06 Feb 2013

QC StorySLAM to Present Third Storytelling Competition

By Tim Suddarth
ROCK ISLAND, IL - February 4, 2013 - The third story-telling competition in the QC StorySLAM series will feature stories that offer a glimpse into hidden parts of our everyday world. Damascus Road QC and Theo's Java Club present "Behind the Curtain: Stories From the Inside" on February 15, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The free event will be held at Theo's Java Club at 213 17th Street in Rock Island.
The theme for the evening is "Behind the Curtain: Stories from the Inside." You'll hear stories that give a glimpse into something with which the general public is not familiar. It may be a story about what it's like to be on tour in a band or be a key grip for a movie or teach ballroom dance classes or build a theatrical set that barely holds together for the run of the show with crew members literally holding it up during the last performance.
QC StorySLAM is a storytelling competition. Anyone who attends can tell a story on the night's theme. Potential storytellers put their names in a hat and up to ten storytellers are chosen at random to present on the stage. Each story is judged by the following criteria: the story must be true, be five minutes or less, be told without notes, be about the storyteller (not someone else's story), and revolve around the night's theme.
"Everyone has a story to tell," said Kristin Meyer, host of the first two QC StorySLAM competitions. "StorySLAM is a great chance for people to share the story of their lives " Meyer said, "and it's a good time for the audience."
The QC StorySLAM champion wins a $25 gift card to Theo's Java Club and a custom-designed T-shirt that humbly declares their champion status. Music throughout the event will be provided by local band FRIEND AND FOE. More details and a guide to telling a good story may be found at www.facebook.com/QCStorySLAM.

About QC StorySLAM:
QC StorySLAM is a regular storytelling competition in the Quad Cities, inspired by the New York City club The MOTH. Contestants tell true stories without notes and are judged on sticking to the five-minute time limit, sticking to the theme and having a story that sticks. QC StorySLAM is is sponsored by Damascus Road QC a nondenominational church dedicated to honesty, compassion and spiritual life.

Contact Information:
Tim Suddarth
(Director, QC StorySLAM / Minister, Damascus Road QC)
(309) 721-7064
QCStorySLAM@yahoo.com
www.facebook.com/QCStorySLAM
www.DamascusRoadQC.com
06 Feb 2013

Davenport Cemetery to Commemorate Medal of Honor 150th Anniversary

By Dustin Oliver
Saturday, February 16th, 2013 at 2:00PM

Davenport, Iowa - Next month, Oakdale Memorial Gardens will host a ceremony in remembrance
of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient John Vale. This event is endorsed by the Iowa Civil War
Sesquicentennial Committee. John Vale earned his Medal in a skirmish that took place on February 15, 1863.

Vale was born in London, England, and emigrated to Le Claire, Iowa as a young man.
He later moved to Minnesota, where he enlisted in Company H of the 2nd Minnesota
Volunteer Infantry. On the fateful day of February 15, 1863, he was one of a
detachment of sixteen men who defended a Union supply convoy against a Confederate
Calvary unit 125 strong. After the war, he settled in Davenport, where he worked in the
Post Office for many years. In 1897, he was one of eight other men from that group of
sixteen who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A ceremony to honor Mr. Vale will be held at his gravesite in Oakdale Memorial
Gardens, 2501 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
The ceremony will include a reading of the official Medal of Honor citation as well as
the report of the skirmish by Brigadier General James Steedman, a wreath-laying by
Company "A" 49th Regiment Veteran Volunteer Infantry / SVR Honor Guard for the
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and military honors.

Oakdale Memorial Gardens, an independent non-profit cemetery, was established in 1856 with burials
beginning in 1857. Located on Eastern Avenue in the heart of Davenport, Oakdale Memorial Gardens is one of
the Quad Cities' oldest and most beautiful cemeteries, boasting century-old oaks, gentle rolling hills and knolls,
and a beautiful reflecting pond near the cemetery entrance. Known as a rural or Victorian cemetery (though
burials still take place today), it is the final resting place for many historic Quad Cities figures, including Leon
"Bix" Beiderbecke, Mary Putnam (of the Putnam Museum), members of the Palmer family (the founders of
chiropractic and Palmer College of Chiropractic) and over 288 veterans of the Civil War.
06 Feb 2013

WASTE COMMISSION FACILITIES CLOSED PRESIDENTS' DAY

By Randy Stalsberg

DAVENPORT, IA–Waste Commission of Scott County facilities will be closed on Monday, February 18 in honor of Presidents' Day. Normal hours of operation will resume on Tuesday, February 19. Facilities closed include :

  • Scott Area Recycling Center, 5640 Carey Avenue, Davenport
  • Household Hazardous Material Facility, 5640 Carey Avenue, Davenport
  • Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th Street, Davenport
  • Scott Area Landfill, 11555 110th Avenue, Davenport

Waste Commission of Scott County is an inter-governmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management for Scott County. For more information about the Commission, please call (563) 386-9575 or visit www.wastecom.com.

# # #
06 Feb 2013

LIVE UNCOMMON NEWS RELEASE

By Michelle Solis Russell

When: February 9, 2013 - 9:00 AM
Where: TRINITY Medical Center at Terrace Park - 4500 Utica Ridge Road, Bettendorf
(inside Main Entrance, straight back to the café/atrium)

LIVE UNCOMMON will be releasing 2013 details including announcement of the 2013
LIVE UNCOMMON Race Series - more than ten events receiving the LIVE UNCOMMON
Endorsement - selection based upon the events' Give Back to the community. In 2012,
seven such events were endorsed by LIVE UNCOMMON, resulting in $17,500 in funds
raised by the 2012 LIVE UNCOMMON Race Team and distributed to the seven charities
benefitting from said events. The 2013 LU Race Series will include not only foot/road
race events, but also a charity tennis tournament and charity golf outing, and reach
from Davenport, Iowa to Geneseo, Illinois.

The 2012 LU Race Team will be presenting two "big checks" to charities benefitting from
the Team's 2012 fundraising effort, including Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure.

Introduction of the 2013 LU Race Team will take place, among which is 12 year old
running phenom, Maddie Case, from Eldridge, who is running in 2013 for her Charity of
Choice, Make-A-Wish, and has raised more than $1,000 in one month. Maddie is the
reigning Iowa State 7th Grade Cross Country Champion. 12 year old LU Race Teamers
from Illinois include swimmer Christy Bishop from Rock Island and basketball girl Lily
Glackin from Moline. Of course, several adults running and raising for charities such as
St. Jude's and Autism Research, will be introduced as well.

To be released is the announcement of the LIVE UNCOMMON Launch Crew Engines -
the big givers who make it all happen.

We are expecting about 100 in attendance, including hopefuls representing potential
2013 LU Race Series Events, LU Launch Crew Engine representatives, LU Charter Teams
(Pleasant Valley Girls Cross Country and Bettendorf Girls Cross Country), and LIVE
UNCOMMONers from as far away as Chicago and Wisconsin.

An LU Informal Run will follow the press conference - an event for all ages, paces,
distances, no worries, no limits, no entry fee.

06 Feb 2013

Wapsi River Environmental Education Center Events

By Mike Granger

Winter Fun Day Planned

On Saturday, February 9th at 1:00 P.M. the Wapsi River Environmental
Education Center will be hosting a Winter Fun Day. Come to the Wapsi River
Center for a fun-filled day of winter activities. This is an event the whole family can
enjoy, so plan to come out and discover winter at its best. A limited number of skis
and snowshoes are available, so please call to reserve equipment; (563) 328-3286.
BYOM ~ Bring your own mug.

9:30 A.M. ~ Cross-country Ski Clinic ~ Participants will learn about proper skiing
techniques, safety and equipment. Participants may bring their own equipment.

12:30 P.M. ~ Snowshoe Nature Hike ~ We will be traveling the way of the Native
Americans and early pioneers, looking for signs of life in the still, winter woods.

2:00 P.M. ~ Winter Bird Feeding ~ Come learn how to identify winter birds; plus
how to attract and feed our feathered friends. Fun for all ages!

3:00 P.M. ~ Fabulous Furs ~ come join a Wapsi naturalist to learn about furbearers
that live in our area. Learn how they adapt and thrive during the cold winter months.
Explore the history of fur trapping, trading and how the animals were used.

4:30 P.M. ~ 7th Annual Chili Cook-off ~ The Friends of the Wapsi Center, Inc. will
be hosting this annual competition. Please bring your best chili creation to share, and
possibly win the coveted chili cup!!! Donations are accepted, and please bring your
own table setting.

5:30 P.M. ~ Frostbite Star Party ~ The winter it is a great time for astronomy! The
sky is never clearer than on cold, winter nights. The winter constellations center on
Orion, the Great Hunter. The St. Ambrose University's Menke Astronomical
Observatory is the location; park in lot A.

"FORCING BRANCHES CLASS" Planned

On Saturday, February 16th at 1:00 P.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education
Center will be hosting a "Forcing Branches class" at 1:00 P.M. at the Wapsi River
Center. Join Horticultural Society members Carolee Stanley and Juanita Spears for an
extensive how-to program. Participants will learn how to force branches into flower
for indoor decorations. Please call to register for the class (563) 328-3286.

Maple-Syruping Demonstration Planned

On Saturday, February 23rd at 1:00 P.M. the Wapsi River Environmental
Education Center will be hosting a maple-syruping demonstration. Join Tom
Greene as he discusses the history and procedure of tapping trees for syrup. Handouts
and where to find tapping equipment will be provided to participants. Please call
(563) 328-3286, if you are interested in attending.

Maple-Syruping Demonstration Planned

On Saturday, March 2nd at 1:00 P.M. the Wapsi River Environmental
Education Center will be hosting a maple-syruping demonstration. Join Tom
Greene as he discusses the history and procedure of tapping trees for syrup. Handouts
and where to find tapping equipment will be provided to participants. Please call
(563) 328-3286, if you are interested in attending.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of

Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E. Then
turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

04 Feb 2013

State Fair Award to Recognize Iowa's Farm Families

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (02/04/2013)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair, Tractor Supply Co. and WHO News Radio 1040 are searching for six farm families to recognize with the Way We Live Award at the 2013 Fair, August 8-18. These families must exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love for the occupation of farming.

To enter, submit an entry form along with a 500-1500 word essay describing how living on a farm and choosing the occupation of farming has shaped the family's life. All entries must include a family picture that illustrates the family's commitment to their farming operation. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Iowa State Fair website: http://www.iowastatefair.org/competition/the-way-we-live-award/. All entries must be postmarked or e-mailed to ebrewer@iowastatefair.org by May 1.

Nominated families should show dedication to animal agriculture in their daily lives and in the lives of their family members. Winners will receive a prize package including $250 cash, Fair admission tickets, parking, Fair food coupons, and recognition during the Fair in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center.

Eligible families must be residents of Iowa whose farming operation is centered on animal agriculture and may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

Send entries to:

The Way We Live Award

Iowa State Fair

PO Box 57130

Des Moines, Iowa 50317-0003

Or e-mail all materials to ebrewer@iowastatefair.org

For questions about the award, contact Emily Brewer at 515.262.3111 x244 or ebrewer@iowastatefair.org.

Nothing Compares to the 2013 Iowa State Fair August 8-18. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or check out www.iowastatefair.org.

* * *
04 Feb 2013

Benefit for Danielle Parise

By Cool Beanz

Saturday February 9th - 6:00pm

Where: Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St. Rock Island, IL 61201

Many items will be up for silent auction(bidding from 6-9pm) and donations accepted to help this beautiful family with medical and other expenses!

Danielle and Matt are high school sweethearts who are deeply connected and always loving and supportive of one another. Matt is the kind of person who uplifts everyone he comes in contact with by making them laugh. Danielle overflows with compassion for others, which has led her down the path to becoming a nurse.

On January 30th, Danielle suffered a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture. She was immediately taken to the University of Iowa Hospital for neurosurgery to relieve pressure to her brain and stop blood flow to the AVM. Danielle has started responding to requests to move her toes, fingers and even gave a "thumbs up". She has a lengthy recovery process ahead and any support by way of donations, thoughts, and prayers are greatly appreciated!




04 Feb 2013

Iowa Travel Guide cover to feature Jessica Rilling's photo of a kayaker on the Turkey River

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today unveiled the winning cover photo for the 2013 Iowa Travel Guide.  The next edition will feature a photo of a kayaker on the Turkey River on its cover. Facebook fans of the Iowa Tourism Office voted for their favorite of three cover options during a 10-day period ending February 1.

VIEW THE WINNING PHOTO

In December, the Iowa Tourism Office asked amateur and professional photographers to submit photos from their Iowa travels for consideration on the cover. More than 600 submissions were narrowed down to three cover options. The winning image was shot by Jessica Rilling of Cedar Rapids.

The four-color guide is Iowa's comprehensive trip-planning publication, with listings from more than 700 attractions, 550 hotels, 160 bed and breakfasts and 400 campgrounds in addition to information on state parks, trails and scenic byways. The Iowa Tourism Office distributes more than 100,000 copies of the Iowa Travel Guide annually to travelers from every state and around the world. The new guide will be available in the spring of 2013. A digital version will also be available at traveliowa.com.

"Tourism is an important industry in Iowa - it affects all 99 counties and generates $328 million in state taxes annually," said Gov.  Branstad.  "One of the best ways we have to showcase all that Iowa has to offer is the Iowa Travel Guide."

The other finalists were boaters having fun on an Okoboji lake entered by Brock Bringle of Storm Lake and a family hiking at Maquoketa Caves State Park submitted by Kelsey Delperdang of Cedar Rapids.

"People value vacations and their time away from the daily grind," said Lt. Gov. Reynolds. "The three destinations captured among the finalist cover options are representative of the thousands of great Iowa places you can choose for your next getaway."

People can get more information on Iowa travel destinations via www.traveliowa.com, the Iowa Tourism Office's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/iowatourism), Twitter account (www.twitter.com/Travel_Iowa), blog (www.traveliowa.blogspot.com) or Pinterest account (www.pinterest.com/iowatourism). Travelers can share their Iowa vacation photos in the Travel Iowa Flickr Pool (www.flickr.com/groups/traveliowa).

Tourism in Iowa generates more than $7 billion in expenditures and employs 63,400 people statewide. The Iowa Tourism Office is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

###

04 Feb 2013

Theresa Caputo, Star of TLC's Long Island Medium, Live!

By Rick Martin

Theresa Caputo Live!
Star of TLC's Long Island Medium

Peoria Civic Theatre
Saturday, April 20th 7:30pm

Tickets go on-sale Friday, February 8th at 10am

Theresa Caputo, psychic medium and star of the hit TLC show, Long Island Medium,
will be appearing live at the Peoria Civic Theatre on Saturday, April 20th at 7:30pm.
Theresa will give interactive readings to audience members throughout the show and will
also share personal stories about her life and her unique gifts. Tickets go on-sale
Friday, February 8th at 10am and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com,
800.745.3000, or in person at the Peoria Civic Theatre Box Office. Tickets start at
$38.75 plus applicable service fees. Purchasing a ticket does not guarantee a reading.

Long Island Medium began its third season on TLC in September, following Theresa's
life as a typical Long Island wife and mom, except for one distinct difference...her ability
to communicate with the dead. Since she cannot "turn off" this gift, messages can come
through at any time and the local car mechanic, manicurist or cashier at the bagel shop
may find themselves receiving a spontaneous reading from Theresa as she goes about
her daily life. The show also covers how Theresa copes with the special challenges that
her unique abilities create for her husband of 22 years, Larry, and her two children, aged
17 and 21.

Theresa has been a practicing medium for 10 years and is a certified medium with the
Forever-Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to connecting science with the
afterlife. She helps individuals find closure by connecting them with their departed loved
ones. For Theresa, this is not just her job... this is her life.

###

04 Feb 2013

Cool-Season Plant Sale at Brucemore

By Tara Richards

Extend the growing season by learning about and purchasing cool-season plants at Brucemore's Cool-Season Plant Sale to be held April 10 through April 12 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The plant sale will be held in the 1915 Lord & Burnham Greenhouse located near the center of the Brucemore estate.

"Many annual flowers and edible plants grow and taste better when the soil and air temperatures are cool; however, there usually is not enough time for cool-season plants to grow between when the last frost occurs and the hot weather sets in," said Brucemore's Head Gardener Deb Engmark. "The cool-season plant sale is an opportunity for visitors to learn about extending the growing season by planting earlier with cool season plants."

A variety of cool-season plants will be for sale, including pansies, cabbages, snapdragons, sweet peas, and spinach. Brucemore will also sell early blooming perennials that will develop a strong root system if planted in April, such as bleeding hearts and Delphiniums. Cool-season plant sale prices range from $3.50 to $7.50, with all the proceeds benefiting garden and landscape rehabilitation projects at Brucemore. The garden staff will be on hand to provide expert advice on the selection, placement, and care of plants. The Summer Plant Sale will be held on May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., featuring annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, and herbs.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

###


Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar