04 Mar 2015

Big Quad Cities' Brands Join For A Unique Partnership

By Cindy Bruhn
Rock Island, IL, March 4, 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 take the wraps off 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.  "I think 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.  Initially it will only be available at the gift shops at Boetje's and Mississippi River Distilling Company.  Boetje's representatives will be at the distillery Friday night from 5:30 to 8 PM 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 will also be introducing a new limited edition whiskey collaboration with Great River Brewing in Davenport that evening.  Farmer Brown Whiskey was made by distilling the alcohol out of over 3,000 gallons of Farmer Brown Ale from the local brewery.  This whiskey will be available for a short time at the distillery and through local retailers around Iowa and Illinois.
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04 Mar 2015

Cool Stuff Happening at PV

By Beth Marsoun
1.       PV boys head to state!

Our boys basketball team will play in the state tournament, Wednesday, March 11th at 6:35 in Des Moines!  There is a fan bus going.  I'm not sure what time they'll be taking off, but if you're interested, let me know and I'll get you a time.

2.       PV Student Heads to National Spelling Bee

Hopewell 6th Grader Uma Kasichainula won the regional spelling bee last week and will represent our area in the National Bee in May.  She is a super nice, well-spoken kid.  If you're interested in this story, holler and we'll make it work!

3.       Quad City Engineering and Science Council Honors PV Volunteer and Teacher

PV Teacher Matt Stutenberg and PV District Robotics Coordinator Theresa Barber received top honors at last week's QCESC award night.  Mr. Stutenberg was named co-STEM Teacher of the year.  Ms. Barber was named Volunteer of the year.  What an honor for a growing program in our district!  (And remember the district is adding on a million dollar STEM lab this year!)

Pictures here à  https://www.flickr.com/photos/54894113@N00/16492150929/in/album-72157650683692060/
04 Mar 2015

Everyday Heroes Can Ride Proud with New Kingdom Trailriders

By Mark McLaughlin

IA/IL QUAD CITIES - Since 1984, New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT) has been giving affordable riding lessons to people with accident-related injuries, mental handicaps, cerebral palsy and other physical, mental, and emotional challenges, as well as development and learning disorders. Now NKT provides services to military veterans through their Equine Services for Heroes Program, in conjunction with the Wounded Warriors Project. To celebrate this program and provide vital financial support, NKT will hold the Big Impact for Everyday Heroes Fundraising Banquet, and the public is invited.

The Big Impact for Everyday Heroes Fundraising Banquet will be held 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12, at the Radisson Quad City Plaza, 111 E. 2nd St., Davenport, IA. The evening starts with registration and a social hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the banquet and entertainment, which ends at 9 p.m. The cost is $25 per ticket and funds raised will go toward the Equine Services for Heroes Program. For online registration, visit www.nktriders.org/event-registration/?ee=8.
"The Equine Services for Heroes Program is free to any military veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, limb loss and other combat-related issues," said Alexandra Dirck, Marketing Volunteer for NKT. "Wounded Warriors can contact NKT directly to participate. We want the public to know about this program and encourage potential participants to get in touch."
The event will be hosted by emcee Jason Fechner, WQAD-TV anchorman. One of the special guests at the event will be NKT Ambassador Sarah Hitchcock, who was once a rider with the program. She has since graduated from the program and now volunteers. She will talk about her experiences with NKT and tell how they helped her. Another special guest will be SFC Scott Smith, a local wounded veteran who will share his story at the event.

In addition to dinner, the evening will include a wine pull, a blind silent auction and live auction, and a "Diamond Dig" courtesy of Necker's Jewelers. Gracie the Comfort Dog from Trinity Lutheran Church and School and representatives of Military Cost Cutters will be there, along with live music.
NKT annually serves 90 to 100 students representing ages ranging between three and adult, with a variety of challenges. The program operates four evenings a week. During the day, private classes are available, as well as field trip experiences for group homes, agencies and schools. In addition to group classes, private classes are available as well as one-day field trip experiences for group homes, agencies and schools. NKT is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation.
For more information on New Kingdom Trailriders, call (309) 764-4220 or visit www.nktriders.org.
04 Mar 2015

Shania Twain coming to iWireless Center

By Stephani Nagle

International Superstar SHANIA TWAIN Sets Out On First North American Tour In Over A Decade After Acclaimed Las Vegas Residency

ROCK THIS COUNTRY TOUR

Includes July 26 stop at the iWireless Center

On sale Friday, March 13 at 10 am.

New York, NY March 4, 2015 -One of the world's best-selling female artist in history, Shania Twain, has announced her first North American tour in more than 11 years entitled ROCK THIS COUNTRY.   The 48-date run comes hot on the heels of her hit two-year residency in Las Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

 

Shania's tour kicks off in North America on June 5 in Seattle, WA where she will perform her extensive catalog of iconic hits in a brand new production for fans coast to coast in major US cities such as New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Chicago, among others. Additionally, the tour will hit Canadian cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Montreal, presented by AEG Live.  American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets through Front Of The Line for the Canadian shows only before the general public beginning Tuesday, March 10th at 10am through Thursday, March 12 at 10pm local time, with the public on-sale for most North American shows beginning Friday, March 13 at 10:00 am local on axs.com. Exceptions noted below.  ShaniaTwain.compresale begins Tuesday, March 10 at 10am local time through Thursday, March 12 at 10pm local time.

 

A limited number of exclusive VIP Packages also will be available. Theses offers can include premium reserved tickets, access to Shania Twain's preshow VIP sound check, exclusive merchandise and much more. A $1.00 donation from each ticket purchased will go to the Shania Kids Can Foundation. Opening acts include Canadian musician and actor Wes Mack from June 5 - June 28, and Grammy Award nominated singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw from June 30 - August 23.

 

"This is a celebration tour. It's party time!  The ROCK THIS COUNTRY tour will have a different spirit than my past tours," said Twain. "It's a Shania they've never seen before.  A lot of years have gone by and I've got a lot more to share."

Beloved by millions worldwide, Shania has multi-platinum album sales in 32 countries with over 75 million albums sold, and 17 top 10 singles. Three of Shania's albums (The Woman In Me, Come On Over, Up! ) reached Diamond certification, making her the only artist to have three consecutive albums sell more than 10 million copies in the US.

 

Rising to fame with her debut album Shania Twain (1993), Shania became a worldwide phenomenon with the release of Come On Over (1997), which became the best-selling country album of all time, and the best-selling album released by a female artist. Most recently, Shania performed 105 shows during her two-year Las Vegas residency, Shania: Still The One, beginning on December 1, 2012 at The Colosseum at Ceasars Palace and wrapping in December of 2014. The show garnered rave reviews throughout its tenure.

 

 

04 Mar 2015

Loebsack's Representatives to Hold Office Hours

By Joe Hand
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack will have a member of his staff in Clinton and Scott Counties for open office hours. Henry Marquard, Loebsack's District Representative, will be at the following locations. Marquard will be on hand to work with individuals who are having difficulty with a government agency, have suggestions for Dave, or would just like to share their concerns. Members of the public are invited to attend. Marquard holds regular office hours throughout Eastern Iowa.

If residents are unable to attend but have a concern to share with the Congressman, please call our district office toll-free at 1-866-914-IOWA (4692).

Marquard's schedule for March is as follows.

 

Tuesday, March 10

 

Camanche City Hall

917 Third Street

9:00 - 10:00 AM

 

Clinton City Hall

611 South Third Street, 1st Floor

11:00 AM - NOON

 

Bettendorf City Hall

1609 State St.

2:00 - 3:00

 

Tuesday, March 24

 

DeWitt City Hall

510 Ninth Street

9:00 - 10:00 AM

 

Clinton City Hall

611 South Third Street, 1st Floor

11:00 AM - NOON

 

Eldridge Scott County Library

200 North Sixth Avenue

04 Mar 2015

RIVALRY WEEKEND PRESENTED BY PUB 1848 RETURNS WHEN MALLARDS HOST ALLEN FRIDAY, SATURDAY

By Brian Lavelle

MOLINE, Ill. (March 3, 2015) - The Mallards have teamed again with Pub 1848 to present Rivalry Weekend when the Mallards take on the Allen Americans on back-to-back promotion-packed evenings this Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center.

This marks the second time the Mallards have partnered with Pub 1848 to celebrate one of the Flock's heated rivalries.  The Rivalry Weekend focus this year turns to the Americans after Allen edged the Mallards in a seven-game playoff battle last spring before going on to take the Central Hockey League title.  The rivalry has only heated up since both clubs made the move to the ECHL for this season and have grabbed the top two spots in the ECHL's Central Division.  The league-leading Americans have won two of the first three meetings between the teams. 

Before and after each of this weekend's games, fans can stop by Pub 1848- which is located just blocks from the iWireless Center at 1601 River Drive- to enjoy a host of giveaways, special drawings and promotions.  Prior to Friday evening's tilt, one lucky fan will win an authentic Mallards jersey worn by Joe Perry in last spring's playoffs.  Fans can also enjoy $1 beers at Pub 1848 both before and following Friday night's game. Before Saturday night's game one fan will win the chance to take in that evening's contest in the luxurious surroundings of an iWireless Center suite.  Both Friday and Saturday Pub 1848 will also provide the chance to win free tickets to the weekend's games.

Friday night's game also brings the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  Fans can get $1 hot dogs and beer at iWireless Center concession stands at all Mallards' Friday night home games.  97X will follow in the spirit of the evening by presenting hot dog-themed intermission entertainment.  The Mallards have once again partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games.  Students can catch the Route 10 on campus via 7th Avenue to and from the games, with the Route 10 dropping students off near campus or at the District after games.  Students can then hop on the Route 53 from the District back to Augustana until 3 a.m.  As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.  Fans can visit www.gogreenmetro.com or www.facebook.com/53and59 for more information.  

Saturday evening is John Deere Community Night.  Courtesy of John Deere, 2,000 tickets to Saturday's night game are available for just $5 while supplies last.  In addition, the first 1,000 fans ages 12 and under through the doors for Saturday evening's game will receive free Mallards youth replica jerseys courtesy of KWQC-TV6.

Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including this weekend's tilts- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.
04 Mar 2015

Branstad, Reynolds to recognize five new Home Base Iowa Communities, four new Home Base Iowa Champs Friday

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that they will travel to Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Friday, March 6, 2015 to recognize five new Home Base Iowa Communities and three new Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMPs).

The following communities will be announced as Home Base Iowa Communities Friday: Webster County, Hancock County, Humboldt County, Carroll County and Clay County. The communities will join Union County, Mitchell County, Dubuque County, Greene County, Howard County, Clarke County, Floyd County and the City of Marion as current Home Base Iowa Communities.

The following academic institutions will become Home Base Iowa CHAMPs on Friday: Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Central Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College. These institutions will join The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, University of Dubuque, Upper Iowa University, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Mount Mercy University as Home Base Iowa CHAMPs.

"The Home Base Iowa initiative aims to ensure that members of the military leaving the service are met with an abundance of career and academic opportunities right here in Iowa," said Branstad. "Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I continue to be impressed by the outpouring of support for the Home Base Iowa initiative through the Home Base Iowa Community and Home Base Iowa CHAMPs programs."

"With thirteen Home Base Iowa Communities and twelve Home Base Iowa CHAMPs institutions, it is clear that Iowans are ready to welcome veterans and their families to our great state," said Reynolds. "I encourage all Iowa communities and higher education institutions to consider joining our Home Base Iowa initiative."

The following event is open to credentialed members of the press:

Friday, March 6, 2015

11 a.m.         Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds announce additional Home Base Iowa Communities and Home Base Iowa CHAMPs

Heartland Communications - Fort Dodge

1003 Central Avenue

Fort Dodge, IA

 

Learn more about Home Base Iowa at www.HomeBaseIowa.org.

Background:

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched the Home Base Iowa initiative in November of 2013 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Branstad and Reynolds named Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Myers the co-chairs of the initiative.

The Home Base Iowa Act was signed into law on May 26, 2014. It passed the Iowa Senate 46-0 and the Iowa House 94-2. The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:

  • Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.
  • Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa's colleges and universities.
  • Allows Iowa's licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
  • Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector's lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.
  • Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.
  • Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.  Additional funding for the program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.

In addition to the Home Base Iowa Act, Branstad also signed Senate File 2352 in 2014.

Senate File 2352 an Act relating to the additional homestead credit for certain disabled veterans and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HOME BASE IOWA COMMUNITY criteria

  1. Ten percent of the businesses with potential to hire in the designated area become Home Base Iowa Businesses.
  2. The community develops its own welcome/incentive package for veterans.
  3. The community prominently displays the Home Base Iowa Community designation.
  4. The community obtains a resolution of support from the appropriate local governing body.

HOME BASE IOWA CHAMPs criteria

To become a Home Base Iowa CHAMP campus, education institutions must meet three of the four criteria in each of the three categories below:

1.       On-Campus Veteran Resources

a. Full Time Veterans Services Coordinator or Veterans' Representative and office.
b. Veterans Center/study space dedicated to veteran student population with possibility of computers to sign up for benefits or meeting area for Vet Club.
c. Veterans' Services Support Group (made up of Veterans' Representative, Advisors, Faculty, Staff) to address issues veterans face and encourage veterans clubs and meetings.
d. Career placement assistance


2. Mindfulness of Service Member Transitions

a. Consistent credit honored for all of the established military training and schools (Joint Services Transcript, Community College of the Air Force credit, ACE recommended credit, CLEP, DSST).
b. Advanced/Preferential registration dates for student veteran population.
c. Offer veterans sections for new student orientation.
d. College President Signature on Principles of Excellence laid out in Executive Order 13607


3. Financial Considerations

a. Automatic in-state tuition for former active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, spouses and children domiciled in Iowa, regardless of residency requirements.
b. Deferred billing options to ensure timing of VA benefit payments does not hinder academic success.
c. Deferred billing or options to assist student veterans in purchasing books, tools and supplies required for vocational programs.
d. Specific scholarship for transitioning service members and/or their dependents.

Those interested in becoming Home Base Iowa Communities or Home Base Iowa CHAMPS should contact Kathy Anderson, Home Base Iowa Program Manager at 515.725.3149 or kathy.anderson@iowa.gov.

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04 Mar 2015

Treasurer Fitzgerald Auctioning "Lucky" Items in eBay Auction

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (03/04/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald has a pot o' gold better than the one waiting at the end of the rainbow. Fitzgerald will be hosting his next unclaimed property eBay auction beginning on March 9. "If you're looking for that one-of-kind lucky coin, check out our eBay auction," Fitzgerald stated. "The auction is filled with unique collectibles that were turned over in unclaimed safe deposit boxes." Interested bidders may view selected items before the auction at www.treasurer.state.ia.us/for_citizens/great_iowa_treasure_hunt/ebay-auction/.

The auction will begin on Monday, March 9 and will close on March 16. Some of the treasures in this online auction will include an elephant pin; gold charm bracelet; tie tack in the shape of a clover; and ten 1981 D Lincoln cent- one of these could be your lucky penny! Visit the eBay page at myworld.ebay.com/ia.unclaimed.property. Items included in the auction are from abandoned safe deposit boxes reported to the state treasurer as unclaimed property by financial institutions across the state. Photos, letters and other personal memorabilia will not be included in the auction. The auction proceeds are held for the rightful owners should they come forward.

Search our unclaimed property database to see if the state treasurer has property belonging to you at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.com to begin. Be sure to like Great Iowa Treasure Hunt on Facebook and follow the program on Twitter @GreatIATreasure for information about future auctions.

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04 Mar 2015

UW Oshkosh announces Dean's List, Honor Roll for fall 2014

By Mandy Potts
OSHKOSH, Wis. - (3/4/2015) University of Wisconsin Oshkosh officials have announced the names of students who qualified for the University's Dean's List and Honor Roll in the fall semester of the 2014-15 academic year. The list includes Rebecca Hull, Honor Roll recipient from Rock Island, Illinois.

To qualify for the Honor Roll, a student must take at least 12 credits and earn a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 (out of a possible 4.0, or "all As"). Those with a GPA of 3.75 or higher qualify for the Dean's List.

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, with an enrollment of more than 13,900 students from across the state and beyond, is the third-largest university in Wisconsin.

The University offers 75 baccalaureate and graduate degree programs in the colleges of Business, Education and Human Services, Letters and Science, and Nursing, which began offering the University's first doctoral degree (Doctorate of Nursing Practice) in fall 2010.

Serving as an educational and cultural anchor for the 1.2 million residents of northeastern Wisconsin, UW Oshkosh champions the economic well-being of the New North with an annual $501 million impact, directly and indirectly creating 9,000 jobs and collaborating with partners in an array of catalytic economic development initiatives. A pioneer in campus sustainability, UWO became the first Fair Trade University in the nation in 2008. UW Oshkosh is among 21 colleges and universities from around the United States to earn a spot on The Princeton Review's 2013 Green Honor Roll and was ranked as high as 14th in the nation in the Sierra Club and Sierra Magazine's annual "Coolest Schools" rankings, based on the "greenness" of participating universities. For more information about UW Oshkosh, visituwosh.edu.

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04 Mar 2015

Students Perform in Augustana College Concert Band Winter Concert

By Lauren Reed

ROCK ISLAND, IL (03/03/2015)(readMedia)-- The Augustana Concert Band performed its winter concert on Saturday, February 14 in Centennial Hall. Over seventy student musicians shared their talent with the Augustana community. This concert also featured the Augustana Horn Choir and the Rock Island High School Band.

Student performers from your area include :

Erik Whitcomb of Rock Island, IL

Hailey Coulter of Silvis, IL

Atticus Garrison of Rock Island, IL

Andrea Grubaugh of Muscatine, IA

Cole Neder of Rock Island, IL

Caitlin Thom of Bettendorf, IA

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 155 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

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