QUAD-CITIES?Xstream Cleanup, presented by Group O and Riverboat Development Authority, is seeking hundreds of volunteers to clean up about 40 sites in the Quad-Cities area on Saturday, August 9 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is open online at www.xstreamcleanup.org.

Cleanup sites are located in Bettendorf, Buffalo, Davenport, LeClaire and McCausland, Iowa; and Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, Illinois.

Volunteers can choose to participate in light-duty or heavy-duty cleanup, storm-drain marking, or invasive plant removal. Removal of invasive plants is a bigger part of the cleanup this year because these harmful species negatively affect water quality in the Quad-Cities and beyond.

No previous cleanup experience is necessary, and supplies will be provided. A parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under the age of 18.

All volunteers registered by July 23 are guaranteed to receive a free T-shirt.

Xstream Cleanup is made possible by generous support provided by the following: Riverboat Development Authority, Group O, Alcoa, Triumph Community Bank, Iowa American Water, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection and Weighing Service, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Wallace's Garden Center, Sears Seating, MidAmerican Energy, McCarthy Bush Corporation, DHL Global Forwarding, Alter Metal Recycling, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, Mel Foster Co., Midas Auto Systems Experts, Eagle View Group? Sierra Club, Radish Magazine, and Quad City Conservation Alliance.

For more information or to register, visit www.xstreamcleanup.org.

Mount Carroll, IL-- The Magic Owl Children's Theatre at Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) presents an hour-long version of Pinkalicious the Musical, based on the books by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann July 8, 10, 11 and 12 at 2:00 pm. All tickets for Magic Owl shows are only $6.00 and partially sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Each year, these subsidized Magic Owl shows introduce thousands of young people to the joy and magic of live theatre.

The musical tells the tale of Pinkalicious Pinkerton, who can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, and her brother --and some dancing birds and flowers--get involved, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this pink predicament. Pinkalicious the Musical is about learning the power of self-control and the importance of moderation.

The cast includes members of TLP's professional resident company from all over the country including Anastasia Arnold, a recent graduate of Millikin University, in the title role. James Kolditz directs with choreography by Bethany Fay.

Pinkalicious the Musical has additional performances August 5, 7, 8 and 9 at 11:00 a.m. TLP is located at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in rural Mount Carroll, IL. Tickets are $6.00 and are available at the box office, by calling 815-244-2035 or visiting www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. The show is appropriate for all ages. Early reservations are suggested, as many Magic Owl shows sell out.

If you always stop to read the fine print before signing anything, congratulations - your parents trained you well. If you don't, beware: Your signature could commit you to a long-term gym membership you don't really want, an apartment you can't afford or worst of all, paying off someone else's loan you cosigned.

Broadly defined, contracts are mutually binding agreements between two or more parties to do - or not do - something. It could be as simple as buying coffee (you pay $3 and the restaurant agrees to serve you a drinkable beverage), or as complex as signing a 30-year mortgage.

Once a contract is in force it generally cannot be altered unless all parties agree. And, with very few exceptions (e.g., if deception or fraud took place), contracts cannot easily be broken.

Before you enter a contractual agreement, try to anticipate everything that might possibly go wrong. For example:

• After you've leased an apartment you decide you can't afford the rent or don't like the neighborhood.
• Your roommate moves out, leaving you responsible for the rest of the lease.
• You finance a car you can't afford, but when you try to sell, it's worth less than your outstanding loan balance.
• You buy a car and only later notice that the sales agreement includes an extended warranty or other features you didn't verbally authorize.
• You sign a payday loan without fully understanding the terms and end up owing many times the original loan amount.
• You buy something on sale and don't notice the store's "No returns on sale items" policy.
• You click "I agree" to a website's privacy policy and later realize you've given permission to share your personal information.
• You buy a two-year cellphone plan, but after the grace period ends, discover that you have spotty reception and it will costs hundreds of dollars to buy your way out.

Cosigning a loan can be particularly risky. If the other person stops making payments, you're responsible for the full amount, including late fees or collection costs. Not only will your credit rating suffer, but the creditor can use the same collection methods against you as against the primary borrower, including suing you or garnishing your wages.

Still, there may be times you want to cosign a loan to help out a relative or friend. The Federal Trade Commission's handy guide, "Co-signing a Loan," shows precautions to take before entering such agreements (www.consumer.ftc.gov).

A few additional reminders:

• Ensure that everything you were promised verbally appears in writing.
• Make sure all blank spaces are filled in or crossed out before signing any documents -including the tip line on restaurant and hotel bills.
• Don't be afraid to ask to take a contract home for more careful analysis or to get a second opinion. A lawyer or financial advisor can help.
• Don't be pressured into signing anything. If salespeople try that tactic, walk away. (Be particularly wary at timeshare rental meetings.)
• Keep copies of every document you sign. This will be especially important for contested rental deposits, damaged merchandise, insurance claims, extended warranties, etc.
• Take along a "wingman" if you're making an important decision like renting an apartment or buying a car to help ask questions and protect your interests.
• Be wary of "free trial" offers. Read all terms and conditions and pay particular attention to pre-checked boxes in online offers.

Bottom line: Contracts protect both parties. Just make sure you fully understand all details before signing on the dotted line.

Weather permitting, there will be intermittent lane closures in both directions on the Interstate 74 bridge from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday, July 8.

The rain date for this work will b Wednesday, July 9.