Parents and children of all ages are invited to dance along with "Pete the Cat" at a spring Hug-A-Book early learning event on Monday, April 7, at 6:00 pm, at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

Based on the popular children's books about the groovy blue cat by Eric Litwin and illustrator James Dean, the Pete the Cat series includes Four Groovy Buttons, Rocking In My School Shoes, and Magic Sunglasses. "Meet Pete, the groovy blue cat. He likes movin', groovin' and schoolin.' No matter where he goes, Pete the Cat always keeps his cool!"

The party includes dancing, Pete the Cat stories, a sing-a-long and Pete the Cat crafts, including shoe decorating and making a Pete the Cat puppet. Attendees can also pick up some fun giveaways, including bags and bookmarks, and enter a random drawing for a stuffed Pete the Cat toy. To really get in the Pete the Cat spirit, guests can dress like Pete the Cat. Wear your groovy buttons or cool shoes and join the fun!

This Spring Hug-A-Book event is funded by the Merrill Harris Memorial of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation. Hug-A-Book is an early learning program designed to build a love of books and reading in children. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about upcoming programs for children, teens and adults, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ (7323) or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

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IOWA CITY, IA (03/27/2014)(readMedia)-- Some 4,000 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the Dean's List for the 2013 fall semester.

The list below includes students from your area:

Karly Dankert of Bettendorf, IA

Melissa August of Davenport, IA

Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Tippie College of Business who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded course work during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of I (incomplete) or O (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the Dean's List for that semester.

Undergraduate students in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine may qualify for the Dean's List with fewer than 12 semester hours of graded credit if deemed appropriate by the college.

College of Nursing students participating in clinical courses must have a total of 12 semester hours of earned credit, with eight semester hours of graded credit with a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

MOLINE, Ill. (March 27 2014) - Defenseman Nicholas Rioux has returned to the Quad City Mallards from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League, the Mallards announced today.    

Rioux on Tuesday signed a professional tryout agreement with the Wild for the third time this season and played in Iowa's games against the Charlotte Checkers Tuesday evening and last night.  The 27-year old native of Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec has played a total of eight games for the Wild this year.  Rioux, who has scored five times and posted a plus/minus rating +8 in 55 games with the Mallards this season, ranks eighth among Central Hockey League defensemen in assists (25) and is tied for tenth in points (30).

The Mallards return to action Friday night on the road against the St. Charles Chill.  The Mallards' next home game is their regular season finale Sunday at 4:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks.  Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day at the iWireless Center.  Fans can bring their skates to next Sunday's game and skate with the Mallards after that tilt.  In addition, all fans in attendance will receive a coupon good for a free bag of popcorn at iWireless Center concession stands. 

Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online atticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Orders State Facilities to Keep Lights Off Across State

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today urged Illinois residents and businesses to participate in Earth Hour 2014 by turning off their lights for one hour on Saturday, March 29. He also ordered "lights out" from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. that day at many state facilities, including the James R. Thompson Center, Michael A. Bilandic Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds and other state facilities in Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, Champaign, Carbondale and Marion.

"Turning out our lights for Earth Hour will not only conserve energy, it will shine a light on the need to protect our planet," Governor Quinn said. "We can help preserve our planet for generations to come by being thoughtful about how much power we use. One person can make a difference - especially in addressing climate change."

Launched in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is a global effort to encourage responsible energy practices by turning off non-essential lights for an hour. Hundreds of millions of people from more than 7,000 cities on seven continents went dark for 60 minutes during the 2013 Earth Hour observance. 

By going dark March 29, state of Illinois buildings will join Chicago's John Hancock Center and Willis Tower, plus the cities of Chicago, Edwardsville and Orland Park as Earth Hour participants. Chicago was recently recognized as one of three Earth Hour Capitals, earning a $30,000 grant from World Wildlife Federation to kick-start a residential solar purchase program.

Under Governor Quinn, the Illinois Executive Mansion has become one of nation's greenest governor's residences. It features solar panels, LED lighting, an electric vehicle charging station and on-site composting.

Through the Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council, the state saves energy day-in and day-out. The U.S. Green Building Council has ranked Illinois number one among all 50 states in the sustainable building design movement with more than 29 million square feet of certified green buildings, or 2.29 square feet for every Illinois resident. Sustainable building designs utilize less energy and water, which save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

To learn more about Earth Hour, visit www.worldwildlife.org. For more on Illinois' other environmental initiatives, visit Green.Illinois.gov.

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