Rock Island, IL: Learn about the role of Davenport's Credit Island in local and national history, and its recent rejuvenation, with a free history presentation at 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 14 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street,. Rock Island.

Davenport Parks and Recreation Director Scott Hock will discuss the history of one of Davenport's oldest and most iconic public spaces, including its recognition as an official War of 1812 battleground site and the rebuilding of the historic 1923 Credit Island Lodge.

In the past year, the City of Davenport dedicated both the new lodge and a monument to recognize the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Credit Island. One of very few battles on the Upper Mississippi, the Credit Island conflict marked one of the last (and unsuccessful) efforts by the Americans to wrest control of the Upper Mississippi from the British. It's also significant for the heavy involvement of the 800 to 1,200 Native Americans, including Black Hawk, who fought alongside a handful of British soldiers. The British side far out-numbered the 334 Americans led by future president Zachary Taylor.

Hock will discuss more about the battle's significance and its affect on British/Native American relations, as well as talking about the more recent history of the Credit Island Lodge. The Lodge was built in 1923 and almost completely destroyed by flood and fire in May 2013. Hock will talk about the rebuilding and rejuvenation project, which was funded with about $1.5 million in insurance money. Hock will be joined by Nate Brown, president of the Friends of Credit Island, who will also discuss the role of his group in supporting improvements to the park.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information about Rock Island Library services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

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Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library provides resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate through the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities.

MOUNT CARROLL, IL -- Timber Lake Playhouse, in collaboration with Timber Lake Resort and Campground, will present an interactive event performance of the Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos Show at the playhouse on Saturday, May 9th. This nationally renowned show that take requests from the audience and encouraging dancing in your seats, will begin at 7:00 p.m., with cash bar opening at 6:30. Tickets are $20 and are available online and through the TLP box office.

"Ron Swanson–of Timber Lake Resort–came to us with the idea as a way to kick off the summer and celebrate Mothers Day Weekend. Then he reached out to restaurants in Mount Carroll. There are many exciting things happening in downtown Mount Carroll, we also saw this as a way to partner with the town," said TLP Artistic Director, Jim Beaudry.

"We thought it was a great idea, and I immediately thought of Felix and Fingers because I know how much people love them in the Chicago area, and not all dueling pianos acts are as good as they are," Beaudry continued. "So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that was the same group Ron had already reached out to about coming to TLP."

Tickets to the event, which is appropriate for all ages, can be purchased online at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, by calling 815-244-2035 during business hours or stopping by the TLP office across the street from the theatre at 8215 Black Oak Road in rural Mount Carroll. Seats are reserved, so advance tickets are suggested, unless planning to spend the entire evening dancing in the aisles. Dinner options in Mount Carroll are separate from the ticket price.

Henry's Double K in Mount Carroll will be taking reservations for a pre-show all you can eat buffet at the restaurant that evening. The $15 buffet will include roast pork, chicken breasts, cheesy potatoes, vegetable, salad bar, rolls and coffee. Contact Henry's Double K at 815-244-0810 for more information. Sievert's Steaks & Stuff in Mount Carroll will offer 10% off pizzas between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Visit www.mountcarrollil.org for a cull list of restaurants in the town.

Timber Lake Playhouse's pre-season events begin Wednesday, May 6 with the Magic Owl Children's Theatre production of The Commedia Pinocchio for kids and families, which runs through Saturday May 9 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. All tickets are only $6 and are available by calling the office, or at the theatre the day of the show.

Office hours for TLP are Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll.

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LeClaire, Iowa, April 27, 2015 - There are not many flavors more quintessential to the Quad Cities than Boetje's Mustard. Now with the help of a local distillery, this classic is getting a new twist. This Friday, Boetje's and Mississippi River Distilling Company will have the second release of their new collaboration. "Boetje's Bourbon Barrel Aged Mustard" has soaked for over a month in used Cody Road Bourbon casks.

"We were looking for ways to put a new twist on an old favorite," said Boetje's production manager Harrison Kropp. "We saw some interesting barrel aged mustards at the World-Wide Mustard Competition in Wisconsin last year. So we thought it would be great to give it a try with Boetje's."

Ryan Burchett, owner and distiller at Mississippi River Distilling Company, said he didn't have to think twice about the project. "It was a total no-brainer for us. We were humbled to have such an established brand like Boetje's reach out to us for something like this. It's an honor to have our name on the same label as one of our all time favorites."

The distillery gave Kropp some oak whiskey casks that had been used to age Cody Road Bourbon Whiskey. After soaking for more than 30 days in the barrel, the mustard is ground and prepared for sale.  "It brings a unique sweetness to our mustard along with the signature Boetje's punch," added Kropp.  "This one is going to be a big hit once the grills start firing up."

"Our brand is all about being local," said Burchett. "Cody Road Bourbon is made from grain sourced directly from local farmers within 25 miles of our distillery. So to find a new local partner to do something totally different like this is a ton of fun for us."

The mustard is being made in small batches. So small that the first release of this product sold out in less than one hour back in March. "We knew people would be excited about it, but we had no idea it would be this crazy," said Kropp. Burchett added, "We had people lined down the street for the first release and still ran out before everybody got some. So we immediately took more barrels over to Boetje's so they could increase production."

Initially it will only be available at the gift shops at Boetje's and Mississippi River Distilling Company while supplies last. The hope is that by later this year, it will be a product that will be on the shelf regularly. Boetje's representatives will be at the distillery Friday night from 5:30-8pm for the monthly "First Friday" celebration in LeClaire. They will have the mustard for sale along with free samples of the new spicy treat.

Mississippi River Distilling Company also will have sweet and savory food samples made with their spirits, special "cocktails of the month," and free pint glass with spirit purchase.

Other fun things will be going on including some of the shops staying open late, food and drink specials at the restaurants, live music at The Faithful Pilot Café and Spirits with Brad Brenny starting at 7:30pm, and wine tasting at Wide River Winery Tasting Room.

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(PLEASANT HILL, Iowa) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today highlighted the success of the innovative new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System (TLC) at Southeast Polk Junior High School during his weekly press conference. The press conference occurred following the last of three visits with school districts this month to learn how they are using TLC to raise student achievement and raise the status of the teaching profession. The TLC discussion at Southeast Polk followed visits to the Benton and Rock Valley school districts. Southeast Polk is one of the 39 school districts across the state launching the first year of the TLC program.

"As we visit with school districts engaged in the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System, which is the centerpiece of Iowa's landmark 2013 education reform package, we're hearing that better utilizing teacher expertise and creating more time for collaboration is transforming instruction," said Branstad. "Though much work lies ahead, we know that teacher leadership will drive the other reforms needed to give Iowa students a world-class education and revitalize the teaching profession."

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who participated in the roundtables in both Rock Valley and Benton school districts, was unable to attend the Southeast Polk roundtable discussion because she is leading a trade mission to Brazil.

"We have more people in leadership positions, which creates more time to get things done," said Rock Valley Community School Superintendent Chad Janzen about why TLC is helping to transform instruction in his district of 840 students.

The TLC system was launched with 39 school districts that enroll about one-third of Iowa's students. Seventy-six additional school districts, representing another third of Iowa student enrollment, will join the program next school year (2015-2016). All 338 school districts will have the option of joining the TLC system by the 2016-2017 school year. When fully phased in, the program will cost about $150 million annually, and much of the funding will be used to increase teacher leaders' salaries and attract more individuals to the teaching profession by offering more competitive starting salaries.

"I'm optimistic that within a few years every school district in Iowa will be part of TLC, which is the most comprehensive teacher leadership system in the country," said Iowa Department of Education Deputy Director Ryan Wise, who oversees the TLC system for the state. "This exciting work is about supporting teachers to do their best work so that our students can do their best work."

Branstad concluded by saying, "Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I believe that every Iowa child deserves a globally competitive education, and we know that starts with great teaching in every classroom. The Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is working to ensure we're attracting the best and brightest to the classroom."