Imaginations will soar at the Midwest Kites Fun Fly at the Quarter during River the River, June 20, 2010. Stop by to watch or participate in dual line and quad line kite flying lessons. Celebrate Ride the River's 26th year by joining us on Father's Day, June 20. New this year?a six mile Arsenal Island loop. Cross the river on the Celebration Belle Riverboat or the historic Arsenal Island Bridge. Bring all the kids because Kids Ride Free with a paying adult, sponsored by Trinity Regional Health Systems. Please note: Arsenal Island trails are open for just registered riders of this event. The Ride begins at the Freighthouse, Western and River Drive, Davenport.

Come join the fun with the whole family this Father's Day and carry on this 26 year tradition! Ride 16 miles or 60 miles; you can loop back at several places on the route. You'd be surprised how much you get out of Ride the River! Building memories, enjoying nature, learning Mississippi River history, getting hooked on biking and connecting with the family. With cool drinks, delicious food, a Kids Olympics, Nahant Marsh, Quad Cities Botantical Center and Putnam Museum activities, Ride the River is a great family activity. Register on-line at www.riveraction.org. Adult riders are $12 until June 18th and $15 after June 18th. For more information contact Linda at 563-322-RIDE, or 563-322-7433.

The Rock Island Beautification Commission is looking for the most beautiful yards in the city.

The 36th annual "Tell On Your Neighbor" residential beautification awards contest has opened nominations for the most attractive and best-kept lawns in Rock Island. Anyone can submit a nomination and they will be accepted through Friday, June 25th at 5:00 p.m. Nominations after this date will not be accepted.

This awards program recognizes residents who make the extra effort to beautify their yards beyond the norm. The Beautification Commission believes these citizens should be honored for their efforts and for encouraging others to keep well-groomed yards that are an asset to the city.

The Commission is looking for well-maintained yards with attractive, colorful displays of flowers, bushes and plants. The commission wishes to honor residents who take the time to show pride in their homes and neighborhoods. In the past 35 years, over 530 residents have been recognized. All winners will receive a certificate of recognition at a City Council meeting (date to be announced).   Award recipients after 2005 are not eligible.

The Beautification Commission is a group of Rock Island citizens appointed by the Mayor and City Council to encourage individuals and groups to beautify Rock Island.

(Moline, IL) Skip-a-Long keeps tracks of their alumni and each year awards an academic scholarship to help a former student with college costs.  This year's winner is Nicole Johnston.  She was a student of Skip-a-Long from 1992 to 2002.  Nicole is planning on attending Black Hawk College and then Western Illinois University and is grateful for the $750.00 scholarship to pursue her dream of a career in criminal justice. "I can honestly say that going to Skip-a-Long made me the person I am today," says Nicole. "Everything I did there helped me learn about the basic traits a good person should have."

The Virgie Wells Educational Scholarship was established in 2004.  Since its inception, more than $5,000 has been given out to former students who plan on becoming full-time students at an accredited college or university.  The scholarship is open to any graduating senior of the Quad Cities high school who is a former Skip-a-Long student and is graduating from high school with a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher.

Virgie Wells was an advocate of higher education.  She was a teacher at Skip-a-Long for 30 years and touched the lives of many children and families.

Johnson will receive her scholarship at the June 2nd Skip-A-long board meeting. You can interview Johnson by calling her home 309-523-2873 or her cell 309-631-5823.