COMING SOON!

 


The Earth Wins



In honor of Earth Week,
the new documentary:
The Earth Wins
April 17 - 24
Click here for details!










Cub Souts: Math Maniacs
April 19, 6-9 p.m.
Sound of Music



Classic Film Series:
The Sound of Music
April 23, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.






Brownies & Juniors:
Global Girls
April 26, 6-9 p.m.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Time and Mom's Morning Out:
Saturday, May 4;
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Summer Camps!
Registration NOW OPEN

RICHMOND, KY (04/17/2013)(readMedia)-- Michael Bales of Clinton, majoring in Occupational Safety, is one of 85 Eastern Kentucky University juniors, seniors and graduate students who were inducted into the EKU chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi during a special ceremony on April 5.

Bales is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Membership in Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Since its founding, more than 1 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA Astronaut Wendy Lawrence, Baylor University head women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson, writer John Grisham and Netscape founder James Barksdale. The Society has awarded approximately $11.5 million in fellowships and scholarships since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, more than $800,000 is awarded annually to qualifying members and non-members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad scholarships, member and chapter awards and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

Today, the Iowa Judicial Branch posted information for the Iowa Business Specialty Court Pilot Project on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/Business_Court_Pilot_Project/

In addition, the Iowa State Court Administrator has approved a form for parties to submit qualifying legal disputes to the jurisdiction of the business court. The "Joint Consent for Case Assignment to the Business Court Pilot Project" form is also available in the Business Court Pilot Project section of the Iowa Judicial Branch website.

The business court will begin accepting cases on May 1, 2013.


http://www.iowacourts.gov/Business_Court_Pilot_Project/

BATON ROUGE, LA (04/17/2013)(readMedia)-- The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to announce that Joseph Rives of Moline, Ill., was recently initiated into Phi Kappa Phi--the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines--at Western Illinois University.

Rives is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The Society has chapters on more than 300 college and university campuses in North America and the Philippines. Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

More About Phi Kappa Phi

Since its founding, more than 1 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. The Society has awarded approximately $15 million since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, $1 million is awarded each biennium to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad scholarships, member and chapter awards and grants for local and national literacy initiatives.

April 17, 2013 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  For Immediate Release: Reserve your seat at
the Theatre Cedar Rapids Ladies Luncheon .

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the annual Theatre Cedar Rapids Ladies Luncheon.
Now in its ninth year, the Ladies Luncheon is set for Thursday, May 2, 2013, at
the Cedar Rapids Country Club.

Attendees will shop in the exclusive garden and gourmet marketplace, have lunch
with friends and enjoy a live performance by cast members of the upcoming TCR musical
The Wizard of Oz.  The market, known for its unique fare from potted herbs to specialty
items for your home to homemade gourmet food delicacies, opens for shopping at 10:30
followed by lunch and the program beginning at noon.

The event goals are to:

·        raise $30,000 in operating funds for Theatre Cedar Rapids

·        support Theatre education and programming especially for youth

·        celebrate and support the community relationships inherent in TCR's mission

·        increase community awareness of TCR's current and upcoming season

Sponsors of the Ladies Luncheon are Neil Boudreaux Salon, CarePro Health Services
and The Wright Touch Bake Shoppe.
Individual tickets are $60 and are available at www.theatrecr.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001pUTQ_mcA1BoKxCtnhoZJ1gSA9GiwDpRJeDVr4KTVWZw1limkiLB-YeQOWg1GNkQQqQZvzHdzMciP_HNRBoGYMvCVbAqSlssU68KfmEUnKheSTam7Fwvphg==]
or by calling the TCR box office at 319-366-8591. For information on hosting a table,
email info@theatrecr.org [mailto:info@theatrecr.org].

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Friday, June 7 - 8 pm

His First Appearance in the Quad Cities

On Sale Friday April 26 at 10 am

Don't miss an unforgettable night of classic hits on Friday, June 7 at 8 pm when Motown Legend Smokey Robinson performs at the i wireless Center for one night only. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10 am.

 

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Robinson founded The Miracles while still in high school. The group's single of Robinson's "Shop Around" became Motown's first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group including "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "Ooo Baby Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears," "Going to a Go-Go," "More Love," "Tears of a Clown" and "I Second That Emotion." Smokey's solo career included top hits "Cruisin", "Being With You"," Just to See Her" and "One Heartbeat".

 

During the course of his 50-year career in music, Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit, became Vice President of Motown Records and continues to thrill sold-out audiences around the world with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing, and profound sense of lyric.   In 1987, Robinson was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Two years later, in 1989, he was inducted to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. In 1991 he won the Heritage Award at the Soul Train Music Awards. In 1993, Robinson was awarded a medal at the National Medal of Arts. Never resting on his laurels, Smokey Robinson remains a beloved icon in our musical heritage.

 

Ticket prices are $29.50 and $49.50 with a limited number of $69.50 tickets also available. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10 am and are available at the i wireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, or online and www.ticketmaster.com. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit Genesis Health Systems.

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Historic buildings at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site are closed as a precaution against flooding. Due to high rainfall, Hoover Creek, the small creek that runs through the historic site, is in flood stage. Because additional rainfall is expected, the historic buildings will remain closed as a safety precaution. The Visitor Center will remain open for business 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Visitor Center parking lot is closed due to flooding; park at the Village Green parking lot across the street. Visitors are encouraged to stay away from the creek banks.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

Coal Valley, IL - April 17, 2013 - Niabi Zoo announced today that it will be holding its annual Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, on Sunday, April 21. The event, which will be held from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Zoo, will feature a variety of activities and information to help both kids and adults alike learn how they can make every day Earth Day.

This year's Party for the Planet theme is "Habitats at Home," and the event will focus on the many ways in which Quad City residents can help the countless wildlife habitats that surround them on a daily basis. Niabi Zoo will be distributing 150 conifer tree saplings for attendees to take home and plant, as well as 250 limited edition Niabi Zoo 50th Anniversary reusable grocery bags. The reusable bags can be used in place of disposable plastic bags which frequently end up in landfills. Zoo guests will also learn what they can do in their own backyards to create and sustain vital habitats for native wildlife.

Niabi Zoo will also be supporting the conservation of Monarch butterflies in a variety of ways. Zoo staff and volunteers will be distributing seeds from the milkweed plant, which is vital for the growth and development of Monarch butterflies. Event attendees will also have a chance to learn about the amazing Annual Great Migration of Monarch butterflies, in which millions of these beautiful creatures travel thousands of miles. Researchers have been tagging and tracking these butterflies in order to learn more about their incredible journey.

Niabi Zoo will be open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Regular admission rates will apply.

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Quad Cities has third rainout in opening week-long home stand

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 17, 2013) - Wednesday night's game between the Quad Cities River Bandits and Clinton LumberKings at Modern Woodmen Park has been postponed. The game will be made up at a later date. All tickets for Wednesday's game may be exchanged for any other 2013 River Bandits home game.

Quad Cities (8-3) and Clinton (5-8) are scheduled to meet for one more three-game series in the first half, as the River Bandits visit Clinton Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27. Quad Cities has been rained out of four games in the last eight days, including home games Thursday, Monday and Wednesday. The rainout from Thursday against Peoria will be made up in a doubleheader Saturday, May 11. Monday's rainout was made up with a doubleheader that Clinton and Quad Cities split.

The River Bandits begin a six-game road trip Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. in Kane County. The River Bandits have left-hander Colton Cain (0-0) and right-hander Mike Hauschild (0-0) scheduled to pitch as a starting tandem. All games can be heard live presented by Mediacom for free 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 will make 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 scheduled to open in early June, along with two new zip lines, a carousel, a 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 this June 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!

Grassley, Cruz Introduce Comprehensive Legislation That Targets Violent Criminals, Safeguards Second Amendment

WASHINGTON - Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ted Cruz of Texas are introducing an alternative amendment to gun legislation pending on the Senate floor.  Their "Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act" would preserve the Second Amendment while providing important fixes to existing law.

The Grassley-Cruz proposal would reauthorize and improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), increase resources for prosecutions of gun crime, address mental illness in the criminal justice system, and strengthen criminal law by including straw purchasing and illegal firearm trafficking statutes.

"When people study our amendment, they'll see a sensible alternative that was developed from the ground up.  It's got wide-ranging, broad-based support and takes a responsible approach to fixing problems with the current background check system," Grassley said.  "We've put together an amendment that can effectively address some of the problems we've seen while protecting Second Amendment rights.  I've been very interested in the mental health aspect of this debate, so we include provisions to study and address that issue.  My oversight of Operation Fast and Furious highlighted some serious flaws within the gun trafficking and straw purchasing area, and Senator Cruz has done an exceptionally good job of helping develop that portion of our alternative.  In addition, we both understand the importance of ensuring that Second Amendment protections are in place for veterans, along with every other American."

"I am glad to work with Sen. Grassley on this important amendment, which presents a reasonable alternative to the current legislation being considered while placing top priority on preserving Americans' inalienable right to bear arms," Sen. Cruz said. "Rather than restricting the rights of law-abiding Americans, we should be focusing on keeping guns out of the hands of violent criminals, which this legislation accomplishes. While the Obama Administration continues to politicize a terrible tragedy to push its anti-gun agenda, I am proud to stand beside my fellow senators to present common-sense measures that will increase criminal prosecutions of felons who try to buy guns, criminalize straw purchasing and gun trafficking, and address mental health issues."

Sponsors of the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2013 include Senators Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, John Thune of South Dakota, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Orrin Hatch of Utah, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Dan Coats of Indiana, John Cornyn of Texas, Pat Roberts of Kansas, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, James Risch of Idaho, Marco Rubio of Florida, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, John Boozman of Arkansas, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, Rob Portman of Ohio, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

This legislation will:

·         Improve and reauthorize grants for NICS database;

·         Require federal courts to submit relevant information to NICS;

·         Ensure that relevant mental health records are submitted by states to NICS;

·         Condition federal grant money for states on their submission of mental health records to NICS;

·         Increase federal prosecution of gun violence by establishing the Nationwide Project Exile Program and establishing a high level federal taskforce;

·         Study of the causes of mass shootings;

·         Responsibly addresses gun violence by criminalizing straw purchasing of firearms and gun trafficking;

·         Second Amendment Protections for Veterans;

·         Require the Department of Justice to explain to Congress why it has or has not been prosecuting gun cases;

·         Place Limitations on Fast & Furious type operations by DOJ;

·         Authorize FFL's to utilize the NICS database to for voluntary background checks of employees;

·         Authorize FFL's to access the FBI's National Crime Information Center stolen gun database to ensure that a firearm is not stolen prior to acquisition;

·         Reauthorize the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) with amendments;

·         Address school safety by Reauthorizes the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Secure our Schools Program through 2023. 

Here is a section-by-section summary of the bill and a copy of the text of the bill.

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