Quad Cities/IA-IL: Rebuilding Together Quad Cities, a volunteer based home repair organization, is seeking applications from military veterans who will need assistance with major home repairs this fall.

The organization is currently working with two generous corporate donors on a fall 2014 project that would provide home repairs for local veterans. To qualify for the free assistance, veterans must:
•       Have received an honorable discharge from their branch of the service;
•       Own their own home in either Scott or Rock Island Counties,
•       Meet Rebuilding Together Quad Cities income guidelines, and
•       Show a need for major repairs that would provide a safer home environment or otherwise add to the veteran's quality of life.

Applications are available to owners of standard (stick-built) homes. Mobile homes do not qualify. Repairs should be ones that the veteran or their family are either physically or financially unable to do on their own. Repairs  will be provided at no cost to the selected homeowners.

Applications are available on the group's website at www.rebuildingtogetherquadcities.org. For all other questions, please call 563-322-6534.

The veteran-assistance project is an addition to the group's standard fall workday on Sept. 27, where Rebuilding Together volunteers from local corporations, churches and civic organizations will provide home repairs for elderly, low income and disabled homeowners. Rebuilding Together Quad Cities was founded as Hearts and Hammers in 1990, and, with the help of generous community volunteers and supporters, has completed more than 800 home repairs in the Quad Cities and surrounding area.

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe home for every person.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Outside of his military duties, Capt. Ian Gindes of Urbana, Illinois, with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB) in Machesney Park, Illinois, is a professional concert pianist.

In addition to playing the piano for 28 years and around the country for more than 15 years, Gindes enlisted in the California Army National Guard before transferring to the Illinois Army National Guard in 2004. He commissioned as an officer in 2007 and is the S1, personnel officer for the 33rd BSTB.

"Captain Gindes is passionate about his music, the preparation it takes is not simple," said Maj. William Hotopp of Sandwich, Illinois, executive officer of the HHC, 33rd BSTB and has known Gindes for two years. "The high standard in which a concert pianist is held, takes weeks of preparation. The passion and preparation of his concerts carries into his military duties. The preparation he puts into his performances is valuable to the Illinois Army National Guard because he puts the same effort into his military career."

Gindes had several reasons why he enlisted at age 25.

"My family was in a time of need when I first joined the Guard," said Gindes. "I wanted to make money and give back at the same time. Plus joining the Guard sounded exciting, different and like an adventure."

Born and raised in Visalia, California, Gindes' talent was first noticed by his father, Andrew. Nurturing his son's talent, his father encouraged Gindes to study with Bonnie Farrer, a pianist who coached Gindes through many performances, which attracted hundreds while playing Frederic Chopin's works. Chopin was a pianist of the Romantic era.

"I continued to play after my father recognized my talent at age 7, for multiple reasons," said Gindes. "He used to take me to concerts and watch many different artists. Watching them play was very inspiring. From these experiences, I knew it's what I have always wanted to do."

Gindes grew up listening to his father play classical music, this being one of the reasons he chose the profession.

"Ian came to Illinois to audition for the doctoral position several years ago," said Dr. Ian Hobson, Professor of Music at the University of Illinois and concert pianist who won the Leeds International piano competition in 1981. "[When] We accepted him into the program and he came to study with me, I already knew his affinity for romantic music from his audition. He has a particular flair for that sort of music; I guided him for several years accommodating his National Guard duties. I have heard him since play at highly successful concerts. He is always persuasive with the audience; he has his own personal style. He plays very well and I am looking forward to studying with him again. I am happy for his success."

While Gindes enjoys playing music from all periods and genres, he specializes in American composers and composers of the romantic period through the 20th century whose music contains strong emotional content.

"The strong emotional music is a way to communicate with the audience," said Gindes. "My father used to get on me for not being able to express myself thorough writing, but I can through music. It's a way for me to be honest and connect with others. The connection through strong emotional music helps."

Gindes has performed at events to raise funds for military families and victims affected by terrorism and war.

"It is very important to me, to give back and use my talent for those families for relief," said Gindes. "It is imperative that I have a chance to do that."

Gindes studied with Errol Haun at the University of Northern Colorado where he obtained a Master's of Music in piano performance. Gindes earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), under the guidance of Hobson.

"Studying with different professors pulled together the technical and musical abilities I use today," said Gindes. "Each one of them shaped how I play. These professors knew what would work for an audience and what I needed to practice to get there."

In 2004, Gindes performed at the American Liszt Society Symposium in Champaign, Illinois, for various scholars and musicians. He said this was a substantial move in his career.

"This was the first time I actually started to play with professionals," said Gindes. "I was primarily a student, but started to play among scholars and professional concert pianists."

Later, Gindes competed and won first prize in the 2011 Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, making his Weill Recital Hall debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

"It was a step forward. It gave me the recognition and to say I played there," said Gindes. "It showed how hard I had to work. It was an intense and a wonderful feeling! I was picked out of approximately 400 applicants."

Concerts can be competitive and require constant work. Gindes attributes his military experience in assisting with his civilian career.

"I am resilient and have a lot of courage because of the military," said Gindes. "Selfless service, an Army value, has helped shaped me. I want to continue to give back to this great country, which I have a lot of respect for."

Gindes is scheduled to perform at Steinway Hall in New York City, July 25, as part of the Alexander and Buono Festival.

"I heard all of his performances at UIUC and had many conversations with him. He is a talented pianist and a deeply dedicated and idealistic musician," said Dr. William Heiles, Professor of Music and Chair of the Piano Division at UIUC. "He has a special affinity for romantic music, especially Liszt. I've heard him play the 'Embraceable You' arrangement that he will play at Steinway Hall and I can assure you it will be a treat for the audience!"

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared August 3 through 9, 2014, "National Farmers Market Week". Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate our nation's thousands of farmers markets, farmers who make them possible and the communities that host them.

The declaration was made via an official proclamation signed by Secretary Vilsack. This year marks the 15th Annual National Farmers Market Week recognizing the important role that farmers markets play in the agricultural and food economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began declaring National Farmers Market Week in 2000.

"National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special events to showcase all the tremendous services they provide," said Secretary Vilsack. "Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support family farms, and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms that support them and provide Americans across the country with fresh, healthy food."

In honor of National Farmers Market Week, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo will be at the Dane County Farmers Market located on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 2. The Madison farmers market is the largest producer-only farmers market in the U.S. On August 8, the USDA Farmers Market, located at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC, will host a Healthy Back-To-School Challenge to show kids and their families how to cook simple, healthy, and delicious snacks with seasonal ingredients. Other USDA officials will be at other farmers market locations across the country throughout the week.

Thousands of farmers markets across the country offer consumers fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthful products sold directly from the farm. They also offer additional market opportunities for local producers, especially smaller or newer operations. Farmers markets increasingly offer electronic benefits transfer technology that can be used by recipients of USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - as well as low-income women, infants, and children and seniors participating in the WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs - to get fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Farmers market development is a cornerstone of the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the four pillars of USDA's commitment to rural economic development, along with production agriculture (including expanding export markets and improving research), promoting conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities, and growing the biobased economy.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)

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Within an inning of pitching consecutive shutouts, Quad Cities holds off Lake County for 2-1 win

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 20, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias and left-hander Blaine Sims combined to shut out the Lake County Captains until the ninth inning Sunday, and left fielder Ronnie Mitchell threw out the potential game-tying run at home plate for the final out of a 2-1 win in front of 5,758 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Frias (6-5) gave the River Bandits (14-15 second half, 49-49 overall) their second straight shutout start, as he went five scoreless innings for the third time this season. After a perfect first inning, he began the second inning by allowing consecutive singles to first baseman Nellie Rodriguez and second baseman Paul Hendrix before getting left fielder Dorssys Paulino to ground into a double play. A strikeout  ended the inning, which was only one in which Lake County (15-14, 42-57) put a runner at third base before the ninth inning.

In the third inning, Frias allowed a two-out single by shortstop Ivan Castillo - the last Captains hit until the ninth inning - and a walk to center fielder Clint Frazier. But right fielder Mike Papi flied out to left field in his team's last at-bat with a runner in scoring position until the ninth inning. After a fourth-inning leadoff walk by Rodriguez, Frias retired the last six batters he faced. He allowed three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in his longest start and first win since June 27 in Peoria.

Captains right-hander Jordan Milbrath (3-10) kept the game scoreless through three innings. He stranded the bases loaded in the first inning. In the fourth inning, first baseman Chase McDonald hit a leadoff single to center field, and catcher Brian Holberton singled down the first-base line to move McDonald to third base. After second baseman Marc Wik popped out, designated hitter Jake Rodriguez put down his first Midwest League sacrifice bunt down the first-base line to score McDonald.

In the fifth inning, Milbrath allowed consecutive two-out doubles by third baseman J.D. Davis and Mitchell for a 2-0 River Bandits lead. Milbrath allowed two earned runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. Left-hander Wander Beras followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and right-hander Carlos Melo struck out all three batters in the eighth inning to keep his team's deficit at 2-0.

Following Frias, Sims set down seven batters in a row, before designated hitter Brian Ruiz hit a one-out single in the eighth inning to snap a string of 13 Captains retired in order. But Sims picked Ruiz off first base and got a popout to end the inning.

With a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning, Sims issued one-out walks to Papi and Rodriguez to put the tying runs on base. Hendrix then grounded a ball to shortstop Thomas Lindauer, who threw to Wik for a forceout at second base. Wik's errant throw past first base allowed Papi to score the first run against Quad Cities in 17 2/3 innings, and it put Hendrix at second base as the tying run with two outs. Paulino then grounded a single to left field, and with Hendrix running toward home plate, Mitchell threw a one-hopper to Holberton, who tagged Hendrix to end the game. Sims earned his first save since Aug. 29, 2012, by allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in four innings. Quad Cities has won consecutive games for the first time since a July 6 home doubleheader sweep of Wisconsin.

In Monday's 1 p.m. series finale, Quad Cities seeks the first-ever season series sweep in the fifth year of the all-time series with Lake County. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (4-4) is scheduled to face Captains right-hander Caleb Hamrick (3-5).

UP NEXT: Gates open at 11:30 a.m. on a Markdown Monday presented by 97X, with $2 bleacher and berm tickets, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer. An all-you-can-ride amusements pass will be just $10, and the Businessman Special offers a package of a bleacher seat, bacon cheeseburger, chips and a soda for just $10. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.