On August 5th, 2011, Connection Church throws a party. In effort to build neighborhood community and to help kids in need, Connection will host a Block Party featuring free food, fun games, an outdoor movie, and a school supply giveaway.

At 7pm the party begins with free food and exciting games for the whole family. Two inflatable bounce houses, a dunk tank, as well as other games will provide children a fun and safe place to play. Walking tacos, fruit, and snow cones will be available for free to eat.

At 9pm the movie will start. An award-wining DreamWorks Animation film will be shown outside on the lawn. People are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on while enjoying the movie.

Besides having fun, the Block Party will be an opportunity to give school supplies to children in need. Quad City families in need of supplies can come to the party and pick up a backpack and some classroom essentials. For those who want to donate money towards this effort, stop by Connection's Food Pantry on Tuesdays from 9am-1pm. The Food Pantry is located at 4373 State Street, Bettendorf, which is also the location of the party.

Jason Holtgrewe, a pastor at Connection, believes the Block Party is a great way to help those in need. "Not only is this party a way to bring neighbors together for a little fun, it's also an opportunity to be there for others," says Jason. "There are more families in our city than we realize who need support in meeting the financial demands of another school year."

Connection is throwing a party on August 5th at 7pm. The location of the party is 4374 State Street, Bettendorf. Please call the church at 563.209.6384 or email jason@connectionqc.org for more information, including movie details.

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after House leadership said there would be no votes this weekend:

"Earlier this week, the Republican leadership informed us that we would be working this weekend. Now, they're sending us home for the weekend after all. That's disappointing when we have less than two weeks to keep our nation from defaulting on its debt. Why aren't we working through the weekend to come to an agreement? Why aren't we debating the details of the Gang of Six proposal, or any other attempt to compromise? I miss my family as much as anyone here, but I know that our economy and our nation's future must be our top priority right now."

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Davenport, IA / July 20, 2011 - Local residents will have a chance to tour Living Lands and Waters' new floating classroom at LL&W's annual Barge Party Thursday, August 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m at the Lake Davenp or t Sailing Club at Oneida Street Landing on   River Drive  .  The 150-foot long barge features a handicapped-accessible classroom, which can host up to 60 students at a time, as well as sleeping quarters for an 8 person   Living   Lands   and Waters crew.  LL&W crews will be providing tours of the new classroom during the annual Barge Party, a celebration and appreciate event for of volunteers and supporters of the environmental group.  Chad Pregracke and his Living Lands & Waters' staff and crew will be on hand to celebrate fourteen years of river cleanups, environmental education w or kshops, the Million Trees project and engaging communities in river stewardship.

The menu for this year's Barge Party will feature a catfish fry & shrimp boil.  Guests will also have a chance to taste-test various preparations of Asian Carp, an invasive species in the  Mississippi  that is commonly served in  Asia .  The Barge Party will also feature live music and a silent art auction, featuring the works of nearly a dozen regional artists who donated river-inspired pieces, including salvage material sculpture, mixed media painting, folk art, driftwood pieces, quilts and glass art.  Chad Pregracke will update guests on the progress they've made this year. "We couldn't keep these barges running, making the river a cleaner place, without the support of Quad-Citians who volunteer and support Living Lands & Waters. It all makes a difference and we are so grateful," said Chad Pregracke, Founder & President of Living Lands & Waters. Tickets for the event are $35 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the office at (309) 496-9848 or going to their website www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Teachers interested in exploring a workshop for their students should contact Tammy Becker at LL&W:  tammy@livinglandsandwaters.com or 309-496-9848. "We have had over 1,600 teachers in our Educational Workshops dating back to 2003.  This will create an opportunity for thousands of students to experience the river first hand" said LL&W founder Chad Pregracke.   Also on display at the barge party, LL&W's new one-thousand horse power tow boat, needed to push the new floating classroom.  The floating classroom was made possible by the generous support of five of LL&W's long-term partners:  Cargill, ADM, Caterpillar, AEP River Operations and Ingram Barge Company.  

The Living Lands & Waters Barge Party is held in appreciation for volunteers, supporters and fans of LL&W's efforts, as a celebration of the power of committed staff, volunteers and sponsors working together to meet an important need.  Among the reasons to celebrate this year:  LL&W founder Chad Pregracke's endowment with a 'Points of Light Award.'  This distinguished honor, established by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush was awarded during a televised ceremony from the   Lincoln   Center   which featured all of the living former presidents.     Chad   ads this honor to many others he's been given to recognize his achievements since founding LL&W.  They include a Jefferson Award, and awards from the American Institute f or  Public Service; Heroes of Conservation Nomination and Field & Stream Magazine. 

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats.  LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a- River-Mile programs and the Million Trees Project. 

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FAYETTE, IA (07/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Upper Iowa University names its 2011 Spring Dean's List. To be honored, the undergraduate must have earned a minimum 3.50 G.P.A. for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student.

Ty James Grunder, Durant, IA

Michelle Susanne Marsden, Davenport, IA

Randel Lee Hendrickson, Davenport, IA

For more information about Upper Iowa University, go to www.uiu.edu.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.