04 Mar 2014

Money-Saving Tips for Seniors

By Steve Burke

By Jason Alderman

We all love a good bargain, no matter what our age. But if you're a senior citizen on a fixed income, finding discounted goods and services can mean the difference between making ends meet and going without.

The good news is that tons of senior discounts are available - often for people as young as 50. One caveat right up front: Although many senior discounts are substantial, you sometimes can find better bargains - especially on travel-related expenses like airfare, hotels and rental cars. So always do your research first before requesting the senior rate.

Here's a roundup of some of the best senior discounts I've found:

An AARP membership costs only $16 a year for anyone over age 50, including free membership for spouses or partners (www.aarp.org). AARP's discounts website features discounts on dozens of products and services including rental cars, hotels, restaurants, clothing and department store chains. AARP also offers an inexpensive driver safety course for drivers over 50 (members and nonmembers alike) that can lower auto insurance premiums by up to 10 percent or more.

Popular AARP discounts include :

  • 20 percent discount on installation or upgrades to ADT home security systems.
  • 45 percent off membership to Angie's List.
  • 20 percent off purchases from 1-800-FLOWERS.com.
  • Up to 25 percent off car rentals from Avis and Budget.
  • Up to 20 percent discount at many hotel chains including Hyatt, Hilton, Wyndham, Best Western, Days Inn and Ramada, among others.
  • 10 to 20 percent off at many restaurant chains, including Claim Jumper, Denny's and Outback Steakhouse.
  • 15 percent off many Geek Squad services from Best Buy.
  • A free 45-minute consultation with an Allstate Legal Services Network attorney, as well as 20 percent off member attorneys' fees.

A quick Google search will uncover numerous other senior discount resources. One popular site is SeniorDiscounts.com, an online directory of more than 220,000 U.S. business locations that offer discounts to people over 50. Registration is free, although they also offer a $12.95/year premium that offers members-only discounts and other perks. Other good sites include Brad's Deals, Sciddy.com and Savvy Senior.

Other commonly available senior discounts include :

  • A 15 percent discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains for travelers over age 62.
  • Greyhound offers a 5 percent discount on unrestricted fares (over 62).
  • Southwest Airlines offers senior fares (over 65). Although not necessarily their lowest available rates, Southwest's senior fares are fully refundable.
  • The U.S. Geologic Survey senior pass (over 62) provides free lifetime access to more than 2,000 government-managed recreational sites (including national parks), as well as discounts on camping and other amenities. Senior passes cost $10 in person or $20 by mail (http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html).
  • Verizon Wireless offers discounted mobile phone service for subscribers over 65.
  • Both Walgreens and Rite Aid offer monthly senior discount days for members of their rewards programs when most non-prescription items are 15 to 20 percent off. Ask your neighborhood pharmacy if they offer similar programs.

In addition, many restaurants, department stores, movie theaters, museums, theme parks, banks, credit card issuers, utilities (including gas and electric, water, garbage, telephone and cable) and other businesses offer special discounts or promotions for seniors. Always ask before your purchase is rung up.

Bottom line: Abundant resources are available to help seniors save money on purchases large and small. You just have to do a little research - and ask whether senior discounts are available. Remember, 10 percent here and 20 percent there can really add up.

04 Mar 2014

Skillet and Third Day - new show time, new seats available!

By New Anthem

SKILLET and THIRD DAY

With Special Guests: PETER FURLER, BRANDON HEATH, MANDISA, & WE AS HUMAN

6:30 pm PM Sunday, March 9

iWireless Center, 1201 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265

Skillet was formed in Memphis in 1996 and is led by husband and wife John and Korey Cooper. The band won rock song of the year from the Gospel Music Association, or GMA, in 2008 (for "Comatose") and this year (for "Sick of It").

Third Day was formed in Georgia and has won eight awards from the GMA. Its 11th studio album, "Miracle," was released in November 2012.

Tickets are On Sale Now!

Tickets are available at these locations:
iWireless Center Box Office
All Ticketmaster Outlets
Online: Ticketmaster.com
Phone: 800-745-3000

VIP Seating, Lower Bowl and Main Floor seating available.

Group Offer: Buy 12 or more at one time, get 2 FREE tickets! For more information, contact: (309) 277-1356

Box Office information:(309) 764-2000. TDD line for hearing impaired only (309) 764-2054. Group orders: (309) 277-1356.

Box Office hours:Monday through Friday - 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Day of the event - 10:00 AM to showtime

Types of Payment Accepted: The Box Office accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, and cash.

Will Call: Tickets can be picked up no earlier that three hours before the event. Patron must have a photo ID, the actual credit card, and confirmation number.

Website: iWirelesscenter.com

Children Rules: All children having attained their 3rd birthday must have a ticket. Some events require children younger than 3 to have a ticket.

General Rules: Cameras and recording devices are not allowed in the facility. Also prohibited are firearms, expolsives, weapons and laser pointers. All bags will be visually inspected and guests may be subject to a body search.

Show times:
Doors: 6:00pm
Show: 6:30pm

Please note: This is a change from earlier posted show times of 7:00 pm.

Click Here for More Info & Buy Tickets:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/third-day-skillet-moline-illinois-03-09-2014/event/06004B8BF38BCBB2?artistid=1110729&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

Skillet and Third Day is presented by Food for the Hungry and is brought to us by Awakening Events.

New Anthem is a 501c3 Christian non profit organization that by 2013 has brought or helped to bring 750 Christian and charity events to the region.

04 Mar 2014

March 7th Buffalo Bill Museum Grand Opening Celebration & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

By The Buzz Gallery of modern Art
Open House from 4-7pm, welcoming the public to the expanded facility; 5pm will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce.  Come see what so many generous donations have made possible at this volunteer-operated museum.   Free admission, and light refreshments celebrating over 57 years of service to the community.  Organizers hope you will spend the remainder of the evening enjoying "First Friday" in LeClaire!
For more information:  Robert Schiffke, Executive Director:   563-289-5580 (9-4pm, Mon.-Fri.; 12noon - 4pm, Sun.)
04 Mar 2014

Trivia Night in LeClaire

By Jared Johnson

March 15th Monthly Trivia Night in LeClaire at the Civic Center. Doors open at 6:30pm, $10 per person. Corned Beef Dinner available for purchase ($7), including "to go". . . . Benefits LeClaire Civic Club. Win a Civic Center rental, and other prizes! For table reservations: Vicky at: 563-639-46211 or email kettlepopper@gmail.com

04 Mar 2014

April 5 Trivia Night Benefits Rebuilding Together Quad Cities

By Jared Johnson

Rebuilding Together Hosts April 5 Trivia Night

Quad Cities, IA/IL: Rebuilding Together Quad Cities, a volunteer-based home rehabilitation group, will host an April 5 trivia night to help support its work. The group provides free repairs for elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners who are physically or financially unable to do the work themselves.

The trivia night is Saturday, April 5 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1111 W. 35th Street, Davenport, Iowa. Doors open at 6:30 pm. with the trivia game starting at 7:00 pm. Cost to play is $10 per player. Mulligan and doubler stickers will be sold, along with chances to bid on extra assistance from a "rent a geek" in the latter rounds of play. The event also features a silent auction and raffle prizes.

Players may bring snacks for their tables, but no carry-in drinks are allowed. A cash bar is available.

To reserve a table of up to eight players, please call 563-322-6534 or email trivia@rebuildingtogetherquadcities.org. The group will also take reservations via its Facebook page at RebuildingTogetherQuadCities

Rebuilding Together Quad Cities' next scheduled workday is April 26. For more details, please contact executive director Rod Jennings at 563-322-6534.
04 Mar 2014

ROLLHEISER, BEAST HOLD OFF MALLARDS 2-1 IN FRONT OF 5,542

By Brian Lavelle
MOLINE, Ill. (February 28, 2014) - Brett Smith and Tylor Michel both scored first period goals and Grant Rollheiser made 31 saves as the Brampton Beast defeated the host Quad City Mallards 2-1 Friday night before a crowd of 5,542 fans.  With the win, the Beast (28-21-5, 61 points) moved past the Mallards (26-16-8, 60 points) into fifth place in the Central Hockey League.

Smith's breakaway goal gave the Beast a 1-0 lead 7:09 into the game.  Michel's tip-in doubled the Brampton advantage at 13:31 of the first.

Rollheiser kept the Mallards off the scoreboard until Chris Greene scored from the doorstep to finally bring Quad City within one with 2:51 left in the third period.  The Mallards, however, would come up short in their bid for a late equalizer even after pulling goaltender Thomas Heemskerk for an extra attacker.

Forward Thomas Frazee returned to action for the Mallards tonight after being activated from injured reserve earlier in the day.  Frazee missed the Mallards' prior six games while on IR.

The Mallards host the Beast again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.  Duck Dynasty's Mountain Man will drop the puck for a ceremonial faceoff before tomorrow evening's game and will meet fans and sign autographs during that contest.

Tickets for tomorrow night's game and all Mallards regular season home tilts 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.

04 Mar 2014

Lt. Governor Simon honors teens working to end teen dating violence

By Annie Thompson

MOLINE - Feb. 28, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon was today joined by representatives of Verizon and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) to name four Moline High School students the first place winners of the "NO MORE Dating Abuse" video challenge. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

"It is important that young people can recognize signs of an unhealthy relationship and know how to get out," said Simon, a former prosecutor who founded Virtual Legal Clinics to aid abuse survivors in underserved areas of the state. "These students produced strong messages to help their peers identify the signs of unhealthy relationships and showed that it's never too late to seek help or speak up when you see a friend in trouble."

Now in its second year, this challenge is the first of its kind in Illinois and is coordinated by the ICADV and the Lt. Governor's office, and sponsored by Verizon. Last September, all high schools throughout the state were encouraged to invite their students to submit a video that called for the end of teen dating violence and promoted healthy relationships. Moline High School received $1,000 for submitting the winning entries, and students on the winning team received iPads.

"Two primary components are highlighted by this project: the public and private partnerships with Verizon and the Lt. Governor's Office, and the enthusiasm and engagement of the youth all working together to help end domestic violence in Illinois," said ICADV Chief Executive Officer Vickie Smith.

"The unique perspective that teens bring to these videos is so important in helping to increase their understanding, awareness and communication on the topic of healthy relationships and domestic violence," said Verizon Wireless Region President Brian Pascoe. "We are proud of their work and appreciate the opportunity to support this program with the Lt. Governor."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), almost 10 percent of high school students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend. About one in five women and nearly one in seven men who have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age, the CDCP reports.

The winning videographers at Moline High School are: Gabrielle Pinc, Travis Meier, Elane Edwards and J.J. Schrick. Their nearly one-minute video shows teens how to identify the signs of an unhealthy relationship, how victims can get help, and urges teens to support healthy relationships. The second and third place teams are from South Elgin High School Beacon Academy and Eastland Junior/Senior High School in Lanark, IL, respectively. To view the top three winning videos, please visit www.ilcadv.org.

###
04 Mar 2014

Civil Air Patrol inducts Senator Harkin into Hall of Honor

By Steve Cox

WASHINGTON - Longtime U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is the newest member of Civil Air Patrol's Hall of Honor.

Harkin - a former Navy fighter pilot who commands CAP's Congressional Squadron - became the 34th person inducted into the Hall of Honor during a congressional reception Thursday in the Senate's Russell Office Building. In addition to members of Congress, CAP's 52 wing commanders, visiting Capitol Hill for CAP's annual Legislative Day, attended the induction ceremony.

"This is Civil Air Patrol's highest honor, our way of thanking Senator Harkin for his 30 years of CAP service," said National Commander Maj. Gen. Chuck Carr. "He has been a staunch supporter of CAP's missions for America."

Soon after joining Civil Air Patrol in 1984, Harkin worked on the first full appropriations bill for CAP and has touted CAP's volunteer missions and programs to his Senate and House colleagues ever since. To do this he often reached across the aisle to work with his Republican colleagues on CAP issues and missions vital to the nation and thousands of communities. He has also repeatedly promoted the cost effectiveness of CAP with government agencies such as the Air Force and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Harkin has been a rated CAP mission pilot and flown a number of training and actual missions, including counterdrug flights off the southern tip of Florida. He also has served as an adviser to CAP's national commanders, providing valuable insight on how CAP can best address some of its budget and operational challenges. Most recently, he introduced Congressional Gold Medal legislation honoring the unusual service of CAP's founding members during World War II, which quickly passed the Senate under unanimous consent and with 83 co-sponsors. A similar bill is awaiting a final vote in the House.

As the newest CAP Hall of Honor inductee, Harkin joins CAP's most prestigious body. Previous inductees have included Gill Robb Wilson, who served as the first director of Civil Air Patrol, and World War II-era Gen. Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz, the first chief of staff of the Air Force.

Harkin is only the second member of Congress in the Hall of Honor, joining former New York Congressman and fellow CAP Col. Lester Wolff, who was inducted in 1985.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 60,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 71lives annually. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 72 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

04 Mar 2014

Simon designates Silvis as Illinois Main Street community

By Annie Thompson

Diverse community celebrates heritage, proud history of service

SILVIS - Feb. 28, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon was joined today by state and local officials to name the Village of Silvis as the newest Illinois Main Street community. Silvis becomes the 41st community to hold the Illinois Main Street designation.

"Silvis got its start as the hub of the Rock Island Lines, and continues to be a community on the move," said Simon, the Illinois Main Street Ambassador. "Today Silvis is a vibrant, welcoming city that celebrates its history and diversity."

Today's designation comes after years of economic and population growth in Silvis, a 2012 recipient of the Governor's Hometown Award. Now home to more than 7,000 residents, one of the city's main destinations is Hero Street, U.S.A. The street was renamed in 1968 to honor 57 service members from 33 families who served their country between 1941 and 1968. Six of those died serving during World War II and two during the Korean War. By 1989, over 110 men and women from the block-and-a-half Hero Street, U.S.A. had served in a branch of the United States Military.

"We are very excited to be named the newest Illinois Main Street community and to be able to showcase our many hometown friendly amenities," said Silvis Main Street, Inc. President Dave Emerick. "To be associated with the other municipalities who have earned this special designation is a real honor for the many individuals who have worked so hard to arrive at this day of achievement."

Thousands of visitors head to Silvis each year for events including the John Deere Golf Classic, yearly Mexican Fiesta and the annual Moonlight Parade. Each summer the pro golf event and the only lighted parade for hundreds of miles bring tens of thousands of tourists to the area.

Lt. Governor Simon serves as the ambassador of the Illinois Main Street Program. Over the past 20 years, Illinois Main Street communities have created 9,300 jobs, opened over 1,200 new businesses, and represent public and private investment of over $750 million. In Illinois, 41 communities hold the Illinois Main Street designation.

###
04 Mar 2014

Grassley: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Selects Marion Student

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that John Mark Gorman of Marion has received an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Great Neck, N.Y., for the 2014-2015 school year.

Gorman is the son of Cathy and Joseph Gorman.  He will graduate in May from Marion High School.  Gorman is a member of National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Council on Youth Leadership and is an Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America.  He lettered in basketball and football, as well as served as captain of the football team.  Gorman's hobbies also include fishing, camping and archery.

"Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor," Grassley said.  "Students work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity.  I wish John well and thank him for his commitment to serve our nation."

Gorman was among the 55 Iowans Grassley nominated this year for appointments to the U.S. service academies.  Information about seeking nominations can be found on Grassley's website.

For more than 200 years, these academies have educated and trained individuals to lead and command the U.S. armed forces.

-30-

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar