DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 12, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits designated hitter Jacob Nottingham came within a triple of the cycle, and right-hander Austin Chrismon tossed the team's best start of the season with six innings of one-run, two-hit ball in a 7-2 home-opening victory over the Clinton LumberKings in front of 4,139 at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday afternoon.

In front of the team's largest home-opening crowd since 2012, Quad Cities (3-1) won its home opener for the first time in four years. The last home-opening win for the River Bandits came in a 7-4 victory against Beloit on April 8, 2011.

In his Midwest League debut, Chrismon (1-0) allowed a leadoff single to LumberKings left fielder Chantz Mack, followed by a bunt single by second baseman Nelson Ward. On the bunt, third baseman Kristian Trompiz made an errant throw to first base, allowing Mack to reach third base with no outs. Right fielder Alex Jackson then hit a sacrifice fly to right field for a 1-0 Clinton lead. That began a string of 16 consecutive batters retired by Chrismon before a two-out walk to Ward in the sixth inning. Chrismon struck out three batters and was charged with one unearned run in the longest start for a Quad Cities pitcher this season.

Left-hander Patrick Peterson (0-1) held the 1-0 lead for Clinton (2-2) through the first four innings, working around two singles and a walk to strand three baserunners. In the fifth, however, Nottingham led off by swatting his first Midwest League home run out to right field to tie the game, 1-1. Two batters later, shortstop Thomas Lindauer's ground ball eluded third baseman Joe DeCarlo down the third-base line, allowing Lindauer to reach second base. A wild pitch moved Lindauer to third base, and he scored the go-ahead run on center fielder Bobby Boyd's RBI single to left field. Boyd then stole second base, and with two outs, left fielder Derek Fisher singled up the middle to score Boyd and reached second base on the throw home. First baseman Nick Tanielu followed with a single to left field and got all the way to third base on a throwing error by left fielder Chantz Mack. DeCarlo's second fielding error of the inning allowed right fielder Ryan Bottger to reach first base and Tanielu to score the fifth run of the inning.

Patrick Peterson was charged with all five runs - one earned - on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. He made his Midwest League debut in the same game his twin brother, River Bandits right-hander Eric Peterson, also made his Midwest League debut. Eric Peterson followed Chrismon to start the seventh inning with a 6-1 lead, after Nottingham hit a sixth-inning double off right-hander Ramire Cleto and scored on Boyd's sacrifice fly. Eric Peterson allowed a leadoff double by DeCarlo, who scored after a single by catcher Adam Martin and sacrifice fly by first baseman Kristian Brito, cutting the Quad Cities lead to 6-2. Eric Peterson finished two innings, allowing two hits and one earned run with one strikeout.

The River Bandits added their final run in the eighth inning, when catcher Alfredo Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third base on Nottingham's single to center field and scored on a balk by Cleto. The 7-2 lead was upheld by River Bandits right-hander Ryan Thompson in the ninth inning, as he struck out two batters around one hit for his second straight scoreless one-inning finish to a Quad Cities win in the first four games of the season.

The River Bandits continue their series with Clinton at 7 p.m. Moday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn is scheduled to face LumberKings right-hander Lukas Schiraldi.

UP NEXT: The first Military Monday presented by Performance Food Group, 97X, and ESPN 93.5 means all active and retired military personnel may purchase $1 tickets for themselves and up to three guests with a military ID at the box office. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., when the first 1,000 fans receive a Mediacom River Bandits magnet schedule. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 11, 2015) - Nearly 700 runners and walkers set a new record for participation in the annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and Fun Run presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics on Saturday morning. In its third year, the unique bi-state race that ends inside Modern Woodmen Park helped raise more than $15,000 - also a new event record - for the Bandit Scholars Program.

Since the inaugural year in 2013, the event has more than doubled its annual participants - to 695 this year - and more than tripled its annual proceeds for the Bandit Scholars Program, which annually awards two Bandit Scholarships to cover the entire first year of college tuition for Quad Cities-area students. In three years, the event has raised more than $33,000 for the Bandit Scholars Program.

"We are tremendously grateful to all of the participants, sponsors, volunteers, staff and spectators who made the Bandits Race to Home 5K presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics the most successful yet," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "As one of the largest fundraisers for the Bandit Scholars Program, this event makes an impact in the lives of Quad Cities-area students, and it is a unique community celebration that is the perfect way to kick off another River Bandits season at Modern Woodmen Park!"

The top three overall female and male finishers received a medal and an engraved, game-used baseball bat. The top three finishers in each of the 13 age groups - (14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and above), were awarded medals, and all Fun Run participants received ribbons. All participants also received a free T-shirt and a free ticket to a 2015 River Bandits home game.

Danielle Berndt of Bettendorf, Iowa, became the event's first repeat overall winner Saturday, leading all female participants by finishing in 19:09 - setting the female record for the Bandits Race to Home 5K. She led all females with a 20:21 finish in 2014.

Jerry Lack of East Moline, Ill., was the top male finisher at 17:48. It was his second race title, as he led all males in the inaugural race in 2013 with an 18:01 finish. He was third in 2014 with an 18:02 mark.

Revitalized camp will accommodate more outdoor adventures, year-round programs and people with disabilities

BETTENDORF, Iowa–Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois kicked off the public phase of its capital campaign at its annual meeting today. The campaign will fund improvements and expansion of the council's most centrally-located camp in New Liberty, Iowa. The organization announced that $1.6 million has been raised to date, with a lead gift coming from the John Deere Foundation.

Girl Scouts has been empowering girls to be leaders and confident young women since 1912. The capital campaign, "Outdoor Odyssey," will help fund the infrastructure Girl Scouts needs to expand their outdoor programming and continue its mission of "building girls of courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place."

"We couldn't be more appreciative of the campaign's lead donor, the John Deere Foundation," said Marie Ziegler, campaign chair. "This generous donation, combined with strong contributions from the Riverboat Development Authority and the Hunt and Diane Harris Family Foundation, shows unyielding support from the community for the work we do to build tomorrow's leaders."

"The John Deere Foundation is delighted to provide a lead gift in support of the Girl Scouts' capital campaign and their mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We're pleased that with our support, the Girl Scouts can continue to provide unique and educational outdoor experiences at Camp Conestoga for girls of all backgrounds." Mara Sovey, president, John Deere Foundation.

"We are also incredibly grateful for the 100 percent giving participation in the campaign by members of our board of directors, the campaign steering committee and our staff," said Diane Nelson, CEO, Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. "By enhancing the current facilities and making the camp accessible to all girls, we ensure every girl has the opportunity to embark on the odyssey to becoming a strong leader."

Because of its proximity to 75 percent of members, the camp in New Liberty was chosen to be the premier residential camp for the council, providing year-round activities and experiences.

To make sure girls start their outdoor journeys with strong, confident steps, the organization will renovate and develop the New Liberty camp in three phases:

• Phase one includes building a new, climate-controlled lodge for year-round use; building adjoining cabins; updating facilities for American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and safety; updating the equestrian area; and providing an entry road, parking lot and accompanying infrastructure
• Phase two includes building cabins and a troop house and updating pavilions and activity areas
• Phase three includes building new activity areas and improving the lake and zip line

For the thousands of girls enrolling in outdoor programs, there aren't enough overnight facilities to meet the demand. And, the New Liberty camp currently does not have the buildings and resources needed to provide year-round programs. With these renovations, any girl or parent can enjoy camp regardless of climate or accessibility.

The council has a total of four camps that serve as starting points for girls to begin their leadership development. The other three camps will continue to be used for day camps, troop activities and council events.

"Girl Scouts has a long, rich history of outdoor programming. Experiences such as zip lining, canoeing and horseback riding are fun, but more than that, they build courage; they build confidence; and they build character," said Nelson. "Through the outdoors, girls are exposed to challenges that require teamwork, problem-solving and decision-making to overcome obstacles and build character."

"We are very thankful for all of the donations we have already received," said Ziegler. "By kicking off the Outdoor Odyssey campaign today, we hope the excitement will continue to build and will motivate others throughout our council to give."

Ziegler encouraged people to consider creative ways to give to the project, stating that people can make cash gifts or pledges, gifts of grain, stock or life insurance, or explore utilizing IRA rollover funds.

For more information, or to make a donation to the Outdoor Odyssey capital campaign, please call 800-798-0833 or visit www.GirlScoutsToday.org.

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Jazzercise Instructor Celebrates 30 years of teaching!

WHAT:  Celebrating 30+ years of Jazzercise in the Quad Cities and Emma Stader's 30^th anniversary as an instructor!

WHEN:  Saturday, April 18, 2015.  Class begins at 8:30am.

WHERE:  Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3775 Middle Road, Bettendorf (up the street from Whitey's)

Cost:  Free! Please bring canned goods for the local food pantry.  Jazzercise wants to give back to the community!

Come dance to songs from the 80's, 90's, and the present.  See how our attire has changed over the years, too. Enjoy snacks and door prizes.

All Jazzercise classes will be cancelled at the Bettendorf and East Moline Centers on April 18.

http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-bettendorf-fitness-center

http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-east-moline-fitness-center