23 Jul 2014

Trivia Night at All Saints Episcopal in Moline

By Jared Johnson

Time to put your thinking caps on and join the folks over at All Saints Episcopal Church, at 2420 41st St. in Moline, Illinois, in a trivia night!

On Saturday August 16th they will be hosting a night of fun, featuring Mister Trivia, to raise money for their upcoming mission trip to Belize. There they will be volunteering their time and efforts at Holy Cross Anglican School where they will help in providing education for the poorest residents.

Entry fee for the trivia game is $10 per person, raffle prizes will be available, a 50/50 raffle will be held, and there will be food and beverages available for sale.

Doors open at 6pm and the games begin at 7pm. Reserve your table of 8 today by calling 309-797-2515 and make plans to have a great night while supporting a wonderful cause!
23 Jul 2014

The Holmes Brothers—Saturday, August 16 At the Muddy Waters, Bettendorf

By Rick Martin

The internationally acclaimed Holmes Brothers will make their only Quad-Cities appearance at The Muddy Waters (1708 State Street, Bettendorf IA) on Saturday August 16.  The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and admission is $15.  Advance tickets are on sale at the Muddy Waters for this special show in an intimate venue.

The Holmes Brothers perform "Timeless, deeply soulful and uplifting gospel-drenched blues, street corner doo-wop, ballads, R&B, country and funk" (New York Times).  Their brand of roots music was recognized this year when the National Endowment for the Arts awarded the Holmes Brothers a National Heritage Fellowship in the Folk and Traditional Arts.  The NEA Fellowships recognize the recipients' artistic excellence and support their continuing contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.

The Holmes Brothers - Wendell Holmes (guitarist/pianist/vocalist/songwriter), Sherman Holmes (bassist/ vocalist/songwriter) and brother-in-spirit Popsy Dixon (drummer/vocalist) - are true treasures of American roots music. For 35 years, The Holmes Brothers' joyous and moving blend of blues, gospel, soul, R&B, rock 'n' roll and country has been captivating audiences around the world. Their spine-tingling three-part harmony singing, mixing Wendell's gruff and gravelly vocals with Popsy's soaring falsetto and Sherman's rich baritone, brings the spirit of gospel-inflected deep soul music into every song they perform. Equally gripping is the rhythmic foundation laid down by Sherman's bass playing and Popsy's drumming, perfectly complementing Wendell's blues-soaked guitar solos and church-inspired piano playing. The band expertly blends Saturday night's roadhouse rock and blues with the gospel passion ofSunday morning's church service. Rolling Stone says The Holmes Brothers play "impressive, fervent country soul."  Entertainment Weekly goes farther, declaring "The Holmes Brothers are juke joint vets with a brazenly borderless view of American music...timeless and rapturous."

The band's new Alligator Records album, Brotherhood, was produced by Glenn Patscha (Ollabelle, Marc Cohn), Chris Bruce (Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Seal) and Hector Castillo (Brazilian Girls, David Bowie). It is another stellar chapter in The Holmes Brothers' storied and still-evolving history. It's also their most bluesy album to date, filled with roadhouse wisdom, late-night doo wop, a proto rock 'n' roll punch, soulful R&B and closing with an amazing dose of Sunday morning spirit. Featuring fourteen songs?including eight new Holmes Brothers originals and six carefully-chosen covers?Brotherhood finds The Holmes Brothers at the top of their game, creating timeless roots music.  Brotherhood is a testament to the uplifting musical power that comes from the close-knit, fraternally telepathic relationship of The Holmes Brothers.

The Holmes Brothers have seemingly done it all?from winning multiple Blues Music Awards to sharing stages and recordings with Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Osborne, Willie Nelson, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Al Green, Ben Harper, Lucinda Williams, and Steve Earle. WithBrotherhood, The Holmes Brothers prove yet again they are, as USA Todaysays, "glorious...full of soul and surprises."  "Fervent, inspired and joyful blues, R&B, soul, roadhouse rock and gospel...beautiful harmonies, true magic."-NPR

Since their recording debut on Rounder in 1989, The Holmes Brothers have toured virtually non-stop. They've performed in 50 different countries, including dates across the United States, Canada, throughout Europe, and in Singapore, Japan, Russia, Turkey, South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to their four critically acclaimed Rounder albums, they recorded Jubilation for Peter Gabriel's Real World label in 1992, becoming the first American group to record for the standout world music imprint. 1996 found The Holmes Brothers starring in the independent motion picture Lotto Land, for which they also recorded the soundtrack.

The Holmes Brothers joined Alligator Records in 2001, releasing the Joan Osborne-produced Speaking In Tongues to overwhelming popular and critical acclaim. They followed with 2004's Simple Truths, 2007's State Of Grace and 2010's Feed My Soul (which debuted at #1 on the BillboardBlues Chart), each release earning the band more fans and more accolades. The success of their albums led to multiple appearances on national television, including visits to The Late Show With David Letterman and two trips to Late Night With Conan O'Brien, as well as a rousing performance on CBSSaturday Morning. Profiles and concerts on NPR have put them in front of millions of listeners. They have appeared on Weekend Edition, All Things Considered, A Prairie Home Companion and performed on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert. They played their original song "Opportunity to Cry" with Willie Nelson for the Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws And Angels TV special. The Holmes Brothers continue to tear up the highway, touring across the country and around the world. Greg Kot of The Chicago Tribune said The Holmes Brothers are a "joyous, foot-stomping carnival...a gift to the world of music."

23 Jul 2014

Shannon Beshears Named to the Spring 2014 President's Honor Roll at Oklahoma City University

By Randy Stalsberg

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (07/22/2014)(readMedia)-- Oklahoma City University is proud to announce that Shannon Beshears of Milan, IL has been named to the President's Honor Roll for the spring 2014 semester.

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours during a semester and maintain a GPA of 3.9 or higher to meet the President's Honor Roll requirements.

Founded in 1904, Oklahoma City University is a non-profit, comprehensive, private United Methodist university that is consistently ranked among the best in its category. OCU students pursue academic excellence through a rigorous liberal arts & sciences core curriculum that focuses on their intellectual, moral and spiritual development.

23 Jul 2014

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BLUES SOCIETY PRESENT THE IOWA SOLO/DUO BLUES CHALLENGE

By Kristy Bennett

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents the 2014 Iowa Solo/Duo Blues Challenge Preliminary Round to be held July 27 atThe Muddy Waters, 1708 State St., Bettendorf, IA. Four Solo/Duo groups will compete starting at 4:00 p.m. The cost of admission is $5 for all persons.  

For 21 years, the competition has been sponsored by the Central Iowa Blues Society in cooperation with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society. The contest is open to any Iowa blues groups that has not been nominated for the Blues Music Awards (Handy's).

Competitors are 'Detroit' Larry Davison & Charlie Hayes, Dan Peart, SaJes, and the Zach and Mike Show.  The solo and duo groups will start at 4 PM and perform 20-minute sets.

Two of the group will proceed to the final Iowa competition, held atZimm's Food & Spirits, 3124 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines on August 24, with the final winner earning $250 cash prize, 8 hours recording time courtesy of Junior's Motel in Otho IA, opportunity for paid performances at 2015 Winter Blues Fest and the 2015 Bottoms Up Blues Bash, among others, and entry into and $300 travel expenses for 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN. The prize package, considered one of the best for such a competition, includes cash, travel expenses, and recording time.

 

FOLLOWED BY BRENT JOHNSON AND THE CALL UP

The Muddy Waters presents Texas native Brent Johnson and his band The Call Up on Sunday, July 27 starting at 6:00 p.m. Admission to the show in only $5 per person.

A guitar prodigy from the age of four, South Texas born Brent Johnson always knew where he wanted his playing to take him. Drinking in the very best of Blues, Jazz, Rock, Punk, Country and World Music, by the time his family moved to New Orleans in his teens, he was predestined towards a career in music.

"My sound is rooted in the Blues, though I don't pretend to be a purist, and I don't want to be" he explains, " I write music based on my experiences and the sounds I grew up with... I never want to pretend that I had the same experiences as the old Bluesmen did - so I'm not going to go around trying to sound like them. What I do is put the emphasis on the feeling of the music, the passion, the urgency, the directness - that's the goal".

Brent describes himself as "always a guitarslinger... I always loved songwriters and wrote songs for myself".

23 Jul 2014

Braley Announces Resources for Cedar Rapids Airport

By Kirsten Hartman

Congressman: Resources will allow airport  to continue to grow and thrive     

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will give the Eastern Iowa Airport $6,051,490 to expand and improve their terminal.  

"The Eastern Iowa Airport is a growing part of the Cedar Rapids economy and an essential part of the eastern Iowa community," Braley said. "These resources will ensure that the airport can continue to serve consumers and businesses all over the region."  

The grant will fund the first of four phases to renovate the main terminal lobby in the ticketing, waiting and baggage claim areas to improve passenger circulation and operation. More information can be found at the U.S. Department of Transportation.  

 

 

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23 Jul 2014

Putting Iowa First: Braley Fights for Renewable Fuel Standard

By Sam Lau
Braley working across party lines to stand up for Iowa's economy and protect more than 70,000 Iowa jobs
Des Moines, IA - Iowans know they can trust Bruce Braley to represent their interests as their next U.S. Senator because no matter how much special interest money is spent, or whether he's examining a Republican idea or a Democrat idea, he always puts Iowa first. Nowhere is this more evident than in Braley's strong record of working across party lines to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the more than 70,000 jobs the biofuels industry helps support in Iowa.

That's why he has been a leader in fighting back against the Obama administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since it proposed rolling back the RFS last November, giving an unfair advantage to big oil while undermining Iowa's energy industry.

Braley is joined in his efforts by bipartisan legislators who understand that the RFS not only promotes job growth in Iowa and across the nation, but also bolsters innovation that helps the United States reduce its dependence on foreign oil and achieve greater energy independence. As Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wrote in today's Des Moines Register, "Pure and simple, the RFS is good for America's energy, environmental and economic stability."

Watch Braley speak on the importance of the RFS and his work to protect Iowa jobs here:


23 Jul 2014

USDA Reminds Farmers of 2014 Farm Bill Conservation Compliance Changes

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded producers that changes mandated through the 2014 Farm Bill require them to have on file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026). The Farm Bill relinked highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation compliance with eligibility for premium support paid under the federal crop insurance program.

"It's important that farmers and ranchers taking the right steps to conserve valuable farm and natural resources have completed AD-1026 forms on file at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office," said Vilsack. "This will ensure they remain eligible for crop insurance support."

For farmers to be eligible for premium support on their federal crop insurance, a completed and signed AD-1026 form must be on file with the FSA. Since many FSA and Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) programs have this requirement, most producers should already have an AD-1026 on file. If producers have not filed, they must do so by June 1, 2015.

When a farmer completes the AD-1026, FSA and NRCS staff will outline any additional actions that may be required for compliance with the provisions. The Risk Management Agency, through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), manages the federal crop insurance program that provides the modern farm safety net for American farmers and ranchers.

Since enactment of the 1985 Farm Bill, eligibility for most commodity, disaster, and conservation programs has been linked to compliance with the highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation provisions. The 2014 Farm Bill continues the requirement that producers adhere to conservation compliance guidelines to be eligible for most programs administered by FSA and NRCS. This includes the new price and revenue protection programs, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Livestock Disaster Assistance programs and Marketing Assistance Loans implemented by FSA. It also includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and other conservation programs.

FSA recently released a revised form AD-1026, which is available at USDA Service Centers and online at:www.fsa.usda.gov. USDA will publish a rule later this year that will provide details outlining the connection of conservation compliance with crop insurance premium support. Producers can also contact their local USDA Service Center for information. A listing of service center locations is available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/contact/local/.

Today's announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit: www.usda.gov/farmbill.

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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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23 Jul 2014

Iowa State Fair Sew-In Celebrates Sixth Anniversary

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (07/22/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair invites Fairgoers to join the Fabric and Threads department with the sixth annual State Fair Sew-In plus daily Make It and Take It classes and special programming from master quilter Patrick Lose. "Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Fair set August 7-17.

The State Fair Sew-In offers Fairgoers a chance to try their hand at simple sewing and quilting while providing warm blankets to local children in need. Each day, the Sew-In will be open from Noon to 5 p.m. in the South Hallway of the Varied Industries Building. Every participant will receive a commemorative pin for donating their time. No experience or pre-registration necessary. Volunteer sewing assistants and on-site supervisors will be available to help.

The Fair is also accepting donations of five-inch wide strips (cut with the fabric) and two-yard cuts of fabric in all-cotton, juvenile prints for quilt fronts and backings. To donate or volunteer, contact Sharon Meisenheimer at 515/986-1145or rmeis@aol.com.

In addition, master quilter, and Iowa native, Patrick Lose is back at the Iowa State Fair for a second year. Lose will again be joining the talented Make It and Take It session leaders and teaching about his most popular quilting techniques. His classes will be held August 7-16 and will last approximately two hours. Pre-registration is recommended but not required. All Patrick Lose classes require a $25 materials fee.

Several other Make It and Take It classes will be offered throughout the Fair including hand quilting, cupcake pincushions and beginning sewing. These classes will last one to two hours and require a $10 materials fee. Pre-registration is also recommended.

For a complete list of the Make It and Take It projects and times, view the daily program online at www.iowastatefair.org/daily-events/daily-schedule/.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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22 Jul 2014

#DeeperConf14 is just a few days away

By Sue Voltz
This is an annual conference hosted by Worship Pastor Rod Querry at Calvary Church of the Quad Cities (4700 53rd Street, Moline, IL) and is free, but registration is required.  Special speakers Pastor Tim Bowman, Pastor Kimberly Jones-Pothier, and Pastor Rod Querry will be joined by Guest Worship Leader Antonia Lawrence and Comedian Clayburn Cox Wednesday through Saturday, July 30-August 1, 2014.  Night sessions are from 6:30pm-9:30pm and Saturday's session will be from 9:00am-12:00pm.  The Calvary Café will be open before each session with a limited menu.  For more information and registration, go to www.deeperconf.com.
22 Jul 2014

The Salvation Army Announces STUFF THE BUS in Participation with First Day Project

By Holly Nomura

Quad Cities, USA: The Salvation Army, Wal-Mart and Johannes Bus Service will host the Fourth Annual Stuff the Bus Event at all four Quad Cities area Wal-Marts.

DATE: Saturday, July 26, 2014

TIME: 10am - 5pm

PLACE: All four Quad Cities area Wal-Marts

Shoppers are encouraged to purchase school supplies and bring them to the school bus so that our community's low-income, homeless, or needy children will be prepared on the first day of school. Items needed include backpacks, dry erase markers, loose-leaf paper, spiral notebooks, colored and regular pencils and pencil boxes, pocket folders, pens, crayons, glue sticks, tissues, scissors, erasers, washable markers, watercolor paints and hand sanitizer.

The First Day Project unites Quad City area school supply drives to meet the needs of students who require help in obtaining school supplies. Nearly 20,000 students in Quad City schools are from families with incomes low enough to be eligible for Free & reduced fee waivers for school meals and fees. Some of Quad City area schools have an average as high as 60% of students qualifying for Free & Reduced. The First Day Project will supply thousands of Quad City students with the items they need to start their school year with confidence.

Monetary contributions can also be sent to the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, 852 Middle Road, Suite 100, Bettendorf, Iowa, 52722. Donate Online: Go to www.cfgrb.org and click on "donate now." Donations can be designated to a particular school district if noted on the check.

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