04 Jun 2014

PHILLIPS, MOON, BRUNNEMANN NAMED ALL-STARS

By Marco LaNave

River Bandits field staff will lead Western Division All-Stars in West Michigan June 17

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (June 4, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits outfielder Brett Phillips has selected to start the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Game, and infielder Chan-Jong Moon and right-hander Tyler Brunnemann were named reserves for the Western Division in the June 17 game hosted by the West Michigan Whitecaps in Comstock Park, Mich. The entire River Bandits field staff will lead the Western Division team, which was announced Wednesday by the Midwest League.

Phillips, 20, was the youngest position player selected for the Western Division roster. A sixth-round pick by the Houston Astros in the 2012 First-Year Players Draft out of Seminole (Fla.) High School, Phillips is third in the Astros organization and 10th in the Midwest League with a .308 batting average. He is tied for second in the league with seven triples and leads the River Bandits in runs (37), hits (60), and total bases (93). Since April 18, he has hit his first three career home runs. Phillips has 17 multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI games, including a career-high four on May 23 against Cedar Rapids. Phillips was ranked as the Astros' No. 30 prospect before the season by Baseball America, has put together a .372 on-base percentage (OBP) and .477 slugging percentage for a .849 on-base-plus-slugging (OPS).

Moon, 23, was signed by the Houston Astros on Aug. 9, 2009, becoming the second player from the Pacific Rim to ever sign with the club. He was selected to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game in 2013. In a team-high 54 games this season, the Seoul, South Korea, native is 10th in the Astros minor league system with a .297 batting average. He is tied for second in the Midwest League with seven triples and tied for third with 23 stolen bases. Moon also has six doubles, a home run and 19 RBIs. His 24 walks are the second-highest of any current Bandit, helping him to a .376 OBP. He is also slugging .422 for a .798 OPS.

Brunnemann, 22, became just the second player ever drafted from Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) when he was taken by Houston in the 40th round of the June 2013 draft. The Garden Ridge, Texas, native is 0-1 with a 1.73 ERA, the best of anyone that has pitched at least 25 innings for Quad Cities. He had a team-best 17 1/3-inning scoreless streak from April 3 to May 9. In 26 innings over 14 relief appearances, Brunnemann has allowed just 7.27 baserunners per nine innings, good for second among Midwest League relievers. He has held opponents to a .163 batting average, the fifth-lowest of any relief pitcher in the Midwest League.

The trio will be joined at the All-Star Game by Quad Cities manager Omar Lopez, pitching coach Dave Borkowski, hitting coach Joel Chimelis, athletic trainer Michael Rendon and strength coach James McNichol who comprise the Western Division All-Star field staff. Lopez, Borkowski and Chimelis were on the staff that guided the River Bandits to the 2013 Midwest League Championship.

The West Michigan Whitecaps are hosting the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Game Tuesday, June 17, at Fifth Third Ballpark.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park at 6 p.m. Saturday with a Craig Biggio Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Prairie Farms and FOX18 for the first 1,500 fans. Tickets are available at 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.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, followed by a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

*****
04 Jun 2014

Ranger to Lead Family Campfire Program on West Branch Village Green

By Adam Prato

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Join a national park ranger for an evening family campfire program at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site on Saturday, June 14. The program is free and begins at 9:00 p.m. The ranger will discuss how national parks restore and preserve remnants of our nation`s once vast tallgrass prairie.

The campfire program takes place on the village green at the intersection of Parkside Drive and Main Street in historic downtown West Branch.  Visitors and their families are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and toasting sticks and marshmallows.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho


Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

04 Jun 2014

Time is running out to apply for financial aid for 2014-15

By Holly Smith
Black Hawk College students, do you have your financial aid done for the upcoming school year? All financial aid forms and documents for the 2014-15 school year must be completed by Tuesday, July 1. Documents received after July 1 may not be processed on time. For more information, visit www.fafsa.gov or contact the Black Hawk College Financial Aid Office at 309-796-5400 or finaid@bhc.edu or visit www.bhc.edu/financialaid.
04 Jun 2014

Air National Guard Band of the Midwest kicks off summer tour

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/04/2014)(readMedia)-- PEORIA, Ill. - The Air National Guard (ANG) Band of the Midwest is scheduled to kick off a free summer concert series at the Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre at 7 p.m., June 7

.

The 566th Air Force Band based in Peoria, Illinois, will perform jazz, rock and concert music for audiences in Illinois and Wisconsin as part of their community relations tour before a grand finale in Minnesota, July 4.

Audiences can expect a world-class show with exciting and dynamic music, while hearing the story of the ANG and hometown heroes who serve in it, said Maj. Bryan Miller of Naperville, Illinois, commander and trumpet player.

The annual concert series is the result of a year's worth of training and practice, one the band uses to celebrate patriotism with communities across the Midwest.

"I am proud to have my job and to be part of the ANG, so I look forward to being able to showcase that pride each summer on tour," said Senior Airman Sarah Carlson of Brookfield, Illinois, a euphonium and trombone player.

Senior Airman Justin Ahlberg of Galesburg, Illinois, percussion and saxophone player, said it is an opportunity for the band to put on a great performance and entertain the civilian and military communities, while spreading the message of the ANG's and United States Air Force's services.

"These performances are typically outdoor concerts in the park and attract all age groups, including many veterans and their families," said Senior Master Sgt. Greg Koger of Streamwood, Illinois, the band manager and bugler. "Then we send them home with a rousing patriotic music set, ending the show with 'God Bless the USA,' 'The Armed Services Medley,' and of course, John Philip Sousa's 'Stars and Stripes Forever.'"

All are invited to attend the following performances:

June 7 at 7 p.m. - Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre, Peoria, Illinois.

June 28 at 3 p.m. - City Park Summer Fun Fest, Oglesby, Illinois.

June 29 at 6:30 p.m. - Grundy County Courtyard Lawn, Morris, Illinois.

July 2 at 7 p.m. - City Park Band Shell, Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

July 3 at 7 p.m. - Barker's Island Festival Park, Superior, Wisconsin

July 4 at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. - Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, Minnesota.

More information about the ANG Band of the Midwest can be found at www.BandoftheMidwest.ang.af.mil and on Facebook at ANG Band of the Midwest (566th AFB).

For additional information, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil

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04 Jun 2014

Cancer Transitions - Moving Beyond Treatment

By Gilda's Club

A Program of the Cancer Support Community and LIVESTRONG™

Davenport, Iowa (June 2014) - Gilda's Club and UnityPoint Health - Trinity Cancer Center are partnering to offer Cancer Transitions™. Cancer Transitions is a free 2 hour, six-week workshop designed to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care. Expert panelists including an oncology nurse navigator, nutritionist and physical therapist; will discuss exercise tailored to each participant's abilities, training in relaxation and stress management and tips for nutritious eating. Cancer Transitions will answer many of your questions about cancer survivorship post-cancer treatment.

The workshop begins Tuesday, June 24th (meets for 6 weeks) from 1:30p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Two Rivers YMCA Moline, IL

For more details and registration, contact Melissa at (563)-326-7504 or by email at melissa@gildasclubqc.org

04 Jun 2014

A Moveable Museum: Works from the UIMA School Programs Collection

By Natalie Dunlop

Davenport, Iowa (June 4, 2014) - The Figge Art Museum is partnering with the University of Iowa Museum of Art (UIMA) to bring an exciting, interactive exhibition to the Mary Waterman Gildehaus Community Gallery. A Moveable Museum: Works from the UIMA School Programs Collection opens Saturday and is curated by Dale Fisher, curator of education at UIMA, with the assistance of UIMA and Figge staff members.

Since the Iowa flood of 2008, the UIMA has been unable to serve audiences in traditional ways and has used the UIMA School Programs in order to continue education about art. This outreach program impacts thousands of K-12 art, social studies and language arts students across the state of Iowa each year. 

The collection is usually reserved for classrooms throughout the state, but for the first time will be on view as a comprehensive exhibition. A Moveable Museum will give visitors a unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on experience with works from five continents as well as works demonstrating a wide range of media.

Guests are encouraged to interact and familiarize themselves with the art first-hand through handling a selection of works and utilizing the Ipads which will offer a better understanding of what is on display. Docents and museum staff will be in the gallery assisting people with the interactive artwork.

From ceramics and wood carvings to quilts and graphic novels, the wide variety of artwork provides something for everyone.

UIMA Education Partners, made up of private foundations, corporate and individual sponsors, fund the purchase of artworks for this program. The works travel to schools, libraries and other educations settings. Each year teacher input is collected in regards to curricular objectives, which informs what type of new thematic collection will be added next.

A Moveable Museum will be on view through August 3, 2014.

 

Companion Events:

A Moveable Museum Opening Reception & Gallery Talk

Thursday, June 12
5:30 p.m. Reception for A Moveable Museum
7 p.m. Formal Remarks
Free Admission

Dale Fisher is the Curator of Education at the University of Iowa Museum of Art (UIMA). He will speak about the exhibition, including its history and the unique, hands-on opportunities that come with it. 

 

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-end-
04 Jun 2014

A community produced musical is trying to build bridges to end racism, classism and ageism

By Mary McNeil
(Rock Island, IL)  According to the director, Diana Allen, "Bridges:  The Polly Musical" is an adaptation of the made-for-TV Disney movie, Polly.  That movie was a remake of a movie that came out in the 1950's with Hayley Mills called Pollyanna, but it used African Americans.  Allen says it is a story about love and hope in a black community.  It portrays both sides of a community?the black and white cultures?and how to build bridges between them.  The show is this Friday and Saturday, June 6th and 7th at 7:00 pm at the Rock Island High School Auditorium.

Allen says the intent of the program is to encourage people of all ages and color to attend the show and learn how to change a bad situation into a god one.  Allen says there will be 6:45 Pre-Show that will showcase aspiring artists.  Tickets are $10.00 per person....under five is free.

Allen and cast members will be available for interviews and photographs tonight and tomorrow night at 5:15 pm in the auditorium.
04 Jun 2014

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Zukunft to participate in 70th anniversary D-Day events in Normandy

By U.S. Coast Guard HQ Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – When the Allied Forces landed on Normandy Beach, the U.S. Coast Guard took part in the greatest amphibious operation the world had ever seen. On June 6, 1944, the Coast Guard joined the other U.S. military branches and Allied Forces in the operation code-named Overlord. The Coast Guard played an integral part in Operation Neptune, the code name given to Overlord's amphibious assault and naval gunfire support operations.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft is scheduled to join with President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel this week in France for the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Adm. Zukunft assumed the duties of Coast Guard Commandant May 30, 2014.

A fact sheet about the Coast Guard and its participation in D-Day provides units, commands and statistics about the service's actions.

Read about the events of June 6, 1044, in "U.S. Coast Guard at Normandy" by Coast Guard historian Scott Price: http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/h_normandy.asp.

For tweets from Normandy, link to the Commandant's Twitter account: www.twitter.com/admzukunft

The Commandant's Instagram account, www.instagram.com/admzukunft, will feature photos from Adm. Zukunft's trip to Normandy.

For media interested in arranging interviews with Adm. Zukunft while he is in Normandy, please contact Lt. Cmdr. Matt Moorlag at Matthew.J.Moorlag@uscg.mil.

Some facts about the Coast Guard and D-Day:

  • At least 97 Coast Guard cutters and Coast Guard-manned Navy vessels participated in Operation Neptune.
  • More Coast Guard vessels were lost or damaged that day than at any time in its history. Destroyed in action were LCI(L)-85, 91, 92 and 93. The latter three were lost on Omaha Beach while the 85 sank offshore. Their burning wrecks served as navigation markers that day.
  • Fifteen Coast Guardsmen died in the invasion on D-Day. Most were crewmen from the LCIs and landing craft that participated in the Omaha Beach assault. Six of those who were killed in action are buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France.
  • Coast Guardsmen who participated were awarded one Navy Cross, 11 Silver Stars and one British Distinguished Service Cross.

 

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04 Jun 2014

MODERN WOODMEN PARK WILL HOST FATHER'S DAY COOKOUT

By Rick Martin
Families can enjoy a buffet in the Budweiser Champions Club and post-game catch on the field June 15
DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 4, 2014) - Families in the Quad Cities will have a unique way to celebrate Father's Day at Modern Woodmen Park on June 15, when the Quad Cities River Bandits host their third annual Father's Day Cookout in the Budweiser Champions Club and a post-game catch in the outfield for the 1:15 p.m. Family Sunday game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
The all-you-can-eat buffet in the Budweiser Champions Club will take place from 12:15-2:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 15. The fun-filled day at Modern Woodmen Park will also feature the River Bandits' first-ever Budweiser Mega Mini Fridge Giveaway, with nine being given away - one for each inning - as well as other giveaways and enter-to-win prizes for dad to take home. Individuals and families can now purchase ticket packages that include a game ticket and the cookout.
"This fun and affordable package offers families in the Quad Cities a special day to celebrate fathers and give Dad a memorable afternoon featuring a cookout and baseball game," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "This event combines so much of what people in the Quad Cities can enjoy at Modern Woodmen Park - a gorgeous venue, great hospitality, terrific food, and affordable family-friendly entertainment  (along with 9 chances to win a great prize) as we help make Dad feel like a king this Father's Day."
Reservations must be made by Wednesday, June 11, for the package, which includes the cookout and admission to the River Bandits' 1:15 p.m. game. Tickets are $20 for each adult and $10 for each child age 10 and younger. The cookout menu features all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, cookies, lemonade and water, as well as a cash bar. Participants are welcome to enjoy the game from their seats or from the Budweiser Champions Club - a climate-controlled environment with large glass windows that offer spectacular views of the ballpark, downtown Davenport, the Centennial Bridge and the Mississippi River.
"The Father's Day Cookout is another fantastic part of the year-round special events lineup at Modern Woodmen Park," said General Manager Andrew Chesser. "The River Bandits are delighted to welcome families in the Quad Cities region to another memorable Father's Day celebration for the whole community."
As part of another Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100, fans can receive player autographs on the field from 12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Fans can also bring their dogs for Bark in the Park. Following the game, all kids will have the opportunity to run the bases after the game, and there will be the special Father's Day catch in the outfield.
, and returning it to the River Bandits front office or by email to Paul@RiverBandits.com.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park at 6 p.m. Saturday with a Craig Biggio Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Prairie Farms and FOX18 for the first 1,500 fans. 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.
04 Jun 2014

HOLBERTON, GUSTAVE WIN ASTROS' MAY HONORS

By Rick Martin
First career monthly honors awarded to catcher who hit .388, pitcher who won four straight outings
DAVENPORT, Iowa. (June 4, 2014) - Catcher Brian Holberton is the Quad Cities River Bandits Player of the Month for May, and right-handed pitcher Jandel Gustave is the team's Pitcher of the Month, the Houston Astros announced on Tuesday.
The Houston Astros Player Development Department named a Pitcher and Player of the Month at each of their four in-season minor league affiliates. These awards are chosen every month by the field staff of each team. Former River Bandits infielder Carlos Correa and left-handed pitcher Josh Hader took home the honors at Class-A Advanced Lancaster.
Holberton, Houston's ninth-round pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, hit .388 with nine doubles, three home runs, 15 RBIs, a .425 on-base percentage, .638 slugging percentage and 1.063 on-base-plus-slugging (OPS) in 21 May games. The 21-year-old Charlotte, N.C., native hit for the cycle in a 5-for-5, five-RBI performance at Kane County May 18, becoming the first Quad Cities player to do so since 2005. Holberton ranks second in the Midwest League with a .344 batting average (min. 100 plate appearances). For the season, Holberton has smacked 12 doubles and four home runs while driving in 22 runs. He has posted a .391 OBP, .557 SLG and .948 OPS.
Gustave, 21, went 4-0 with a 2.74 ERA in five May outings, allowing seven earned runs in 23 innings with 20 strikeouts. He won four straight outings May 12-28. A product of the Astros Dominican Academy who signed with the Astros in May 2010, the Santo Domingo native has registered a 5-2 record and 3.70 ERA while fanning 40 against 12 walks in his first year with a full-season club. Gustave began the season ranked as the Astros' No. 27 prospect according to Baseball America.
The River Bandits finished 18-13 in May to improve to 29-26 on the season. Each of the Houston Astros full-season minor league affiliates posted a winning record through the season's first two months.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park at 6 p.m. Saturday with a Craig Biggio Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Prairie Farms and FOX18 for the first 1,500 fans. Tickets are available at 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.

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