Living Lands & Waters has been cleaning up the Mississippi for over 15 years and this year we're expanding our cleanup effort to include sites from LaCrosse through North of St. Louis. We need your help to get the word out to recruit volunteers for our upcoming events in your area. With your help we can keep our Mississippi and its tributaries clean. The following list gives you a timeline of when and where our Barge and our clean-up and educational efforts will be taking place near you.

·         May 3rd through 7th, Paducah, KY

·         May 11^th Red-Wing Lacrosse

·         May 17^th through June 1^st in St. Louis, MO

·         June 4^th through the 8^th in Herculaneum, MO

·         June 11^th through the 15^th in St. Genevieve, MO

·         June 21st through the 22^nd in Chester, IL

·         June 26^th through the 29^th in Cape Girardeau MO

·         June 22^nd through the 23^rd in Clarksville, MO

·         October 28^th and 29^th in Grafton, IL

·         October 31^st through November 2^nd in Alton, IL

·         November 7^th and 8^th in St. Louis MO

·         November 11^th in Bloomsdale, MO

Juicing is hot like the vibrant fashion colors for summer -- lemon, raspberry, orange, lime and tomato. Making delicious fruit and veggie juices is great for your energy, immune system, and workout.  But did you know the juices can also improve the color of your skin?

Many people wonder if they should use a self-tanning cream or slather on copious amounts of sunscreen so they can get a little color in the summer. There's another option you may never have heard about that can give your skin a healthy golden tan the safest way possible.

New research suggests that eating vegetables gives your skin a healthy golden tan color. A study led by Dr. Ian Stephen at the University of Nottingham revealed that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables gives you more of a healthy golden glow than the sun, according to the journal Evolution & Human Behavior.

Instead of heading for the sun, which can irreversibly damage your skin, you can get your tan on by munching on or juicing up vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, and tomatoes. These can do double duty, depending on the ingredients you choose. In my newest book, "The Juice Lady's Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies," I share recipes for veggie combinations that soothe headaches, cleanse the liver, boost endorphins and help heal stomach ulcers, among other ailments. To think you can get all that and a beautiful tanned appearance!

"Our research shows that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is actually more effective" than getting a suntan, Dr. Stephen says.

Most people just don't eat enough brightly colored vegetables and fruit to make a difference in their skin tone or their overall health. But people can juice a wide variety of produce in a short time. It's easy to drink two servings in one 12-ounce glass. Have two glasses of freshly made veggie and fruit juice a day, and you've sipped four servings.  That will make a difference in how you look.

Dr. Stephen and his team found that people who eat more portions of fruits and vegetables per day have an attractive golden skin color thanks to substances called carotenoids. These antioxidants help soak up toxins and damaging compounds produced by the stresses of everyday living, poor food choices, and environmental toxins, and are especially prevalent when the body is combating disease.

"We found that, given the choice between skin color caused by suntan and skin color caused by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoid skin color," Dr. Stephen said.

The study is especially important for single people, because individuals in search of a mate favor those who appear healthy, he says.

"This is something we share with many other species," adds Professor David Perrett, director of Perception Lab, where the study was conducted. "For example, the bright yellow beaks and feathers of many birds can be thought of as adverts showing how healthy a male bird is. What's more, females of these species prefer to mate with brighter, more colorful males."

So, rather than going to a tanning salon before suiting up for summer, why not head to the farmer's market and load up on beautiful veggies and fruit?  Not only will your skin improve ? your body will thank you as well.

About Cherie Calbom, MS, CN

Cherie Calbom, MS, CN is the author of 21 books, including her newest, "The Juice Lady's Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies," and best-sellers "Juicing for Life," with 2 million copies sold. Known as "The Juice Lady" for her work with juicing and health, her juice therapy and cleansing programs have been popular for more than a decade. She holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Bastyr University. She has practiced as a clinical nutritionist at St. Luke Medical Center, Bellevue, Wash., and as a celebrity nutritionist for George Foreman and Richard Simmons. For more information, go to www.juiceladyinfo.com.

Team will treat Quad Cities residents to a free game at Modern Woodmen Park Monday, April 29

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 23, 2013) - In recognition and support of the entire Quad Cities community during the challenging flood along the Mississippi River, the Quad Cities River Bandits will host "Beat the Flood Day", by opening Modern Woodmen Park Monday, April 29, for a free baseball game, when the River Bandits hosts the Great Lakes Loons at 11 a.m.

The flood protection at the ballpark will allow the River Bandits to keep their entire six-game home stand at Modern Woodmen Park, beginning Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. On Monday, when the team is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start, the River Bandits will open the doors of Modern Woodmen Park at 9:30 a.m., and admission is free for all in attendance.

"The Quad Cities community goes through so much to 'Beat the Flood' and the outstanding work by the City of Davenport is the reason the River Bandits can still play baseball at Modern Woodmen Park, so we want to show our appreciation by treating everyone to a free game," said team owner Dave Heller. "As an organization deeply committed to this community, the River Bandits' 'Beat the Flood Day' recognizes and rewards the people of the Quad Cities for their courageous efforts and their unsinkable spirit."

Modern Woodmen Park is flood-protected by walls put in place by the City of Davenport. Fans should check www.riverbandits.com for updates about accessing the ballpark. Parking is available in the Florian Keen parking lot north of the ballpark, which is accessible via Western Avenue.

"With the flood protection of Modern Woodmen Park, the Quad Cities community has ensured baseball will continue, and we are so grateful to be able to play," said River Bandits General Manager Harold Craw. "With 'Beat the Flood Day' on Monday, the River Bandits will share baseball for free with the community that has made it possible."

The River Bandits are scheduled for 7 p.m. home games Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27, and Tuesday, April 30. Sunday's game has a 2 p.m. start time, and Monday's is at 11 a.m. Gates will open 90 minutes before first pitch each day. Further information is available by calling 563-324-3000 or at www.riverbandits.com.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park for a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, April 25, with Manti Te'o Night and a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by Rock 104-9, the Quad Cities' CW, and the River Cities' Reader. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits began the season with a great start, and they sit in second place in the Midwest League's Western Division. Meanwhile, the team's 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

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