RECREATION PROGRAMS

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

Come and get your free tree or shrub on Saturday, April 28 (Arbor Day 2012) at Vander Veer Botanical Park. Several Master Gardeners will be available to teach participants about proper planting and care techniques for the tree or shrub, along with information about supporting wildlife. Tree planting and care information for the public will be available. Limited quantity; first come, first served. We will begin to give away trees and shrubs at 10am and end by 11:30am or when trees are gone. Meet at the Drive way on the South side of Conservatory. Trees are donated by the  Living Lands and Waters (Plant a Million Trees Campaign).

LIMITED SUPPLIES FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!

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Cake Decorating, April 5

Learn all the basics of decorating special cakes with drop flowers, rosettes, pom pom flowers and leaves for your friends and family.  This will be a demonstration and hands-on class.  Supplies needed for the course will be discussed during the 1st class, a full reference book will be provided to each student.  6:30 - 8:30pm at the Collins House.

 

Crocheting/Knitting for Teens & Adults on April 5

This class is an introduction to pattern reading, materials and techniques, and includes training in the interpretation of directions.  Left-handers are our specialty.  Participants will progress at their own rate.

Crochet students bring a G or H size hook and light-colored 4-ply yarn to the first class meeting.  Knitting students bring a short pair of No. 8 needles and a 3 ox. skein of light colored 4-ply yarn. 6:30 - 8:30pm at Williams Jr. High.

 

Friday Nature Family Fun Nights- Bird Watching Fun

Come Join a Naturalist for a guided bird walk in Credit Island Natural and Historical Preserve on April 6 from 6 PM- 9 PM. Meet at the Lodge. We will look for migrating bird species found in the park. There will be pizza available for $2.50 a person which will include two slices and lemonade when a family pre-registered (you must register each family member attending over 2 yrs old). $4.00 per person at the event.

 

Senior Coffee - Lily Show, April 11

Come enjoy the sights, sounds, and fragrance of the Conservatory at Vander Veer Botanical Park.  Your $1 admission fee includes entertainment, and refreshments. Entertainment will begin at 10:30 am.

 

Pitch, Hit and Run, April 14

Come join us for this FREE event that brings together everyone for the love of Baseball...softball players, too.  Feel free to bring out your team or come with a friend. This is an exciting skills competition that provides boys and girls the chance to advance through four levels of competition.  Don't let the competition run you off, everyone is welcome to play.  Bring your birth certificate if you plan on competing, otherwise just come play!

 

Family Fun Nights- Golf and Movie, April 20

Come Join a us at Red Hawk from 6 PM- 9 PM. You will enjoy the 3-par golf course, a bucket of balls to use at the range and to top that we have dinner and a movie.  There will be pizza available for $2.50 a person which will include two slices and lemonade when a family pre-registered (you must register each family member attending over 4 yrs old). $4.00 per person at the event.

 

Adaptive Sports Expo, April 21

The public is invited to the Adaptive Sports Expo, which will highlight the many ways people with disabilities can be active participants in recreational activities and sporting events.  Prior experience is not required.  The Expo located at the Bettendorf Life Fitness Center from 6-8pm will feature:

Activities such as water-skiing, kayaking, sled hockey, aquatics, wheelchair basketball, tandem biking, tennis and seated volleyball.

Demonstrations by professionally trained facilitators and athletes with disabilities.

Informational exhibits and vendor.

For more information and/or to be a vendor contact Davenport Parks and Recreation at 563-888-2219.

 

Earth Week Fair, April 21

Come check out the City of Davenport Booth at the Earth Week Fair. Expo Center in Rock Island is the location and time is 10am to 4pm. Davenport Parks and Recreation and Public Works combine forces to bring creative ways to be "Green". This is part of the "Green Initiative" for the City of Davenport. This year's theme focuses on getting outside. This event is Free for the Public.

 

Wine 101

Learn the basics of wine at this fun tasting class.  We will sample a dozen different styles of wines from sweet to dry while discussing wine fundamentals including terminology; choosing, storing, and serving a wine; food parings and more.  Don't be intimidated.  This class is all about learning to trust your own taste buds.  Class includes cheese, crackers and other palate cleansers, so have a light dinner before class.

April 26, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Fee: $20

Class will be held at Camp McClellan Cellars - 2302 E. 11th Street, Davenport.

You must be 21 years old to participate.

 

Family Friday Nights from around the world - April 27

Are you looking for a low cost way to spend QUALITY time with your family?  Davenport Parks and Recreation heard this need and has responded in a way that is sure to appeal to ALL members of the family.  We have developed a rotating schedule of activities at our various facilities to offer families a night full of FUN!  April - August you can count on spending the night from 6:00-9:00 and we will take care of everything for $2.50 a person pre-registered (you must register each family member attending over 2yrs old). $4.00 per person at the door.  This is FAMILY FRI, parents or guardians need to accompany their kids.

 

Family Friday Nights April 27, 6-9pm at Roosevelt Community Center

Join us the 4th Friday of each month at the Roosevelt Community Center as we travel around the world.  We will explore through games, arts/crafts, music, snacks, language, and literature activities a different country each month of the summer.  Pizza and lemonade will be served.

 

Family Friday Nights all spring and summer!

Are you looking for a low cost way to spend QUALITY time with your family?  Davenport Parks and Recreation heard this need and has responded in a way that is sure to appeal to ALL members of the family.  We have developed a rotating schedule of activities at our various facilities to offer families a night full of FUN!  April - August you can count on spending the night with us from 6:00-9:00 and we will take care of everything for $2.50 a person pre-registered (you must register each family member attending over 2yrs old) $4.00 per person at the door.  This is FAMILY FRIDAY, parents or guardians need to accompany and participate with their kids.

  • First Friday of the Month is Environmental Exploration: Sites vary
  • Second Fri of the Month: Family Movie Night at Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave
  • Third Fri of the Month is Golf at Red Hawk Event Center, 6364 Northwest Blvd
  • Fourth Fri of the Month:" Around the world" at Roosevelt Community Center, 1220 Minnie Ave

 

In April 2010, the Parks and Recreation staff adopted the current Strategic Plan 2020, with the intention of updating it annually. A copy of the current Strategic Plan is available on our website.

 

At this meeting, friends groups and the public will be able to meet the Parks and Recreation management staff, and give their input on recreational programs, facility management and development, service delivery, and other areas of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Saturday, April 7 at 10am

Centennial Park*

Rain or shine, you don't want to miss this fun filled Easter egg family event!  Join B100, Davenport Parks and Recreation and the Y and celebrate spring! Bring a basket and begin your morning by participating in an egg scramble.  From there head on over to the activities.  Bring the entire family to the park and have a great time.  The Egg Scramble is divided into appropriate age groups and begins at 10am sharp.

 

*If it rains we will move inside and enjoy the great River's Edge facility.

 

Pre-registration is $3.00 per participant/ Day of event is $5.00 per participant.


Click here to: Register online.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (03/30/2012)(readMedia)-- 821 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2011-12 winter term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, Ill., a sophomore majoring in English/language arts education.

Leo Anderson from Rock Island, Ill., a sophomore majoring in business administration-advising.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in accounting and business administration-finance.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, Ill., a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Samantha Bazely from Coal Valley, Ill., a junior majoring in communication studies.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, Iowa, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Brandy Blakeney from East Moline, Ill., a junior majoring in mathematics and scandinavian studies.

Allison Brown from Milan, Ill., a sophomore majoring in elementary education.

Courtney Brown from Port Byron, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Ryan Brummet from Port Byron, Ill., a junior majoring in mathematics, applied mathematics, and computer science.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in business administration and advising.

Grace Drenth from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in psychology.

Owen Engstrom from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in political science and multimedia journalism and mass communication.

Tonnie Farwell from Rock Island, Ill., a junior majoring in accounting.

Kayla Ferguson from Orion, Ill., a junior majoring in English creative writing.

Abby Fiedler from Orion, Ill., a senior majoring in mathematics.

Fenner Hengst from Bettendorf, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in graphic design.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, Ill., a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Alexandra Jones from Sherrard, Ill., a sophomore majoring in biology.

Samantha Kammerman from Milan, Ill., a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Michael Kautz from East Moline, Ill., a junior majoring in accounting and business administration-finance.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, Iowa, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in classics.

Ryan Kopatich from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in psychology.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Adam Lang from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Anna Letendre from Rock Island, Ill., a junior majoring in business administration-marketing and psychology.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in business administration-management and accounting.

Hannah Maloney from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in psychology and communication studies.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, Ill., a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Timothy Murga from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in accounting, economics, and business administration-finance.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, Ill., a senior majoring in neuroscience and biology.

Richard Rector from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Sarah Riedel from Long Grove, Iowa, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in business administration-advising.

Ingrid Schneider from Davenport, Iowa, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, Ill., a junior majoring in liberal studies.

Moselle Singh from Le Claire, Iowa, a junior majoring in anthropology.

Amber Soike from East Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in elementary education psychology.

Rosalie Starenko from Rock Island, Ill., a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, Ill., a sophomore majoring in spanish.

Anthony TouVelle from Bettendorf, Iowa, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Anna Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in history.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, Ill., a junior majoring in business administration-finance.

Kaleigh Wall from Eldridge, Iowa, a senior majoring in art.

Alexander Wenskunas from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in political science.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in business administration-finance and accounting.

James Wiebler from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in biology.

Kelsey Winter from East Moline, Ill., a sophomore majoring in biology.

Nathan Woeber from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in biology.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers nearly 90 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty members and has a student-faculty ratio of approximately 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and services in our complex, ever-changing world.

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Davenport woman won a top prize of $30,000 playing the lottery's "Crossword" instant-scratch game.

Ruby Davis claimed her prize Monday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids. She purchased her winning ticket at Mother Hubbard's, 7522 N.W. Blvd. in Davenport.

Crossword is a $3 scratch game. Players win a prize by uncovering at least three complete words in the ticket's puzzle. If a player uncovers 10 words, he/she wins $30,000. The overall odds of winning in the game are 1 in 3.82.

Twenty-nine top prizes of $30,000 are still up for grabs in Crossword, as well as 52 prizes of $3,000, more than 700 prizes of $300 and more than 3,400 prizes of $100.

Players can enter eligible nonwinning scratch tickets online to earn "Points For Prizes™" points. The point value will be revealed to the player on the website upon successful submission of each eligible valid ticket. There is a limit of 30 ticket entries per day. To participate in Points For Prizes™, a player must register for a free account at ialottery.com. Registration is a one-time process. Merchandise that can be ordered by using points will be listed on the website in the Points For Prizes™ online store. Players can choose from items in categories such as apparel, automotive, jewelry, sporting, tools and more.

Since the lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.8 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.3 billion for the state programs that benefit all Iowans.

Today, lottery proceeds in Iowa have three main purposes: They provide support for veterans, help for a variety of significant projects through the state General Fund, and backing for the Vision Iowa program, which was implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions in the state and build and repair schools.

 

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Nelson Officially Retires April 30 After 27 Years of Service in ILARNG

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/30/2012)(readMedia)-- With every military memory and mission, Col. Tracy Nelson of Springfield, is not afraid to give credit to those who have shaped him into the commissioned officer and Soldier he is today. After 27 years in the Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG), Nelson will retire April 30.

While Nelson credits many Soldiers throughout his career, he said it is the noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who taught him the most.

It all started when he enlisted in the active component of the U.S. Army in 1975. He was just 17, grew up with five brothers and five sisters on a small Minnesota farm and needed his father's signature to serve his country. He was stationed in Germany for three years as a crewman for CH-47 Chinook helicopters that transported nuclear weapons. During this assignment, young Pvt. Nelson was introduced to a group of seasoned NCOs who served in Vietnam.

"The NCOs from Vietnam were empowered; they owned the Army," he said. "They have had the largest impact on my life...and on the rest of my career."

After his tour in Germany, Nelson decided to get out of the U.S. Army to go to college in East Peoria. He soon realized he missed the military, so a friend and ILARNG aviation Soldier convinced him to join the ILARNG and enroll in officer candidate school (OCS).

Out of his entire OCS Class that graduated in 1985, Nelson is one of only three Soldiers who still remain in the ILARNG. One of those Soldiers, Col. B.J. Mayberry of Springfield, with Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) in Springfield, was his battle buddy during OCS and vividly remembers a moment of Nelson's resiliency during training.

"On a night land navigation event he took off running, with me attempting to keep up, when all of a sudden he practically fell to his knees," Mayberry said. "I caught up only to find he had ducked under a tree and had stuck a piece of the tree in his eye and it looked like a dagger sticking out of his face. He grunted, grabbed the stick, pulled it out and yelled 'Let's go!' We ended up beating the rest of the class in that night by close to a half an hour."

Once he commissioned, Nelson started his career with 1st Battalion, 123rd Infantry Regiment. He was with the battalion until 1993 and made it to the rank of captain.

He said it was during this time that he and his fellow Soldiers enforced a standard he was familiar with while on active duty. Realistic training was a priority and the battalion initiated training that had never been done before.

"We're going to train like we're going (to war) tomorrow," Nelson said. "If we're going to be here, we're going to do it right."

The third OCS classmate who is still in the ILARNG, Col. Tom Weiss of Sherman, with JFHQ, was in the 123rd with Nelson.

"With Nelson, don't slow down or he will run you over," said Weiss. "He likes to boast, but he backs it up with action!"

In 2003, Nelson, now a lieutenant colonel, faced his first deployment. While he had never deployed, he frequently travelled across the country and the world.

He was at annual training with the 33rd Area Support Group when he was told, within days, he was deploying to Iraq. First he immediately reported to U.S Central Command in Tampa, Fla., for a two-week mission. He then returned home to Illinois on a Thursday to pack his bags and say good-bye to his family before he left Sunday morning for the year-long deployment.

Nelson said the quick turn-around was easier because it left less time for him and his family to think about it. His wife, Debbie, understood it was simply part of the job. She said she was used to him travelling but admitted an entire year to Iraq was a little different than two or three weeks across the country or the world.

"It's who we are and what we do. You accept it and move forward," she said. "It's a mental state. It's no different than going out and running a race. It's a will to win."

She said some days were easier than others but she never let their children have pity parties or feel sorry for themselves because their dad was in Iraq. At the time, their son Everett was in fifth grade and their daughter Madeline was in first grade. Nelson's daughter Kathleen, from a previous marriage, was 16.

This deployment was the first Multi-National Division (MND) deployment with the Polish Armed Forces and the ILARNG.

When he returned, he became the 108th Sustainment Brigade commander. The 108th was going through a transformation and Nelson's OCS battle buddy was by his side.

"I would say one of my most memorable training events was working with him when he (took command of) the 108th," said Mayberry. "The 108th ended up arguably the best brigade in the state. It was a lot of hard work and relentless pressure to attain excellence but in the end I wouldn't trade that transformation for any of my other military experiences."

Then in 2010, Nelson faced his second and final deployment. Again, along with a team of ILARNG Soldiers, he deployed with the Polish Armed Forces for a joint mission to Afghanistan. This mission was the deadliest deployment the Polish had experienced since World War II. Now a colonel, Nelson was even a personal target of a suicide bomber while on a mission.

"You can't stop doing your mission because you're a target," he said. "My Soldiers were a target every day."

Debbie said Everett and Madeline understood this deployment a little more since they were older and because military deployments were fairly common. She said Nelson made both deployments a little easier, too, because he kept his family and the children's school friends informed about what he was doing and where he was at.

Despite Nelson's busy career, Debbie said the two of them have always spent time together, which she knows will continue into his retirement.

"Tracy and I are best friends, so we're always together," she said.

Looking to the future, Nelson plans to spend some time coaching Madeline, who is now a freshman in high school. He also said he hopes to spend more time at the family's South Carolina home, which is where Everett is living while attending the Citadel.

Despite his future plans, he said he'll miss the Soldiers he grew up with and the ILARNG Soldiers of the next generation.

"I'll miss the Soldiers the most," he said. "There is a small core of guys who know what you have to do. It's all about leadership, which I've learned from my NCOs."

 

CHICAGO - In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit counselors and educators at the Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault (CASA) on Monday to advocate for legislation that would restore funding to sexual assault prevention agencies.

 

Senate Bill 3348 would require all strip clubs that permit alcohol to collect a $5-per-patron entry fee. The revenue would be distributed to community-based sexual assault prevention and response organizations, such as Northwest CASA, which is facing a 10 percent state budget cut this year. Northwest CASA provides 24-hour crisis response and prevention education to more than 30 municipalities.

 

DATE: Monday, April 2

TIME: 2:30 p.m.

PLACE: Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault, 415 W. Golf Rd., Suite 47, Arlington Heights

 

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HUNTINGTON, IN (03/30/2012)(readMedia)-- Four Huntington University students in the Indiana Beta Chapter of Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society were recognized at the Alpha Chi Super-Regional Convention in Baltimore, Md., on March 22-24.

Sarah Johnson, a senior journalism and English major from Davenport, IA, was awarded the National Benedict Fellowship. She is Huntington's 12th national winner and the seventh since 2004. She gave a presentation on "Prophetic Heroism in A Lesson Before Dying" on the Ernest J. Gaines's novel of the same name.

Nine HU students attended the convention.

The Indiana Beta chapter was also named a 2012 Star chapter at the convention. This is the 17th year straight year it has won the award since its inception. Only three other chapters out of Alpha Chi's 300-plus have equaled this. As a result, the chapter was nominated by Region V as one of its candidates for the 2013 Alpha Chi President's Cup. The chapter contributed 103 books to the literacy program "Reading is Fundamental" as part of Alpha Chi's national service project, and several members of the delegation participated in a chapter leadership conference.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its "Best in the Midwest" list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Nova Singers, under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, presents two performances of Drum Song, Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 pm, at Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College, Galesburg, and Sunday, April 15 at 4:00pm, at First Congregational Church, Moline.

Experience the soaring voices of the Nova Singers punctuated by the rhythms of marimba, bass drum, cymbals, bongos, steel drums, and more! This unique program features love songs by Stephen Paulus, Curse Upon Iron by Veljo Tormis, and the newest composition by Galesburg composer Daniel Godsil entitled High Flight.

"I'm thrilled to be performing with my dear friend and colleague, Nikki Malley," says director Laura Lane. "We've long wanted to collaborate on a program of music for voices and percussion, and here it is!  We have Nikki playing tons of instruments including: marimba, vibes, Shaman drum, bass drum, chimes, bongos and temple blocks, to mention a few. Plus, Galesburg composer Daniel Godsil has written a new piece, called High Flight, for Nova and Nikki, which will really show off Nikki's skills on the vibraphone; we premiere it on these concerts.

 

Joining Nova Singers is guest soloist Nikki Malley, percussion. Malley, Director of Jazz Studies at Knox College, is a jazz and classical percussionist, and has performed throughout central Illinois for the past seventeen years.  An accomplished vibraphonist, she plays tympani with the Knox-Galesburg Symphony and directs both the Knox Jazz Ensemble and the Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival.  Malley received her bachelor's degree in music from Knox College, her master's degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently completing her doctorate in musicology at the University of Iowa.

Nova Singers, a professional vocal ensemble under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, invites you to what promises to be a unique and exciting concert.  Nova Singers is known for bringing a wide variety of choral music to its audiences, and for the beauty and charm the singers impart to their music.  Dr. Lane has been serving the greater Galesburg and Quad-Cities communities since 1986, bringing her passion for music and expressive singing to audiences and singers alike.

Tickets will be available at the door. Admission is $16 for adults and $12 for seniors. Students are admitted free of charge. For information about group rates, tickets, recordings, or other Nova Singers events, call 309-341-7038, or e-mail nova@knox.edu.  Also, please take the opportunity to visit our Facebook page under the keywords 'Nova Singers.

 

Drum Song is sponsored by Blick Art Materials and G&M Distributors.  Nova Singers' 2011-2012 season is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Dear Rivermont Community,

College acceptance letters have been flying through cyberspace and snail mail for the past few weeks and our own seniors have been anxiously checking emails and mailboxes.  Last night, the long awaited Ivy acceptances were released.  You may have heard the shouts of joy or groans of disappointment reverberate across the country.  There were definitely shouts of joy from Rivermont households.

Congratulations to our seniors, Class of 2012 for their college acceptances to date!  Their hard work and dedication has been rewarded.  Kudos to our faculty for preparing our students to meet the challenges and expectations offered by colleges and universities across the country. 

American University DC

Augsburg College MN

Augustana College IL

Baylor University TX

Benedictine University IL

Boston University MA

Brown University RI

California Institute of Technology CA

Case Western Reserve University OH

Columbia University NY

Cornell University NY

Dartmouth College NH

DePaul University IL

Duquesne University PA

Drew University NJ

Drexel University PA

Duke University NC

Emory University GA

Gustavus Adolphus College MN

Johns Hopkins University MD

Kent State University OH

Knox College IL

Lehigh University PA

Michigan Technological University MI

New Jersey Institute of Technology NJ

New York University NY

Northern Michigan University MI

Northwestern University IL

Pennsylvania State University PA

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NY

Richard Stockton NJ

Rosemont College PA

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey-Newark NJ

St. Ambrose University IA

St. Bonaventure University NY

St. Louis University MO

Sienna College NY

Stanford University CA

Stony Brook University NY

Temple University PA

Union College NY

University of Alabama AL (EMSAP)

University of Chicago IL

University of Cincinnati OH

University of Connecticut CT

University of Illinois at Chicago IL

University of Iowa IA

University of Kansas KS

University of Maryland MD

University of Miami FL

University of Minnesota, Morris MN

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities MN

University of Missouri- Kansas City MO

University of Pennsylvania PA

University of Pittsburgh PA

University of Southern Alabama AL

University of Rochester NY

University of Toledo OH

University of Virginia VA

Ursinus College PA

Vanderbilt University TN

Villanova University PA

Virginia Commonwealth University VA

Washington University in St. Louis MO

Wayne State University MI

West Chester University PA

Widener University PA

Yale University CT

Youngstown State University OH

 

This significant list of acceptances gives our seniors a wealth of opportunities to continue their path of learning and achievement.  Of our seven seniors, four are lifers, one entered in first grade, one in seventh, and one in eleventh.  The Class of 2012 has been awarded a combined total of $1,372,344.00 in renewable merit scholarships over 4 years.

 

The Rivermont Experience culminates in the Upper School and once again our students and faculty have demonstrated the benefits of focused Intellect, refined Character, and boundless Creativity!

 

Rick St. Laurent

Headmaster

Berwyn Event to Connect Families Facing Foreclosure with
Resources to Help Keep Their Homes

 

CHICAGO - March 30, 2012. As part of his commitment to affordable housing and foreclosure prevention, Governor Pat Quinn today encouraged Illinois families facing foreclosure to attend the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network's first "Keep Your Home, Illinois" workshop. Held Saturday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Berwyn, the workshop will connect struggling homeowners with in-person assistance, resources and knowledge to help them keep their homes.

 

"Helping families stay in their homes is essential in keeping our communities strong and our economic recovery moving forward," Governor Quinn said. "The Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network is a one-stop-shop that connects families facing foreclosure with the most up-to-date information and free housing counseling to help them navigate their options."

 

Announced in the Governor's State of the State address, the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) is a multi-agency effort coordinated by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). The statewide program gathers all resources available to homeowners to ensure that families facing foreclosure can access the assistance they need in one stop. The IFPN provides access to counseling services, legal advice, mortgage payment assistance programs, foreclosure preven­tion events and tips on how to avoid mortgage fraud.

 

The Berwyn event is the first of six regional, IFPN "Keep Your Home, Illinois" foreclosure prevention workshops around the state. The IFPN's resources are also available 24-hours a day online at KeepYourHomeIllinois.org, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at the IFPN's free hotline 1-855-KEEP-411 (1-855-533-7411).

 

Foreclosures adversely impact too many Illinois families and communities. Illinois is consistently ranked among the top 10 states with the highest number of foreclosures. In 2011, 103,003 homes in Illinois received a foreclosure filing, or one in every 51 homes - ranking the state eighth in the country, according to RealtyTrac.

 

The Chicago area has the nation's largest inventory of foreclosed homes. According to RealtyTrac's inventory records, as of December 2011, there were 96,996 properties that were bank-owned or in some stage of foreclosure in the Chicago metro area.

 

"You just don't know until it hits you what a disaster your life can become when you can't pay your bills," local homeowner Regina Bailey, who was recently approved for temporary financial assistance through the Illinois Hardest Hit Program, said. "You go through program after program, but you never know about most of them unless someone tells you. Then all of a sudden you feel okay because you have hope. That's what the Governor's Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network has done for me."

 

Working with a housing counselor doubles a homeowner's chances of getting a loan modification and, once their loan is modified, foreclosure counseling reduces their chances of re-default by 67 percent.

 

"There are many benefits to working with an IFPN housing counselor," said Mary Kenney, executive director of the IHDA. "Our counselors have access to numerous state and federal programs, and can direct homeowners toward the best program to suit their individual situations. The entire purpose of the network is to collect resources in one place, helping struggling homeowners save valuable time and resources as they work to keep their homes."

 

"We are proud to be one of the 68 counseling agencies providing services under the network," Ofelia Navarro, executive director of the Spanish Coalition for Housing, said. "Governor Quinn understands that homeowners have difficulty understanding and keeping up with which foreclosure prevention programs are available to them. Now more than ever, as the number of programs increase, homeowners need guidance to choose the best option for them."

 

Under Governor Quinn, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) partnered to establish this free, one-stop collaboration of state agencies and nonprofit organizations to help Illinois residents access resources so that they can remain in their homes.

 

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (www.ihda.org) is an independent, self-supporting bonding authority that finances the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout Illinois. Since 1967, IHDA has allocated more than $10.6 billion to finance more than 215,000 affordable housing units for the residents of Illinois. IHDA sells bonds independently, based on its own good credit, to finance affordable housing in Illinois.

 

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