Kelly's Irish Pub sets 10th annual Largest St. Pat's party in Iowa; expects 20,000+ to celebrate over 4 days in 13,000sf heated tent space.

DAVENPORT, IOWA ? Kelly's Irish Pub and Eatery, located at 2222 E. 53rd St., Davenport, IA, since 2004, will host its tenth annual St. Patrick's Day Festival over four days, Friday March 14 through St. Patrick's Day, Monday, March 17, 2014.

As always there is no charge for admittance to the event.

The weekend's festivities kick off Friday at noon, with Irish dancers, and live music in the expanded west tent.

Saturday, doors open at 6:00 a.m. and continue through the day. To accommodate the Skydiving Leprechauns, the Irish Dancers, an ice drink luge, a magician, a spinning shot chair, a juggler, family-friendly games, and 12 hours of live music [lineup below], Kelly's has increased the size of the West Tent for a total of 13,000 square feet of heated tent space. The festivities will also include a Foto Favors photo booth. Over the weekend, Kelly's expects to serve more than 100 kegs of green beer and more than a ton of corned beef. Mississippi River Distilling Company - made locally in LeClaire, Iowa, will be pouring a Kelly's Irish Pub & Eatery Signature Drink, the "Skydiving Leprechaun." Kelly's will also be featuring the Jameson Irish Car Bomb express and a Jameson bar in the west tent, featuring specialty drinks.

Sunday will feature a breakfast/brunch in the side tent, Celtic music with Greenmore, Irish Dancers and acoustic music.

Monday: Preparations and final planning are still ongoing forMonday. Look for more information soon.

In the spirit of community, and to continue a nine year tradition of safe, fun St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Kelly's will be offering a free shuttle service Saturday to make sure people get home safely.

Great food has always been a great tradition at Kelly's and over this year's three-day celebration, the Kelly's team will serve up over two thousand pounds of slow-cooked corned beef, either as a sandwich or as a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner, complete with roasted red potatoes. New for this year's St. Pat's event, will be corned beef nachos in a commemorative helmet.

The event has consistently been growing since its inception in 2005 and Kelly's owner Dan Kelly says he is expecting up to 20,000 attendees this year. "There is no fee for admission, and plenty of nearby parking." Says Kelly, "In addition to an enthusiastic local following, we are seeing folks coming in from the entire region, from as far away as Milwaukee and St. Louis. It's become a regional draw to the Quad Cities."

Event Schedule - Live Entertainment:

FRIDAY
Noon Doors Open
5:00 Mayer School of Irish Dance
6:00 Fickle Filly and the Haymakers
8:45 Superfly Samurai
10:00 Buzzkill 2.0

SATURDAY (Main Tent)
6:00am Doors Open
7:00 Lucy Charms Breakfast Bar
9:00 Irish Spring Soap Giveaway
10:30 Mayer School of Irish Dance
11:45 Acoustic Music - Jim Ryan
1:00 Acoustic Music - Chuck Murphy
1:00 Dean Franzen -Juggler
2:00 Magician Mark Yeager
2:15 QC Rock Academy Student Bands
3:45 Skydiving Leprechauns
4:00 Mayer School of Irish  Dance
5:00 Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls
6:15 North of 40
7:30 Cosmic
9:00 Third Rail
10:45 Dirt Road Rockers
SATURDAY (Side Tent)
4:00 Doug Brundies
More TBA

SUNDAY (Side Tent)
9:30 Doors open
10:00-2:00 Breakfast/Brunch in the Tent
11:00 Greenmore Celtic Band
1:30 Mayer School of Irish Dance
2:30 Greg and Rich - Acoustic Duo

MONDAY (Side Tent)
TBA

Note: Live entertainment start times are an estimate only and subject to change. The Skydiving Leprechauns will not jump if weather conditions are not optimal.

About Kelly's: Opened in 2004, Kelly's has always been proud of its tradition of great food and great service by a friendly staff in a comfortable atmosphere. With a diverse menu ranging from burgers and pub food to salmon and salads, fried items are hand battered and breaded to order, queso dip and soups are made from scratch, in-house. With 12 flat-screen TV's and a 106-inch big screen, this Irish pub is perfect for watching all the sports action in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Like everyone says: "Kelly's IS Patrick's Day!"

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MOLINE, Ill. (February 19, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards have signed forward Chris Greene, the Mallards announced today.

Greene, 28, joins the Mallards from the Southern Professional Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen, to whom he was traded yesterday by the Fayetteville FireAntz of the SPHL.  Greene scored seven goals and totaled 20 points in 35 games with the FireAntz this season.  The 6' 2", 190-pound Massena, New York native has also played three ECHL games- during which he picked up one assist- with the Evansville Icemen this year. 

Now in his eighth professional season, Greene has spent the bulk of his career in the Central Hockey League, having scored 34 goals and registered exactly 100 assists for 134 points in 345 CHL games with the Arizona Sundogs, Wichita Thunder, Corpus Christi IceRays and Denver Cutthroats.  Last season he scored six times and notched 11 points in 49 games with the Cutthroats after scoring a dozen goals and piling up 26 points in 16 games with the Federal Hockey League's 1,000 Islands Privateers at the start of the campaign.

Greene will return to one of his old stomping grounds when the Mallards this weekend embark upon a three game road trip that will include a visit to Wichita to take on the Thunder Saturday night.  Greene spent all or part of four seasons with the Thunder between 2007 and 2012 and reached the President's Cup finals with Wichita in the spring of 2012.  

  

In all, Greene has skated in 464 games for ten clubs in four leagues and produced 69 goals and 216 points since turning pro with the ECHL's Reading Royals in the spring of 2006.  Greene played two seasons in the major junior Ontario Hockey League with the Erie Otters before stepping into the pro ranks.


The Mallards return to action on home ice tonight at 7:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks.  Tonight's game is a Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's.  If the Mallards win this evening, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the Mallards' next Wednesday home game courtesy of T.G.I. Friday's.  After the game fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's in Moline for a postgame party. 

Tickets for tonight's game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

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Davenport, Iowa (February 19, 2014) - Kids and adults alike can explore the world of art through video and glass during the Figge Art Museum's Free Family Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by U.S. Bank, the museum's studios, lobby, galleries and auditorium will be open for exploration.

Families will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on fun that directly relates to Kids Design Glass, Katja Loher: Videoplanet-Orchestra, Roman Glass Works and Landscape: Ingalena Klenell and Beth Lipman all currently on display.

The day's activities will include an interactive installation explaining the history of glass, a special Kids Design Glass contest where children under the age of 12 are invited to draw a picture that could be selected to be turned into a glass sculpture, an opportunity to design a glass magnet, create a sun catcher and take part in a special project inspired by artist Katja Loher where families can produce the word Figge using their bodies to form letters. 

   

The auditorium will feature short films about creating glass art that will be looped throughout the day. Stained glass artist and owner of The Glass Advocate, Eric Van Hese, will demonstrate the art of stained glass making in the lobby and Gallery Quest guides with extra family-friendly facts about each exhibition will be available to all.

In addition, the Quad City Audubon Society will have spotting scopes set up to enjoy eagle watching along the Mississippi River in the Wintergarden. Families may also enjoy $5 burger baskets in the Dining Room until 1:30 p.m.

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.

Bettendorf – The Family Museum will hold a press conference on Saturday, February 22 at 10:00 am

at the Family Museum to introduce the new Honorary Mayor of Fox Hollow, Ethan Geifman, to the Quad Cities. Cake will be served. A proclamation will be read, and Mayor Geifman will be available for questions.

Ethan Geifman (pronounced GEEF-man), is a ten year old youth volunteer at the Family Museum. He has volunteered 50 hours since his start in March of 2013. He works with visitors in the Museum's Special Needs Creative Movement class, interacts with children in the Museum's exhibits, and cleans gallery props to keep the exhibits looking great.

Making Ethan the Honorary Mayor of Fox Hollow was a unanimous decision of the Family Museum staff. "At such a young age, I am so impressed with his volunteerism, his maturity, sense of responsibility, and his respect for the Museum and for people in our community.  Ethan has a great sense of enthusiasm and truly wants to make the world a better place.  He is one-of-a kind, and I'm so glad that he is part of our volunteer team," said Volunteer Coordinator Kristina Bouxsein-Hearn.

   

On Saturday, Ethan will be presented with a proclamation, and his name will be added to the Wall of Honorary Mayors located in the Fox Hollow Post Office. The proclamation will read: "On this day, the 22nd of February, 2014, we hereby recognize Ethan Geifman, a true steward of the Family Museum, as honorary mayor of Fox Hollow. Because of his ongoing dedication to Volunteerism; his efforts keeping Fox Hollow safe and clean for all; his work, undertaken with maturity and positivity and his genuine interest in the inclusion and happiness of all peoples, we thank you, Mr. Mayor."

Fox Hollow is an exhibit in the Family Museum consisting of a town square with a Shoe Store, Post Office, Vet Clinic, Grocery Store, Fire Department, and Pizza Parlor. This hands-on gallery space opened February 15, 2013. For more information on Fox Hollow, please visit our website.

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Rock Island, IL - Rock Island Lubricants (RILCO) has earned recognition as a Partner-level supplier for 2013 in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program. The Partner-level status is Deere & Company's highest supplier rating. The Rock Island-based company was selected for the honor in recognition of its dedication to providing products and service of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. Company employees accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies held on February 18, 2014 at the River Center.

RILCO is a supplier of lubricants & services to John Deere's operations in multiple locations.

Suppliers who participate in the Achieving Excellence program are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, cost management, delivery, technical support and wavelength, which is a measure of responsiveness. John Deere Supply Management created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.

RILCO offers premium products to customers in a variety of industries including transportation, agriculture, construction and industrial. RILCO is an industry leader in providing lubrication products and total product solutions to commercial and industrial customers.RILCO is dedicated to providing our customers the best total value of any supplier, including highest quality products and services to help increase productivity through best
practices and maintenance.
Shares Tips for Those Who Suspect They
May Have a Drinking Problem

College students with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) drink more alcohol than their peers, according to a new study published earlier this year in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

In addition to the problems normally associated with alcohol abuse, the students' heavier drinking also exacerbates their PTSD symptoms, the study found.

"The study doesn't identify what traumas led to the students' stress disorder, but it's safe to assume a good portion of them are survivors of child abuse and/or neglect," says Rayne E. Golay, psychotherapist, child advocate and award-winning author of The Wooden Chair, (www.raynegolay.com), a novel that illustrates the post-traumatic stress in the wake of child abuse and neglect.

Parental alcoholism is often a factor in child abuse and neglect. It's compounded by the risk that as adults, these children model their behavior on their parent - including drinking alcoholically.

Golay, who specializes in addictions counseling, says that in her many years in practice, she saw one common misconception among her alcoholic patients: They all believed that their drinking didn't affect anybody but themselves.

"That's simply not true. In a home with an alcoholic parent, everyone suffers, the most vulnerable being the children," Golay says. "They live in an insecure and unstable home, and because the alcoholic parent's behavior is unpredictable and terrifying, the children learn to be constantly on guard."

Not everyone who drinks alcohol is an alcoholic, Golay is quick to note. And she's not anti-alcohol. However, she urges parents and young adults to seriously evaluate whether alcohol is a problem in their lives, because there are solutions.

Golay offers these suggestions for people who suspect alcohol may play too important a part in their lives:

• Ask yourself the following questions; if you answer "yes" to one, alcohol may be a problem in your life.
Have you had the morning after drink? Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble? Does your drinking cause problems at home? Do you tell yourself you can stop any time you want although you keep getting drink? Have you neglected your duties because of drinking? Has anybody suggested you should stop drinking?

• Try having one drink every day for a month.
"One drink -- that is, 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor -- one drink, no more, no less," Golay says. "If you can do that, you're probably not an alcoholic." She suggests this test because most alcoholics can remain completely abstinent for a length of time, but they're unable to stop after one drink. To an alcoholic, one drink is too much and a million isn't enough.

• If you think alcohol is a problem, a 28-day Minnesota Model treatment program gives good results. Golay mentions Faith Based Treatment (www.SoberRecovery.com), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov) among other options.

The residential Minnesota Model combines detox and counseling built around the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org). Individualized, it includes the patient's family.

"It's effective because it starts with detox from all mood-altering chemicals, which is
imperative for lasting sobriety," Golay says. "It also aims to break down denial. It forces
the patient to take a serious look at the consequences of alcohol in his or her life."
No matter which treatment the individual chooses, aftercare and continued attendance     
at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are of vital importance for lifelong sobriety.

"When the protagonist, Leini, in my book The Wooden Chair, is a young woman, she realizes that she's relying more and more on alcohol to cope with daily life," Golay says.

"Leini also recognizes that the abuse she suffered as a child and her parent's drinking are family patterns passed down to her from her maternal grandmother through her own mother. In my book The Wooden Chair, Leini determines to end this cycle by getting professional help."

About Rayne E. Golay

Rayne E. Golay, (http://www.raynegolay.com/), is a certified drug and alcohol counselor whose work with addicts informs her understanding and insights into the consequences of child abuse. She has a Master's in Psychology and is a lifelong reader and writer. The Wooden Chair, published in 2013 by Untreed Reads, won the Royal Palm Literary Award for mainstream literature in the 2005 Florida Writers Association's competition.  She hopes that this story inspires witnesses to speak up for children whom they suspect are suffering from any form of abuse and/or neglect.

U.S. Green Building Council Ranks Illinois Number One in the Sustainable Building Design Movement

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the U.S. Green Building Council has ranked Illinois number one among all 50 states in the sustainable building design movement. Illinois has more than 29 million square feet of certified green buildings, or 2.29 square feet for every resident. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"Both the public and private sectors in Illinois recognize that long-term investments in 21st century infrastructure should be done in ways that reduce energy consumption and protect the environment," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois is proud to be the nation's green buildings leader, and we are proof that a smaller environmental footprint can help us step toward energy independence."

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) ranking of the Top 10 States for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) highlights the regions around the country that are at the forefront of the movement for sustainable building design, construction and operation. Utilizing less energy and water, LEED-certified spaces save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

"In the face of the extraordinary global challenge of climate change, our national imperative to create resource-efficient and cost-effective green buildings has never been greater," USGBC President, CEO and Founding Chair Rick Fedrizzi said. "Illinois has a strong base of dedicated individuals who are using LEED to transform its built infrastructure into high-performing spaces that promote the health of our planet and the people who use these buildings each and every day."

"Illinois' national ranking is the result of the robust network of businesses committed to sustainability working together with elected officials who understand the benefits of green building," said Brian Imus, executive director of the Chicago-based USGBC Illinois Chapter. "It's great to see passion from so many people making an impact and moving Illinois closer to the goal of everyone living, working and learning in a green and healthy building."

The per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects that were certified throughout 2013. Illinois certified 171 projects representing 29,415,284 square feet of real estate, or 2.29 square feet per resident, in 2013. USGBC calculates the list using per-capita figures as a measure of the human element of green building, allowing for a fair comparison of the level of green building taking place among states with significant differences in population and, accordingly, number of overall buildings.

A few notable projects that certified in Illinois in 2013 include :

·         The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, LEED Gold

·         Choices Mental Health Facility in Ottawa, LEED Platinum

·         300 North LaSalle, a 57-story, 1.3 million-square-foot tower in Chicago developed and managed by USGBC Platinum Member Hines, LEED Platinum

·         The Caterpillar Visitors Center in Peoria, LEED Gold

·         Engine Company 16 in Chicago, LEED Platinum

·         Lincoln Hall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, LEED Platinum

·         Powell Elementary School in Chicago, LEED Gold

·         Lincoln Land Community College Workforce Development Center in Springfield, LEED Silver

The full ranking of the top 10 states includes:

 

Rank

State

Projects certified in 2013

Square feet LEED certified in 2013

Per-capita square footage

1

Illinois

171

29,415,284

2.29

2

Maryland

119

12,696,429

2.20

3

Virginia

160

16,868,693

2.11

4

Massachusetts

101

13,684,430

2.09

5 (tie)

New York

259

37,839,395

1.95

5 (tie)

California

595

72,729,476

1.95

6

Oregon

47

6,991,942

1.83

7

North Carolina

133

17,183,099

1.80

8

Colorado

124

8,894,187

1.77

9

Hawaii

17

2,323,379

1.71

10

Minnesota

51

8,205,155

1.55

*

Washington, D.C.

106

19,524,216

32.45

*Washington, D.C., is not ranked as it is a federal district, not a state.

Collectively, 1,777 commercial and institutional projects became LEED certified within the top 10 states in 2013, representing 226.8 million square feet of real estate. Worldwide, 4,642 projects were certified in 2013, representing 596.8 million square feet.

More than 20,000 projects representing 2.9 billion square feet of space have been LEED-certified worldwide, with another 37,000 projects representing 7.6 billion square feet in the pipeline for certification.

The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Their LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. More than 57,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising 10.5 billion square feet of construction space in 147 countries and territories. In addition, more than 50,000 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system. Learn more at usgbc.org/LEED.

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MOLINE, Ill. (February 18, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards have placed forward Mike Hellyer on 14-day injured reserve and forward Thomas Frazee on seven-day injured reserve while forward Jeff Lee has been named an alternate team captain, the Mallards announced today.

Hellyer has been sidelined by a lower body injury after briefly returning to the lineup for the Mallards' loss Sunday to the Mavericks in Missouri.  Hellyer missed two games before returning to the ice Sunday.  The 27-year old native of Brandon, Manitoba, has scored ten goals and totaled 25 points in 42 games this season after last year being named Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year.

Frazee has been forced out of the line-up by an upper body injury.  The 23-year old North Vancouver product missed Sunday's game after playing in each of the Mallards' first 43 tilts.  Among CHL rookies Frazee is tied for third in goals (13) and points (31) and tied for fourth in assists (18).  Frazee has been moved to IR retroactive to Saturday while Hellyer's move is retroactive to Sunday.

Lee joins captain Darren McMillan and fellow alternate captain Mike Stinziani in wearing a letter for the Mallards.  Jim McKenzie also donned the "A" before being called up to the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild last month.  Lee has enjoyed a strong first season with the Mallards and of late has been the team's hottest forward.  The 25-year old Calgary native leads the Mallards in goals (16) and is tied for the team lead in points (38).  Lee, who last year spent what was his rookie campaign with the Rapid City Rush, has posted a plus/minus rating of +10 while playing in each of the Mallards first 44 games this season.  Lee is in the midst of a six game point scoring streak (3-7-10) and has piled up 17 points (five goals and 12 assists) in his last 12 games.

TROY, NY (02/18/2014)(readMedia)-- About 3,250 students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute were named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2013 semester. The Dean's List recognizes full-time students who maintain grade-point averages of a minimum of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 and have no grades below "C."

Dean's List recipients include :

Vignessh Kumar, of Moline, IL, who studies Biology

Alec Vogel, of Davenport, IA, who studies Biomedical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is the nation's oldest technological research university. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences, information technology, architecture, management, and the humanities and social sciences. Institute programs serve undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals around the world. Rensselaer faculty are known for pre-eminence in research conducted in a wide range of fields, with particular emphasis in biotechnology, nanotechnology, computational science and engineering, and the media arts and technology. The Institute is well known for its success in the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace so that new discoveries and inventions benefit human life, protect the environment, and strengthen economic development.

DAVENPORT, IA -  River Bend Foodbank Executive Director Tom Laughlin recently announced the hiring of Steve Morenz, of Rock Island, IL, as the organization's first Director of Finance and Human Resources.

"The operations of food banks across the country have changed immensely in the more than 30 years since I was hired as the first Executive Director of the River Bend Foodbank," said Laughlin.  "With increased responsibilities in all aspects of our organization, the time was right to hire someone with the skills and background necessary to not only handle accounting and finance responsibilities but also take a lead role in the hiring and support of other future employees.  Steve is that person."

Having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration, Morenz has more than 20 years of experience in the field, first in healthcare and eldercare and then with non-profit organizations.  He was most recently the first Director of Finance for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association, a position he held for six years.

In 2013, the River Bend Foodbank collected, stored and redistributed nearly 8 million pounds of food to more than 300 charities which serve people in need.  These non-profits include food pantries, soup kitchens and those that manage programs that assist and low-income children and elderly.  The Foodbank serves 17 counties in Illinois and 5 in Iowa.

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