Journey Through Mountains and Rivers: Chinese Landscapes Ancient and Modern (Feb. 8-April 28, 2013) juxtaposes thousand-year-old Chinese landscape paintings in a dialogue with the monumental landscapes of the contemporary Chinese artist Xu Longsen, ranging from small fan-shaped paintings to a gigantic horizontal scroll.

Frida Kahlo, Diego Revera and the Art of Modern Mexico, from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, (May 25-Aug. 18, 2013) displays the passion two Eastern European immigrants felt for their adopted homeland and its extraordinary art.

The exhibit is composed of more than 100 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and art on paper ranging from the figurative to the surreal, the abstract, and the conceptual. With art dating from the 1910s through 2005, visitors experience an exceptional private collection that not only highlights the rich and vibrant artistic traditions of the Mexico of yesterday, but also underscores how those traditions remain inventive and vital today.

Saint Louis Art Museum Expansion
Near the end of June 2013, the new, $150 million, East Building of the Saint Louis Art Museum will open its doors, adding more than 200,000 square feet of space to one of the top attractions in St. Louis.

The East Building provides galleries, public amenities, a cafe, and a 300-car, below-grade parking garage. The expansion has a fully-accessible entrance on Fine Arts Drive, designed to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety.

The museum is adjacent to the St. Louis Zoo, in Forest Park. Admission is free.

St. Louis Science Center Flight Simulator
The St. Louis Science Center is one of the top 10 science centers in the U.S.; top 15 in the world. The new flight simulator ($5) offers high-tech, 3D technology, giving guests a five-minute, exhilarating "flight."

The first of three to be installed is the eight-seat Morphis ESP, which provides four scenarios: F18 Hornet, with a carrier takeoff and landing; Solar Coaster, a fantasy ride through the solar system; Riding the Wind, an introduction to weather, with an intense ride through a tornado; and Bermuda Triangle, offering an underwater excursion to search for missing planes and ships off the coast of Andros Island. General admission to the Science Center is free; there is a fee for some special activities.

Daniel Boone Monument Village
In the community of Marthasville, located on the Katy Trail, at the Daniel Boone Monument Village, visitors may tour the 200-year-old farm, two log cabins, and school house where Daniel and Rebecca Boone once walked.

The property includes the Bryan log cabin, built in 1799; the Dickhaus-Stemme home, built in the 1860s; the Mellien log cabin; and the 1850s Devereaux schoolhouse. The village offers tours, school field trips, dinner programs, living-history demonstrations, workshops, encampments, and other events.

Call 636-359-6175 for information.

Discover the Children of Titanic
Learn the stories of the 133 children aboard the Titanic. Discover the Children of Titanic-the first and only world tribute to Titanic's littlest heroes-is a new gallery aboard the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson.

What the children saw, heard and felt from the moment they boarded the ship has been documented and visualized for the first time anywhere. This year-long exhibit, running Jan. 18 thru year's end, is a celebration of those children, whose bravery, innocence and faith should be an inspiration to us all.

Please note the Titanic Museum Attraction does not allow cameras or video inside.

Harry S. Truman Courtroom and Office
In July 2013, the historic Truman Courthouse, located on Independence Square, will re-open after undergoing a major, multimillion-dollar renovation.

The iconic Courthouse includes the circa 1930s Truman Courtroom, the Brady Courtroom, the George Caleb Bingham art gallery, and the Jackson County Historical Society artifacts gallery.

Also, the building will house the Independence Tourism Department, as well as a Welcome Center.

Big Shoal Heritage Area
Scheduled to open in the spring, the Big Shoal Heritage Area in Gladstone includes the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, as well as the Big Shoal Historic Cemetery. The area was the jumping-off point near the edge of what was considered "civilized country."

Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, originally a two-story log cabin, built in 1834, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum displays period artifacts. A heritage garden gives visitors a feeling for the amount of labor it took to meet basic food needs.

Big Shoal Historic Cemetery was established in 1824; it is the final resting place for veterans from the Blackhawk Indian Wars, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. A self-guided tour provides an explanation of markers within the cemetery.

Two new, extremely exciting roller coasters begin thrilling brave riders in Missouri for 2013. Both are unlike anything found before in Missouri, and each offers a different experience.

Outlaw Run ? Silver Dollar City

This spring, Outlaw Run, the world's most daring wood roller coaster, zooms through Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson.

What's so special about Outlaw Run? The ride includes the steepest drop for a wood coaster anywhere on earth (162 feet almost straight down?81 degrees); it includes a double barrel-roll, making it the only wood coaster in the world to get you upside-down; and, reaching a top speed of 68 mph, it is the second fastest wood roller coaster on the planet.

Boomerang ? Six Flags St. Louis

At Six Flags, Boomerang is a gravity-defying, nerve-racking, stomach-crunching steel roller coaster that rockets you through a combination of sensations.

First, Boomerang slowly pulls you backward, 125-feet into the air; after a short pause, you are released to rocket along 1,650-feet of twisting steel track, at speeds reaching 50 mph, through a half loop, a right half-corkscrew, a left half-corkscrew, another half loop, and a full loop before climbing a second hill, where you pause in mid-air before reversing the trip, full circle ? backwards.

Isle Casino
The new Isle Casino, in downtown Cape Girardeau, contains 42,000 square feet of gaming space and five restaurants - all overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. It opened in late 2012, so 2013 marks its first full year in operation.

The on-site event center offers nearly 6,324 square feet of space. The casino is open 24 hours daily, except Wednesdays, when it is closed 5 a.m.-6 a.m. There is free live entertainment at The Lone Wolf restaurant and lounge every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Apple Creek Vineyard and Winery
Opened November 2012, Apple Creek Vineyard and Winery, in Friedheim, affords visitors pleasant views of Apple Creek, showcasing each season. Apple Creek's arrival on the Missouri winery scene brings the state's total to 118 wineries!

Relax and enjoy a glass or bottle of the estate-bottled wines in the spacious tasting room, on the wrap-around deck, and under the trees along the creek.

The Creek Bank Cafe serves appetizers and fresh-made pizzas. Small weddings and other private events are welcome. Open Thursday thru Sunday (hours vary); other days by appointment.

This is by no means a complete list of what's new in Missouri in 2013; it is intended merely to convey the scope of new and exciting things to do in Missouri.

About the Missouri Division of Tourism
The Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT) is the official tourism office for the state of Missouri dedicated to marketing Missouri as a premier travel destination. Established in 1967, the Missouri Division of Tourism has worked hard to develop the tourism industry in Missouri to what it is today, an $11.2 billion industry supporting more than 279,000 jobs and generating $627 million in state taxes in Fiscal Year 2011. For every dollar spent on marketing Missouri as a travel destination in FY11, $57.76 was returned in visitor expenditures. For more information on Missouri tourism, go to http://www.visitmo.com/.

Rock Island, IL: With the nation's 55th presidential inaugural address nearing on Jan. 21, the Rock Island Library has announced a special program to help put the event into its historical perspective.

"American Identity in the Inaugural Address" will be presented at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19^th Street, by Dr. Steve Klien of the Communication Studies Department of Augustana College.

For nearly 224 years, the inauguration of newly elected presidents has been an important national ritual celebrating American democracy. Inaugural addresses delivered by Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy have been among the most powerful and important orations in US history. Dr. Klien will discuss the role of these speeches in shaping American political and cultural identity.

Dr. Klien teaches courses in political communication, rhetorical theory and criticism, media studies, and communication research, including "Communication, Politics, and Citizenship" (an introduction to political communication and rhetorical studies), and "Critical Analysis of Messages" (a course in the rhetorical criticism of public address.)

The program is 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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The new year is a great time to get yourself pointed in the right direction financially.
"Making small improvements at the beginning of the year is a lot easier than trying to play catch-up," says financial planner Rick Rodgers, author of "The New Three-Legged Stool: A Tax Efficient Approach To Retirement Planning" (www.TheNewThreeLeggedStool.com).

"Just as you would embark on an exercise program to lose weight and get physically fit, there are simple steps you can take that will lead to being financially healthy and fit."
Here are Rodgers' seven tips for improving your financial life in 2013.

• Review your credit report - Borrowing money isn't the only reason to check your credit.  Employers check credit reports and so do insurance companies.  Your credit score can have a profound effect on the amount you pay for auto and homeowners insurance -- and perhaps on health and life insurance in the not-too-distant future. Order your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Set up an Automatic Savings Plan (ASP) - If your employer doesn't offer this through payroll deduction you can set one up through your bank or brokerage account.  Simply have a certain amount of money withdrawn from your checking or savings account each month and deposited into your investment account. That way, you save it before you ever have a chance to spend it. Try to increase the amount you invest at least once a year.

• Establish a cash flow plan - Business owners know you can't control what you don't track.  Take the time to forecast your income and expenses for the year, and put it in writing. Then adjust those numbers to reach your goals, such as paying down debt or replacing a car.  Track your progress on a regular basis by holding a monthly family finance meeting to review the plan.

• Pay off your credit cards - It's especially important to take action on debt in 2013.  Cash doesn't earn much interest sitting in a deposit account (less than 1 percent) and even "low interest" credit cards charge 10 to 12 percent.  So if you're sitting on any extra savings, consider using it to pay down credit card debt.  Your cash flow plan should include a schedule to eliminate credit card debt as quickly as possible.

• Shop your insurance - Insurance agents are often paid commission based on premium levels, so they have no incentive for finding existing customers lower premiums. However, there is a huge incentive for a competing agent to find you the lowest premium in order to win your business. Make note of the coverage levels you have for your homeowner's and auto policies and use them to comparison shop. Look at ways to save on your health insurance coverage, too, such as switching to a high-deductible plan and opening a Health Savings Account.

• Write an estate plan - At a minimum you need to have a valid will, power-of-attorney (POA) for your finances and health-care decisions, and a living will (Advanced Healthcare Directive in some states).  Decide who will be your personal representative in the event you become incapacitated (POA) or at your death (executor).  If you have minor children, choose who will raise them in your absence and establish a testamentary trust for their finances.

• Meet with a financial adviser - An adviser is to financial planning as a personal trainer is to an exercise program.  Allow yourself to be held accountable by a third party who will push you to help yourself.  Good advisers will help you develop a budget, look at your debts, tax situation, retirement and college savings, estate planning and insurance. You don't have to be a high-net-worth individual to seek the assistance of a financial adviser.  Go to the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and search for one in your area.

Don't just make a vague resolution to save money. According to Psychology Today, of the millions of American's who make a New Years resolution, 40 percent have already failed by Jan. 31.  Let 2013 be the year you make lasting changes to improve your financial life.

About Rick Rodgers

Certified Financial Planner Rick Rodgers is president of Rodgers & Associates, "The Retirement Specialists," in Lancaster, Pa. He's a Certified Retirement Counselor and member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers. Rodgers has been featured on national radio and TV shows, including "FOX Business News" and "The 700 Club," and is available to speak at conferences and corporate events (www.RodgersSpeaks.com).

Author reveals how readers can attain a more stress-free and fulfilling life

Retirement thinking and living concedes age as being old. With 77 million baby boomers reaching that retirement threshold thinking must change to living wellness not accepting illness.  In realty one's current situation is a result of one's past thinking, not circumstances or happenstance.  If one thinks that he is too old to live well, chances are, his pessimistic thoughts are helping him age too fast.  Then we will always be too young to die.

In his book, Never Too Old to Live: Never Too Old to Change, author Rhoads points out the facts?that chronological age is but a number and what matters is that people should start feeling and acting happy to live longer.  Less stress, more healthy habits provide this biological outcome.  "...you either think young or feel old...why not feel young and forget thinking old"...Jeanne Clement 122 years, 164 days young (oldest person in the world).

This Self-Health book is not a fountain of youth?but prescribed good thinking and doing habits which keep people mentally, physically and emotionally younger.  Once people are able to subdue negative thoughts and forces, they can attain a more stress-free, youthful biological age and finally realize they are Never Too Old to Live.

Never Too Old to Live puts emphasis on these facts and teaches thinking exercises and actions that will help people slow down the aging process.   Rhoads calls it Staging your life for living longer.

With health care costs skyrocketing this remedy also helps all of us economically.  Physically, you can guide aging by staging your diet, exercise plan and mental functioning...through a regimen proposed in the book about 14,000 calories can be burned in 10 weeks resulting in a 10 pound weight loss and a 3 point reduction in your BMI...Rhoads provides a tool on the book's website called the Downsizer for tracking calorie reductions and improvements in your BMI.  Think and burn your way to fitness.

Thoughts are powerful things. Earle Nightingale, an American motivational speaker and author, once taught that "we become what we think about". Even experts on behaviors would agree that "we are what we think we are."  Jack Lalanne, the God Father of Fitness, who was working out until his death at the age of 96, said "I never looked forward to working out but I never looked back on a wasted day".

As the cover of the book demonstrates Rhoads and his wife have been able to practice what he preaches and are aging at a happy and healthy pace.  In their 70's they expect to pass the century mark and beyond.

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.Xlibris.com.

Never Too Old to Live * by Jerry Rhoads

Never Too Old to Change

Publication Date: October 15, 2012

Trade Paperback; $15.99; 92 pages; 978-1-4691-5776-4

Trade Hardback; $24.99; 92 pages; 978-1-4691-5777-1

eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4691-5778-8