the games and painting designs on eager little faces. During the walk, the girls cheered on the participants with Hand in Hand, yes we can!

Through this gathering, the cheerleaders met several young girls and their families who enthusiastically supported the idea of starting a new cheer squad to include students with disabilities. Within two weeks, 10 girls with disabilities from Down Syndrome to autism signed on to be the first Spartan Sparkles! Since this time, the Sparkles have cheered through two football seasons and one basketball season in front of packed crowds and standing ovations. To express gratitude to Hand-in-Hand and more tangibly support its programs, the cheerleaders again gathered on a Saturday afternoon over the summer collecting donations for Hand-in-Hand. The group raised both awareness and $2,000 in donations for Hand-in-Hand. Two weeks later when they attended the next Family Fun Walk, the Sparkles had much to cheer about!

Nearly 100 stories were entered in the online contest and five finalists were chosen. The stories spotlighted families and friends who volunteered together to meet a community need, raise money for a local cause or add a volunteer activity to a social gathering.

Modern Woodmen members nationwide gather for good through local camps (chapters) and youth service clubs. The giveaway was launched to complement national efforts to bring people together to help others and meet needs in their local communities. Modern Woodmen sells financial products not to benefit stockholders, but to support its stakeholders members, their families and their communities. How? Through social, charitable and volunteer events where members gather.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

Rivermont Collegiate is ecstatic to announce senior Roshan Babu, son of Dr. and Mrs. Hari Babu of Rock Island, has been named a 2010 Illinois State Scholar!  This prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), based on SAT and/or ACT scores.  Winners ranks in the top ten percent of the state's high school seniors from 752 high schools in all 102 Illinois counties.

Roshan, an aspiring young scientist, participated in the STARS (Student and Teachers as Research Scientists) program over the summer at the University of Missouri - St. Louis and was a Semifinalist in the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology.  Roshan, who has attended Rivermont since Kindergarten, is currently researching competitive dental and medical programs at universities throughout the United States.  We look forward to Roshan's future contributions to the world of science and medicine!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only independent, non-sectarian, PS-12 college preparatory school, ranked #1 on Iowa's AP Index.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (December 14, 2009) - Toyota Material Handling U.S.A. (TMHU), Inc. selected Hupp ToyotaLift to offer the company's line-up of Aichi, a Toyota Industries Company, aerial work platforms to the U.S. market.  Aichi's product line, including scissor lifts, crawler and wheeled-boom lifts, is designed specifically to meet a wide range of indoor and outdoor needs.

Hupp ToyotaLift was selected based on its excellence servicing of the industrial equipment industry, providing customers with top support in sales and rentals. Hupp ToyotaLift also operates a location in Davenport, Waterloo and Ankeny, Iowa, and in Peoria Ill.

"Hupp ToyotaLift was chosen to support the expanded offering of the Aichi product line to Iowa and central llinois because of its proven track record in supporting local businesses' needs," said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. "Hupp ToyotaLift will be a valuable resource for rental businesses, construction and other professionals seeking aerial lifts."

"We are honored to be among the distinguished list of Toyota Aichi dealers," said Kevin Hupp, president of Hupp ToyotaLift. "With the addition of Aichi's line-up including six models of scissor lifts, two SR-Series wheeled-boom lift models and four models ISR-Series crawler boom lifts, we are offering the market an extensive product portfolio, coupled with one of the best product warranties in the industry."

About Aichi, A Toyota Industries Company

Since its founding in 1962, Aichi has worked tirelessly to improve work environments in cooperation with its customers to create safer, more efficient and comfortable work sites for industries such as the utility, communication, construction and other industries.

The company has worked closely with its customers to improve job site methods by creating more efficient equipment tailored to each industry. Toyota Aichi dealers offer industry-leading support in every area of service, including parts, maintenance, financing, rentals and accessories.  For more information on Aichi products, please visit www.toyota-construction.com or call 1-800-852-0024.

About Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.

Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based TMHU has been the No. 1 selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and currently offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. TMHU, as the sole United States distributor for Aichi, now offers a line-up of aerial work lifts, including scissor lifts, crawler and wheeled boom lifts designed specifically to meet a wide range of indoor and outdoor needs.

Built on a reputation of excellence, Toyota remains the industry leader due to its quality, durability and reliability. Quality is the hallmark of Toyota's world-renowned Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM). Most of the Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States are manufactured at TIEM, a zero-landfill facility, in Columbus, Ind.

TIEM, and all Toyota manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada, comply with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and have been honored for their environmental management systems and dedication to continuous improvement.

Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Sixty-eight authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers, with a total of 188 dealership locations throughout the United States, offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts and service, fleet servicing, and financing. For more information on TMHU, please visit www.toyotaforklift.com or call 1-800-226-0009.