Ribbon cutting Monday, Nov. 12th at 1 PM to celebrate the grand opening of Goombazz Big City Eatzz in Rock Island.

This event celebrates the public-private partnership between the City of Rock Island and the local ownership of new small business Goombazz Big City Eatzz on the return of a building to the tax base of Rock Island as well as over 40 newly-created full and part-time jobs. Please contact Glenn Kass, Catch Driver Marketing, at (309) 269-3634, (309) 797-2771 or via reply to this email to confirm attendance. As always, we thank you for any coverage you can provide for this event.

WHO: Mayor Dennis Pauley and leadership from City of Rock Island; Brenda Brewer and Sal Cracco - managing owners of Goombazz Big City Eatzz
WHAT: Ribbon Cutting for Grand Opening of Goombazz Big City Eatzz
WHEN: Monday, November 12th - 1 PM
WHERE: Goombazz Big City Eatzz (2704 18th Ave., Rock Island)
WHY: Celebrating a public-private partnership between Goombazz owners and City of Rock Island; in addition, there will be presentations of funds raised for Family Resources, Inc. and The Center for Youth and Family Solutions during sneak-preview events held earlier
The Bettendorf Rotary Club will be hosting Rep. Dave Loebsack from Iowa's 2nd District at the next regular meeting Wed., Oct. 3rd. His challenger John Archer spoke recently at the club and is also a member. Living the creed of Rotary's "Four-Way Test" which includes, 'Is it fair to all concerned," the BRC club board extended an invitation to Rep. Loebsack which was accepted.

A point up is below. If you are planning to attend, please contact Glenn Kass, BRC Publicity Chair, at (309) 269-3634, or reply to this email by Tuesday, Oct. 2nd at 5:00 PM. As always, thank you for any coverage you can provide.

  • WHO - Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com)
  • WHAT - Hosting Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa's 2nd District
  • WHEN - Wednesday, Oct. 3rd - Noon meeting (11:30 AM room opens)
  • WHERE - Fortune Garden restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Rd. (just down from Duck Creek Plaza)
  • WHY - To address the club with information about Rep. Loebsack's campaign for Congress.
Mark Ross to guide club in 55th year of "Service Above Self"
Bettendorf, IA - The Bettendorf Rotary Club announces its officers for 2012-2013. The gavel was passed from Scott Naumann to Mark Ross who will serve as President of the club for the next year.
Ross is a consultant with IGO Partners. As an active entrepreneur, he has created several successful companies in addition to serving in management positions with McGladrey & Pullen and Per Mar Security Services.  Besides his participation in Bettendorf Rotary, Ross has served the community as a board member for the Scott County Regional Authority and as an Alderman for the City of Bettendorf.
Here is the complete board roster for 2012-13:
President:  Mark Ross
President-Elect:  Chelsea Powers
Secretary/Treasurer:  Chuck Mooney
(with assistance from George Daugherty)
Club Service Director:  Sharon Sarver
Community Service Director:  Kevin Kraft
Youth Service Director:  Dr. Jim Spelhaug/Dr. Theron Schutte
Vocational Service Director:  Chris Glass
International Service Director:  Ann Kappeler/Lee Semenow
Rotary Foundation Director:  S.K. Nanda
Immediate Past President:  Scott Naumann
The Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com), chartered on May 22, 1957, has more than 100 members fulfilling the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" in a variety of local, regional and national community volunteer projects. The club meets each Wednesday at Noon at Fortune Garden Restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf. In addition to the website, you can find the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bettendorfrotary).
Bettendorf Rotary Club is part of Rotary International (www.rotary.org), founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago businessman and University of Iowa alumnus. The international organization, now based in Evanston, IL, has more than one million members participating in 32,000 clubs located in more than 200 countries.
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Davenport hotel 1 of 3 in Iowa to hold esteemed national designation

Davenport, IA - Hotel Blackhawk has received the esteemed AAA Four Diamond Award ® lodging award for 2012. The historic property is one of only three in Iowa to hold the designation.

The hotel is part of a select group within North America. In 2012, just 1,491 lodgings received the AAA Four Diamond Rating out of 59,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Lodgings at this level are refined and stylish, featuring upscale physical attributes, according to AAA. The designees typically offer an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, personal attention and guest services. The program has been in existence for 75 years.

"Four Diamond establishments consistently deliver attentive service and memorable travel experiences in comfortable, high-quality surroundings," said Michael Petrone, director of AAA Tourism Information Development. "To achieve and maintain these exceptional standards on a daily basis is a commendable achievement."

"This AAA Four Diamond Award is a seminal moment in the re-emergence of the Hotel Blackhawk," said General Manager Tim Heim. "To have the hip and historic experience we strive to deliver for our guests every day recognized nationally is an awesome privilege. We are proud to receive this prestigious designation."

Hotel Blackhawk re-opened December 15th, 2010. The hotel retains its 96-year-old historic character while featuring modern conveniences throughout the 130 guestrooms and extended-stay suites, six meeting rooms and up to 300-person banquet capacity in the signature Gold Room.

Other features include wireless internet, a fitness center, business center, swimming pool, hot tub, Spa Luce (lu-CHAY), Milan Flower Shop, the Bix Bistro restaurant, the Beignet (been-YAY) Done That coffee shop and Blackhawk Bowl & Martini Lounge. The hotel is part of the Summit Hotels & Resorts group (www.summithotels.com) and the Historic Hotels of America network (www.historichotels.org).

For more, visit www.hotelblackhawk.com or find us on www.facebook.com (Search: Hotel Blackhawk).

 

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Prestigious award based on consistent outstanding customer reviews

Davenport, IA - Hotel Blackhawk has just been named a 2012 TripAdvisor ® Certificate of Excellence Award Winner.

The prestigious award honors hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor ®, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor ® receive this prestigious award.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

"TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travelers on the site," said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. "The Certificate of Excellence award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience."

"We are pleased to receive this award from TripAdvisor," said Hotel Blackhawk General Manager Tim Heim. "We strive to offer our customers a hip and historic experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor."

TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor ® offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor ®-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors, and over 60 million reviews and opinions.

Hotel Blackhawk re-opened December 15, 2010. The hotel retains its 95-year-old historic character while featuring modern conveniences throughout the 130 guestrooms and extended-stay suites, eight meeting rooms and up to 300-person banquet capacity in the signature Gold Room.

Other features include wireless internet, a fitness center, business center, swimming pool, hot tub, Spa Luce (lu-CHAY), Milan Flower Shop, the Bix Bistro restaurant, the Beignet (been-YAY) Done That coffee shop and Blackhawk Bowl & Martini Lounge. The hotel is part of the Summit Hotels & Resorts group (www.summithotels.com) and the Historic Hotels of America network (www.historichotels.org).

For more, visit www.hotelblackhawk.com or find us on www.facebook.com (Search: Hotel Blackhawk).

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Tickets for pageant in Davenport available now

Davenport, IA - The Miss Iowa Scholarship Program will host its statewide pageant June 7th-9th, 2012 here at the historic Adler Theatre.

Tickets are available now via the Adler Box Office, 136 E. Third St., Davenport, TicketMaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by mail order until May 25th. A ticket form is available to download and print at the organization's web site (www.missiowa.com) under the 2012 Pageant tab.

In June 2011, Jessica Pray of Johnston, was named the 63rd statewide titleholder. She then reached the Top 10 of Miss America ® 2012 this past January at Planet Hollywood Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, NV. At the completion of her year of service, Pray will have earned over $14,000 in scholarship dollars.

The Miss Iowa Scholarship Program is dedicated to community service and enriching the lives of women at several levels of participation from youth to adult. The Miss Iowa program is an official preliminary to Miss America ®.

The Miss Iowa program began with city representatives traveling to Atlantic City, NJ, such as Alta Sterling, Miss Sioux City 1924. In March 1996, the Miss Iowa program was recognized, by resolution of the Iowa Senate, as the "Official Hostess for the State of Iowa." Follow the program online at www.missiowa.com or on Facebook (Search: Miss Iowa Scholarship Program).

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THE National Bank presents the meal that serves the community

Bettendorf, IA - As it prepares to host the Sixth Annual "Lobsterfest" presented by THE National Bank, the Bettendorf Rotary Club looks to another successful year of serving the meal that provides service to the Quad City Area community.
The New England-style lobster bake is set for Saturday, June 16th - 5:30 to 10 PM - at Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf. Tickets, priced at $70.00 each or a table of eight for $480.00, are available now by calling (563) 445-4264. The event is open to the general public.
THE National Bank is the new presenting sponsor. Additional major sponsors are RLS and Associates, Inc., Iowa American Water, Bowe Machine Company, Quad-City Times, Results Marketing, Rivermont Collegiate, McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Midland Communications, Senior Star at Elmore Place, OnMedia, WOC NewsRadio 1420, Isle of Capri, HyVee and Weerts Funeral Home.
In addition, "Lobsterfest" involves several groups such as the Scott Community College Culinary School, Culinary Kids of Family Resources, Inc. and the Boy Scouts of America that assist other volunteers in delivering the fresh meal of Maine lobsters. New this year will be acoustic entertainment provided by Quad City native and national recording artist Danika Holmes (www.danikaholmes.com).
Thanks to funds raised at last year's event, the Bettendorf Rotary Club's Charitable Giving Board awarded direct grants to area charities totaling $20,000. There also was $6,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education.
"Our club is fortunate to have great friends and businesses that go above and beyond to support this unique event," said BRC President Scott Naumann. "The evening is already memorable for everyone involved. Once people learn the Lobsterfest story, it truly brings our mission of service to life. We look forward to welcoming the community again on June 16th."
The Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com), chartered on May 22, 1957, has more than 100 members fulfilling the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" in a variety of local, regional and national community volunteer projects. The club meets each Wednesday at Noon at Fortune Garden Restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf. The club also has a page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bettendorfrotary).
Bettendorf Rotary Club is part of Rotary International (www.rotary.org), founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago businessman and University of Iowa alumnus. The international organization, now based in Evanston, IL, has more than one million members participating with 32,000 clubs located in more than 200 countries.
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CHARITABLE GRANT RECIPIENTS FOR 2011 ANNOUNCED

Club's annual "Lobsterfest" shares $20,000 with 12 area not-for-profit organizations

Bettendorf, IA - The Charitable Giving Board of Bettendorf Rotary Club announces the award of a total of $20,000 to 12 not-for-profit organizations that serve the Quad City community.
This is the fourth year that funds generated from the club's annual Lobsterfest in June have created the philanthropy fund that the Bettendorf Rotary Charitable Giving Board disburses. There will also be $6,000 in scholarships to graduates pursuing higher education. These awards are chosen by the participating educational institutions - Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley high schools, Rivermont Collegiate and Scott Community College.
"We received 30 grant requests for amounts totaling $60,202.35," said Jeff Hassel, Chair of the BRC Charitable Giving Board. "As always, the programs present worthy opportunities for funding and the choices are difficult. The total amount awarded represented 33% of the final amount requested. We hope our next 'Lobsterfest' on June 16th enables us to reach this level of support for 2012."
(A complete list of the 12 grant recipients for 2011 follows below.)

Individual grants of as much as $2,500 are available to any qualified non-profit organization in the Quad Cities. The application deadline is October 1st. Applications are available to download at www.bettendorfrotary.com. Completed requests must then be postmarked by October 1st and sent to: Bettendorf Rotary Club, PO Box 133, Bettendorf, IA, 52722. Applications can also be obtained by mailing a request to the same address.
Grants are not awarded to groups for annual fundraising, organizational endowment funds, deficit financing, grants to individuals, scholarship funds, political groups or activities, Rotarians and their families or for sectarian purposes. Organizations that receive funds in a funding cycle are not eligible for awards the following year. Applications are reviewed and awarded by the Bettendorf Rotary's Charitable Giving Board with funds located at the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.
The Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com), chartered on May 22, 1957, has more than 100 members fulfilling the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" in a variety of local, regional and national community volunteer projects. The club meets each Wednesday at Noon at Fortune Garden Restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf. In addition to the website, you can find the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bettendorfrotary).
Bettendorf Rotary Club is part of Rotary International (www.rotary.org), founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago businessman and University of Iowa alumnus. The international organization, now based in Evanston, IL, has more than one million members participating with 32,000 clubs located in more than 200 countries.
The following are the 12 grants that the Bettendorf Rotary Charitable Giving Board selected and had approved by the Bettendorf Rotary Club's Executive Board for funding in 2011:
Big Brothers Big Sisters
BBBS will mentor 55 children this year within three elementary schools in Bettendorf.
Amount funded - $2,000

Central Community Circle Food Pantry
The Central Community Circle Food Pantry would like to include milk and eggs in the emergency food baskets clients receive every 30 days.
Amount funded - $1,270

Family Resources
Restore and renovate the historic (1921) Orphanage Gymnasium on the Wittenmyer Youth Campus to serve the 300+ at-risk and special needs residential children of our local communities.
Amount funded - $2,000

Hand In Hand
Hand In Hand is expanding its programs at 3860 Middle Road in Bettendorf to serve more children with disabilities in the Quad Cities.
Amount funded - $2,400

Handicapped Development Center
To maintain good health for individuals at HDC, this request is to obtain the following items: an otoscope, and oxygen concentrator and a suction machine.
Amount funded - $1,280

Humane Society of Scott County
HSSC educational programs provide presentations on animal care, pet overpopulation and shelter pet adoption. This project supports improved public access to these programs.
Amount funded - $500

Junior Achievement of the Heartland
The implementation of Junior Achievement's core-mission programs at Edison Academy aimed at increasing student awareness about the importance of staying in school.
Amount funded - $2,400

New Hope Presbyterian Church
The New Hope Presbyterian Church Food Pantry serves as a mission to the community of Northwest Davenport by providing food to the needy.
Amount funded - $1,250

Punch/First Baptist Church
PUNCH will contract with Overbeck Construction to provide caulking and weather-stripping for homes in the neighborhoods it serves from Locust Street South to 12th Street and from Harrison Street East to Farnam.
Amount funded - $1,000

Quad City Human Trafficking Project
Provide training targeting minors and organizations that serve minors increase awareness of the issue of modern human slavery as well as the vulnerability of minors to sex trafficking.
Amount funded - $1,000

River Music Experience
Creation of a Music Club called "Acoustic" - geared towards individuals in their late teens to twenties with special needs, as a collaborative effort between The River Music Experience and West Music Therapy.
Amount funded - $2,400

Supplemental Emergency Assistance Program (SEAP)
SEAP member agencies work together to help clients with crisis financial needs. Case work is done. When a legitimate need is identified, SEAP funds are accessed.
Amount funded - $2,500
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