15 Apr 2013

Mother's Day Weekend! Chonda Pierce returns to Davenport!

By Adler Theatre

Chonda Pierce

"Girl Talk"

7:00 p.m. May 9

Adler Theater
136 East Third Street
Davenport, Iowa

With special guest: Geoff Moore

A Mother's Day Weekend to Remember!

Chonda Pierce, The Queen of Clean Comedy is hitting the road to bring you her cheerful unpretentious Southern charm, a healthy dose of laughter and a whole bag of new tricks you won't want to miss.

Girl Talk with Chonda Pierce and special guest Geoff Moore is an unscripted and fun-filled take on a talk show atmosphere.

Tickets are on sale now!
* Tickets are $22 & $27
* Groups of 10+ are $19 (price level 2 ticket area only)
* Call (563) 326-8522 or email the Box Office at boxoffice@riverctr.com to arrange group seating.

Tickets available here:
* Adler Theatre Box Office
* Online at Ticketmaster here: Get Tickets
* Charge by phone at 800-745-3000
* and at all Ticketmaster outlets

Adler Theatre Box Office:
136 East Third Street
Davenport, Iowa 52801
Phone 563-326-8555
The Adler Theatre Box Office operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Box Office is closed on weekends and evenings, unless it is an event day where hours will vary.

Internet Purchasing: Online at Ticketmaster here: Get Tickets

Charge By Phone: call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000

Ticketmaster Outlets:
· Bettendorf, IA: HY-Vee, 2900 Devils Glenn Rd.
· Davenport, IA: HY-Vee, 2200 West Kimberly Rd.
· Davenport, IA: Walmart, 3101 West Kimberly Rd.
· Davenport, IA: Walmart, 5811 Elmore Ave.
· Moline, IL: Walmart, 3930 - 44th Avenue Dr.
· Silvis, IL: HY-Vee, 2001 5th St.

Event website and information: Adler Events

15 Apr 2013

Jordan Spring Open House

By Janine Parr
On Wednesday April 24th from 4:00 - 6:30 P.M. Jordan Catholic School will hold a Spring Open House. Come see all that Jordan has to offer your family. Take a tour of our school, meet the administrative staff and teachers, view preschool - 8th grade classrooms, science, engineering, and computer labs, library, and fine arts classrooms. You can also learn about Jordan's faith formation, curriculum and enrichment, special education and speech services, and athletic programs.

Jordan Catholic is recognized for its outstanding academic programs, cultural diversity, and safe, friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. Jordan Catholic School is the FIRST choice of families seeking an outstanding core academic program, lab-based science and technology, dynamic middle school enrichment, a comprehensive & secure campus, and inspiring teachers.
15 Apr 2013

Governor Quinn Encourages Support for Illinois Military Family Relief Fund

By Ryan C. Woods

Voluntary Tax Check-Off has Helped Program Support More Than 27,000 Military Families with Nearly $15 Million; Served as a Model for Other States

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today marked the 10-year anniversary of the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund (IMFRF) by encouraging everyone in Illinois to take advantage of the voluntary tax check-off that helps military families who are struggling financially during deployment. The initiative is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make Illinois the most Veterans-friendly state in the nation and ensure servicemembers have the support they need when they return home. Spearheaded in 2003 by then- Lieutenant Governor Quinn, the program has helped more than 27,000 Illinois military families with nearly $15 million in grants.

"Our servicemembers and their families sacrifice so much every day, and this easy tax check-off is a convenient way to help military families in need," Governor Quinn said. "Please take minute when doing you taxes this year to check-off a few dollars on the state income tax form to help our heroes."

As Lieutenant Governor, Governor Quinn spearheaded the initiative to create the IMFRF after several military spouses - such as Mary Beth Beiersdorf of Arlington Heights and Brenda Robinzine of Oak Park -contacted him in 2001 with the idea of setting up a mechanism to aid military families with such expenses as groceries, rent or utility bills. Quinn then led a grassroots effort which featured the passage of resolutions by cities and counties for two years, after which lawmakers voted to make IMFR the law of the land.

The IMFRF has served as a national model, with more than 35 other states having since passed similar ways for taxpayers to voluntarily help those who have borne the battle. Governor Quinn was joined at today's event by Sgt. Jason Hoster - an Illinois Army National Guardsman from Chicago and recent IMFRF beneficiary. Sgt. Hoster shared his story of how the fund helped his family after two deployments in Afghanistan and Kuwait. Just before his latest deployment, his father began chemotherapy for lung cancer which had spread to his blood. Hoster received two $500 payments from the IMFRF which he used to help make his father more comfortable.

"Sergeant Hoster is a good example of an Illinois Guardsman who truly deserves and appreciates the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund," Brigadier General Richard J. Hayes, Jr., Director of the Joint Staff of the Illinois National Guard said. "His story is just one of many within the Illinois National Guard the past 10 years. Thanks to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, our Soldiers and Airmen can have an easier transition home from deployment, as they can focus more on their families and less on finances."

Donations to the fund can also be made by visiting OperationHomefront.org. Checks can be made payable to the Illinois Military Family Relief and mailed to: The Illinois Department of Military Affairs, ATTN: IMFRF, 1301 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399.

Governor Quinn today also noted that April is the "Month of the Military Child," and recognized Illinois' third year as a member of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3), which helps children affected by frequent moves and deployments by aiding timely enrollment, transfer or records and student placement. He also recognized the Illinois National Guard Youth Program, which in 2012 directly supported 2,360 military children, including dozens of events helping children of deploying troops and assisting in the transition of military members back to their families after deployment. The Youth Program also assisted 68 Gold Star children of fallen servicemembers by distributing Grief Packets and providing access to professional counseling.

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15 Apr 2013

Lt. Governor Simon announces transparency initiative

By Kara Beach

As tax filing deadline nears, Simon introduces taxpayer receipt

CHICAGO - April 14, 2013. As Illinois residents prepare to meet Monday's deadline to file their taxes, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is calling for more transparency on how income tax dollars are spent. Simon wants taxpayers who file online to receive an itemized receipt that illustrates where their money goes and how it fits into the state's multi-billion budget.

"When you buy groceries, you automatically receive a receipt outlining how your money was spent," Simon said. "Taxpayers deserve the same clear information on how the state spends their money on education, prisons and pensions."

Simon's office is working with the Department of Revenue and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) to design a taxpayer receipt, which will be introduced before the start of the next tax filing season in January. The taxpayer receipt will be available to the roughly 500,000 residents who file online for free, and a webpage will be available to those who file by other means.

"This new feature will give taxpayers a better understanding of how Illinois spends tax dollars on schools, public safety and the services they and their neighbors rely on," said Assistant Budget Director Abdon Pallasch.

Simon will also work with Revenue and GOMB to ensure that the receipt is created and made available annually. This transparency initiative comes at no cost to the taxpayer.

Simon's office offered a sample receipt for a taxpayer who pays $1,000 in income taxes to the state.

The illustration should help taxpayers understand the state's growing pension obligations and the strain that places on other areas such as Medicaid and the state's backlog of unpaid bills, Simon said. It also reflects the state's move toward "Budgeting for Results," a budget system that aligns spending with how effectively a service or program achieves its objectives - rather than spending being based on historical funding.

A similar taxpayer receipt has been proposed at the federal level by Congressman Mike Quigley, and the White House has operated a taxpayer calculator as shown here.

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15 Apr 2013

BANDITS BATS COME ALIVE IN FIRST HOME WIN

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities and Peoria exchange lead four times in second meeting

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 13, 2013) - For the first time during the 2013 campaign, the River Bandits were beat to the scoreboard by an opponent, but they were able to secure an 8-6 victory over the Peoria Chiefs for their first home win of the season on Saturday night in front of 1,391 at Modern Woodmen Park.

The Chiefs (4-4) got on the board behind a trio of former River Bandits in the second off Quad Cities starter Jordan Jankowski. Center fielder Nick Martini, catcher Geoff Klein and right fielder Michael Swinson provided RBI singles against their former team to give Peoria the lead at 3-0.

The Bandits' bats came alive in the third to take the lead against former River Bandit left-hander Dail Villanueva. Left fielder Jordan Scott walked, shortstop Carlos Perdomo reached on an error, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled to extend a six-game hitting streak and load the bases. Second baseman Joe Sclafani followed with a sacrifice fly to right. First baseman Jesse Wierzbicki then wrapped a two-run, game-tying triple down the line in right to score Perdomo and Hernandez. Wierzbicki scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice off the bat of third baseman Rio Ruiz. Villanueva gave up two earned runs on three hits in three innings

Jankowski lasted one out into the next inning, giving the ball to right-hander Gera Sanchez, who pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings to bridge the gap to left-hander Brian Holmes (1-0), schedule to pitch in the tandem Saturday night.

Holmes had a shaky start in the sixth, with two hit batters and a two-run double by Chiefs designated hitter Ildemaro Vargas that made it 5-4. Two batters later, left fielder Breyvic Valera would slice a triple down the line in right to drive in Vargas for a 6-4 Peoria lead.

In the bottom half, the River Bandits rallied for the lead. Backstop Jobduan Morales singled, and a one-out single by Scott was misplayed by Valera to allow runners to second and third. Morales raced home uncontested on a passed ball by Klein. Shortstop Carlos Perdomo then walked to chase right-hander Jhonny Polanco (0-1). Right-hander Zach Petrick entered to face left fielder Ryan Dineen, who pushed a bunt back to the mound to tie the game. After second baseman Joe Sclafani singled, Wierzbicki struck out swinging, but Klein threw wild to first base for the put out, allowing Dineen to score the go-ahead run for a 7-6 advantage.

Perdomo, with help from the Chiefs defense, tacked on an insurance run in the eighth.  The Venezuelan singled, stole second, advanced to third when Klein overthrew second, and then scored when Martini's throw to third was wild. Holmes hardly needed the insurance, as he retired the final 10 batters of the game to finish four innings and earn the victory, which also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, April 14. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Sunday, April 14.

The River Bandits' scoring of at least seven runs activates the "Lucky Seven Run" promotion, as American TV & Appliance at 4800 Elmore Avenue in Davenport will offer a 40% discount on all furniture Sunday, April 14. The store is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The River Bandits and Chiefs will play the series finale Sunday at Modern Woodmen Park at 2 p.m. Vincent Velasquez (1-0) and Joe Bircher (1-0) will toe the rubber for Quad Cities against former River Bandit Tyrell Jenkins (0-0) of Peoria.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will present their first-ever Flat Screen Family Sunday promotion, when the club will be giving away three flat screen TVs to lucky fans. Fans are invited to bring their family canine to the game as the Bark in the Park promotion returns to Modern Woodmen Park, and Kids can also run the bases after the game.  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.

15 Apr 2013

Loebsack to Donate Portion of Salary to Charity

By Vonnie Hampel

Davenport, IA - At an event today, standing with workers from the Rock Island Arsenal, Congressman Dave Loebsack announced that he is donating a day's worth of his salary for every day that the Arsenal workforce is furloughed.  He will make donations to local charities that support Iowa families hit hard by these tough economic times.

"It is unacceptable that, through sequestration, Congress has asked everyone else but themselves to make a sacrifice.  Today, I am announcing that I will be donating a day's worth of my salary for every day that the Rock Island Arsenal workforce is furloughed," said Loebsack announcing his donation. "I am going to stand with those workers at the Rock Island Arsenal; the children who are losing Head Start education; the University employees who are performing important research projects, who, through no fault of their own, are being asked to shoulder part of the burden. It makes no sense to me that the only people that are not feeling any pain from sequester are members of Congress themselves."

Loebsack has long believed that Members of Congress need to have a personal stake in our nation's recovery. Earlier this year, he introduced legislation that would cut the pay of members of Congress by 10 percent.   This cut would be the first Congress has seen since 1933 - eight decades ago.   Loebsack called on Congress to immediately bring up and pass the bill.

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15 Apr 2013

Quad City Segway - "Rollin' on the River"

By Rick Martin

Davenport, Iowa - What better way to welcome a long-awaited Spring season in the Quad Cities than by rolling along the Mississippi River on a two-wheeled Segway personal transporter.  Surprisingly effortless, these 2-wheeled transporters are not only the latest fun outdoor group activity; they are the ultimate in green and environmentally-friendly transportation!

Open for business as of April 1, 2013, the Quad City Segway Tours are set to roll!  Locally owned and operated by a Quad City family, Quad City Segway is based out of the Visitor Center at Union Station, 102 South Harrison Street, Davenport, Iowa.

Guests can choose between either a one-hour, or a two-hour guided tour with a Special Tour Guide leading the way.  The tours run along the beautiful Mississippi Riverfront from Davenport out to Credit Island and back.

This fabulous experience will introduce guests to many points of interest and history along both the Iowa and Illinois sides of the Mississippi River.  It is a wonderful activity for families and groups of two to ten people, ages 14 and up.

For more information and reservations, visit www.quadcitysegway.com, or contact Cole Chaplin at 563-594-8839 or chaplinsegway@hotmail.com

Quad City Segway Tours are ideal for celebrating a Special Occasion, for entertaining out-of-town guests, for renting for Corporate Events, or just getting out and enjoying a sunny afternoon along the Mississippi River.  The fun and possibilities are endless, and the memories created will be priceless!  Come and learn "The Segway Smile" with Quad City Segway Tours....It's how we ROLL!"

Contact - Cole Chaplin, 563-594-8839 or chaplinsegway@hotmail.com

15 Apr 2013

BANDITS LOSE HEARTBREAKING HOME OPENER TO CHIEFS

By Marco LaNave

Three-run 10th inning for Peoria sends Quad Cities to second straight loss

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 12, 2013) - Hosting the affiliate of their former parent club and welcoming several alumni back to Modern Woodmen Park, the Quad Cities River Bandits battled the Peoria Chiefs into the 10th inning Friday night before an infield single by Chiefs second baseman Breyvic Valera and a two-run error by River Bandits third baseman Rio Ruiz led to a 4-1 victory for the visitors in front of a home-opening crowd of 1,377 fans.

 

The Chiefs (4-3), the affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, opened the 10th inning against right-hander John Neely (0-1) with a single by shortstop Alex Mejia and a walk by Chiefs right fielder and former River Bandit Nick Martini. Chiefs center fielder Charlie Tilson sacrificed both runners before Neely intentionally walked Chiefs catcher and former River Bandit Casey Rasmus. With the bases loaded, Neely struck out Chiefs left fielder and former River Bandit Michael Swinson. With two outs and the infield at normal depth, Valera hit a soft grounder to the left of the pitcher's mound, and shortstop Carlos Correa was unable to pick it up for a play, bringing in the go-ahead run. Chiefs third baseman Patrick Wisdom then chopped a grounder that got past third baseman Rio Ruiz, whose error allowed two more runs to score for a 4-1 Peoria lead.

 

The River Bandits (5-2), the affiliate of the Houston Astros, made the bottom of the 10th inning interesting against former River Bandit and Chiefs right-hander Dixon Llorens. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled to cap a 3-for-5 night, and Correa drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Ruiz grounded out, advancing both runners. Then first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki struck out looking - the 14th strikeout for Quad Cities hitters Friday night. Designated hitter Terrell Joyce grounded out to Chiefs first baseman and former River Bandit Jordan Walton. Quad Cities finished the night 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.

 

Quad Cities broke a scoreless tie in the third inning, as second baseman Joe Sclafani reached second base on a throwing error by Valera. Two batters later, Correa drove a double to center field for a 1-0 lead. After that, right-hander Kurt Heyer did not allow another runner past second base. Heyer finished five innings, allowing four hits, one unearned run and two walks, while striking out eight batters.

 

Peoria tied the game in the next half-inning against right-hander Mike Hauschild. Wisdom drew a one-out walk, and Walton lined a double down the left-field line, advancing to third base on the throw home. With Mejia batting, Walton tried stealing home, and Hauschild threw to Peña for the final out of the inning. Hauschild finished five innings, allowed three hits, one run and one walk, and struck out three batters. Left-hander Colton Cain worked in and out of trouble in the sixth and seventh innings and finished three shutout innings with three hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

 

The Chiefs bullpen pitched five shutout innings, as right-handers Michael Aldrete and Joe Scanio (1-0) each worked two innings.

 

The River Bandits will try to even the series Saturday night at 7 p.m., when a tandem of right-hander Jordan Jankowski (0-0) and left-hander Brian Holmes (0-0) will face Chiefs left-hander and former River Bandit Dail Villanueva (0-1).

15 Apr 2013

Naomi Iltis Serves on the Student Activities Council at Concordia University, Nebraska

By Jenny Hammond

SEWARD, NE (04/12/2013)(readMedia)-- Naomi Iltis, a sophomore from Le Claire, Iowa, is a member of the Student Activities Council (SAC) at Concordia University, Nebraska for the 2012-2013 school year. SAC members plan and implement activities to entertain and promote the social and spiritual well-being of the student community with dances, holiday activities, musicians, comedians, bands, games, and Homecoming and Spring Weekend activities. SAC is affiliated with the National Association for Campus-Activities.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully-accredited, coeducation university located in Seward, Neb. that currently serves over 2,200 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Naomi-Iltis-Serves-on-the-Student-Activities-Council-at-Concordia-University-Nebraska/5972609.

15 Apr 2013

Celebrate National Library Week at Rock Island Library with Gardening, Music, eBook demos, Stories & More

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: "Communities Matter at Your Library" is the theme of National Library Week, April 14-20, and to celebrate, the Rock Island Public Library is bringing together varying interests, services, and communities of learners and readers.

Starting Monday, April 15, two new cultural and attraction passes will become available for checkout at the Rock Island Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branch Libraries. Patrons can now check out a free family pass for four to the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, or a pass for two adults and up to four children from Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, in addition to the family passes for four already available for the Quad Cities Botanical Center, Rock Island. Passes check out for seven days, and must be picked up and returned in person at the issuing library branch. There is a $1 per day fee if passes are not returned on time.

Also on Monday, a new awareness service from Prairie State Legal Services starts at the Main Library, 401 19th Street. Trained volunteers from Prairie State Legal Services will be available from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays on the 2nd floor of the library to offer information and assistance with navigating public benefits for food, cash, medical assistance, disability and township assistance. Prairie State Legal Services volunteers cannot offer legal advice.

Special events and activities offered at the Rock Island Library during National Library Week include :

Monday, April 15:

  • 6:30 pm, Vegetable Gardening: A Feast for the Eyes and Palate, Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street. The free "liven up your landscape" program offers tips from Sandy Russell, of Tastes of the Rainbow, on how choosing organic or heirloom varieties can add color, nutrition and taste to a garden, from the flashes of gold of a Sunshine Cherry Tomato to the bright blue peppers of a Filius Blue pepper plant.
  • 6:30 pm, Family Dinosaur Storytime, for all ages, Rock Island Southwest Branch Community Room: 9010 Ridgewood Road:

Tuesday, April 16:

  • 10:30 am, Dinosaur Storytime for ages birth to five, Rock Island 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street.
  • 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Blues and Gospel film and discussion, Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street. The scholar-led discussion on Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Episode 1, Feel Like Going Home and Say Amen, Somebody, is the first of three Rock Island Library programs in the America's Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway series. America's Music is a grant-funded series of film viewings, discussions and performance events at Rock Island, Moline, Bettendorf and Davenport Public Libraries, River Music Experience and Western Illinois University-Quad Cities. For more events in the series, visit www.americasmusicqc.com

Wednesday, April 17:

  • 10:30 am, Special "How I Became a Pirate" storytime presented by Circa 21, Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.  Captain Braid Beard (Janos Horvath), from the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse's new musical adventure, will stop by to help read stories, talk like a pirate and help with pirate crafts for ages birth to five.  The musical is based on the popular children's book of the same name, by Melinda Long.
  • 4:00 pm: Lego Time, Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Make something fun for display at the library with Lego-brand building blocks.
  • 6:00 pm, Downloading eBooks demo, Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Learn how to check out eBooks and eAudiobooks for free with your library card.

Thursday, April 18:

  • 6:00 pm, Teen Movie Night, Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Free movie screening, snacks and more fun, just for ages 12 to 18.

Friday, April 19:

  • 10:30 am, Dinosaur Storytime for ages birth to five, Rock Island Main Library Children's Room, 401 19th Street.

Saturday, April 20 - all events at Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road:

  • 10:00 am, El Dia Family Storytime, featuring a reading of Book Fiesta, by Pat Mora, who helped start the annual April celebration of children's books.
  • 10:30 am, Saturday Lego Time, followed by an 11:30 am "Stem-tivity" on kite flying. STEM-tivity programs are fun, hands-on activities involving Science, Technology, Engineering or Math.

National Library Week highlights the importance of libraries, librarians, and library workers, and their commitment to the places where their patrons live, work and study. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

All programs are free and open to the public. For more news about Rock Island Public Library events, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-7323 (READ) or follow the Rock Island Library on Facebook and Twitter. A monthly calendar of library events is available online and at Rock Island Library locations.

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