04 Jun 2012

Quad Cities Festival Season Kicks into Gear

By QC Convention & Visitors Bureau
CVB Banner
Kicking Off Summer Festival Fun Fri, Jun 8 - Sat, Jun 9

The spirit of New Orleans comes up the Mississippi River this summer when The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District presents Gumbo Ya Ya - Mardi Gras in The District on June 8-9. Enjoy Cajun food, Zydeco and Cajun music on two stages, bead tosses, and a French Quarter marketplace.  Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Bring On the Bikes for Dad Wed, Jun 13 - Sun, Jun 17

Hop on your hog for Mississippi River Motorcycle Rally at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust Street in Davenport, Iowa, from June 13-16, for the largest gathering of motorcycles in the Midwest. Enjoy powerhouse bands, vendor booths, sportbike stunt show, and motorcycle races. General gate admission is $10.00 per person or $5.00 for motorcyclists who ride in.

Join the thousands of other bicycle riders for Ride the River on Sunday, June 17. This is the 27th year for the annual Father's Day tradition of biking through the Quad Cities. View the Mississippi River from both Quad Cities shorelines on the Illinois and Iowa side from the seat of your bicycle during this festive event that the entire family can enjoy. Register in advance online!

Enjoy more bands at the Hillcrest Music Fest on June 15-17, with country music on Friday and rock bands on Saturday. On Friday, the music starts at 5 p.m. and the bands include Wild Oatz, Dirt Road Rockers, Slough Buoys, and the Dani Lynn Howe Band. On Saturday, the music starts at 12 noon and the bands include Saints & Sinners, Wicked Liz & The Bellyswirls, Meet the Press, Dani Lynn Howe Band, and The Jimmy Van Zant Band. General admission for both days with free tent camping is $40.00 in advance, and $50.00 at the gate. On Sunday, there will be a Father's Day golf outing. Hillcrest Resort is located at 16260 East 350th Street in Orion, IL.

The Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf treats dads to some great BBQ during their Father's Day Grill Out & BBQ Showdown on Saturday, June 15th at 6:30 p.m. Help determine which BBQ Sauce is the best and enjoy music provided by The Premium Sellouts. Tickets are $20.

Experiencing Quad Cities Heritage in One Weekend Sat, Jun 23 - Sun, Jun 24

On Sunday, June 24, the Deere homes' gardens are in bloom and everyone is invited to Blossoms at Butterworth to see them in their glory. From 12-5 p.m., visitors can enjoy the splendor of Butterworth Center's impressive gardens with living history volunteers, old-fashioned music, games of the 1800s, jugglers, kid's activities, antique auto show located at the Deere-Wiman House, food vendors, free guided trolley tours through Overlook historic neighborhood, and festivities on the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman lawn.

The Juneteenth festival honors June 19, 1865, when the last American slaves were freed. This year's Juneteenth celebration will take place on Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport, Iowa. After the opening ceremonies, this family event has activities for children and adults, educational programs, and entertainment scheduled throughout the day.

Bishop Hill's Midsommar Music Festival is Saturday, June 23, with a strong line-up of musical performers. Highlights of this free all-day event in Bishop Hill, Illinois, include Main Stage performances, Music Workshops; Open jamming, a Swedish Maypole celebration at 4 p.m. and Old-Fashioned Barn Dance at the Colony School at 7 p.m.

Hawkeye Herman will be the headline act at its third annual Jewish Feast-ival on Sunday, June 24, at the Tri-City Jewish Center, 2715 30th Street in Rock Island, Ill. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with Hawkeye Herman performing twice during the day. The Jewish Feast-ival also features outstanding traditional food, live entertainment, an arts bazaar, family activities, cultural exploration, and a Mah Jongg Marathon. Admission is $2.00 with children under the age of 12 admitted free.

Bring On the Blues Fri, Jun 29 - Sun, Jul 1

The annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival celebrates its 27th annual festival on June 29-July 1 with an all-star line-up of blues legends and up-and-coming stars.  More than 10,000 festival enthusiasts are expected to partake in the three days of fun, food, and great music on the banks of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa.  The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is considered one of the top five blues festivals in this country and one of the top twenty in the world.

04 Jun 2012

Braley Statement on Memorial Day

By Kira Ayish

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on Memorial Day:

"This weekend, families all over the country will gather to honor the brave men and women who have fought for our country and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Memorial Day always brings back memories of my father, who was just 17 when he fought the battle on Iwo Jima, but this year is even more personal. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Iwo Jima with several veterans. It was a moving and memorable experience, and I was so honored to pay my respects to all who fought in that historic battle 67 years ago. As a veteran, my father taught me to take pride in America's values and fight for my beliefs. From him, my family learned of the struggles and challenges facing members of the military and their families when they come home from war. Although this weekend we honor our fallen soldiers, we must also remember our military heroes and their families every day. We must work hard to make sure that they have the care and support they need not only when they're on the front lines, but also when they come home. We owe that to them and their families.

This Memorial Day weekend, I keep all of our fallen heroes and their families in my thoughts. And I extend my deepest thanks to our veterans and their families. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your bravery."

 

# # #
04 Jun 2012

Governor Pat Quinn Statement on House of Representatives Passage of Cigarette Tax Legislation to Rescue Medicaid

By Nafia Khan

SPRINGFIELD - May 25, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the Illinois House of Representatives passing Senate Bill 2194, a key part of his proposal for Medicaid restructuring.

 

"I applaud Speaker Madigan and Leader Currie and members of the House of Representative for passing legislation to increase the price of cigarettes to help eliminate Medicaid's $2.7 billion deficit, improve the health of people across Illinois, and bring back federal dollar-for-dollar matching funds.

 

"We need to take decisive action to protect Illinois' Medicaid system from collapse. The cigarette tax is not just good fiscal policy, but good health policy. Adding a dollar per pack will help 60,000 people quit smoking, prevent 60,000 deaths from smoking-related conditions and keep 80,000 kids from taking up smoking in the first place.

 

"Today's action will improve the health of our people and lower the burden of smoking-related conditions on our Medicaid system, while helping to fill the $2.7 billion Medicaid shortfall and stabilize the system for those that need it.

 

"We hope Senators will follow their colleagues in the House, and quickly pass this legislation, which is critical to rescuing Medicaid."

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04 Jun 2012

R.I. Library Summer Events

By R.I. Public Library
Summer/Holiday Hours

Summer Hours start Saturday, May 26 at all Rock Island Libraries. The Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches close at 1:00 pm on Saturdays, May 26 through Sept. 1.

 

Rock Island Libraries are closed Monday, May 28 for the holiday. Please have a happy and safe Memorial Day.
Part 4 of the Arab-Israeli Series is May 29

Professor and historian Dr. Art Pitz will continue his discussions of the Middle East on May 29 at the Rock Island Main Library. This is the last lecture in the four-part series at the Moline and Rock Island Libraries. Tuesday's topic is: "Can Israel Negotiate with any Palestinian Government?"

 

The free presentation is at 6:00 pm. No registration is required.

 

The 2012 series is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, the Rock Island Public Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Moline Public Library.
Bite into delicious summer activities, starting June 4!

books on a plate illustration Summer Reading starts Monday, June 4 at all Rock Island Libraries, and with themes such as Reading is So Delicious, Feed Your Mind: READ and Books are Brain Food, the library is cooking up a summer stacked high with fun and reading.

 

The library is "serving up" food-themed reading contests and more than 103 events for children, teens and adults. Activities begin Monday, June 4, with reading logs and entries due back to the library by Friday, July 27.

 

To see the entire list of events, see "Summer @ Your Library" on the library website.

 

Summer Reading events and prizes sponsored by Friends of the Rock Island Public Library, Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District (Southwest Branch events) and the Rock Island Public Library Foundation (summer art and drama.)

 

Reading is So Delicious for Kids

 

The delicious selection of things for kids to do this summer at the library includes "all-you-can-eat" reading programs that reward entrants as they read. The Reading is So Delicious summer reading club offers reading logs for three age groups: A Read-to-Me club log for ages two to five, the I'm a Reader book club for ages six to eight, and the Ravenous Reader log for ages nine to 11. With each contest, children earn prizes for reaching age-appropriate reading goals at three levels, and an extra chance to win a Movie, Olympic or Outdoor Fun prize basket. Forms will be available at all Rock Island Libraries starting June 4.

 

Families can also stretch their summer fun budget with free events from June 4 through August 22. Events are free and open to any member of the public, regardless of library card status or participation in the reading clubs. The library offers both weekly events, including storytimes, "book-tastings," and a math munch program with Elizabeth.

Special events and performers include two Friday Fest movies (Ratatouille and Chicken Run) and performances by Niabi Zoo, award-winning ventriloquist Kevin Horner, a birthday bash for library mascot Max Reader Mouse, magician Rick Eugene, Mad Science demos, the Reading is So Delicious puppet show with Rob "Mr. E" Erdmann, and the Incredible Bats show, featuring live fruit bats and education from Daniel and Sharon Peterson, of IncredibleBats.com.
Teens: Feed your Mind - READ!

Feed Your Mind- READ is the Teen Summer Reading club theme. Readers ages 12 to 18 turn in a reading card when they complete at least six hours of reading, or a program card for attending any one of 20 events. Participants can enter multiple times, and earn more chances to win books, DVDs, gift cards, or the grand prize, an Amazon Kindle® eReader. Teens can also earn gift cards for attending Iron Chef or Food Jeopardy game programs. Entry boxes and cards will be available at the June 4 Food Myths Kickoff (5:00 to 6:30 pm, Main Library), and at all Rock Island Library locations.

 

The more than 20 teen events this summer include movie and food craft events, pioneer cooking demos, cupcake and cookie decorating, pizza and international food tastings, Iron Chef and chocolate and food jeopardy contests, and non-food tie-dying and gaming nights. See the library website or pick up a free brochure for details!
Books are Brain Food for Adults

Adults 18 and up also have chances to win and take advantage of more free events, with the Books Are Brain Food reading club. The ample list of adult programs this summer include the Stephen Foster music program on June 5,  food and fitness education, OverDrive demos, monthly independent movies, four "recipe club" cooking demos and recipe swaps, and a series of three "dinner and a movie" events, where participants can bring in carry-out food or a picnic while enjoying a food-related movie.

 

To enter the reading contest, adults fill out an entry form for every book they read between June 4 and July 27. Print, audiobook and eReader formats all qualify. Entry forms and boxes will be available at all Rock Island locations. Top prize is a new Sony® eReader. Entry deadline is July 27, with prizes drawn after Aug. 3.

 

For a full list of events, pick up the summer program brochure at any Rock Island Library, or visit the library website. Reading logs and entry forms will be available at the Rock Island Main Library, 30/31 Branch and Southwest Branch starting June 4.
04 Jun 2012

Concert Announcement: Guy Penrod coming to the Adler Theater!

By New Anthem

Guy Penrod

Adler Theatre, Davenport

7:30 p.m. Friday, July 13

Reserved tickets ($18, $24 & $30) on sale today: Friday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available at the Adler Theatre Box Office, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or at select Ticketmaster outlets. The Adler Theatre is located at 136 East Third Street in downtown Davenport.

Penrod's latest recording, Hymns, debuted at #1 on Nielsen Soundscan's Southern Gospel retail chart and #5 on the Current Contemporary Christian chart following its release in March. His 2010 Dove Award-nominated release, Breathe Deep, continues to be a benchmark for country recordings within the Christian marketplace, featuring successful mainstream country and southern gospel radio singles.

A 2011 Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee, Penrod made his Grand Ole Opry debut last year.  Prior to his solo career, Penrod spent 14 years with the GRAMMY® and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band.

For more information: www.GuyPenrod.com
04 Jun 2012

Rock the Grove - Saturday June 9, 2012

By New Anthem

Long Grove Christian Church

202 South 1st Street

Long Grove, Iowa 52756

Free admission!

Free food, games, kids fun starts 5:00 pm.

Show starts 7:00pm

With guest: Steve Ernst

Quick Artist Agency presents:

Photoside Café

No tickets needed!

Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.

In case of bad weather, event will be held inside the church.

More information:

http://www.newanthem.com/prime.htm

or call 563-570-8638

 

Who is Photoside Cafe?
Photoside Cafe is an aggressive, acoustic, rock band from Chicago, IL that is most often compared to the likes of Dave Matthews with an edgier sound.
The foursome met at Greenville College, a school noted for its music program, and have already created a solid fan base throughout the Midwest; playing on multiple stages in such notable music festivals as Ichthus Fest and Cornerstone Festival. They have shared the stage with several rising artists including Toby Mac, Relient K, and Switchfoot.
The chemistry within the group is outstanding, and it shines onstage. Each member brings elite individual talent into the mix, making the final product the perfect combination of talent and creativity. With their blazing songs and lyrics, Photoside Cafe blends all the right elements to create an ambiance that is nothing short of remarkable.
"Once again Photoside did a fabulous job at Cornerstone Festival this summer. For the first time we gave them a spot on our Mainstage and they didn't disappoint. this band continues to impress me with their musicianship, stage presence, and attitudes (and after 38 years in the music business I have grown pretty picky). I can't wait to work with them again next summer. I highly recommend this group and I am confident you and your crow will love them." -John Herrin, Festival Director of Cornerstone Festival 2010
"Photoside Cafe is an Ichthus Festival favorite. They have a great sound that appeals to a wide audience-- but it doesn't blend in with all the rest. They have a great sound with thoughtful lyrics. And they're great musicians who always leave the audience wanting more. We've become big fans of Photoside Cafe and believe you will too." Mark Vermilion, CEO of Ichthus Ministries

 

Who is Steve Ernst?
Steve Ernst is an extremely talented and musically diverse worship leader from Davenport, Iowa, who leads Jesus Country, the region's only weekly country western worship service, at St. John's United Methodist, and also leads contemporary worship at First Baptist Church. Steve's ability to play across all musical styles, including rock, folk, jazz, blues, country, and ballads... from fingerpicking to power chords... gives him unique access to Christian music. In 2006, Steve Ernst was the acoustic guitarist for the Festival of Praise Band that opened the Casting Crowns show for 10,000 people at LeClaire Park in Davenport.

See and print the flyer!

http://www.newanthem.com/grove.pdf

 

04 Jun 2012

3rd Annual Camp Courageous Sprint Triathlon to be held Aug. 5th

By Camp Courageous

The 2012 Camp CourageousSprint Triathlon, presented by TransAmerica, is fast approaching! This year's event begins at 8am on Sunday August 5th and the entire Triathlon will take place at the camp located near Monticello, Iowa.

This is the third year that this Sprint Triathlon is being held to benefit Camp Courageous. Individuals and teams will participate in a 400 yard swim, 15.5 mile bike ride and a 4K run that will take competitors through Pictured Rock State Park as well as the Camp Courageous grounds. New for this year is that the event will be held entirely at Camp Courageous.

There are no age restrictions; children and adults who are physically prepared to participate in the Triathlon are welcome. All athletes must be a U.S.A.T. member. Entry fees include a one-day membership. Early registration savings are in affect through May 31, 2012; $70 for individuals ($60 for current U.S.A.T. athletes), $165 for teams (deduct $10 for each U.S.A.T. member).

To register, or for complete event information, go to www.campcourageous.org.
04 Jun 2012

Rivermont Collegiate News

By Rivermont Collegiate

Dear Rivermont Community,

 

Well, here it is.  The last HEADlines of the school year.  It has been an exciting year with so many accomplishments and firsts.  Once again the students and faculty of Rivermont have demonstrated that Excellence comes first, Character is expected, and Creativity can be found in every corner!  Please be sure to join us on Wednesday and Friday of next week as we celebrate these accomplishments, hear what our seniors learned about themselves and their chosen field in the Senior Projects, and  graduate our 125th class of seniors!  These students join the ranks of an exceptional group of leaders, philanthropists, professionals and engaged citizens who make up our ALUMNI!

 

This weekend marks the commemoration of those who have sacrificed for our freedoms and prosperity.

 

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.  (http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html#1)

 

In honor of the day we reprint the poem that inspired the tradition of poppies to remember.

 

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae, 1915.

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Have a safe and restful long weekend, 

 

Rick St. Laurent

Headmaster

 

Poppies

 

The Class of 2012

Matt Newsome
University of Pennsylvania


Meghana Yerrapothu
University of Illinois at Chicago

Joann Weeks
Benedictine University

 

Pavane Gorrepati
Yale University

Meghana Pagadala
California Institute of Technology





 

Christine
Christine Mbakwe
Washington University in St. Louis

 

Ramya
Ramya Prabhu
University of Illinois at Chicago

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join us for our 125th Commencement Exercises on
Friday, June 1, 10:00 AM on the South Terrace of the Mansion.
04 Jun 2012

Services to Be Held for Illinois Active Duty Soldier

By Illinois Guard PAO

WHEATON, IL (05/25/2012)(readMedia)-- Spc. Samuel T. Watts, 20, of Wheaton, Ill., died May 19, in Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained April 25, in Zharay, Afghanistan, when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. Watts was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

"Sam was a really, really good guy and well loved in our community. We are so proud of what our son has done and are truly humbled by the outpouring of prayers and affection," said Susan Watts, Sam's mother. "We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support."

The family respectfully asks to not be directly contacted by the media at this time for interviews.

Honorable transfer, visitation, funeral and burial information is as follows:

Honorable Transfer:

May 26-10 a.m. arriving at Dupage Airport, 2700 International Drive, West Chicago, Ill.

***Media should arrive at least 30 minutes prior. Media will have access to the tarmac, but the family requests that media NOT take photos or video imagery of grieving family members.

Visitation:

May 29-3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 North Main St., Wheaton, Ill.

Funeral:

May 30-10 a.m. at St. John Lutheran church, 410 N. Cross St. in Wheaton, Ill. then procession to Wheaton Cemetery, 1209 Warrenville Road, Wheaton, Ill.

***Media will not be allowed access to the church.

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard

-30-

04 Jun 2012

Lt. Governor Simon's Complete College bills move forward

By Rick Martin

College Choice Reports bill advances to House, math curriculum bill moving to Governor's desk

 

SPRINGFIELD - May 25, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon commended the Illinois Senate today for voting to help students make informed choices about Illinois' higher education options through publication of College Choice Reports. House Bill 5248, Amendment 2, passed the Senate 56-0 and now moves back to the House for concurrence.

 

Under the Simon-backed legislation, College Choice Reports will be published annually and provide students, parents and taxpayers with key institutional data for Illinois' community colleges and universities. Data included on the reports could include degree and certificate completion rates, net costs, average student debt, and student demographics. The goal is to help students make informed choices about educational paths so they can graduate on time and with less debt.

 

"Parents and students should think of this new resource as a consumer report, guiding them toward high-quality, affordable higher education investments," Simon said. "This new tool will help students comparison-shop between institutions so they can select schools that meet their educational and career needs."

 

Upon House approval of HB 5248, Amendment 2, Simon will convene a committee of higher education stakeholders to determine the style and content of the reports. Public and private degree-granting institutions will publish their first College Choice Report by January 1, 2015.

 

Simon serves as Governor Quinn's point person on education reform and helped draft two bills this session that aim to improve college completion and career readiness. The first bill to pass both chambers, SB 3244, authorizes the Illinois State Board of Education to design curriculum models that detail content and teaching techniques for middle and high school math standards. SB 3244 currently awaits Quinn's signature.

 

Simon is a former professor and serves as the chair of the Joint Education Leadership Committee of the P-20 Council.

 

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