Zydeco musician and Grammy winner Terrance Simien will be in the Quad Cities the week of November 4 as part of the MVBS Blues in the Schools artists-in-residence series for the 2013-2014 school year.  This is the first time he has visited our area as an educator, and the Education Committee is excited by his Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco program.   Terrance will be visiting 10 schools and presenting 3 open-to-the-public performances:

·        Wed. Nov. 6, 11:30-12:30 p.m.?CASI, 1034 W. Kimberly, Davenport IA

·        Thurs. Nov. 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m.?River Music Experience, Redstone Room, 2^nd and Main Streets, Davenport IA

·        Fri. Nov. 8, 9:00 p.m.?The Muddy Waters, 1708 State St., Bettendorf IA

Terrance Simien (born September 3, 1965 in Mallet, Louisiana), a zydeco musician, vocalist and songwriter, is an eighth generation Creole from one of the earliest Creole families documented to have settled in St. Landry Parish. He was introduced to music via the piano at home, the Catholic Church choir, and in school band programs where he played trumpet.

While in his teens, he taught himself to play accordion and formed his first band, Terrance Simien & The Mallet Playboys, and began to play the regional zydeco club and church hall circuit.  The early 1980s was a pivotal time in zydeco music history since the pioneers of the genre were aging and the music was in jeopardy of dying off without the critical presence of emerging artists perpetuating the traditions. In 1983 at the young age of 18, Simien began touring professionally and by 20 he was sharing the stage with Fats Domino and Sarah Vaughn at the Berne Jazz Festival. His career exploded after that, and he remains a pivotal part of zydeco music history. Simien was also vital to the "renaissance" of a genre that was becoming extinct with the passing of each pioneer, starting with Clifton Chenier in 1987. By the end of the 1990s, all of the other influential pioneers had departed. This placed Simien at the forefront of an exciting period of growth and popularity for his genre.

Simien and his band have toured internationally, presenting over 7000 live performances in more than 40 countries, and released dozens of solo recordings and collaborations. He has shared studio and stage with Paul Simon, Dr. John, The Meters, Marcia Ball, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer and the roots rockers Los Lobos.

In 2007, Simien helped establish a new Grammy voting category, Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album. His group, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, were the first ensemble to win a Grammy in that same category in 2008.  Simien has appeared on screen and contributed to the soundtracks of multiple movies, television films and commercials. He appears on the soundtrack of the Disney film The Princess and the Frog set in the French Quarter of New Orleans, featuring authentic Louisiana music scored by Randy Newman. It was the first time Disney featured zydeco music in a film, but what really changed the game was when the word "zydeco" was actually spoken in the movie!   Simien has also contributed to the soundtracks of movies such as The Big Easy.

Simien and his business partner/wife, Cynthia, are active in Creole music education and advocacy. They created MusicMatters, Inc., a non-profit for education and advocacy.  They also created the "Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco" performing arts program, which provides informational performances to K-12 students, teachers and parents. Since it was created in 2001, Creole for Kidz has reached nearly 500,000 students, parents and teachers in more than 20 states, Mali, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Paraguay, Canada and Australia.

Creole for Kidz & the History of Zydeco is centered on the evolution of Simien's indigenous zydeco music: the traditional music of the black and mixed race, French speaking Creoles of south Louisiana. He also believes that the term Afro-Creole is very appropriate when referring to Louisiana Creoles.  The performance is accompanied by an 8-page study guide with glossary, available as a PDF download for students and teachers.  In-school exercises include making a frottoir (rubboard) from cardboard.

The MVBS Blues in the Schools artists-in-residence program is made possible by a generous grant from the Riverboat Development Authority.  Thanks to our sponsors The Moline Foundation, River Music Experience, Alcoa, The Lodge, and KALA radio.

On October 17, Millions Will Join the Great Central U.S. Shakeout to "Drop, Cover and Hold On"

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today encouraged every Illinois resident, school and business to participate in a multi-state, international earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m. This will mark the fourth time Illinois has participated in the ShakeOut drills, which are designed to encourage residents to think about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

"The Great ShakeOut is one of the easiest ways to be prepared for a potential disaster," Governor Quinn said. "By investing just two minutes to register and participate in the drill, you'll be better prepared if you ever experience an earthquake. I encourage everyone in Illinois to join with people around the world in the Great ShakeOut."

Participants can register for the drill online at shakeout.org/centralus. More than 490,000 Illinois residents are already registered for the drill.

The ShakeOut drill focuses on the "Drop, Cover and Hold On" protective actions people should take when a quake begins: "Drop" down to the floor, take "Cover" under a sturdy desk or table, and "Hold On" until the shaking stops.

Illinois sits atop two major fault zones, the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone. The most powerful series of earthquakes ever to hit the United States happened in 1811-12 near New Madrid, Missouri.

"The ShakeOut drill raises awareness about the threat of earthquakes in Illinois," said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). "The drill only takes a few minutes, but the lessons learned can save countless lives."

Director Monken noted that the Ready Illinois website (Ready.Illinois.gov) provides tips for emergency planning, such as knowing escape routes and family reunification plans, building an earthquake kit and caring for pets. The site also offers tips on how to prevent injuries during a seismic event, such as by avoiding bookcases, or, if driving, viaducts.

 

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SPRINGFIELD - Building on her efforts to support defense and rural communities, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will lead discussions on how to better serve military families, provide healthy food options in rural communities and assist rural school districts in separate public meetings being held in Springfield on Wednesday.

"I expect many fruitful discussions on important rural and military issues at these meetings," said Simon. "I am looking forward to a productive dialogue on how we can better serve rural and defense communities."

Simon will chair the Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC) meeting on Wednesday morning. Findings and recommendations from defense community listening posts and an online survey will be released. Throughout the summer, Simon's office convened listening posts in Metro East, Quad Cities and North Chicago, all of which are home to military installations and are already struggling with the economic impact of sequestration, federal government shutdown and the possibility of future cuts. An online survey followed in the fall.

The survey and listening posts were administered in partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA). More than 750 participants answered questions pertaining to business opportunities, education, workforce training and quality of life. The IMBSEDC is required by statute to coordinate the state's activities and communications relating to current and former military bases in Illinois, and provides advice and recommendations for base retention, realignment and reuse.

Later in the day, Simon will chair a Governor's Rural Affairs Council (GRAC) meeting. The 25-member council will discuss proposals to encourage healthy eating in rural communities via double value coupons for food stamps, promote small businesses, improve access to emergency services and assist rural school districts.

Established by Governor's executive order, the GRAC is tasked with improving delivery of state services to rural Illinois and expanding opportunities for rural residents to enhance their quality of life. Under Simon's leadership, the GRAC has worked to expand access to locally grown, healthy foods and emergency medical services (EMS) in rural areas, as well as other rural issues.

 

Wednesday, Oct. 16

EVENT: IMBSEDC Meeting

TIME: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

LOCATION:  State House, Room 214, Springfield

EVENT: GRAC Meeting

TIME: 2 - 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Stratton Building, Room 413, 401 S. Spring St., Springfield

 

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Six Soldiers earn Bronze Star Medal

FORT SHERIDAN, IL (10/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 130 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers from the 933rd Military Police Company based in Fort Sheridan, Ill., were recognized for their service in Afghanistan at a Freedom Salute ceremony at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, Oct. 12.

The unit mobilized Aug. 7, 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

"Welcome back 933rd, I'm glad to have you back to recognize all the great work you did in Afghanistan. Be very proud of yourselves for the fine work you did over there," said Brig. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., Assistant Adjutant General-Army. "To the families - thank you for your enduring sacrifice. I know it's very hard to have your loved ones away."

The company worked with Special Forces troops in Afghanistan; therefore, much of its mission is classified. 933rd Soldiers were spread across four remote combat posts in Afghanistan successfully accomplishing missions such as guard operations and prisoner escort.

"I want to thank you all for coming and the support," said Capt. Thomas Gilligan of Bolingbrook, 933rd commander. "The most important part of the National Guard is the bond we have with our families, friends and local community and as you can see with the facilities we have here today and the support we have been given over the year and the various things that got shipped to us that we needed in theater, the support we have as a unit is great and that is because of you guys."

Six Soldiers earned Bronze Star Medals, 76 earned Army Commendation Medals, 42 earned the Army Achievement Medals and 19 Soldiers received Combat Action Badges. Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal included Capt. Thomas Gilligan of Bolingbrook, 1st Lt. Christopher Rothwell of Chicago, 1st Lt. Lorrie Novak of Oak Forrest, Sgt. 1st Class Delval Desavieu of Dolton, Staff Sgt. Bret Thompson of Yorkville. Sgt. 1st Class Joel Mauney of Springfield also earned the Bronze Star Medal, but was not present for the ceremony.

The 933rd also mobilized from February 2003 to July 2004, as one of the first Illinois Army National Guard units to be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard presented each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families also received items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.