The 2nd Annual JTC Softball Tournament will be held on June 8th and 9th, 2013 at Coralville Creekside Ballpark. We are currently looking for 24 softball teams to participate in this two day tournament. These teams can be either men's D league or co-ed teams. For more information call Allen Correll at (319) 331-3901 or Curtis Iburg at (319) 471-3892, e-mail ldsoftball@gmail.com, or visit www.facebook.com/JTCTourney.

All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 7, 2013) - Mount Mercy University Admissions Counselor Heidi Goetzinger will be at

Bettendorf High School, Tuesday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m

Moline Senior High School, Tuesday, March 19, at 1:15 p.m

West High School, Tuesday, March 26, at 9:00 a.m

Davenport Central High School, Tuesday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m

to answer questions about admission, campus life, service-learning opportunities, scholarships and academic programs. (Last Name) will meet with high school students interested in learning more about Mount Mercy's 35 majors, 15 varsity athletic teams and more than 30 clubs and organizations. For more information about Mount Mercy University, please visit www.mtmercy.edu or call (800) 248-4504.

Mount Mercy University offers baccalaureate and graduate education to more than 1,800 traditional, transfer, adult and graduate students. Popular undergraduate majors include business, nursing, criminal justice, education, and social work. Students have numerous clubs and organizations to participate in, ranging from the Biology Club to the Quiz Bowl. The Mount Mercy Mustangs have earned more than 35 conference championships competing in men's basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, bowling, cross country and track & field, and women's basketball, softball, volleyball, golf, bowling, cross country, track & field, and soccer.

Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and lead courageous lives. Mount Mercy offers baccalaureate and graduate education to more than 1,800 enrolled students and uniquely blends liberal arts education with professional preparation.

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CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: HB 1237

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Allows police officers who have had their FOID card denied or revoked due to mental health reasons the opportunity to apply for the card to be reinstated, so long as they did not act threateningly and that they voluntarily seek mental health evaluation or treatment.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: June 1

Bill No.: HB 4148

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Clarifies that only parking lots, garages and facilities that charge a parking fee shall be taxed through the Illinois Municipal Code and the Counties Code.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: HB 5547

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Allows Chicago and Cook County to impose a tax on the parking lots, garages and other parking facilities based on gross receipts.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: SB 622

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Addresses the structural deficit in the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Fund and increases physician licensing fees, which have not changed since 1987.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

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CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will be honored by Between Friends of Chicago for her years spent helping victims of domestic violence. The organization will name Simon a "Friend of the Year" at its annual Bubble Ball on Saturday at the River East Arts Center.

"This week, President Obama signed an extension of the Violence Against Women Act, reinforcing the idea that all relationships should be healthy," Simon said. "I have been fortunate to have worked with organizations like Between Friends of Chicago to help the victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives, and we need to continue working to end domestic violence."

Between Friends of Chicago is a nonprofit agency that provides services to domestic violence survivors and their families. Between Friends also provides youth and adult education programs aimed at preventing domestic violence. Proceeds from the event will support the organization's efforts.

"Lt. Governor Sheila Simon exemplifies the mission of Between Friends. For example, Lt. Governor Simon's Virtual Legal Clinic, which uses the Internet and webcams to link domestic violence survivors in underserved areas with volunteer attorneys, is the type of creative thinking we need to helps victims of domestic violence get crucial assistance," says Kathleen A. Doherty, executive director of Between Friends.

Lt. Governor Simon is a former assistant state's attorney who worked with victims of domestic violence and prosecuted domestic violence cases. As a law professor, she helped launch the Southern Illinois School of Law's domestic violence clinic to serve clients and train law students. Since becoming Lt. Governor, Simon has worked with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) to start virtual legal clinics that connect survivors with attorneys through webcam technology. Simon has also partnered with Verizon and the ICADV to raise revenue and collect used cell phones for survivors, and she worked with Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) on a new law that requires adult entertainment establishments to collect a surcharge that supports programs that help sexual abuse victims.

For more information, please visit www.ltgov.il.gov.

Saturday, March 9

EVENT: Between Friends of Chicago's Annual Bubble Ball

TIME: 7 p.m.

PLACE: River East Arts Center, 435 East Illinois St., Chicago, 6061
PEORIA, Ill. - Due to a recent bout with the flu and a heavy touring schedule, John Prine is needing some time to recuperate. The concert scheduled for March 15 in Peoria will be rescheduled for this fall on Friday 9/13.  Full reschedule information can be found at peoriaciviccenter.com or johnprine.net/tour.html. Tickets purchased for the March 15 show will be honored on the new September 13th show date. John looks forward to playing for his fans at the Peoria Civic Center Theater in a few months.

Sunday, March 31st, 2013

Time: 10am-2pm

 On Sunday, March 31st, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, 1300 River Dr, Moline; will host Easter Brunch from 10-am-2pm. Reserved seating is recommended. Enjoy an elegant Easter brunch buffet with Chef Carved Prime Rib, Classic Breakfast, Carved Ham, Waffle Station Lasagna, Chicken Madeira, Omelet Station, Seasonal Fruit, Gourmet Desserts and Much More. Prices for the brunch are $22 per person, $12 children age 12 and under, High chair age free. For more information visit johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com. To make reservations call the restaurant at 309-736-0100.

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, 1300 River Dr, Moline, IL 612654

--Receive a complimentary bra fitting while helping find a cure for breast cancer-- 

WHAT: Step into the ring with Wacoal to help knockout breast cancer with Fit for the Cure™! Participate in any Fit for the Cure event to receive a complimentary bra fitting, in Wacoal or b.tempt'd intimate apparel, from a Wacoal fit specialist and sign up to receive a monthly email reminder to do a self breast exam. For every woman that participates, Wacoal will donate $2 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for breast cancer research and community health programs. Wacoal will also donate an additional $2 for every Wacoal bra, shapewear piece or b.tempt'd bra purchased at these events.

For  over 10 years, Wacoal has swept the nation educating and fitting almost 500,000 women across 411 cities about the importance of bra fit, foundation and breast health. To date, through Fit for the Cure™, Wacoal has donated more than $3MM to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

WHY: Research shows that 8 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong sized bra. Women should be professionally fitted for a bra once a year to ensure their bra size has not changed as a result of fluctuations in their body.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women and accounts for 26% of all cancers among women.  Conducting monthly breast self-examination is an important way to detect abnormalities at an early stage. Take 15 minutes to meet with a Wacoal fit expert while contributing to an important cause and sign up for a reminder that could ultimately save your life.

WHEN: Thursday, March 14th, 2013

11AM-5PM

Von Maur - Northpark Mall

320 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA

563-386-0880

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack will meet with members of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on MONDAY, March 11th.  They will discuss economic development issues, as well as the recent announcement that three companies will expand their businesses in Clinton adding 200 jobs and bringing in $25 million in investments.  Loebsack and members of the Chamber of Commerce will meet with the media at 3:00pm.  After the meeting, Loebsack will tour Data Dimensions, one of the companies that will be expanding.

Note: Due to company policies, press will not be allowed to tour the Data Dimensions facility.

Media Availability with Rep. Loebsack and Clinton Chamber of Commerce

3:00pm

Clinton Chamber of Commerce

721 S. 2nd Street

Clinton

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BETTENDORF, Iowa - Happy Joe Whitty loves people, and it shows. He loves to have a good time and to make people laugh, and that's just what his new book, "Not Your Average Joe" does.

"Walk into Happy Joe's in Bettendorf, Iowa, for their lunch buffet and chances are good that you might find me there, sitting down at my favorite round table, enjoying a slice of the taco pizza I created and made famous," Whitty said.

"I will sit there for hours, talking to guests, telling jokes, and waiting for children to come by. Any child passing me will be rewarded with a wooden nickel, good for a scoop of ice cream or bowl of frozen 'Joegurt,' and that child will know without a doubt that they are a pretty special kid. Because Happy Joe said so."

Readers are sure to love these feel-good stories about a hard-working, good-natured man and his endeavors in business and in the business of making people happy. "I'm not only living proof of the American dream, but proof that the American dream can become a reality for any one of us," Whitty writes. "This is my story. And yours."

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting www.barnesandnoble.com, or www.amazon.com.

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(DES MOINES) - Governor Branstad's office will hold a public hearing to gather information and public sentiment regarding the Board of Parole's positive recommendation on Rasberry Williams' application for commutation.

The governor requested the public hearing in a letter to the Iowa Board of Parole. View the letter here.

The hearing will be held, and public comment received, at the Black Hawk County Courthouse from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

The purpose of the hearing is to seek information about how the crime impacted the victims and the community, whether Mr. Williams has changed while incarcerated, any and all safety concerns from victims and members of the community, and any other relevant information.

Information on the public hearing is as follows:

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

1 p.m. Public hearing to gather information and public sentiment regarding the Board of Parole's positive recommendation on Rasbery Williams' application for commutation

Black Hawk County Courthouse

316 E. 5th St.

Waterloo, IA

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