Greenville, IL. -- Greenville College has released the names of 264 students who qualified for honors at the conclusion of the spring semester. The list includes Ansley DeVrieze, Junior, Biology, College Scholar, daughter, Jay DeVrieze of Moline, IL
To qualify for the Dean's List, freshmen are required to maintain a 3.5 grade point average (4.0 scale). Sophomores, juniors and seniors must have a 3.7 GPA. A College Scholar is a student who has made the Dean's List for three or more consecutive semesters.
Greenville College is a four-year accredited Christian liberal arts school with more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the college is located in Greenville, Illinois, 45 miles east of St. Louis.

DES MOINES, IA (07/12/2012)(readMedia)-- Iowa State Fair's free grounds entertainment will fill the Fairgrounds with family fun August 9-19. These grounds acts are just part of the more than half a million dollars of entertainment available to Fairgoers free with gate admission. "Nothing Compares" to this mix of art, music, comedy and animals that is sure to provide fun for all ages!

The Kids' Zone will be packed with kid-friendly food, entertainment and activities for the youngest Fairgoers. Located north of the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center, Kids' Zone includes the Blue Ribbon Kids' Club Tent, Little Hands on the Farm, Bengal Tiger Encounter, Butterfly House and Turbo Trampoline.

The Bengal Tiger Encounter is an inspirational program featuring the incredible Bengal tiger and educates the public on the loss of habitat and the killing of tigers for profit in other parts of the world. These tigers are protected and cared for by loving trainers. Tigers are on display all day with shows daily at 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m.

Fairgoers won't want to miss the fun and excitement found in the family-friendly entertainment area located west of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center. This area will feature the Swampmaster's Gator Show and the BMX Pros Trick Team several times daily.

Starring Swampmaster and native Iowan Jeff Quattrocchi and his band of playful alligators, the Swampmaster's Gator Show provides thrills, laughter, fun facts and edge-of-the-seat entertainment for all. Swampmaster's shows are daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., west of Jacobson Exhibition Center. For those looking for even bigger thrills, the BMX Pros Trick Team is sure to deliver. The show features the world's most extreme bicycle stunt riders in a spectacular, non-stop, action-packed event. The BMX Pros Trick Team presents the same championship talent that competes in the X-Games. BMX Pros Trick Team perform daily at 1, 3 and 6 p.m., west of Jacobson Exhibition Center.

Fairgoers can also enjoy an impressive array of new, fun family shows across the Fairgrounds. The Red Trouser Show is a high-end street theater performance that exceeds expectations. This professional and highly skilled duo is a unique and visible attraction that leaves awe-struck audiences laughing. Using fire, juggling and illusions, the show provides a whole new kind of acrobatics that is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. Shows are daily at noon, 2 and 5 p.m on Expo Hill.

Bandoloni, the one man band, will be strolling the Fairgrounds to impress audiences with his harmonious multitasking. Fairgoers will want to join in the fun as he belts out familiar family favorites while playing guitar, harmonica, tambourine, high-hat, kick-drum, snare and more - all at the same time! Catch Bandoloni strolling around the Fairgrounds daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

"Back to the Farmer" will be the focus of a sculpture in the Varied Industries Building by Canstruction, Inc., a group that creates art from canned goods before donating their sculpting material to local food banks. Positioned around the main build of a futuristic car will be colorful and engaging sculptures depicting the continuous improvement of Iowa's farmers. Also, chainsaw artists A.J. Lutter and Gary Keenan will be sculpting four different pieces each day at 10 a.m., noon, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. in Heritage Village. The sculptures will be auctioned off at the end of the Fair.

The Cultural Center atrium will be showcasing The Art of Becoming AWARE sculptures from

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The sculptures are made from trash pulled from Iowa's rivers in Iowa DNR's Project AWARE cleanup efforts.

Rounding out the free grounds entertainment, Hedrick's Petting Zoo will allow kids of all ages to get up close and personal with many animals that may not be found in the typical Iowa barn. Visit their exhibit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Pella Wildlife Company will also present animal shows featuring bats and wolves and other endangered species at Maytag Family Theaters daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. In addition, an ongoing wildlife education center will run continuously in Homemakers' Theater.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. A complete listing and details of free grounds entertainment, as well as all other Iowa State Fair events, is available online. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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Tap your toes!  Move your feet!  Get up and dance to the live jazz music of Don Estes and the Prairie Ramblers at the 25th Annual Bix Porch Party!  Enjoy the block party featuring live jazz, entertainment, food, and more on Thursday, August 2, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (music starts at 11:30) at the Main Street Library (321 Main Street).

Enjoy FREE music, entertainment, popcorn, and lemonade.  The library's Teen Volunteer Council will sell hotdogs and soda at bargain prices to help raise money for teen items at the library!

Bring lawn chairs and blankets, and wear your dancing shoes as we block off Main Street for some good old-fashioned fun.  Come for the music and enjoy the old-timey carnival of popcorn, lemonade, and more!  This FREE event is for people of all-ages.

Stop in the Library afterwards and visit the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center to learn more about Bix and see the display of Bix Jazz Festival posters.  Call 563-326-7832 for more information.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Davenport Public Library.

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Governor Champions New Illinois Hiring Veterans Tax Credit to Help Returning Servicemembers Find Jobs

CHICAGO - July 12, 2012.  Three days after signing the Hiring Veterans Tax Credit to help veterans find employment in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today called on employers throughout Illinois to hire 100,000 Veterans by 2020. The Governor was joined by a coalition of more than 60 companies, government agencies and Veterans' groups for the 100,000 Jobs Mission hiring event at the University of Illinois at Chicago's forum. The Hiring Veterans Tax Credit, which Governor Quinn called for in his 2012 State of the State address, is designed to help more Illinois Veterans find employment after returning from military service. The measure provides a significant additional tax credit of up to $5,000 for every unemployed Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan an Illinois company hires, which helps businesses employ Veterans who have sacrificed so much in serving our state and our country.

"This job fair today is an opportunity for so many servicemembers who are ready and waiting to put their skills to work," Governor Quinn said. "Our returning Veterans have sacrificed, served and completed their mission and they deserve every opportunity to find a good job."

The 100,000 Jobs Mission hiring event is being held in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), JP Morgan Chase, Joining Forces, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), American Legion, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Student Veterans of America, U.S. Department of Labor - VETS, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The fair uses an innovative pre-register, pre-match model that results in pre-scheduled interviews and, in some cases, on-the-spot job offers that range from entry-level to managerial positions. Veterans are sought-after employees for their service training, which includes respect for authority, embracing responsibility and success operating in a team-based environment. Servicemembers also have advanced training in technology, manufacturing, construction and logistics. Since the program's launch last year, the group has collectively hired more than 12,000 Veterans.

Some of the Illinois-based companies and organizations participating in today's event include Abbott, Caterpillar, CDW, Cushman & Wakefield, Health Care Service Corp. (parent of Blue Cross Blue Shield), Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Kraft Foods, McDonald's, Northern Trust, Schneider National, Sears, University of Chicago Medical Center, and Walgreens.

For more information about benefits for our Veterans, visit Veterans.Illinois.gov or call the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs at 217-782-6641 or 312-814-2460.

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