Representatives from faith communities on both sides of the river met on Tuesday, January 20, to discuss a response to the picketing announced by Westboro Baptist Church in the Quad-Cities. The response was united:  Ignore them!

"We will not allow them to interrupt the most important thing we do on Sunday, and that is worship God," said Melvin Grimes, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Moline, and current President of the board for Churches United.

Representatives of some of the faith communities being picketed were present or had already communicated their desire that the protesters be ignored.

"Doing nothing, in this case, is a positive response," said Christine Isham, Senior Pastor at Edwards Congregation UCC, Davenport. "We are choosing to put water on a fire instead of fuel it."

"The Quad Cities Association of Evangelicals (QCAE) encourages our members to pray that good would overcome evil, light would overcome darkness, truth would overcome lies, and that love would overcome hate in every part of our community," commented Tom McGovern, president of QCAE.

Rabbi Henry Karp, Temple Immanuel, Davenport, explained that Westboro has two things that fuel their efforts: stirring up attention and the money they receive from suing counter protesters who are not as familiar with the law. He encouraged faith communities and others not to give Westboro the attention they seek.

"We do not want to become them by returning their hate," said Rabbi Karp.

Showing this support for other faith communities makes it clear that this is a peaceful community, noted Imam Saad Baig, Islamic Center of the Quad Cities. "This response makes the strength of our relationships in this community solidly clear."

Instead, local congregations are urged to include special prayers in this weekend's worship services. If community members who are not part of a congregation are looking for a way to respond, they are encouraged to attend a service at a local house of worship in their community.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/15/2015)(readMedia)-- PEORIA, Ill. ? Nine Sustainment Services Flight Airmen with the Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, are scheduled to return home Jan. 17 after a seven-month deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

"We are very proud to welcome home our services personnel who deployed in support of our missions overseas," said Col. William P. Robertson of Peoria, Illinois. "Our services personnel are second to none. They provided top-notch support that exceeded expectations of the command overseas."

The Airmen are members of 182nd Force Support Squadron, a component of the 182nd Mission Support Group.

"I am very proud of each one of them as they continue to raise the bar each time they do the mission," said Robertson. "It's not easy to leave your civilian job and family to answer a call to duty. I am sure they are ready for a break and to get back to their families. My thanks to those families who sacrificed along with their deployed loved ones. We can't do it without their support, the support of their civilian employers and the support of our community."

As part of the Sustainment Services Flight, they provided life-sustaining functions as well as food services, fitness and lodging services for the deployed location. The team coordinated six Armed Forces entertainment and USO events, including 80 distinguished visitor tours for the 700 Airmen assigned to the location. Additionally, they provided lodging operations, which consisted of managing over 850 bed spaces including 100 distinguished visitors and 200 aircrew beds, using 92 percent of the installations capacity.

"This deployment demonstrated the value of the Air National Guard capability to our country and the fact that our members deploy globally serving our nation's call," said Col. Cory K. Reid of Bartonville, Illinois, 182nd Mission Support Group commander. "They performed flawlessly. Now we are able to welcome them safely back home and congratulate them on a job well done."

The 182nd Airlift Wing flies the C-130 aircraft, which is primarily used to transport cargo, personnel and aeromedical evacuees. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the 182nd has deployed more than 4,000 members in support of operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Many of the wing's members have deployed numerous times. The wing has flown more than 17,500 hours in direct support of OEF and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This deployment cycle is one of many in the wing's history of supporting the Global War on Terrorism.

The Airmen will arrive at Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport at approximately 6 p.m. on January 17. This information is approved for release as of that time. For more information, contact the Public Affairs office.

Ballpark to host 500 free flu shots, youth activities, team's annual job fair, national anthem tryouts

DAVENPORT, Iowa (Jan. 20, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits and Genesis Health System are inviting the Quad Cities community to join their team to protect the community from seasonal influenza, and to build a lineup that will make another memorable season for guests at Modern Woodmen Park. Community Day on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 31, will include 500 free vaccinations to protect against seasonal influenza, the River Bandits' annual job fair, and auditions for national anthem singers.

"We hope people who haven't yet gotten a flu shots this year will take this pitch out of the park," said Ken Croken, vice president of marketing and corporate communications, Genesis Health System. "We know it has already been an active flu season locally and nationally, but the only real protection is a flu shot, and it isn't too late to get that protection. And at this event, it will be free.''

The Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities program - which the River Bandits and Main Street Amusements supported as part of a $50,000 donation to the Genesis Health Services Foundation in November - has provided flu shots to about 48,000 Quad Cities adults and children since the fall and protected thousands more indirectly. Nearly 9,000 elementary school children received free flu shots at their schools this fall.

"The River Bandits and Main Street Amusements have been proud to partner with Genesis Health System to make the family-friendly fun of Modern Woodmen Park become a positive and lasting impact for our community with programs such as Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Community Day continues our strong partnership to provide fun, health and wellness to entire Quad Cities region."

The doors will open for all Community Day events at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. All events will be on the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park. Information about each event are listed below.

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

500 free flu shots and Genesis events

Complications from seasonal influenza can be fatal for as many as 30,000 nationally in a single year. The youngest, the oldest and those with chronic conditions are at highest risk for serious complications. Each person who receives seasonal influenza vaccinations is believed to protect five people around them, including higher-risk individuals.

Genesis will also host a throwing clinic to prevent injuries in young baseball and softball players; free blood pressure checks; and a jump analysis for kids.

9:00 a.m. - noon

2015 Modern Woodmen Park Job Fair

The Quad Cities River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering, the food and beverage provider at Modern Woodmen Park, are seeking outgoing, hard-working, fun-loving, friendly people to assist fans and be a part of the team that will help make another memorable season for guests at the ballpark.

The River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering will host a job fair on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon at Modern Woodmen Park to fill the ballpark's game day staff and food and beverage positions. Interested individuals can fill out an application and be interviewed on the suite level during the job fair.

Listed below are the positions that the River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering need filled:

Amusements

• Amusements and kids zone workers (includes work on non-game days)

Box Office & Ticketing

• Box Office Intern

• Box Office Employees

• Ticket Takers

Ballpark Hospitality

• Ushers

• Parking Attendant

Concessions

• Kitchen Staff

• Gameday supervisors

• Warehouse Employees

• Seat Vendors

• Attendants

• Cooks

• Cashiers

• Bartenders

Field/Stadium Maintenance

• Field/Grounds Crew

• Custodial Host (Mornings)

• Custodial Host (Game Ops)

Merchandise

• Retail Store Employees

Promotions

• "Street Team" in-game entertainment staff

Video Production

• Video production interns

The River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering are equal opportunity employers; women, minorities and U.S. veterans are encouraged to apply.

9:00 a.m. - noon

2015 River Bandits National Anthem and Talent Auditions

The River Bandits will hold tryouts on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon for individuals and groups, including National Anthem singers, to perform and entertain fans with their talents prior to home games during the 2015 season.

National Anthem and other pre-game performance tryouts will take place in the Budweiser Champions Club at Modern Woodmen Park. Registration is first come, first served. Talents can range anywhere from singing, dancing, and comedy to miming, juggling or magic.

Everyone participating in the tryouts will perform their talent for a panel of River Bandits staff and local judges. Those talented enough to entertain crowds at River Bandits games this summer will be included in the show during the 2015 season.

9:00 a.m. - noon

Ticket plans, Kids Club and more on sale

Fans may learn about ticket plans and group outings, and purchase or renew ticket packages for the 2015 season. For children ages 14 and under, the River Bandits will offer another one-day special on 2015 Kids Club memberships. Normally $30 per child 14 and under, a membership will be $25 at Modern Woodmen Park on Saturday, Jan. 31. A Kids Club Membership includes a free bleacher ticket good for all River Bandits 2015 regular season home games, a membership card, a T-shirt, a 10 percent discount off purchases in the team store, an email newsletter with exclusive special offers and much more.

UP NEXT: Call today to reserve a Valentine's Day dinner at Modern Woodmen Park for Friday, Feb. 13, or Saturday, Feb. 14. Couples can enjoy a gourmet four-course dinner in a private luxury suite or take in the spectacular views of the ballpark, its Ferris wheel, the Centennial Bridge, Mississippi River and downtown Davenport from a table in the glass-enclosed, climate-controlled Budweiser Champions Club. Reservations are due Monday, Feb. 9, 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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DES MOINES, IA (01/20/2015)(readMedia)-- College-bound Iowa youth active in 4-H and/or FFA livestock projects and current undergraduate students may apply for $179,000 in scholarships available from the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA).

There are 65 scholarships available to freshmen entering any Iowa two or four-year, post-secondary institution this fall, 28 scholarships available to current undergraduates attending Iowa State University and an additional four scholarships available to either incoming freshman or undergraduates. Applicants must major in animal science or a curriculum in agriculture or human sciences that is related to the agriculture industry. The awards include :

• One $10,000 one-year scholarship

• Three $6,250 one-year scholarships

• Two $6,000 one-year scholarships

• Six $5,000 one-year scholarships

• Three $3,000 one-year scholarships

• Two $2,500 one-year scholarships

• Fifteen $2,000 one-year scholarships

• Seven $1,500 one-year scholarships

• Fifty $1,000 one-year scholarships

• Seven $500 one-year scholarships

• One $250 one-year scholarship

Applications and additional information are available by visiting the Sale of Champions section of the Iowa State Fair's website (http://www.iowastatefair.org/competition/sale-of-champions/winners-circle-scholarships) or by calling Harold Hodson at 515/290-8875 or Connie Baker at 515/383-4386. Selection will be based on level of 4-H/FFA involvement in livestock and other agricultural project work, livestock exhibition and/or judging, scholarship, leadership and career plans. Applications for current undergraduate students must be postmarked by April 1, and applications for incoming freshmen must be postmarked by May 1. All materials should be sent to IFAA Winner's Circle Scholarship, c/o SGI, 30805 595th Ave., Cambridge, IA 50046.

Winners will be announced during the 2015 Iowa State Fair annual 4-H/FFA Sale of Champions on Saturday, August 22, an event sponsored by IFAA. The IFAA is a non-profit organization reorganized in 1988. It is comprised of agricultural enthusiasts dedicated to encouraging 4-H and FFA livestock, poultry and agricultural project members to pursue ag-related careers. IFAA scholarship funds come from a percentage of Sale of Champions proceeds as well as Winner's Circle Club donations.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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